A Literary Cornucopia

Memories of food can pop up anytime you're hungry. It's human nature. Oftentimes a scent can trigger the memory of a favorite meal or dessert. Mine was of an original orange cake my mom often baked. The scent of orange coming from an oven will always remind me of her.

How can one close what has been such a difficult school year? This past year came with a set of circumstances that almost knocked me over! The two songs alluded to in the episode describe it perfectly: Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure" and Elton John's "I'm Still Standing"! I worked constantly under pressure but remained standing. My sincerest gratitude to th...

So many topics were discussed in this novel. One of the most interesting conversations Mitch Albom had with Morrie was on this very universal topic of money. No matter how old a person is, it's always an issue. No matter the amount, it's usually not enough. It's all a matter of perception. Possessing many material things or a great deal of money won't mean much if one doesn't k...

I had nightmares for many weeks after the event. Slowly they began to subside but every time graduation time rolls around I think back and still wonder why it happened. Why some humans do what they do is a mystery. The human mind is a mystery in itself, a universe into its own.

Tales about twins abound in literature. Usually they entail an element of mystery. Why do you suppose that is? Probably just humans being human. When something is difficult to understand we speculate about its origin. With this story, what theory could we come up with? 

Why are some people in our lives? There is always some reason but more often than not we just cannot understand their presence until later in life or when it's too late. But maybe it's just as well. This episode is a reflection on this aspect of life inspired by the novel The Five People You Meet in Heaven . If you care to leave a message (audio or written), you may email it to aliterarypodcast@gm...

As a requirement for the 12th-grade English course, students were required to select a certain portion of Mitch Albom's The Time Keeper to present to their classmates. This particular group chose to present their work as a game show.  They decided on a podcast theme to discuss sections 25 through 36 of the novel. Enjoy!

A new year brings a new set of challenges.  For the young couple in the story, it will be doubly challenging. 

Season 3 was an eventful one. I shared a number of stories with the students which I thoroughly enjoyed producing. I'm looking forward to creating and sharing many more. I expect Season 4 to be just as eventful in a good way!

Time: How do we place a value on it? It depends on the society we live in. Some make the best use of it; others woefully waste it. How do we know in which group we fall? Only TIME can tell. If you have any comments or concerns, please send your message (written or audio) to aliterarycornucopiapodcast@gmail.com 

I thought it fitting that I end season 2 and the year 2021 with a topic that has impacted our lives in so many ways: technology. Ricky Martin's song "Living la Vida Loca" inspired this piece. I referenced it to the topic. This past year 2021 has been no picnic and if it weren't for the advances we've made in technology, we might not have made it to December. Technology has its advantages but it al...

Can a ghost give off a scent? If you believe, maybe it could. Some memories can simultaneously evoke pain and warm feelings. In this episode, a young boy is trying to adjust to the loss of a parent. 

Medieval legends abound in literature. All a person needs is a bit of imagination and some time on his hands to weave one.  Could this turn into a legend? You decide. 

Who doesn't want to stop the hands of time? Even if it's just for a little bit. If you stop them too often, you may miss out on other moments. Life has to be lived fully in order to enjoy it. Both the good times and the not-so-good must be lived. 

Shakespeare has always covered a wide variety of themes. This play introduces a new one. It's a theme that makes a person wonder about the playwright's views on Jews.   Want to leave a message? Click here .

Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" and her novel We Have Always Lived in the Castle have several elements in common. The hostility men can show towards others is just one. Fear is another. Both result in tragedy. The Blackwood family are subjected to both.  The actions of all involved give us insight into the mind of some very disturbed people. https://anchor.fm/luisa-molina/message

I did an impromptu survey to find out what some family members and students thought about a Viking warrior.  https://anchor.fm/luisa-molina/message

Writing a tale of adventure is no easy task. When it involves something historical, even more so. I looked up names to use in my tale, such as Arne (the young Viking), Sif and Birger (the parents), and Astrid and Frode (the grandparents). It was interesting to research the names and discover the meanings attached to each. I discovered that the girl's name Astrid means "divinely beautiful...

How do you wrap up an unusual school year? With speeches, of course.  Not your cup of tea? Well, for many, it usually isn't. Delivering a speech can be intimidating but with the right tools and a strong sense of purpose, it can be done effectively. It's just a matter of controlling one's nerves. Easier said than done. Right?

Both our time and place on this planet are chosen. What we do with each is on our shoulders.

Love has many shapes and forms. What is love for one person may be something else for another. Some people may not be able to recognize it and let it pass by, thus losing the opportunity to experience it.   

We say and do so many things out of anger. We let it consume us because we don't want to let it go. As human beings it's difficult. A strong person makes it look easy.

We can sacrifice so many things...time, money, precious heirlooms. The value of each varies from person to person.  

As children we are totally unaware of what we do that might affect another person. Later on in life we might realize that our acts can be a life-changing event for another. 

Remembering those people who were a significant part of your past is a bittersweet moment. You would like to go back and talk to them but know that it's no longer a possibility. I guess just the memory will be enough for the time being.