LEGO: “play well” and “put together”; 80 years of history

This is not my usual kind of post, but I was so interested in this public information that I wanted to share it with you.

Who doesn’t know something about LEGO? Most of us have probably had the opportunity to play with it or at least see it or buy a kit for someone. It was in 1932, 80 years ago, that LEGO was begun with wooden toys handcrafted by Ole Kirk Christiansen in his little carpentry shop in Billund, Denmark – with his twelve-year-old son helping. In trying to decide on an appropriate name for their company, Mr. Christiansen came up with LEGO which means “play well” in Danish. Later he learned it also means “put together” in Latin! What better name could there be for his product? 🙂

The business went through many changes and devastating losses, but their motto was “only the best is good enough”, and they stayed the course. Today, internationally known, LEGO is still owned and operated by Mr. Christiansen’s family members.

At present the company is represented in more than 130 countries and employs approximately 10,000 people! Now the third largest producer of play materials in the world, LEGO has made it possible for over 300 million children to enjoy creative play with the plastic bricks since its beginning! Billions of bricks and building pieces are made each year, and – keeping up with popular interests and trends – there are many different theme kits to add to one’s collection. There are also LEGO clubs to join, as well as Legoland Parks and Legoland Discovery Centres to visit. If I understood correctly, there is even a LEGO hotel in Billund, Denmark.

Legoland Parks:

The first park was opened in Denmark in 1968. Since then the family has opened parks in Germany (Günzburg), USA (California and Florida), UK (Windsor), with parks currently in development in Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Japan, and South Korea.

Legoland Discovery Centres:

Smaller versions of the parks, these fun, indoor family attractions are located in Germany (Berlin and Duisburg), USA (Illinois, Georgia, Missouri and Texas), United Kingdom (Greater Manchester), Japan (Minato). Future centres are being constructed in Canada (Ontario) and USA (New Jersey and New York).

That is probably enough of my chatter. You will want to watch this wonderful VIDEO  to learn more of the fascinating history of LEGO. This interesting animated video is very well done; I’m sure you will enjoy it. After that, here is more information if you want it.

Do you have a stash of LEGO? What’s your best LEGO creation?
Have you ever visited a Legoland Park or Legoland Discovery Centre?

Post Script:

If you are a writer, do you have the persistence of Ole Kirk Christiansen and his son? Do you set your sights on the goal and push through to a satisfactory end? When things get difficult do you keep on trying, or do you give up and walk away, saying to yourself, “I can’t do this!”, or “This is not working out the way I expected.”, or “Who do I think I am, anyway?” Fortunately, Mr. Christiansen didn’t seem to think failure and quitting were part of his destiny.  There are readers waiting for our books. Let’s get writing!  🙂

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

We have a winner of The Lion Is In!

We have confirmation of our winner of a copy of The Lion Is In by Delia Ephron! 

One name was pulled out of the basket by my dad, and that winner is CAROL WHITE!  Here you can see her response when she got the word.

Congratulations, Carol!  Your book will be in the mail, sent by the publisher, Blue Rider Press.

Thank you everyone for visiting and commenting. Delia left a comment for all of you here.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

Reminder: Book Giveaway on August 12!

This is just a reminder in case you planned to add your name into the draw and haven’t done so yet.

Tomorrow, Sunday, August 12, the names of those who left comments on my last post will be put into a little basket, and at 6:00 PM EST one name will be drawn out. That person will be notified via email that he or she has won a copy of The Lion Is In, written by Delia Ephron. Once I receive a reply with your mailing address, I will contact Blue Rider Press who will mail a book to you.

At the time of my writing this post, you have less than 21 hours to enter the draw. If you want a chance to win a book, then get your name in by leaving a comment after reading my interview with Delia EphronThat’s all there is to it.  Oh, and you must live in either Canada or the USA to win. (Sorry, that’s the stipulation this time.)

You can also read my review of The Lion Is In.

I hope you win! I wish you all could.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

A little misery, a little excitement!, and something for you

 A little misery

Remember in my July 31 post I mentioned sore throat issues? yes, well … I went to the clinic the next day and it’s a good thing I did. Fever, laryngitis caused by inflammation, sore throat caused by infection — I needed medical help. The young doctor (aren’t most of them young these days – as in the age of my children? what’s up with that!) gave me prescriptions to start the healing process.

Two prescriptions, one was only one tablet. One. But it was powerful. The idea was to make me feel better by evening, which it did. The catch? The pharmacist warned me to not take it at bedtime or I wouldn’t sleep, so I took it after a necessarily late dinner (early afternoon). And did I sleep? Nope! Not much. I didn’t drop off until somewhere around 2:30 AM followed by howling, barking neighbourhood dogs rudely waking me at 3:00! I was NOT happy.

And I had a difficult time getting back to sleep. I didn’t do much more than restless tossing and turning between short naps after that, until I heard Dad get up all-too-soon. There ended my chance to wrestle illusive sleep into submission, until my respite arrived mid-morning for the one full day I have scheduled. Misery and I took advantage of that time.

It’s been a less than delightful week for me, health-wise, but it could have been worse. Maybe a week of rest at home and the round of penicillin will do the trick.

It’s also been hot and humid this week, but today we were blessed with refreshing, much-needed rain – a downpour with a glorious crashing thunderstorm. I really enjoy that particular drama of nature. At one point the sun broke through in the midst of the rain – so beautiful! It’s been too dry here this summer, not at all good for the crops, so today’s soaking was welcome.

Thank you for the whine time; I appreciate it.  🙂  Now for  …

A little excitement!

For those of you who enjoy the writing and creative successes of Delia Ephron – and hopefully you read my review of her new book The Lion Is In – guess what? Ms. Ephron has graciously agreed to an interview here on my blog! Yay! I’m a little excited. Well, okay, more than a little. I am squeal-in-excitement excited! She is a renowned, very talented writer and seems like such a nice lady – I am looking forward to the interview. Watch for that coming up soon. 🙂

and something for you

Yes, dear readers, there is something for you. Well, one of you. After you all get to read my interview with Delia Ephron, leave a comment and then ONE of you will win a copy of The Lion Is In from the publisher, Blue Rider Press. How great is that! The only drawback is that the publisher has stipulated the winner must not live outside Canada or the US. Please comment anyway, though, because I always want to know your thoughts and opinions. My blog has no boundary limitations. 🙂

What has your summer been like so far? Any miseries? Excitement? Surprises?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

Dancing – a video

Today, just a quick post —

Music, dance, Nature’s rhythm, words that tell great stories and open one’s mind … all of it – and more – I love. I admit to being a romantic, a creative, a lover of all that is truly beautiful and inspiring.

This video is of one thing that so speaks to my spirit. You may laugh at this but I confess it made me cry. (refer to the above paragraph) In my opinion, this sure beats Dancing with the Stars.

Click on this word: Dancing    and enjoy!

Imagine going all over the world to do this. Wow! Gotta love it! 🙂

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

Happy Independence Day!

Today is a day of celebration in the United States of America.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, making this her 236th anniversary.

Happy Independence, Neighbour! and Happy July 4th to my friends who live across Canada‘s southern border!

(and yes, I used the Canadian spelling 😉 )