Books for Children

Do you have these two books?

The Giving Tree

Rainbow Fish

Do you like them; do your kids like them? What lesson do you think they are teaching? Are they written from a religious point of view or a political point of view?

Just asking...

Seasons

I love the fall, the changing leaves, the beautiful weather, General Conference, Indian Summer, Thanksgiving... it's all wonderful. So much to look forward to, so much joy to share. And yet...

There is a certain sadness - no, that's the wrong word. Wistfulness? The leaves are going to be beautiful. The weather is going to be lovely. But then the leaves are going to fall and the weather will change to winter. So I've got that on the one hand - but on the other hand kind of feeling. You know what I mean? Maybe if I was a snow bunny, a skier, a snow boarder or something like that I would be looking forward to winter. Then I'd be anxious for fall to be over so the cold and the snow and the freezing sleet and the ice and the short days and the long miserable nights could get here. But that's not me, not at all. I can't even pretend.

So, me being me, after all, I thought I'd cheer myself up with music. It's not working. These are the two that I could think of that referred to the changing of seasons from summer to fall to winter. Not gonna cheer me up at all. If you can think of better ones, let me know. LOL

Two things about the musicians - all those who've heard of Deanna Durbin, raise your hand.
And while the tenor soars, listen to the low bass , he's amazing.

You like me, you really like me!!

Oh, wait, this isn't an Academy award, and I'm not nearly as cute as Sally Field.*

Characteristics for the Smile Award:

1. Must display a cheerful attitude.
2. Must love one another.
3. Must make mistakes.
4. Must learn from others.
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world.
6. Must love life.
7. Must love kids.



These are the rules for The Smile Award.

1. The recipient must link back to the the award’s creator.
2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.
3. You must chose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

Looking for George, thanx for the nomination, I love your description of me, I love the countenance reference, it's one of my very very favorites! I know I am supposed to fit all of the characteristics, but since you don't know the ones I miss on, I'm not going to tell. LOL

Now, the envelope, please. The winners are, in no particular order:

1. ThemFloyds - They have such a great attitude in dealing with their children and life's ups and downs. I always come away smiling.

2. Keeping up with the Lutz's - If for no other reason than the (subtle) Star Trek reference. But she is always cheerful, huge smile, even in the face of adversary. Check the post about the canning accident. Amazing!

3. Hudson Haven Happenings - The happy mother of four, the oldest of which is five! She always talks glowingly about her husband and her kids and her life. Just when I think she can't do anymore, she goes skydiving! Aarrgggghhhhh!

4. Mixed Nuts - I think it's all the poopy stories that make me look forward to visiting daily. A mother of four boys, I just wait for the body function humor. It comes more naturally to boys, don't ya think?

5. Teddy Paws - Silly stuff like shadow puppets, I can't help it. And so sweet when the doggy was sick. She makes me smile.

Of course, there are other bloggers who make me laugh, who make me smile and pick me up everyday. Thanx to all of you!

*For you young whipper snappers, the title of the post refers to an effusive Academy award thank you. I know you were born in 1985, but you don't remember it! LOL

I survived Hurricane Ike in Ohio

Weather in the area was simple yesterday. The forecast was for rain, but all we got was wind, wind and more wind. The news says that there were gusts at 78 mph. I understand that a level 1 hurricane has 74 mile an hour winds. Trees and tree limbs are down all over the valley, power was out to 300,000* customers in the area and may not becompletely restored for three to five days.
We were only in the dark for 8 or 9 hours but there are still 200,000 without power. We could get by without power; it's not winter and we cook with gas and heat the water with gas. Of course, the refrigerator was out and we were expecting to be without power for at least a couple of days. Just in case, we ate all the ice cream in the freezer for supper.

*updated figure
as of Tuesday 9/16 down to 180,000
DP&L hopes to have that figure down to 100,000 by tomorrow morning

Rocket's Red Glare

I heard parts of the memorial on Thursday and was struck by the choral arrangement of The Star Spangled Banner and the Young People's Chorus of New York that sang it, a capella.
This link takes you to the CBS station that broadcast it. There is a commercial first and then the chorus. It is absolutely gorgeous.

Remembering 9/11

It was an absolutely gorgeous day. I was at work, the television was always on in the breakroom. After the first plane hit, the buzz started, then the second plane hit. As supervisor, I was trying to control the panic, keep everyone calm; there was certainly very little work being done. The phone calls started; I called my son who lived far away, made sure my daughter, not quite so far away, was okay, got a call from my mom, checking on me. I guess parenting never stops.

And then the towers fell. The pentagon was hit. Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania. And the world I'd always known ended.