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Not sure if those like moi who nominated folks last week are supposed to vote again, so I decided to consult with Hanging Chad, my Statistically Significant Other. He suggested sending some more votes to Lurkerspeaks who can use 'em if he likes and toss 'em if he don't. Naturally, I'm prostrate with gratitude for the advice and other assorted kindnesses.

In 1924, Helen Keller wrote this to the New York Philharmonic, describing her experience of "hearing" their radio broadcast of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. Dear Friends: I have the joy of being able to tell you that, though deaf and blind, I spent a glorious hour last night listening over the radio to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. I do not mean to say that I heard the music in the sense that other people heard it; and I do not know whether I can make you understand how it was possible for me to derive pleasure from the symphony. It was a great surprise to myself. I had been reading in my magazine for the blind of the happiness that the radio was bringing to the sightless everywhere. I was delighted to know that the blind had gained a new source of enjoyment; but I did not dream that I could have any part in their joy. Last night, when the family was listening to your wonderful rendering of the immortal symphony someone suggested that I put my hand on the receiver and see if I could get any of the vibrations. He unscrewed the cap, and I lightly touched the sensitive diaphragm. What was my amazement to discover that I could feel, not only the vibration, but also the impassioned rhythm, the throb and the urge of the music! The intertwined and intermingling vibrations from different instruments enchanted me. I could actually distinguish the cornets, the roil of the drums, deep-toned violas and violins singing in exquisite unison. How the lovely speech of the violins flowed and plowed over the deepest tones of the other instruments! When the human voices leaped up thrilling from the surge of harmony, I recognized them instantly as voices more ecstatic, upcurving swift and flame-like, until my heart almost stood still. The women's voices seemed an embodiment of all the angelic voices rushing in a harmonious flood of beautiful and inspiring sound. The great chorus throbbed against my fingers with poignant pause and flow. Then all the instruments and voices together burst forth an ocean of heavenly vibration and died away like winds when the atom is spent, ending in a delicate shower of sweet notes. Of course this was not hearing, but I do know that the tones and harmonies conveyed to me moods of great beauty and majesty. I also sense, or thought I did, the tender sounds of nature that sing into my hand-swaying reeds and winds and the murmur of streams. I have never been so enraptured before by a multitude of tone-vibrations. As I listened, with darkness and melody, shadow and sound filling all the room, I could not help remembering that the great composer who poured forth such a flood of sweetness into the world was deaf like myself. I marvelled at the power of his quenchless spirit by which out of his pain he wrought such joy for others and there I sat, feeling with my hand the magnificent symphony which broke like a sea upon the silent shores of his soul and mine. - Helen Keller, 1924 http://www.classicfm.com/composers/beethoven/guides/helen-keller-symphony-9/

Your point ???

Marvelous, on so many levels. Thanks for posting.

I'm not familiar with Beethoven. Is he one of the Bel Ami boys ??????

Because it is about his favorite Prince and an adorable child... Btw, I was amused to read "I was chuffed to bits", I never heard that before and if it wasn't said by a little girl in the article, I would have thought it meant something totally different. 'I was completely over the moon': Little girl's delight at being hoisted onto Prince Harry's shoulders so she could see the bands at the Invictus Games closing ceremony Isabelle Nixon, five, was left upset after being unable to see the stage Adam Nixon, 31, had earlier captained Team GB to victory in basketball Prince Harry spotted the little girl and swung her onto his shoulders The royal then stayed and danced with Isabelle for the rest of the evening Her soldier father lost his left leg following an IED blast in Basra in 2004 By RUTH STYLES FOR MAILONLINE PUBLISHED: 06:04 EST, 18 September 2014 | UPDATED: 15:01 EST, 18 September 2014 727 View comments Unable to see the stage and blocked in by other fans, five-year-old Isabelle Nixon was less than impressed with the Invictus Games closing ceremony - until, that is, Prince Harry came to the rescue. After spotting the little girl, the prince, 30, hoisted her on to his shoulders and then stayed to dance with her as the Foo Fighters took to the stage. Isabelle, whose father Adam, 31, from Hereford, captained Team GB's wheelchair basketball team to victory on Sunday, didn't realise who her hero was until her delighted mother Taryn exclaimed: 'You're dancing with Prince Harry!' Scroll down for video +10 Party prince: Harry picked up Isabelle Nixon, five, put her on his shoulders and danced for the rest of the gig Isabelle said: 'I was completely over the moon. I was chuffed to bits.' Mr Nixon, a former Gunner in 26 Regiment Royal Artillery, lost his one of his legs following an IED explosion in Basra in Iraq in March 2004. His left leg had to be amputated while his right was badly damaged, leaving him confined to a wheelchair. Despite his injury, Mr Nixon, who has four children, daughter Abigail, 11, Jayden, eight, five-year-old Isabelle and three-year-old Lilyana, continued to play his basketball. 'Prince Harry had spoken to us at the ceremony, just to say how proud he was of us guys,' explained Mr Nixon. 'We were underdogs in the final but we beat the US at their own game.' Thrilled: Former soldier Adam Nixon, 31, with Prince Harry (centre) and his five-year-old daughter, Isabelle Delighted: Earlier, former gunner Mr Nixon had captained Team GB to victory in the wheelchair basketball 'He came up, shook my hand and said: "You are a legend" and I asked him for a photo with him and my family. 'Then later, after his speech, Foo Fighters were on the main stage. He came to listen to the music.' But when Harry, who had earlier told Mr Nixon that he just wanted to 'chill out' and watch the show, spotted the tearful Isabelle, he swung into action. 'He recognised her from earlier in the day and saw she was getting upset because she couldn’t see the band,' adds Mr Nixon. 'He approached us and smiled at me and just literally picked her up and just started to dance so she could see the stage. Isabelle was thrilled when Prince Harry lifted her onto his shoulders, pictured (left) with her father Adam On royal shoulders, Harry gives little girl a boost to see stage Thrilled: The entire Nixon family had turned out to support Mr Nixon and Team GB as they went for gold Royal welcome: Isabelle and her brother Jayden and sisters Abigail and Lilyana pose with Prince Harry Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2760629/Its-Harry-rescue-Kindhearted-royal-comes-aid-tearful-little-girl-finding-sobbing-Invictus-Games-closing-ceremony.html#ixzz3Dsg2yK3L Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Let's settle this once and for all and get Harry, James and Charles on Maury Povich.....

Not to go all Hito on you, but I rather hope that it is. I mean, good Lord, that thing isn't even full on hard yet.

Please tell me that is not photo-shopped.

I have long thought the deforestation of the rainforest in Brazil a tragic mistake. Not to deny mistakes made in the US and other countries but this huge rainforest I have thought to be a major CO2 scavenger for the whole planet. Therefore to eliminate it is a travesty being perpetrated upon all of humanity. But, of course, that is what is happening. In addition, somewhat similar to US Native Americans, the local Indians are being forced out to seek a livelihood other than their native villages and culture. Not easy. I do not know the solution but I invite our Brazilian posters and others who know Brazil to comment on this. Best regards, RA1

The next time I take someone to a motel I'll get photos at the Hostal Hospedagem on Rua Gomes Freire. Not too expensive, just past the Praca Tiradentes. The rooms have mirrored ceilings, flashing racetrack lighting. Many more movie channels. And a dry sauna and whirlpool bath plenty big enough for two. We wee headed there that Saturday but the urge for me to get naked with him was a lot stronger than going an extra couple miles.

It's such an honor just to be nominated! I want to take this opportunity to thank all my loyal fans without whom none of this would have been possible.

Upper floor, lower floor, bah-humbug. I'm a back-door kinda gurl !

Very cool. You may be interested to know that I once was a partner in a waterbed store called Tranquility Base. About 1970. Best regards, RA1

The bathroom and those sheets are NOT "hito approved" They BOTH need to be "steam cleaned". I trust Johnnie was CLEANER ?

When I think of Cult Films, I think of Heathers and Rocky Horror. Both excellent films IMHO

I once worked with a Limey who fancied pan grease on toast for brekkie. I believe that just the thought of it makes my arteries narrow just a bit. When I was flying to Merry Old quite often I became quite fond of bangers and mash with stewed tomatoes. Just the thing after a 12-15 hour flight. Best regards, RA1

Junior is one damn, gorgeous guy!!!!!!! I like all of these pics, and you know which one is my utmost favorite!

Definitely a hottie. His TV show "Kingdom" looks interesting (with a good amount of violence if one likes that) and I hope to have a chance to see it. Found a trailer for it and hope one of these links works: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/embed/video/1109370.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2750523/Nick-Jonas-strips-New-York-gay-club-reveals-just-new-single.html#v-3707663721001 As far as the other two brothers, apparently they went on a "kiss and tell" speaking tour, which doesn't sound like it had much of either: http://articles.mcall.com/2014-06-08/entertainment/mc-homepage-0607-5-20140608_1_joe-jonas-jonas-brothers-kevin

Such a handsome lad!