now posting regularly

Looks like it's time for the last ode to NPR for the year. In the last week or two, I've bookmarked a couple of stories that might be of interest to you, or perhaps it's just me...

• What's The Word? How English Evolved This Decade- I love lists and I love words, so how could I not love this story from Fresh Air about the words that have become a part of our lexicon in the last ten years? I did learn something, too. I've always thought that we "defriended" people on Facebook, but apparently the term should be "unfriend." Meh.

• For Rural Adults, Health Care Is Wishful Thinking- I really enjoy the offerings from Youth Radio that are featured on NPR. This story aired on Morning Edition, and it's certainly worthy of the air time. These are the circumstances that I feel too many politicians either are unaware of or blatantly ignore in their fights against a public option for health care.

• Jailed Iranian-American Faces 15 Years In Iran Prison- This is heartbreaking, and it never ceases to amaze me what the Iranian government is capable of in terms of human rights injustices. Haleh Esfandiari is briefly featured in this story from Weekend Edition, and after reading her book, My Prison, My Home, I'm overwhelmed by these atrocities even more. I really don't know what can be expected as far as change, but if you're a praying kind of person, the prisoners in Iran are in need of as many prayers as possible.

• Classic Toys- This segment of The Diane Rehm Show (in the 11:00 hour) is as obvious a pick as ever for me. I didn't get to listen to it in its entirety when it aired, but I knew that it was coming up and made a note for myself. And then when it aired, a friend even called to tell me about it, because we have the same vested interest in this topic as preschool teacher people. Definitely worth listening to, especially if your kids have some gift cards to redeem at all those after-the-holidays sales!

• The Best... and The Rest- Oh, the end of the year lists keep on coming! This time television is on the block, and this piece from Fresh Air features tv critic David Bianculli gives his picks, and I'm happy to say that Jon Stewart, Glee, and Modern Family (my personal faves!) all make the cut!

• Ex-Hedge Fund Analyst Finds Calling On YouTube- This is a neat story from All Things Considered about a guy who has become an online tutor via YouTube. I think we may be looking him up for homework assistance very soon!

• Jon Ronson, Staring (At 'Goats') From The Sidelines- Okay, this one must really be perfect for me, because not only did I bookmark it when it aired on All Things Considered in its first running that afternoon, but lovely hubby heard it two hours later on its re-run while he was driving, and he called home to tell me to click my bookmark! I haven't read this book or watched the movie, but it certainly sounds unique. Since I'm not usually a fan of movie adaptations of books, I'm always intrigued to hear how authors feel about the movies made from their works.

I am confident that 2010 will bring a new abundancy of NPR stories to ooh and aah over!


Sharing the NPR love as always,