This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

More March Marches ( #BOTB & #AtoZChallenge Theme Reveal)

        My Battle of marches for the month of March is in the latter half of this post.  But first, as we march toward our 2023 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge, it's time for me to reveal my theme for this year's blogging march through the alphabet.  Ready!  March!


AtoZChallenge theme reveal 2023 #atozchallenge


My 2023 A to Z Theme

      Books, books, books!  Many bloggers will relate to my love and obsession with books.  I've got thousands of books scattered throughout our home.  Nearly every room has books of some kind on shelves, in closets, or tucked away in unseen places.  Books on shelves, books on furniture. books in boxes.  Books and more books.   My wife would love to get rid of nearly all of our books, but I hang on to them tenaciously. One might say my interest in books is resilient (the theme of this year's A to Z). 

        Looking though our home you would be hard pressed to be in a place where you can't see a book or be within a few feet of a book.  Here are some of the places where you might find books in our house:


                                    The living room...



Spare bedroom/home office


                             
                                         My home office



      


The upstairs hallway



And in the garage, maybe a thousand or more books on bookshelves or packed away in boxes


         I started my book collection when I was a child and have amassed a respectable library over six decades of accumulation.   When I married my wife over 25 years ago, she brought with her nearly as many books as I had.  Her books had belonged to her late husband and many are in Spanish.  Those I don't mind getting rid of, but the books in English that he passed on to her are worth keeping.  His reading tastes seemed to be similar to my own.   I am never at a loss for something to read.   So many books and so little time!

        For my 2022 A to Z theme I shared my collection of vinyl records with readers.  This year I will do something similar with my print library.   Considering the overwhelming amount of books that I have, I will share highlights of my collection.  At times I will feature specific books or authors, while at other times I will take a look at genres or particular types of books.

         If you enjoy looking on other people's bookshelves (like I do) then you might enjoy my 2023 theme.   I think it will be somewhat of an extra challenge for me since I will still be dealing with limited computer availability and access.    But, hey, I've gotten this post out there, so I think I can manage this April Challenge okay.   Are you ready to look through my book collection?  I hope you'll join me throughout the month of April.

          RESILIENCE  is a word that I'd used to describe my book collection.   It's not going anywhere as long as I can manage to hang on to it.     

...and now for some resilient sounding music...


Battle of the Bands


        Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and now hosted by StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens each month on the 15th and on some there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of those with a second Battle excepting over these summer months.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.


Marches from TV Shows

        My first March Battle was received better than I had thought it would so I've decided to continue with the march theme.  After all, it is the month of March so why not?  

         You might not associate marches with television show themes, but for certain shows it not only makes sense, it seems obvious.  Take a listen to these marches from well known TV shows that first aired in the fifties and you will likely recognize both immediately.  The question is:  Which do you like best?


Dragnet   








Time to Vote!

           Forward march!  Or should I say Vote!  Just listen and appreciate.  Which song do you prefer?  
 Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind.  You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.

        Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.



Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 





Battle Results on Wednesday March 22

           Be sure to see who came out ahead in this Battle.   Was your pick the favorite of most voters?  In the meantime, I'll be marching toward April as I whip up another torrent of A to Z blog posts.  Hope you'll join us!








52 comments:

  1. That will be a fun theme. Will you mix it up with old and new books?
    Dragnet theme all the way. Not voting for the mouse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex, those who enjoy books will probably enjoy my April posts. Probably not many new books since I rarely buy (or acquire) any new additions to my collection. I'm sure there will be books you recognize.

      First vote goes to Dragnet.

      Lee

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  2. Hey Lee,

    Best of luck to ya next month. I reluctantly decided to skip the event this year. I felt the break was needed. Maybe, I'll be raring to go next April. Now on to your battle. I remember these march TV themes. The grown up me wants to vote for your first pick but the kid in me says forget that, so I'm going with Mickey Mouse Club March. It was great fun to hear again. I had all but forgotten it. Thanks for ushering with back some faint memories tied to this old classic. I have a BOTB up and when you have a second to spare, then I'd love it if you popped over. Have a bandtastic day, my friend!

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    1. Cathy, you can still change your mind about A to Z. There's time! Just keep it simple.

      A vote for Mickey Mouse

      Lee

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  3. Jamie (jannghi.blogspot.com) here: I definitely will be reading your posts. I'm curious to see what books you have ;)

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    1. Jamie, I'm sure there will be some books you know about.

      Lee

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  4. We used to have that many books!

    Dragnet.

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    Replies
    1. L.Diane, did you get rid of books during moves? I guess a lot of people now have their books in digital form.

      Lee

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  5. As much as I love the "Dragnet" theme, the "Mickey Mouse Club" theme is an old favorite, so that's how I'm voting.

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    1. John H, I'm sure many guys of our generation grew up watching the Mickey Mouse club and marching around with Annette on our minds.

      A vote for Mickey Mouse.

      Lee

      Lee

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  6. Hi Lee - I think I will enjoy this March full of marches better than most people! Both these are excellent themes and bring back memories from younger days. I am going to vote for Mickey Mouse this time. I am old enough to have watched it in black and white in real time. We play this very theme for my two granddaughters, ages 2 and 4. They love it. (And if I have a say, they will only watch OLD OLD Disney movies and skip the newer, woke ones.)

    Sixgun McItchyfinger

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    Replies
    1. 6-Gun, I didn't think the idea of using marches would go very well, but it's done better than I thought. And now I like the idea better. Good idea to skip the newer Disney stuff. I encourage my wife to boycott Disney when buying stuff for the grandkids, but she still supports the company. Boo!

      Another vote for Mickey Mouse.

      Lee

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  7. What a great idea for a theme! I know I’m going to enjoy learning about your book collection. You seem to have at least as many books as I do – plus more places to put them. I’ll never understand how some folks think of books as disposable.
    The two marching songs couldn’t be more different from one another ;-) Way to play it! I’m voting for Dragnet – maybe one day I’ll actually watch an episode.

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    Replies
    1. Diedre, any collection one has can make for a good A to Z theme. I don't like to think of books as disposable either. They have been too much a part of me in my life and looking at a person's bookshelves can tell something if not a lot about them.

      A vote for Dragnet.

      Lee

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  8. Dragnet easily, and... dear Lord... I thought I had books... My collection would prolly fit in your bathroom, by the looks of things!

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    1. CW, hopefully I'll never have to move my book collection into any bathrooms. Though my wife would gladly move it there and right down the toilet.

      Another vote for Dragnet.

      Lee

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  9. I'm looking forward to getting a peak at some of your favorite books. Great theme choice!

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    Replies
    1. Marcy, most bloggers like books so books is a natural theme for A to Z..

      Lee

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  10. Your theme makes me long for my own library, since 99% of my books have been in storage 900 miles away for almost six years. I could've had them all back long ago if my little brother cared more about his real family than political groupthink and his creepy ménage à trois, but hopefully all my belongings will finally soon be back with me.

    I like both themes, but I have to go for the Mickey Mouse Club on this one. It's just so fun and cute.

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    Replies
    1. Carrie-Anne, I know you've mentioned your books before. Hopefully you will one day get settled in and have a good place for those books. I'd hate to be without my books.

      A vote for Mickey Mouse.

      Lee

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  11. Books is a great theme, Arlee. When I am not blogging from A to Z, I am often reviewing books on Sue's Trifles. https://suestrifles.wordpress.com/2023/03/12/theme-reveal-atozchallenge-2/

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    Replies
    1. Susan, I think it's hard to go wrong with a theme like books. I've noticed your book reviews. You do a nice job with them.

      Lee

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  12. From Facebook my Cousin Tom votes for...

    Mickey Mouse.

    Lee

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  13. A home is not a home without books. A couple of people I know have no books and…I just can’t understand why. Their one daughter has even said she doesn’t like books. This doesn’t compute. You have a great theme and speaking of themes…I am going with Dragnet. I always liked that theme so I am picking that one.

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    1. Birgit, I agree that books make a home, but not everyone sees it that way. I don't understand that view myself, but whatever. When I go to someone's home, if they have books on display that's one of the places to which I'll gravitate.

      A vote for Dragnet.

      Lee

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  14. I'm looking forward to the A to Z glimpse of your bookshelves.

    I'm familiar with both of those pieces of music from childhood. I'll vote for Mickey Mouse Club because I have fond memories of learning to play it on the piano.

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    1. Joy, readers might be surprised about what predominates my bookshelves.

      Another vote for Mickey Mouse.

      Lee

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  15. Sorry I missed a few of your battles Lee. Thank you for the partial tour of your home, though I notice the album collection is hidden.

    Dragnet is dated, but I live in Florida and Disney told our governor to stick it, thorns and all, so Mickey gets my vote, even though I hated him for years.

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    1. Craig, my album collection is hidden away in a bedroom closet. I don't have a turntable at the present so I don't play them.

      I hear what you're saying regarding your vote.

      Mickey Mouse.

      Lee

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  16. I like looking at other peoples book collections and the way they set them up.

    I vote Mickey Mouse Club not just because I'm a Disney fan but because I normally dont do TV series dramatisation of real crime. I prefer watching real life crime in the news and documentaries.

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    1. Steven, my books probably should be arranged better. Right now they are displayed with randomness.

      A vote for Mickey Mouse.

      Lee

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  17. Regarding theme for this year: Well....damn. You got a lot of nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and every other conceivable grammar stack quite nicely in those pics. I are impressed.

    I voted for the Mickey Mouse Club, simply because it's the lesser of the two current evils running a muck in today's world. It's a flashback back to simpler times, where I actually enjoyed watching a few Disney shows from time to time.

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    1. GB, yeah, words prevail in our house. Printed words.

      I long for those simpler times of old.

      Mickey Mouse.

      Lee

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  18. That's a lot of books! I have them all over the house too, and wouldn't want to part with them. Your A to Z theme sounds interesting. I can't do the daily posts anymore, but will try and check out some of yours.

    On to the battle: Dragnet all the way! It was one of my favourite shows and I always loved the theme. It's suitably dramatic. ☺

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    1. Debbie D, I don't know what our actual book count is, but it's all over the place for sure.

      a vote for Dragnet

      Lee

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  19. I also have books all over the place. Not so neatly arranged. I need to discard at point some point in time. No doubt they were the foundation for my online articles.

    My Theme this year. A to Z of Industrial Engineering. Theme reveal post. A to Z of Industrial Engineering
    Happy Blogging and Reading.

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    1. Narayana, I'm not sure about my neatness, but there are places in the shelves that make sense.

      Best wishes for your April theme.

      Lee

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  20. I always enjoy the book themes, especially if people show us their shelfies :) Looking forward to it!

    The Multicolored Diary

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    1. Csenge, I've seen a lot of posts about books during A to Z, but I can't remember if anyone else has toured their own shelves.

      Lee

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  21. Bring on the Books!!!! I have all bookshelves full too and the ones waiting to be read are on the front of the shelves - so many that I decided to write a post entitled Tsundoku - Japanese for "books waiting to be read" - how cool are the Japanesese for having that word? https://how-would-you-know.com/2023/01/tsundoku-an-aspirational-list-of-books-to-read-this-year.html
    Thanks for visiting my Theme Reveal - I will look forwards to your A to Z

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    1. Frewin, the books are coming! I like that term "tsundoku".

      Lee

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  22. Ah! An excellent choice really. Always need/want more books. I am sure you have a great collection. If it is half as good as your record collection then we are all in for a treat!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog today too! I am looking forward to seeing what you post all month.
    The Other Side | Blogging A to Z Theme Reveal: Doctor Who

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    1. Timothy, books can be an obsession. A to Z is a good place to put that obsession on display for all to see. I have far more books than records, but I love both collections.

      Lee

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  23. I have a feeling my tbr list might be about to grow lol
    Debbie

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    1. Debbie, I'd say I have at least a few books you might like to read.

      Lee

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  24. You have even more books than me, and far more beautiful and well-displayed ones. Most of my shelves look like your office photos!

    Looking forward to reading about your books. I'm doing books too....

    Jemima

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    Replies
    1. Jemima, I've been working on reorganizing my office space so it is in a bit of disarray. And I couldn't even get to my bookshelves in our garage because they are all covered up with stuff. Books is a topic many of us never tire of.

      Lee

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  25. Hello Arlee.....so sorry I disappear most of the year, but as usual, I'm looking forward to checking out your blogs this April. Zulu Delta

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  26. Oof!
    LEE, so sorry I missed this Battle. Honestly, there are so few mid-month BOTB installments anymore that it's hard for me to remember to look for them.

    Then on top of that, I had been in probably the worst pain of my life for a couple months now, due to sciatica induced by "severe arthritis and bone spurs" in my lower back (according to the X-rays). So it's been really rough for me since about January 23rd, and I had my mind on several other problems as well.

    Thankfully, I've got faith in God, AND I've gotten drugged up by two different doctors and am able to walk again without horrible pain. (For awhile, I was even using my Grandfather's old wooden cane to hobble from one room to another.)

    I *WOULD* have voted for 'DRAGNET', in this Battle, but my one vote wasn't going to change the outcome any.

    I PROMISE not to miss your APRIL 1st BATTLE, Buddy! ;-)

    ~ D-FensDogG

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Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

Lee