All There Is
Posted by Michelle Moquin on February 14th, 2012
Good morning!
From one hopeless romantic to another, I share the discover of this lovely book on LOVE. After all…LOVE is…
All There Is: Love Stories from Storycorps by David Isay
Review By Chick Lit Reviews and News
A celebration of love from StoryCorps.
In All There Is, founder Dave Isay shares stories of love and marriage from the revolutionary oral history project, revealing the many and remarkable paths that relationships can take.
From the excitement and anticipation of courtship to the deep connection of lifelong commitment, we discover that love is found in the most unexpected of places-a New York toll booth, a military base in Iraq, an airport lounge. As the storytellers in this book start careers, build homes, and raise families, we witness the life-affirming joy of partnership, the comfort of shared sorrows, and profound gratitude in the face of loss.
These stories are also testament to love’s remarkable endurance. Love survives discrimination, illness, poverty, time-even death. In the courage of people’s passion we are reminded of the strength and resilience of the human spirit and its enduring capacity to begin anew. This powerful collection bears witness to real love, in its many varied forms, enriching our understanding of that most magical feeling.
Love is all around us. It’s in the way we treat each other as human beings to the relationships that grow over time. In these short stories of love discovered, lost and found people from all over the United States share their varying experiences that at their core speak to the romantic within each of us. From stories of love found at a time of war to the heartbreaking loss of a husband as the building he works in collapses around him each of their stories show humanity at it’s finest and give hope to readers everywhere.
Wow. It’s books like this that leave me with the realization I’m an absolute hopeless romantic. This is the reason I think readers here at Chick Lit Reviews and News will love this book. What could be better than honest to goodness true love stories that have happened to real people? This was a book that had me hoping for the very best, laughing at times and on at least one occasion crying uncontrollably. Not all of the stories end in a happily ever after and some even openly admit they wish things were different, but even in a mere two or three pages each couple has an incredible journey to share and I loved them all.
All There Is: Love Stories from Storycorps by David Isay is a book based on the shared stories of numerous couples from around the US who visited a StoryCorps location to record their journey. It’s such a unique concept and it’s actually the first time I’d heard about it. Two people can go to a StoryCorps location and record an “interview” that will then be given to them as well as put in the records at the Library of Congress for future generations to listen to and learn from. In All There Is: Love Stories from Storycorps the stories about the relationships & love that have been shared over time were compiled into the book, separated into three categories: Found, Lost and Found at Last. It’s such a brilliant idea and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about.
Overall I’d say that the most enjoyable parts of All There Is: Love Stories from Storycorps for me were the first and second sections. In the first section “Found” each of the couples share how they found and fell in love with the other. Sometimes their stories are absolutely hilarious, one even admitted that she thought her husband was a bit mentally slow initially because he never spoke and just stared at her (turns out he didn’t speak English very well). They aren’t all hilarious though and a few were so wonderfully romantic that it had me thinking about how I could incorporate some of their long lasting marriage advice into my own marriage. The second section in the book was all about losing love, primarily through death. Obviously this was a very melancholy section, but at the same time many of the stories were incredibly hopeful and of course filled with love. As I mentioned earlier one of the stories had me sobbing uncontrollably by the end, but the couple’s story was so moving and I couldn’t help but think I need to remember to value my loved ones even more because of their shared experiences.
All There Is: Love Stories from Storycorps by David Isay is without a doubt one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read. With the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday coming I’d highly recommend this as a gift to someone you love or even simply as a treat for yourself. This is definitely a book I could easily see readers of Chick Lit Reviews and News loving. All There Is: Love Stories from Storycorps is a book filled with love, hope, heartbreak and passion. Being the hopeless romantic that I am I fell completely in love with the stories shared by each and every couple in All There Is: Love Stories from Storycorps and I know that other readers will as well!
Here is an animated true LOVE story that I absolutely LOVE. I only watched a few but this one was especially touching and beautiful.
Danny & Annie
Brooklynites Danny, an OTB clerk, and Annie, a nurse, remember their life together—from their first date to Danny’s final days with terminal cancer. This remarkable couple personifies the eloquence, grace, and poetry that can be found in the voices of every day people if we take the time to listen. Originally an animation in two parts, here you’ll see a special version that combines both parts of their story.
*L*O*V*E*
I wish for everyone to experience the beautiful light and LOVE that these two feel for each other. To see more videos of true LOVE stories click here.
Happy Valentine’s Day to my LOVE and all of you!
xoxo
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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February 14th, 2012 at 7:52 am
I, too, wish a Happy Valentines Day to my LOVE, hope all others have a wonderful day…
February 14th, 2012 at 11:07 am
I can hardly believe this: Republican Senators are pushing legislation that will allow any employer to deny women coverage for birth control! Yes, you read that right. Birth control.
What is wrong with these people? More than 98% of American women use or have used contraception. It saves money, and it saves lives, which is why President Obama wants to make sure every woman has access to this critically important part of health care.
The Republicans have proved yet again that they are only interested in defeating President Obama and waging war on women.
This ridiculous legislation will probably come up for a vote this week. I need your help. Will you fight back by joining the One Million Strong for Women campaign?
Who could have imagined that in 2012 we’d be fighting over access to something as fundamental as birth control?
It just shows exactly how extreme these Republicans are – and just how crucial it is that we defeat them.
Sen. Patty Murray
February 14th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Foods That’ll Turn You (and Your Partner!) On
Will the fire sparked by Valentine’s Day disappear tomorrow? Maybe not, if you and your partner keep eating certain foods—and that advice comes from a doctor!
It being Valentine’s Day, I called Meryl Rosofsky, MD, adjunct professor in the department of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University in New York City.
Dr. Rosofsky has a special interest in foods that can help people’s love lives—in fact, she was research consultant for the documentary film Aphrodisiacs:
Magic or Medicine? for Discovery Health, and she is the creator of a culinary aphrodisiac walking tour given by The Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.
Now back to food and your sex life. Dr. Rosofsky admits that the scientific literature on this topic is limited and often contradictory.
“There isn’t enough data out there to say precisely how much of a certain food to eat or how often you should eat it to become more aroused or to ‘perform better’,” said Dr. Rosofsky.
“For example, whether or not you’re deficient in a certain nutrient can affect how much of that particular substance you need to eat to feel an effect.
” The good news is that means you can just relax and eat some. Try upping your intake of some of the following foods over the weeks and months to come, and see for yourself what works and what doesn’t…
Truffles, the rare fungi found only underground, are so expensive that it may be exciting just to think about having them—
but more to the point, they contain androstenol, a pheromone that gets released in sweat and that can increase sexual desire in both men and women who smell it.
Dr. Rosofsky doesn’t know of any research proving that truffle oil has the same physiological benefit, but she said that the look and smell of it can be exciting.
Parsnips, dates, almonds and hazelnuts. These are recommended for their high level of the mineral boron, which studies have shown enhances levels of testosterone—therefore, these foods may increase sex drive in both men and women.
Oysters. Yes, it’s true—oysters, the legendary aphrodisiacs, actually can make sex better. One way they do this is by providing the mineral zinc—more of it per ounce than any other food—and zinc is essential for smooth, healthy-looking skin that other people will want to touch.
Zinc helps skin cells regenerate and maintain collagen and elasticity. Plus, men and women may find that oysters increase their sex drive—possibly because zinc is a necessary building block for testosterone.
You’ll get the most benefit from raw oysters, because cooking reduces some of their many nutrients.
Salmon and other cold-water fish, such as sardines and mackerel, are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which increase blood circulation all over the body (including in the genital region) —and that, of course, helps bring erections and better orgasms.
“Plus, omega-3s have antidepressant properties, so they could also be a sex enhancer because of their positive effect on mood,” said Dr. Rosofsky.
Dark green vegetables. Fill up on Swiss chard, spinach and broccoli. They contain vitamins, including biotin (vitamin B-7), vitamin C and vitamin A, that help keep your hair shiny and more healthful looking—a turn on for both sexes.
Chocolate. I know you were waiting for this. Chocolate stimulates the release of “feel good” neurotransmitters (like serotonin), so it can help put you in the mood.
It also contains chemicals called phenylethylamine and anandamide that are associated with feelings of love or euphoria, said Dr. Rosofsky.
Also, antioxidants called flavonoids are plentiful in cocoa bean solids, and flavonoids stimulate the production of nitric oxide, increasing blood flow throughout your body, which can lead to better erections and orgasms.
For the highest amount of flavonoids, eat dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate.
Source: Meryl Rosofsky, MD, MA, adjunct professor in the department of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University in New York City, research consultant for the documentary film Aphrodisiacs:
Magic or Medicine? for Discovery Health and the creator and leader of a culinary aphrodisiac walking tour for The Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.
February 14th, 2012 at 11:19 am
I would like to wish Michelle and all the wonderful, intelligent Women who read and comment on MM blog a HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.
Women, this IS YOUR DAY — I hope you enjoy it.
LUV, HOWIE
February 14th, 2012 at 11:44 am
Mischa, Happy Valentine’s Day to you, from one hopeless (yet pragmatic) romantic to another, may this day with your valentine be as special as the other 364.
Thank you, Howie! & I also wish the same for the readers here, I’m going to go wear red now and carry on with my day : )
Luv, Zen Lill
February 14th, 2012 at 11:56 am
just thought I’d share urban dictionary’s definition of Valentine’s Day: A Pointless and worthless day invented by Hersheys Confectionary Co and Joining forces with Teleflora Florists and Corbans Wine Makers just so they can profit out of Wine, Cholocates and Flowers, while single people suffer at the clutches of the hands of this evil and corrupt capitalist-orientated day that is not even a fucking holiday, period. – ZL
February 14th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Thank you Howie for your sweet notice.
February 14th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Iran has blocked all the search engines that allow us to send out notices.
But I have to tell you that I have learned that Iran has a detailed plan to force Israel to attack Iran. They have sent out hundreds of agents to attack Israel diplomats and its citizens around the world.
Ahoo
February 14th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
To Michelle, Zen Lill, and to all the wonderful women who participate in this blog: HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to each and everyone of you fine ladies.
I think that Lennon/McCartney had it right: All You Need Is Love, Love is all you need.
Al
February 14th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Thank you Howie, and now I add Al too (I see he just posted).
Valentines Day is for everyone, not just Women. I hope you both have someone special to share today with.
Everyone needs a little love.
Happy Valentines Day everybody! <3
/SB
February 14th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Happy Valentine’s to everyone.
February 14th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
I LOVE YOU B. Perhaps this will be the last year but TODAY, Happy Valentines Day
February 14th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Champagne and cookies for everyone. I love this day.
February 14th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Remember when we were little kids and made paper valentines for our school mates? We traded candy hearts with little messages. As we aged chocolates and flowers became the gift. Then lovers had dinners with champagne. Partners might have given jewelry. As I mature, I have learned that for me, the most important gift of Valentines Day is the gift of time and presence, of being able to spend the day in company with the ones you love.
February 15th, 2012 at 5:18 am
Ahoo (#8):
Thank you for the warning. Iran may have blocked all the search engines that allow us to send out notices. You feel compelled to tell what you have learned. You are a good-hearted person.
The State of Israel has been able to handle all its neighbors who hate them and have had many wars since 1948 when they were declared a State.
No one could force or push Israel Into war. I am sure Israel is aware of the plan ny now. You may have helped them by warning them.
Israel is not stupid enough to go to war with Iran alone. They are smarter than that. Iran will be punished diplomatically by the international commuinity for its plan to kill Israeli Diplomats.
People like you do make a difference in the world. Israeli Diplomats will be made secure.
Wearing a strapped-on bomb or killing Diplomats will not make Israel go to war. It would be the start of something big in the Mid east and is not an answer to anything.
Thank you for the information. Ahoo.Israel is now forwarned.
HOWIE
February 15th, 2012 at 8:20 am
Michelle, I trust you and the other ladies had a very nice Valentine’s day. We were a day earlier of course, but I like to have it on both days. So I always wait until my beau of the moment gives me my gift, then I subtly say I celebrate it on the next day as they do on the mainland.
It could be considered tacky in some circles but hey he gets this loving 24/7 so I don’t see the problem.
Speaking of sex, I am writing to alert the concerned on the island that their has been a huge influx of prostitutes for Taiwan.
We need to call our representatives and make waves about this.
Hafa Adai
Anna
February 15th, 2012 at 8:32 am
Michelle we are so terrified here in Homs that many are willing to accept al-Qaeda’s help.
The men here tell me that the West is too scared to get involved. They see the russians as having the power to support Assad. So they feel that they need to accept the terms of al-Qaeda for its assistance.
That means our lives as women will be even more harsh. I hope you can see to doing something for us.
Shindand
February 15th, 2012 at 9:02 am
A top Palestinian Authority religious leader claimed in a sermon at a major Fatah event that Muslims are obligated to kill Jews. If that is not blasphemy from a so-called Holy Man, I do not know what is.
The Mufti Muhammad Hussein presented the murder of Jews by Muslims as a religious Islamic goal while celebrating the 47th anniversary of the Palestinian Authority’s Fatah faction.
An appointee of Palestinian Authority Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas, the Mufti made the claim at an official Fatah event marking the founding of the largest faction in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), also led by Abbas, as well.
Citing what he said was the Hadith (the Islamic tradition attributed to Muslim prophet Muhammad), the Mufti claimed “The Hour of Resurrection will not come until you fight the Jews. The Jew will hide behind stones or trees. Then the stones or trees will call: ‘O Muslim, servant of Allah (God), there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.’ ”
Although a video of the speech was previously available on YouTube, it has been removed because it violated the site’s Terms of Service for violence.
A poll sponsored by the Israel Project found that 73 percent of Palestinian Arabs “believe” this Hadith, according to the findings of a July 2011 study by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner.
The moderator who introduced the Mufti also reiterated another “Islamic belief” — that the Jews are descendants of apes and pigs,” according to a broadcast on Palestinian Authority TV translated by the media watchdog agency Palestinian Media Watch (PMW).
“Our war with the descendants of the apes and pigs (ie: the Jews) is a war of religion and faith,” the moderator said.
The Mufti added to the moderator’s statement, saying that Islam’s goal is to kill the Jews. The same cleric preached in a sermon at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque in 2010 that the Jews are “enemies of Allah.”
Please SHARE this horrific news with everyone you know. The TRUTH must get out — please SPREAD it if you do not believe in Religious Propaganda used as a crime against humanity, put out by a Muslim Cleric — A man of God. Not any God I have ever heard of — but an Arab Radical Cleric with hatred on his mind.
Does he believe his own garbage talk? Arabs and Jews are actually cousins according to the Old Testament Bible which 3 Religions believe in — Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
Abraham, One of the Fathers of Judaism and Islam had two wives. One was Sarah and the other Hagar. Hagar was a concubine while Sarah was Abraham’s wife. Sara’s son was Isaac and Hagar’s son was Ishmael. They both had sons who were both promised by God to be leaders of great nations one day. Sarah asked Abraham to banish Hagar and Ishmael while she raised Isaac as Abraham’s true son. These Nations which came from their loins are Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Now we are bitter enemies. It does not make any sense to me. Kin should not feud. Why such hatred?
HOWIE
February 15th, 2012 at 10:14 am
Howie,
I am a muslim that is both embarrassed and outraged that this man would mislead the ignorant about the teachings of Islam.
All arabs are not like that liar and many many arabs hope and pray for peace with Israel.