Poetry Friday - The Round Up

It's Poetry Friday again. Okay - it's still Thursday as I write this - but lately it seems people have been linking in earlier and earlier so I figured I'd be ready.

The round-up is here today. And we shall gather and enjoy fine poetry together.

In order to get us all in the Poetry Friday mood, I've selected this poem as my entry this week:

Still I Love to Rhyme
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Still I love to rhyme, and still more, rhyming, to wander
Far from the commoner way;
Old-time trills and falls by the brook-side still do I ponder,
Dreaming to-morrow to-day.

Come here, come, revive me, Sun-God, teach me, Apollo,
Measures descanted before;
Since I ancient verses, I emulous follow,
Prints in the marbles of yore.

Still strange, strange, they sound in old-young raiment invested,
Songs for the brain to forget -
Young song-birds elate to grave old temples benested
Piping and chirruping yet.

Thoughts? No thought has yet unskilled attempted to flutter
Trammelled so vilely in verse;
He who writes but aims at fame and his bread and his butter,
Won with a groan and a curse.

People love their poetry. And Poetry Friday seems to start on Thursday these days. This is all good!

And the round-up begins:

Andrea at Just One More Book was in first with an original poem inspired by summer. Because, surely, now that it’s March, winter will end soon.

Anne (my Mom) at Morning Glory Alley is participating in her very first Poetry Friday – with her brand new blog. She brings us another breath of spring with a poem about Honeysuckles.

Little Willow brings us a grammar lesson in the form of poetry, in honor of National Grammar Day (March 4^th).

Sara Lewis Holmes is on a rant about rainy Spring weather with her podcast poem about Spring.

And over at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast there is a fairy-tale inspired poem about Hansel.

Over at The Miss Rumphius Effect Tricia has two poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning in honor of that poets birthday (which was yesterday)

Suzanne brings us more adventures in Spring at Adventures in Daily Living – with a double header of Spring inspired poems.

Elaine Magliaro has been busy on the poetry front this week: at Blue Rose Girls she shares a poem about a forgotten planet and at Wild Rose Reader she shares some poetry for Woman’s History Month from the book All by Herself by Ann Whitford Paul and she has a collection of mask poems that she’s sharing too. Go read all of her wonderful poems – and then come back for more of the round-up.

Michele at Scholar’s Blog is honoring another birthday poet: Edward Thomas, who was killed in the First World War. She is also celebrating the anniversary of the publication of Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. The two men were friends in life, and their poetry lives side by side at a Scholar’s Blog today

Gregory K felt it was time for another of his wonderful Oddaptations. Today he brings us Horton Hears a Who over at GottaBook.

Mary Lee at A Year of Reading has Phillip Pullman on her mind and found a lovely poem in honor Will and Lyra.

Stacey from Two Writing Teachers also does Poetry Friday in her classroom, and today she’s sharing with us what she’s going to share with her class: a funny list poem.

While we all look to Spring, TadMack reminds us that every morning is a renewal, go read the inspiring poem over at Finding Wonderland.

Over at Destined to Become A Classic Mme T shares a thought provoking poem: Prayer before Birth.

It’s another birthday poem – this time not the poet – but writer2b’s daughter – over at Findings.

Laura Salas shares three poems from Naomi Shahib Nye’s new book Honeybee, and also has a bundle of original 15 Word or Less Poems.

Jama shares memories of her grandmother and a Room in the Past by Ted Kooser over at Jama Rattigan’s Alphabet Soup.

Shelf Elf wants a yellow dog after reading Sharon Creech’s Love that Dog. She shares a bit of that with us today.

The luck of the Irish is with Cloudscome today as she posts a poem by Irish poet John O’Donohue over at a wrung sponge.

Marianne H. Nielsen is sharing two poems from The Kingdom for a Horse, An Anthology of Poems About Horses, edited by Betty Ann Schwartz at Doing the Write Thing.

A little Spanish, a little poetry, that’s what Annie at Crazy For Kids Books shares with us in reviewing The Moon is La Luna: Silly Rhymes in English and Spanish by Jay M. Harris.

Over at Picture Book of the Day, Anastasia Suen takes us into the land of Jazz with This Jazz Man.

Edited to fix incorrect link: Cheryl Rainfield has an original poem on books and the joy found within.

Laurel at Kidliterary posts a lovely poem by James Wright.

Adrienne is thinking about politics (though she’d rather not) over at What Adrienne Thinks About That and so shares a little Allen Ginsburg with us.

MotherReader takes Poetry Friday a step further and shares an article on how to and how not to write poetry.

John Mutford has compiled a list of Simpson’s Poetry References over at The Book Mine Set.

Kelly Fineman is bringing us some more Wordsworth this week, inspired by daffodils (Spring is definitely in the air), over at Writing and Ruminating.

Tiel Aisha Ansari has an original pantoum poem at Knocking From Inside.

Sylvia Vardell, reflecting on the anniversary of becoming a citizen has mashed two poems together to try to express her feelings. Head to Poetry For Children for a little Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman.

Karen Edmisten brings us a little more Ted Kooser today, in his poem Nebraska, which happens to be where Karen is.

Sheila at the Greenridge Chronicles is celebrating Spring with a welcome to March by Emily Dickenson and an ode to the wind by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Over at Becky’s Book Review we celebrate another birthday, this time of Dr. Seuss, with an original poem The ABCs of Dr. Seuss.

Becky at Farm School is missing a dear friend who passed away this week, and shares a bit of Donald Hall’s Without.

We have some more Naomi Shihab Nye, this time in audio form, shared by Mary over at Audiobooker.

Rebecca at IPSA DIXIT shares a double dactyl titled "History Lesson”, a fun romp by Allan Wolf.

This week Liz Scanlon gives us a Prayer of Spring by Robert Frost at Liz in Ink.

Lisa at Passionately Curious asked her second graders where poetry hides. They found it in some pretty great spots, and she shares their insight today.

There’s a little Forgetfulness (by Billy Collins) going on over at The Reading Zone.

Amanda, at A Patchwork of Books reviews A Crossing of Zebras: Animal Packs in Poetry by Marjorie Maddox.

Mitali Perkins ruminated on Lifetime Achievement Awards after watching the Oscars and shares her insights at Mitali’s Fire Escape.

Over at Chicken Spaghetti, Susan T gives us a link to Mary Ann Hoberman’s poem “Snow.”

Jenny at Little Acorns Treehouse has made her latest stop in her “Poetry through the States” in New Hampshire and she shares Robert Frost’s “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening.”

A Quaker Graveyard in Nantucket is the poem that The Well-Read Child brings to the mix this week.

And for now we wrap it all up with Miss Erin and Longfellow and The Day is Done.

And there is still more: Book Buds has a Poetry Friday book review of My Dog May be a Genius by Jack Prelutsky.

Anne Shirley over at ProTeachers talks today about learning and enjoying poetry with her students. She shares a poem by Valerie Worth, and original still in draft form.

Felicity at Look Books invites us to join her “In the Library” with a poem by William Stafford.

Robert Frost talks about a Road Less Traveled. Melissa Wiley travels that road and blogs all about it!

Mr. Linky is set up, so leave your link and leave me a comment and I'll post updates throughout the day. (You people are contributing poems faster than I can round them up, but I promise I'll get to them all!)

What I'm Listening To Right Now

No, I don't have an iPod with some awesome play list on it. I'm not listening to soothing jazz or anything like that. What I'm listening to is a heavy metal version of "My Favorite Things" as Harry messes around on his guitar. It's pretty good - just a little unexpected.

My Peculiar Family

My peculiar aristocratic title amused me so much that I had to go ahead and provide titles for the whole family. So my children, my husband (who I notice is also discombobulated - that makes us perfect for each other), my brothers, sisters-in-laws, niece, nephews and parents are all properly outfitted with a peculiar handle. And that's as it should be.

The Very Reverend Harry the Undefeated of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndro- bwllllantysiliogogogoch Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Her Excellency Pippi the Surreptitious of Great Leering Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

His Most Serene Highness Lord Adrian the Discombobulated of Leighton Buzzard Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

His Noble Excellency Peter the Indefensible of Witchampton Under Buzzard Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Milady the Right Reverend Roxanna the Undamaged of Yockenthwait Walden Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Imperial Majesty Leo the Capricious of Dicken St Charles Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Milady the Most Honourable Kristen the Ambidexterous of Pigotts Sty Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

His Grace Lord Edward the Edible of Giggleswick on the Naze Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Grand Duchess Patricia the Educated of Westley Waterless Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Earl Timothy the Winsome of Walk upon Water Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Empress Bridget the Winsome of Bumswick by the Hole Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

The Very Reverend Anthony the Larger of Dramble Buzzcock Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Milord Earl Alex the Excited of Durdle Door Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Milord Sir Lord William the Imaginary of Chortling Chesterton Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Milady the Right Reverend Anne the Ceaseless of Mellow under Trollness Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

That About Sums it Up

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Noble Excellency Christine the Discombobulated of Giggleswick on the Naze Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

I saw this over at Barb's site and had to give it a go. Usually I don't post the results of these things - I just do them and keep the info to myself. This I had to share. I mean "Christine the Discombobulated of Giggleswick" - do they know me? Have they been spying on me?

Cleaning the Garage

Yesterday it was nice out (today it is rainy, but still warm), so I tackled a project that gets neglected too often - the garage. We have a one-car garage. Okay, I'll be perfectly honest - we have a no-car garage - though there was a time, before we had kids, that my husband's old Mustang actually fit in the garage, but the Mustang is gone and so are those days.

I organized the shovels and tools in one corner and the pogo sticks and stilts, I put the baseball stuf in the baseball bag, the tennis stuff in the tennis bag, the hockey stuff in the hockey bag, piled small play equipment in the wagon and swept some of the accumulated debris out. Already it was starting to look better.

Then I looked at the shelves. I don't think those shelves have ever been organized. They become a catch-all spot for all sorts of bizarre things. And most of those things have something to do with my husband - so I can't just go throw stuff away; he needs to do it.

Now, let me just say, my husband does not like to throw things away. I'm not saying he's a pack rat or anything, but, he kind of is (hence the several old computers in our basement).

Whenever I've worked on the garage before my husband has not been home, and the shelves have not gotten their appropriate going over. Yesterday however he was home.

I directed him to the shelves. He agreed there were shelves. And they had things on them. I explained I wanted some of the things off! Some progress was definitely made. We got rid of several empty packages for things; and old door knob, bolts to hold a toilet in place, and he even let me throw away the electric drill that has been sitting on the shelf for ten years in two pieces, with all it's insides exposed. (Yay! That was quite a coup!)

And then there were the bicycle parts. "What are these," I asked.

"Bicycle parts, they connect the handle bars to the body," was the answer.

I thought that over and looked at the six bicycles in our garage. "All our bicycles have their handlebars connected. Why do we have these?"

"They're for a different bicycle."

"Are we ever likely to buy a bicycle that does not have it's handlebar connected?"

I was able to convince him to throw them out. But he kept a bunch of other bicycle parts (I think we could assemble almost a whole bicycle from the parts on the shelves).

And that was as far as we got yesterday. Next I have to work on him to throw out the two Pioneer car radios that don't fit in either of our cars, that are unlikely to fit in any car we will buy in the future, and have tape players which are becoming less essential to music listening with every passing year. But that's a job for another day.

Tuesday's Proverb

But he who commits adultery is a fool; he who would destroy himself does it. A degrading beating will he get, and his disgrace will not be wiped away; For vindictive is the husband's wrath, he will have no pity on the day of vengeance; He will not consider any restitution, nor be satisfied with the greatest gifts. (Proverbs 6:32-35)

The Favorite Parable Meme

Barb at SFO Mom tagged me for this meme. The rules are simple and straightforward:

1. You name your five favorite parables
2. You tag one blogger per parable.
3. It would be nice if you linked back to this post.

I'm sure that as soon as I come up with five and hit publish I'll think of another that I really like, but I'll give it a go:

1. The Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32) -- I particularly like that the father notices him coming from a long way off - meaning that the father has been looking out for him.

2. The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) -- I think part of why I like this has to do with an old Arch book (the title of which escape me right now, but which does not appear to be currently available) which has the vineyard owner having an assistant who is constantly barging in on the vineyard owner while he tries to relax, with the line "it's Hector your helper" - something about that book, and Hector, made it a fun read aloud. -- And I like the story too, of course.

3. The Mustard Seed. (Matthew 13:31-32) - there's just something very reassuring to know that it doesn't take a lot of faith to accomplish things. So, even if we feel that our faith is small, a little goes a long way.

4. The Lost Sheep (Luke 15:4-7) - another reassuring one. God will come looking for us when we're lost. We're never on our own.

5. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) - the quintessential story to demonstrate our duty to our fellow man.

And now to tag: Karen, Ellen, Alice, Patjrsmom, and Anne(my Mom, who just started her own blog this weekend - this will give her a jump start).

A Beautiful Day

Ah - sometimes the weather is just plain old nice. And when it is I like to take advantage of it. This meant that this afternoon I went for a bike ride and then tackled cleaning up the garage some. When the kids got home from school they had a snack and then I kicked them out of the house to go play in the park across the street - homework could wait - it was a nice afternoon!

We're supposed to get a bit of rain over the next several days, so I'm glad I took advantage of the nice weather while I could.

February Edition of The Edge of the Forest is Up

And you thought February was over! Ha! We still have the February Edition of the Edge of the Forest to enjoy. And Kelly got it finished and posted while it was still February (in her time zone at least).

And directly from her post here is what to expect this month:

• An interview with Eric Rohmann, by Julie M. Prince
• A hearty defense of YA Literature, by Little Willow
• Graphic Novels: A Gateway to a New World, by Kelly Fineman
• A profile of illustrator Sylvia Long, by Kris Bordessa
• A fantastic new column called A Backward Glance, by writer Candice Ransom
• P.J. Hoover is this month's Blogging Writer, interviewed by me.
• Reviews in all categories—from Picture book to Young Adult.

So - what are you waiting for - before you know it the the March edition will be up (third week of March) so go read the February edition while you can.

Forge Ahead!

I mentioned to my husband that it seems like half of my writing critique group is going on retreats or writing conferences in the next couple of weeks. (I'm so jealous)

He said: It's no time for retreating. They shouldn't give up. They should forge ahead!

So - while everyone else is retreating - I shall forge ahead.

(I'm still jealous)

Poetry Friday

Once again it's Poetry Friday. I suppose I could have tried to find a poem that celebrates Leap Year or February or Winter or something, but the poem that leapt to my mind today was this one by A. A. Milne. No particular reason for it - but when a poem leaps to my mind I figure I better use it - it doesn't happen that often (and did you notice my judicious use of the word Leap on this Leap Day?)

Us Two
by A.A. Milne

Wherever I am, there's always Pooh,
There's always Pooh and Me.
Whatever I do, he wants to do,
"Where are you going today?" says Pooh:
"Well, that's very odd 'cos I was too.
Let's go together," says Pooh, says he.
"Let's go together," says Pooh.

"What's twice eleven?" I said to Pooh.
("Twice what?" said Pooh to Me.)
"I think it ought to be twenty-two."
"Just what I think myself," said Pooh.
"It wasn't an easy sum to do,
But that's what it is," said Pooh, said he.
"That's what it is," said Pooh.

"Let's look for dragons," I said to Pooh.
"Yes, let's," said Pooh to Me.
We crossed the river and found a few-
"Yes, those are dragons all right," said Pooh.
"As soon as I saw their beaks I knew.
That's what they are," said Pooh, said he.
"That's what they are," said Pooh.

"Let's frighten the dragons," I said to Pooh.
"That's right," said Pooh to Me.
"I'm not afraid," I said to Pooh,
And I held his paw and I shouted "Shoo!
Silly old dragons!"- and off they flew.

"I wasn't afraid," said Pooh, said he,
"I'm never afraid with you."

So wherever I am, there's always Pooh,
There's always Pooh and Me.
"What would I do?" I said to Pooh,
"If it wasn't for you," and Pooh said: "True,
It isn't much fun for One, but Two,
Can stick together, says Pooh, says he. "That's how it is," says Pooh.

Kelly Fineman is hosting the Poetry Friday Round-up this week. And next week the round up will be here! (I better get ready!)

Inappropriate for who?

I was watching a clip of something on YouTube the other day and when Harry came up behind me I turned it off - it had some off-color language and I didn't want him seeing it. "Is that inappropriate for children?" he asked.

"Yes it is."

"Then it's inappropriate for everyone," he answered, "because we are all Children of God."

Okay, then. I guess that straightened me out.

I Guess That's Why It's Called A Yarn

Pippi explaining the stories she writes (while watching me struggle with tangled yarn on a crochet project): I like to write adventure stories. But after awhile they get silly. They start out okay. It's kind of like the story is a thing of yarn. It starts out all nice and straight - but when you get to the middle you have a messy tangle you have to unravel.

Yup. That about sums it up.

Tuesday's Proverb

Men despise not the thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry; Yet if he be caught he must pay back sevenfold; all the wealth of his house he may yield up. (Proverbs 6:30-31)

Snowboarding and Snowbabies

This is what Harry did with his snow day/birthday.


While Pippi played with her baby snowman. You don't usually see someone walking around with a snowman.

And then they had a big snowball fight.

And then it started to rain and they had to come inside. (Harry says it hailed first.)

Poetry Friday - George Washington's Birthday

My son is very proud to share a birthday with George Washington. He says when he's old enough he will vote for him for president.

In trying to come up with a poem for Poetry Friday today I was in a quandary, should I find a poem about snow, in honor of our first real snowfall of the winter, one about birthday's in honor of Harry turning eight, or one about George Washington?

In searching I found this delightful poem by Bobbi Katz.

George Washington's Birthday: Wondering
by Bobbi Katz

I wonder what I would have said
if my dad had asked me,
"Son, do you know who cut down
my pretty cherry tree?"
I think I would have closed my eyes
and thought a little bit
about the herd of elephants
I'd seen attacking it.

read the rest of the poem here. Visit Bobbi Katz's website here.

Kelly is hosting the Poetry Friday round-up today over at Big A little a, be sure to stop by for a visit.

Snow Day!

What better present could a newly eight-year-old boy ask for on his birthday than a SNOW DAY! The first one of the year too.

Not that we got to sleep in or anything. Harry was ready to open his presents at 6:15. I made him wait until at least 7.

Of course by not going to school he can't play his guitar there today - I'm sure he can bring it in sometime next week. And he said the girls were planning a surprise for him. Perhaps they'll give him his surprise on Monday.

We have several inches of snow right now - and it's snowing pretty steadily.

The official automated call that school was canceled came at 4:15 AM. Does any one really need to know that early?

Birthday Parties in School

When Pippi was in pre-school I thought it was great fun to bake cupcakes and bring them to her class. She's in fifth grade now. And I'm over it.

Our school instituted a policy last year of no junk food in the schools. This basically means they don't want cupcakes and cookies and candy to be a part of children's parties during the school day. My husband thought it ironic that they announced this to the parents at an open house where the PTO was busy holding a bake sale - but whatever. The policy is widely ignored. Class moms still bring in cupcakes and other treats for class parties. And kids still bring in cupcakes for their birthdays.

However, I know the school really doesn't want this. They want either healthy snacks or non-food treats. At which point I begin to wonder: why am I supplying treats to my children's classmates on my child's birthday? Call me mean and curmudgeonly but really. Non-food treats - even cheap gimmicky stuff are going to start to really add up when you multiply by 20 or 25. It really is easier to stop by the Dunkin' Donuts on the next corner and pick up a box of munchkins before school.

So, here we are in the midst of winter and our own little birthday season. Last month Pippi brought pencils in to distribute to her classmates. They were colorful and useful and fat free.

Friday is Harry's birthday. Do I go out and look for some more cheap pencils? Do I ignore the rules like so many others and bring cupcakes or Munchkins? No. I got a better idea.

On Friday - as a treat for his class - and in honor of his birthday - Harry is going to bring his guitar to school and play for his class. I checked with his teacher and she thinks it's a great idea. The class gets a treat. Harry gets to shine for a while and no one has to wipe icing off the desks afterwards.

The Next Blockbuster Hit

Harry had a great idea for a book/movie title.

The Divine Mercy Code (instead of The DaVinci Code, you know)

I like it. Now someone just has to write it.

Tuesday's Proverb

Lust not in your heart after her beauty, let her not captivate you with her glance! For the price of a loose woman may be scarcely a loaf of bread, But if she is married, she is a trap for your precious life. Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his garments not burned? Or can a man walk on live coals, and his feet not be scorched? So with him who goes in to his neighbor's wife-- none who touches her shall go unpunished. (Proverbs 6:25-29)

I almost didn't post this proverb. Like some of the other recent ones it's not exactly cheerful and uplifting; besides who wants to think about adultery and stuff like that. But I'm posting these in order - so there it is - and also, just because we don't like to think about something doesn't make the problem imaginary. Real people struggle with things like this all the time. I guess it doesn't hurt to look and see what God has to say on the subject.

Lenten Challenge

Okay, I haven't actually forgotten about this. Really. And I've been starring things that I want to link to - I just haven't put it all together.

As far as our Lent goes - saying the rosary together as a family was a non-starter. We just haven't made the effort to build it into our day. Which is a shame - and my fault, because I never pushed the issue.

I have been praying more, and I know the kids are feeling the pinch of the sacrifice to give up candy for Lent. Valentine's Day was particularly difficult.

For places that are wonderfully consistent with Lenten thoughts please visit Danielle Bean and A Catholic Mom in Hawaii.

Poetry Friday - Love

In honor of Valentine's Day (yesterday) here's a little poetic quote from Shakespeare.

No sooner met but they looked;
No sooner looked but they loved;
No sooner loved but they sighed;
No sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason;
No sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy;
And in these degrees have they made a pair of stairs to marriage...

William Shakespeare - from As You Like It

HipWriterMama is hosting the Poetry Round up today. Be sure to go over and visit.

A Multi-Cultural World

It's not unusual to find people who have multiple ethnic backgrounds. This can sometimes mean interesting mixing of cultures. My daughter has a friend whose mother is from Brazil and whose father is from Taiwan. Our neighbor is from Bolivia; her husband is a north Jersey Italian.

My children have an ethnic background that spans most of northern Europe from England to Poland with many countries in between. But one nationality they can't count in their background is Italian.

Maybe that explains why when we have ravioli for dinner my son says "Yay - Pierogies!"

Snow - for real this time

Or as real as it might get this winter for central Jersey. The ground is actually white. A snowplow came down our street. And the schools have a delayed opening tomorrow. The wintry mix is supposed to turn to rain - and it will all melt - so I made sure the kids got out and played in the snow when they got home from school today.

It was movie snow. Big fluffy flakes falling from the sky - almost didn't look real. Harry had his snowboard out before the grass was even fully covered (when the snow isn't predicted to last long you can't afford to waste time.)

I know that some areas of this country have had more snow than they know what to do with and I feel for you, really I do. But the kids just wanted to be able to play in snow at least once this winter - and they did.

Tuesday's Proverb

Observe, my son, your father's bidding, and reject not your mother's teaching; Keep them fastened over your heart always, put them around your neck; For the bidding is a lamp, and the teaching a light, and a way to life are the reproofs of discipline; To keep you from your neighbor's wife, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. (Proverbs 6:20-24)

Snow!

It's snowing out. Actual honest to goodness snow! And some of it is sticking to the ground.

Now, I realize some parts of the country have gotten more than their fair share of snow, but here in New Jersey we've been rather lacking in that department this winter. Whether it will even be enough to have to shovel remains to be seen - but at least for now it looks like winter.

I'm not sure if it has to do with this.

Or because I saw my crocuses starting to come up yesterday.

Either way - it is definitely snowing - at least for now.

Fish on Fridays

It's Lent. And back to meatless Fridays. Tonight it was fish sticks -- not fancy but it kept the kids happy.

When I was growing up we had meatless Fridays during Lent, but also if my mother was planning a meatless dish - pizza, tuna fish casserole or whatever - she would tend to plan it for a Friday. The rules were not as stringent as when she was growing up - we were allowed to eat meat on Fridays (except during Lent) and sometimes we did.

By the time I was married I didn't worry about meatless Fridays (except during Lent, of course), but over the last few years my husband and I realized that although the official rules were that you could eat meat on Friday it was with the provision that another sacrifice be given in its stead.

Hmmm. Another sacrifice. Well, we weren't exactly making any specific sacrifices, we were just eating whatever we darn felt like.

Maybe that wasn't the way this was supposed to work, maybe more thought was supposed to be given to what we were doing on a Friday. So, a couple of years ago we decided to go meatless on Fridays all year long. Fish on Fridays: It's not just for Lent anymore.

Since a lot of people only worry about fish on Fridays during Lent, it's not always easy to adhere to when we eat at someone else's house. And if we are at Grandma's house and she's serving pork chops or whatever on a Friday - we eat them. We just try to remember to say an extra prayer - do an extra sacrifice instead.

Have we gotten anything out of it? I don't know. I do know that sometimes when the kids want something with meat on Friday - we just have to remind them of what day it is - and they're okay with it. And we've discussed why we do a special sacrifice on Friday (in honor of Good Friday and the sacrifice Jesus made for us.) So at the very least we're recalling Good Friday more than once a year. And we know we're doing this in honor of God. And that is a good thing to know too.

Here are a few Lenten Links for the day:

Food for thought from Danielle Bean.

A hopeful Lenten post from Hope-full Signs.

Easter offers a meditation on Fasting.

Jenn muses on how Lent offers us an ending and a beginning.

Letitia at cause of our joy offers ways to simplify during Lent.

Holy Cards for Your Inspiration offers a lovely card for of a child Jesus with a tiny cross.

Karen Edmisten tells us what her daughter plans on giving up for Lent - and offers a great idea of a sacrifice jar - I think I'm going to have to incorporate that into our Lenten season.

Esther speaks of dying to self.

And Jean at Catholic Fire offers a Lenten meditation.

If you have something inspirational you'd like me to link to - let me know. Or just leave a comment.

Poetry Friday

It's Poetry Friday and I didn't have anything specific in mind for today's poem, so I perused a bit and found this one by Robert Louis Stevenson. It just seems to capture so perfectly those adventures of childhood.

In Port
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Last, to the chamber where I lie
My fearful footsteps patter nigh,
And come out from the cold and gloom
Into my warm and cheerful room.

There, safe arrived, we turn about
To keep the coming shadows out,
And close the happy door at last
On all the perils that we past.

Then, when mamma goes by to bed,
She shall come in with tip-toe tread,
And see me lying warm and fast
And in the land of Nod at last.

The round-up today is at AmoXcalli.

Offering It Up

I've heard the phrase "offer it up" my whole life. But what does it really mean? Other than as a more religious way to say "quick your belly-aching."

So I did a little research.
I found this by Scott P. Richert
and this over at Fisheaters.

And what it comes down to is that when we are suffering - either through our own sacrifices (my that chocolate looks good, why did I give it up for Lent?) or through daily annoyances (aches and pains, rude people, alarm clocks that go off too early - even if that's the time they're set for) - we accept these things without complaining and ask God to use our suffering for the benefit of others.

This can be done through a formal prayer or informal prayer.

Jesus offered his suffering for all our sakes. We can imitate Jesus in this small way - and also offer our suffering for the sake of others.

Will it make the suffering go away? No. The aches and pains will still be there. The bad drivers will still be there. The chocolate will still be there (and not being eaten). And morning will still come when we want to sleep. But we can pray and God will allow these sufferings to be redemptive for ourselves and others.

Something to think about.

As far as Lenten Links - today I found:

Danielle Bean with more food for thought.

Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii has a Lenten resolution for the day.

Easter has a beautiful prayer posted.

And I found this article about why we give things up for Lent at Ignatius Insight.

If anyone else would like to join in this Lenten Challenge and post about something that helps bring you closer to God - please let me know - and I will link to you - or just leave an inspirational comment. I can use all the inspiration I can get!

A Recipe From My Grandfather

I looked at the date and realized that today would have been my maternal grandfather's 99th birthday and I needed to do something to honor him. And for no particular reason I thought of his recipe for Hot Pepper Jam. Now, I don't particularly care for hot pepper jam, but I know, that of people who do they consider this quite a treat. But what I like about the recipe are my grandfather's directions. He was a scientist to the core and very precise. There was no pinch of this or a bit of that in this recipe. His personality shines through in this simple recipe and that's why I share it today - because in sharing the recipe I share a little bit of what my grandfather was like.

Enjoy.

Hot Pepper Jam

4 lb sweet peppers
4 lb hot peppers
1 lemon
6 c vinegar
5 lb sugar
2 pkg (1 ¾ oz each) Sure Jel

I prefer red over green peppers – better flavor and more appealing color. These are available in late Sept. and early Oct. at the Public market.

Quarter the sweet peppers and remove stem and seeds. Cut tops off red peppers and leave seeds in. Quarter the lemon and use it all. Put peppers and lemon through coarse food chopper. Some juice may run out; catch it and add it to the ground mix. Place in a large pan or kettle with a heavy bottom.

Add vinegar and bring to boil.

Add sugar and bring to boil

Add Sure-Jel and bring to boil (about 102 degrees C or 217 degrees F) and continue to boil until the thermometer reaches 104 degrees C or 220 degrees F. while stirring. It is important to stir occasionally at the beginning and more often near the end. If you don’t, it might stick to the bottom or boil over and make a mess you will never forget. This will take about an hour, depending on the heat setting.

At this point put a test portion in a small container (bottle cap or milk carton cap) and cool it in refrigerator. If it is too runny when chilled, boil it a little longer. With practice you can tell by the consistency when it has been boiled down enough.

Pour into sterilized jelly jars and cover with melted paraffin wax. If the jars have screw caps and take dome lids, wax is not necessary.

You will love it or hate it. You can adjust the “hotness” by varying the amounts of sweet and green peppers. You might want to use half or quarter of the above amounts for a first trial, but if you like it make a big batch and give some to your friends.

by Leo J. Tanghe
(Originally appeared in the St. Charles Cook Book of St. Charles Borremeo Parish, Greece NY)
*photo from wegmans.com

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of my Lenten Challenge.

As a way to get started with posting inspirational things I thought I'd post the Daily Decalogue of Pope John XXIII - every time I read it I am inspired to be a better person. I don't always do everything on it - but it inspires me all the same.

The daily decalogue of Pope John XXIII:

1) Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.

2) Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behaviour; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.

3) Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.

4) Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.

5) Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.

6) Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

7) Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

8) Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

9) Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.

10) Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

I've also noticed - while browsing through my feed reader that many people have up inspiring Lenten posts today. These people don't necessarily know about my challenge - but I'm going to link to them here. If you have a post you want me to link to (and I didn't find it yet) let me know about it in the comments. If you have something inspirational to share - but don't want to post it on a blog - just leave a message here. Thanks all.

Some Lenten Links:

Danielle Bean has some food for thought on this day of fasting.

Karen Edmisten has a psalm to get us in the mood.

Sarah, at just another day of Catholic pondering has some thoughts on Lent from a sermon by Peter Chrysologus.

Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii has a some beautiful thoughts on fasting and feasting by William Arthur Ward.

Jennifer at The Pfaffl House has some wonderful thoughts on what she's going to do for Lent.

And Leticia has a Holy Sonnet for Lent by John Donne over at causa nostrae laetitiae.

Getting Ready For Lent

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. We begin the church season in which we prepare for Easter. We prepare ourselves through prayer and fasting and penance.

Traditionally people give something up for Lent. As children it is often candy. It is candy for my children. I decree it so. When they are old enough to make reasonable sacrifices on their own - they may. Pippi actually can now. Harry wants to give up school.

But it's not just about giving something up. And it's not just about doing something extra either. It's about a way to bring ourselves closer to God. Which, is a pretty worthwhile goal.

So - what are we doing about Lent? There will be a general giving up of sweets - because the main grocery shopper (that would be me) will refrain from buying them. There will be exceptions. Harry's birthday is in a couple of weeks. There will be cake. Though Pippi asked that I please not give her candy for Valentine's Day.

And I'm going to try once again to institute a family rosary. You know - my kids have no objection to it. If I suggest it, we say the rosary. If I don't suggest it; we don't. And sometimes I get busy and don't suggest it. I'll make an effort to remember during Lent.

This year Harry is also getting ready for his First Communion - so maybe one of our goals for Lent will be to make sure that we all approach Mass more reverently, and less like just another part of the week.

A friend challenged me to make a Lenten challenge - inspired by HipWriterMama's thirty day challenges, but I wasn't quite sure what to do. I think I came up with it though.

For every day of Lent I'm going to try to post something that is inspirational in nature and that serves the goal of bringing me closer to God. I challenge anyone who is interested to do the same - either on your own blog (with a comment to me, so I know to look) or else in the comments here.

Let's help each other make this a holy and reverent Lent.

Tuesday's Proverb

There are six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him; Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; A heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, The false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Another cheery and upbeat proverb for today. But I find this one interesting for the things it doesn't mention as well as for the things it does.

... and another thing

He didn't just try to give himself an "accidental" haircut with the nail scissors, he went for additional grooming as well. He cut half of one eyebrow away. Pippi was the one who noticed that his eyebrow looked funny. No idea what possessed him. We may have to remove all sharp objects from the house.

And if you believe that....

The clues: - some clips of hair in the sink
- a boy who earlier said he wanted to get his hair cut today (a boy, who by the way was at the barber last week)

The question: What scissors did you use to cut your hair? (forget the did you cut your hair - that part was obvious from the above clues)

The answer: I accidentally cut my hair with a nail scissors.

Yeah. Right.

Sigh.

This Made My Day

I was so touched to see that Esther, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii awarded me this new award created by Deb of Ukok's Place. It's a lovely award, letting people you think they make the world a better place. Well, I certainly think that both Esther and Deb make this world a better place.

Here are the rules for this award (more details are available at Ukok's Place):

1. use Ukok’s ‘You make the world a better place’ image in your post.
2. link to Ukok’s Place.
3. Award 5 bloggers.

There are so many bloggers that I read and enjoy and wish I knew personally and could sit down with a cup of tea with, but I will limit myself to five.
So - to you: I think you make the world a better place.

Alice at Cottage Blessings

Vivian at HipWriterMama

Tricia at Roots in Myth

Kelly at Big A, little a

and

Lissa at Here in the Bonny Glen

Poetry Friday

On an August Morning
by KRM (age 11)

Green tree tops,
Astounding August morning
Cool babbling waterfalls
Wish we could stay
Forever
Simply splendid seats
On rock ledges
Easy to fall
Off slippery rocks
With water rushing down them
We might be the only
Ones who know this place
Exists
Birds twittering
High above
Us, lounging in
Our Emerald City
Basking in the
Sparkling sun
Hard to forget
This place
Wish we could stay
Forever

I know it's February. That's why I think it's a perfect time for a little reflection on summer. Besides, my daughter wrote this poem the other day and I wanted to share it. As you can see from the picture - she really did seem to capture the essence of the ravine on an August day.

The Poetry Round-up is over at Karen Edmisten's place.

Simple and Ordinary Things

Recently I was thinking about the title of my blog. The Simple and the Ordinary. It comes from a line in a song by the monks of the Weston Priory: "take the simple and the ordinary and turn it into the happy and wonderful, you can do it every day". What a great way to try to live.

But do I live up to it? Despite the fact that I created a cross-stitch with that on it (see picture in sidebar) or used it for my title. Do I take make the simple and the ordinary happy and wonderful - or do I get bogged down in the simple and ordinary?

Sometimes, truthfully, I get bogged down: Kids don't want to do homework, dinner needs to be made, foot hurts, nasty weather is predicted. My days often seem very simple and ordinary.

But I need to remember the second half: turn it into the happy and wonderful.

And honestly - though my life may appear quite simple and ordinary - it truly is happy and wonderful - I just have to remember that. Every day.

The Big Questions...

... always come when they're supposed to be in bed. Did you ever notice that?

Anyway, tonight Pippi and I were looking at some old prayer books (the one I gave her for her first communion was given to me by my great-aunt on the occasion of my First Communion - and given to her by her mother (my great-grandmother) on her First Communion in 1917.) So the question was: In CCD we're taught to love God and to pray. I've got that down. I understand that, but it seems like there's a piece missing. What else are we supposed to do?

What else indeed? Isn't that kind of the main question of life?

So I reminded her of Jesus' commandments: Love God above all things. And what else?

"To love our neighbor as ourselves" she said.

That's it. I answered. That's the other thing. And not just saying you love them - I reminded - but actually doing things.

"Actions speak louder than words," she said.

"Exactly."

"Like giving to the poor. Like working in the food pantry?"

"Yes."

"I like doing that." she mused.

"And being patient with someone when you don't feel like it," I said. Thinking of how little patience she and her brother had for each other this afternoon.

"I have to work on that one."

Jesus said that whatever we do to the least of his brothers we do to him. We need to look for the Jesus in others and treat people accordingly. We love God by loving his children. It's a lesson I know I need reminders of from time to time. And as Lent quickly approaches, it's a very timely reminder indeed.

Tuesday's Proverb

A scoundrel, a villain, is he who deals in crooked talk. He winks his eyes, shuffles his feet, makes signs with his fingers; He has perversity in his heart, is always plotting evil, sows discord. Therefore suddenly ruin comes upon him; in an instant he is crushed beyond cure. (Proverbs 6:13-15)

A Little Star Power

My sister-in-law called this evening to tell me that my husband's cousin was on TV. Okay - yes, I find out things in a round-about way. Anyway, Kim was competing on American Gladiators. So, although we hadn't been planning on watching it, I hurried the kids to the TV so we could watch Kim compete. We had missed the first half of the show. In the first competition we saw Kim in she did pretty well. Then we watched the men compete. And then it was the final eliminations for the women.

Kim was upbeat and cheery (I've never seen her any other way) and optimistic. Unfortunately she faltered - and lost badly. But even at the end - she was still upbeat and (maybe not quite as) cheery. She'd done her best. She'd tried hard. The wall had given her a hard time - but she hadn't given up. She hadn't won - but she'd given it her all.

And isn't that the way of life - you can give it your all, you can be confident and ready - and still not make it. But when you don't make it - you hold your head up high and know that just competing makes you a winner; that obstacles may stand in your way - but they don't stop you. And what better lesson to teach my kids. And they could even get the lesson from the star in the family.

Thanks Kim.

Poetry Friday - Robert Burns

In honor of Scottish Poet Robert Burns' birthday (249 years ago) I thought I'd dig up a little of his poetry.

O, My Luve's like a red, red rose
by Robert Burns

O, My Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June.
O, my Luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

Read the rest of the poem here.
The Poetry Friday round-up this week is at Mentor Texts.

To Change the World...

... it just takes one small act at a time. Via Danielle Bean's web site I found that the band Five for Fighting will donate 40 cents to children's Autism research every time this video is played online. Snopes verifies that this is true.

So, go view the video. It's a beautiful tribute to a lovely little girl. And it is one small way to help change the world.

Autism touched our world when my nephew was diagnosed as a toddler. Tomorrow he'll be seven years old. He's a very bright, charming boy who is in a regular first grade class. He's come a long way, but there are still challenges to overcome. Watch the video and help change the world for children like him.

Hamlet Again

Way back in May the kids and I started reading Hamlet. But we didn't really get far. One scene. And then summer intervened. You always think you're going to have more time for that sort of thing in the summer - but you don't (at least we d0n't).

But recently we were re-inspired. And so we're trying to do at least one scene a night. We're almost to Act II. Soon the ghost will speak.

Like when we read A Midsummer Night's Dream we are using the No Fear Shakespeare series. It has regular English on one page and the original Shakespeare on the other. First we read a page of regular English - so we have some idea of what's going on. And then the Shakespeare. Shakespeare's language is beautiful, but his vocabulary is definitely dated and without the 'regular English' translation even I'd have a hard time figuring out what he was talking about sometimes.

As we read the other night the kids had an 'ah ha moment' when Polonius gives Laertes advice. And that advice includes "neither a borrower or a lender be" and "to thy own self be true". They perked up on hearing this. They knew those phrases. And what bastion of high culture had enabled them to be familiar with these fine Shakespearean phrases? Why Gilligan's Island of course.

Tuesday's Proverb

How long, O sluggard, will you rest? when will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest-- Then will poverty come upon you like a highway man, and want like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:9-11)

The New Edition of The Edge of the Forest is up

The January edition of The Edge of the Forest is now available. The Edge of the Forest is now entering it's third year of publication. Kelly has created a tremendous product with it. Congratulations to her.

There are a lot of great features in this issue including:

• An interview with Holly Thompson.
• A look at The Class of 2K8, by P.J. Hoover.
• Booking your New Year's Resolutions with Little Willow.
• Kim Winters talks with writer, teacher, and mentor, Jane Resh Thomas, in our A Day in the Life column.
• Candice Ransom is this month's Blogging Writer.
• Reviews in all categories—from Picture book to Young Adult.

And I even wrote for it this month; interviewing some of my daughter's class mates (and my daughter) for this month's Kid Picks.

So head on over and enjoy.

A Question Upon Awakening

I woke up this morning to this question from Harry: "Do you and Daddy ever switch sides of the bed?"

I opened one eye and looked at him, standing there, on my side of the bed. "No," I answered.

"What do you think would happen if you did?" he asked.

"Nothing," I answered, but what I was thinking was then maybe he'd wake up his father with these queries and not me. Something to think about.

I'm a Little Bit Country...

... And I'm a little bit Rock-n-Roll.

Yes, I'm channeling the Osmonds. And why is that? Yesterday I was watching some clips of various Donny and Marie shows on YouTube. Pippi started watching with me. She was really enjoying them - and wanted more more more - but we needed to make dinner.

And that got me thinking. When Marie Osmond started doing the show she was sixteen and Donny was eighteen. Truly teen stars. It's sad to look at some of the young stars that are around these days. Though I'm sure the seventies had its share of messed-up young people too. They certainly had funny hair dos (as pointed out by my daughter - after watching clips from Donny and Marie, the Brady Bunch, Welcome Back Kotter and All in the Family. "What's with the hair?" she kept asking. I just answered "It was the seventies") But Donny and Marie were people that could safely admired and looked up to. Any foibles they might have had were kept safely hidden from the public.

When the Donny and Marie show was on I was quite the fan. In fact I even have Donny and Marie dolls. Yes, I do. (Go ahead and mock me, Kris, I know you want to.) I have a record album too. I even have the novelization of the movie they did: "Goin' Coconuts."

Kids often want to "be" the pop star. And I was no exception. Luckily there was a kid down the street who felt the same way. We would play Donny and Marie and put on shows. We sang along to pop music (there are still some songs I can't hear without thinking of our performances) and put on skits. Occasionally we'd try to perform for people - but mainly it was for ourselves. I was Marie, of course, he was Donny and his younger sister took the role of Jimmy Osmond and we had a grand time.

Thank you for indulging me this bizarre trip down memory lane. As I'm thinking about it all, I'm trying to decide if it's too bad that video cameras weren't common yet when we put on those shows, or glad that there is no recorded proof of our attempts.

A Book Meme

I was tagged by Esther over at A Catholic Mother in Hawaii for a Book Meme. Now, I know I was tagged for another book meme like two months ago - and I still haven't gotten to that one - but that one requires thought and this one - not so much.

The rules are:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

"As we approached from the airport, the bishop pointed out a village. In the middle of the village was a ghost house-the house tambaran.

"I remember vividly my first acquaintance with a ghost house."

And now I'm going to leave you hanging there - don't you want to know more about ghost houses?

The book is "Maria: the true story of the beloved heroine of The Sound of Music" by Maria von Trapp.

It's too bad those were the chosen sentences, I rather like the ones where she's with Bob Hope and he introduces her to Jack Benny who he calls the second greatest comedian in the country, and she asks him "who's the greatest?" Or the time she's visiting a cannibal tribe and asks which part tastes best. But, you'll have to satisfied with ghost houses.

Now I have to tag people.

Liz

Alice

Vivian

PJ Hoover

Cassie.

Poetry Friday

I came across this poem the other week when looking for something for Poetry Friday. I decided to save it until today - because today my husband turns 42 (and I'll be there a few months from now). I don't know that I've ever thought of falling down on a balloon - but it's good to have options.

The Morning Walk
by A.A. Milne

When Anne and I go on a walk,
We hold each other's hand and talk
Of all the things we mean to do
When Anne and I are forty-two.

And when we've thought about a thing,
Like bowling hoops or bicycling,
Or falling down on Anne's balloon,
We do it in the afternoon.

Becky is hosting the Poetry Friday round-up over at Farm School.

The Purpose of First Drafts

It's been awhile since I've written a true first draft of a novel - no taking this bit from that old story or re-making the character into someone new. And now that I find myself faced with a first draft, I was stymied for awhile.

But then I remembered the purpose of first drafts (at least for me). It's to get the story down on paper. The story that I can later change and alter and play with and revise. But first I have to have a story. So I'm not worrying about making it pretty. I'm not worrying about if this scene or that is totally necessary. I'm not concerning myself with having the most descriptive language or unique metaphors. I'm getting the story down on paper - and that's a good thing.

Profile Picture

I've added a picture to my profile.

The picture is not of me.

It's of my maternal grandmother as a child (I stole the idea from Liz).

Just in case you were wondering.

Roller Skating

Last night our school had a "roller skating night" at the local United Skates. My kids enjoy skating and have their own roller blades. And it's fun when you know a lot of the people someplace. So off we went (and no, I didn't skate, before you ask) for a night of skating.

It's fun to watch little kids skate. Some are very timid. Taking tiny little steps while a parent guides them around the floor. Some, not much bigger, skate with wild abandon, wiping out frequently and spectacularly and then getting back up to do it all over again. There are kids who hug the wall and kids who head right for the middle of the rink.

This year, as a fifth grader, Pippi was one of the oldest kids (aside from middle-school siblings who attended). When she was small she would skate timidly and cautiously. Making her way around in the way of the tortoise - slow and steady wins the race (or at least gets you around the rink). Now she's a lot more comfortable on skates, but she still takes no chances. She does what she feels comfortable with - no more.

When Harry started skating he was one of the wild abandon kids (okay, no real surprise there). But he's actually mellowed some. He prefers not to fall now.

I think there is a metaphor for life in all this. It's interesting because Pippi is a kid who prefers to not to leave her comfort zone in most things. A challenge? No thanks (unless it involves acting - then it's a different story). And Harry attacks each new challenge with gusto - determined to master anything put in his way.

I wonder how that pans out for the other kids that were on the rink. Do the kids hugging the wall play it safe in the rest of their life? Do the kids who don't mind wiping out over and over again accept challenges and give them their all?

And what does it say about me - who won't put on skates - because when I was in middle school I wasn't crazy about roller skating and can't convince myself it would be any better now? Maybe it's best not to contemplate these things too deeply.

Tuesday's Proverb

Go to the ant, O sluggard, study her ways and learn wisdom; For though she has no chief, no commander or ruler, She procures her food in the summer, stores up her provisions in the harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8)

A Little on Writing

Today I finished my Work in Progress. 81,000 words. It was actually a revision - a second draft. But there were huge departures from the first - so parts of it felt like I was writing it from scratch. There were times I didn't think I'd ever get through the last third of it. But today the ending came to me (it came sooner than I was expecting, I thought I had another couple of chapters). And it's done. Now my wonderful writing critique group gets a go at it.

Now I can go back to the story that I was tracking my progress on in the progress meter on the sidebar. Poor little progress meter, abandoned for so long. Hopefully there will be some movement there soon (Hopefully I'll remember how to update the progress meter!)

The Baptism of the Lord

My daughter's birthday was yesterday - but the year she was born, the 12th was a Sunday. And it was the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Now, for obvious reasons, I didn't make it to mass that day (my husband managed to at the hospital). But of course I'll always connect that feast day with my daughter's birth. And, it's interesting to note that one of my brothers was baptized on the Feast day of the Baptism of the Lord - he was also born on Christmas Eve (I suppose a person could be tempted to have visions of grandeur because of that - but he was the youngest of four - we kept him humble)

But since my daughter's birth, there is one thing that I always associate with this feast day (besides her birth of course) and that is the letter I got from my grandfather a couple of days after our daughter was born.

Dear Christine and Adrian:

We are so glad that the long days of waiting for the birth of your baby are over.

Anne called us last Sunday at 9AM to tell us that you were at the hospital in labor. We got his message just before we left for the 9:30 Mass at St. Charles. This is a quite a struggle for us during the winter. I have to get out of our house through the back door on my butt and then get into the wheelchair and let Ruth push me to the car in the garage. Luckily I do not have any trouble driving. We left our wheelchair at home and transferred to another wheelchair at the church.

Richard, who had gone to the 8:30 Mass, was waiting for us and pushed me into the church. I sat, as usual, in the space between the front pew and the altar. Ruth sat in the pew right behind me.

The 9:30 Mass was for the children who, upon signal, left their pews and sat on the altar steps alongside the priest, who baptized a baby a few feet in front of us and then gave a little talk about the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (Mark 1:7-11).

Then he let the children participate in the baptism in this manner: He had a big bundle of small branches from Christmas trees and gave two or three to each child. Then adults, each carrying a large bowl of water, took their places at the entrance to each aisle.

The priest then spoke to the children something like this: "Now I want you to do the baptizing. The whole idea is to get the people wet, like this." He dipped their branches into water and swung them over the people!

I spoke to Father Ed Palumbos at the end of this ceremony and told him that we were expecting another great-grandchild at any moment now. He congratulated us and gave his best wishes for the parents.

I was deeply impressed by the ceremony, and thought of you in labor. We went to the CharBroil Restaurant for breakfast. We got a call from Anne that you delivered a baby girl at 5:05 PM.

To Christine and Adrian: May this little girl be a source of happiness to you all the days of your life.

Love,
Grandma (Ruth), Grandpa (Leo) and Uncle Richard.

Is it any wonder that I think of this letter when this feast day rolls around.

And my grandfather's blessing has proven apt as well - so far she has truly been a source of happiness to us. I wish he could know her now.

A Blogiversary

I was wondering when I started this blog - and lo and behold, it was two years ago today.

Does that mean I'm entering my terrible twos now?

Today is her Birthday

Eleven years ago today I welcomed my daughter into this world. She made me wait for her arrival. She was four days late and then I spent many hours in labor. But when she finally made her entrance she was a beautiful little girl. We were instantly smitten - and have remained so to this day.

She has grown into a lovely young lady. No longer a little child, she has a splendid character and a great sense of self. I am very proud to be able to call her my daughter.

So today was her birthday - and we celebrated by attending her brothers first penance ceremony and then with a gathering of the family. She got lots of blank books for writing in (and is thrilled by all the paper she has to fill now) and the greatest surprise gift was the pocket knife from her aunt and uncle.

Apparently when I was fifteen and returned from my first visit to Germany, I gave my little brother a Swiss army knife. He was seven at the time. That same little brother told that story to my daughter at Christmas. And Pippi told us all how what she really wanted was a pocket knife. I immediately said no - because she has a habit of stabbing herself with sharp pencils, and a knife didn't seem like a wise choice for her. But she insisted that she hadn't stabbed herself with a pencil in over a year.

But her aunt and uncle were much more sympathetic to her plight. They gave her a pink pocket knife for a birthday present - though they were sure to tape bandages to the back of the package - just in case.

Harry and Comments

My kids both have blogger accounts. And they both have private blogs. Harry wanted to know how to get to my blog from his - so I foolishly gave him a link on his blog. Now he's learned to comment.

So - if you see any weird comments from someone named Harry - that's my boy.

Sigh.

How Lucky I Am

We've had a bit of bad news today. A little reversal of fortune if you will. So there is a certain amount of stress around here.

But my daughter started thinking of a song they sang in their Kids in the Park production of Pinocchio two years ago. The song is actually from Seussical the Musical and it's called "How Lucky You Are"

And the verse we sang to each other (and then put the CD in so we could hear the whole song)

Why decry a cloudy sky
An empty purse
A crazy universe?
My philosophy is simply

Things could be worse.

Here's a clip of the song from a school production:


So. Bad news. But, there is a lot of good in our lives and I'm going to make sure I focus on that. We have great kids, a great extended family, we have a strong marriage and a strong faith. We wish things could be easier sometimes - but - hey "things could be worse".

Poetry Friday

Tomorrow is a big day in our family, it is the day of our son's first penance and it is our daughter's eleventh birthday. It's hard to believe that she is already going to be eleven years old. In honor of the birthday girl, I went looking for a poem that would suit her. The poem that would maybe be best is one that Karen posted today for Poetry Friday.

But then I found this one by Robert Louis Stevenson - so in honor of our birthday girl, I present:

Katherine
by Robert Louis Stevenson

We see you as we see a face
That trembles in a forest place
Upon the mirror of a pool
Forever quiet, clear and cool;
And in the wayward glass, appears
To hover between smiles and tears,
Elfin and human, airy and true,
And backed by the reflected blue.

The Poetry Friday Round-up is over at The Book Mine Set - so head on over.

Keeping Days

Today Pippi was home sick from school (she's much better now, thank you) and she had finished all the books she'd gotten for Christmas (and she got quite a stack of books, I must say - you can actually find the list at The Edge of the Forest) so she was looking for something to read.

I had just the book. The Keeping Days by Norma Johnston. I first read the six-book series in high school, after being introduced to them by a friend. Since then I have managed to acquire all six books - not an easy feat, since I believe they are all out of print now.

But they are my comfort books. Books that I've read over and over again. And books I had a feeling Pippi would enjoy. But she always had so many books on her 'to read' list and I didn't want to force something on her. But now she started reading the first book and she loves it. And it's so much fun to hear her chuckle over something or have her ask me what's going to happen. (I won't tell her). And it's interesting the words she wonders about. What's a spat? (small fight), What's Jane Eyre? (an old romance book), what about Elsie Dinsmore? (old-time juvenile books). She's done a lot of reading, but some things still haven't come her way yet.

It's great to be able to share these books with her - my very own 'keeping day' to remember always.

In the meantime, Harry has been reading an old Brady Bunch novel we happened to have lying around. He had never paid any attention to it before, because he didn't know who the Brady Bunch was. But now that they've been watching season 1, he was interested. And he happily told me that this was book 9. I'm sure thinking I would go out and find him books one through eight. I had to tell him that I didn't think it was likely to find any of those books now. Brady Bunch novels written in 1970 are not something that you come across too often. He'll probably have to content himself the one we've got.

Happy reading everyone.

Using the Right Word

...or if that fails - one you can spell.

When I was in grade school and writing stories there were some words that I just couldn't spell. Immediately was one of them. Somewhere I have a draft of a story with the several attempts to spell "immediately" crossed out.

And finally "right away" written in.

Sometimes you have to know when to give up, too.

This story is related to pretty much nothing, it's just something I thought of when the spell checker caught a word I misspelled earlier today. How much I would have appreciated a spell checker when I was ten. Then people could have done things immediately in my stories - and not just right away.

Talk about Going to Extremes

Now, I know I mentioned my kids trying to get out of going to school yesterday, but at least they didn't go to the lengths this boy in Mexico did. And note, the boy in question still had to go to school, he was just a few hours late.

Tuesday's Proverb

My son, if you have become surety to your neighbor, given your hand in pledge to another, You have been snared by the utterance of your lips, caught by the words of your mouth; So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's power: Go, hurry, stir up your neighbor! Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids; Free yourself as a gazelle from the snare, or as a bird from the hand of the fowler. (Proverbs 6:1-5)

I Can't Go to School - I'm Sick. Cough Cough

Can't go to school if your sick - right? So, if you don't want to go to school, you tell your mother that you're sick. Instant day off. Right? Hah!

Monday morning blues around here. No one wanted to get up (myself included, but I did.)

The first thing Harry said was "I'm not going to school today."

I informed him he was - and that he didn't have to get up for another twenty minutes.

He then told me his stomach hurt.

Hmmm. That's interesting.

Ger more rest I told him and then we'll see.

Twenty minutes later - time for everyone to get up. Pippi declared she was on strike and refused to move from her bed. Harry in the meantime insisted his stomach hurt. I told him to get up and eat something and then we'd see. He agreed and got dressed and came downstairs. He crawled around - insisting that when he stood his stomach hurt. He crawled down the steps head first (yeah, there's a kid who doesn't feel well). He slithered into the kitchen on his belly. He got in his chair and ate a bowl of oatmeal. He slithered over to the cupboard and got out more oatmeal. I made him a second bowl of oatmeal. He slithered around again for a third. At which point I informed him he was going to school.

"What!?"

"If you're well enough to eat three bowls of oatmeal, you can go to school. Even if you are crawling around on the floor."

So, resigned to his fate, he got ready for school.

In the meantime, Pippi called off her strike and got up and dressed too. And eventually they went to school.

But it's always tricky when one of them says they don't feel well. Are they really sick, or do they just not feel like showing up in class today? If they have a fever or if they throw up, the decision has been made, but what about that general yuckiness? Usually, I can tell if my kids are sick. They don't act like themselves. They are quiet and pale and lethargic. But I'm always worried about making that wrong call. I don't want to send them to school sick. But I certainly don't want to get snookered into letting them stay home when they can be at school.

And I'm left wondering what tomorrow's ailment will be. Perhaps sneezles and wheezles?

Sneezles
by A.A. Milne

Christopher Robin had wheezles and sneezles
They bundled him into his bed.
They gave him what goes with cold in the nose,
And some more for cold in the head.
They wondered if wheezles could turn into measles,
If sneezles would turn into mumps;
They examined his chest for a rash, and the rest
Of his body for swelling and lumps.
They sent for some doctors in sneezles and wheezles
To tell them what ought to be done.
All sorts and conditions of famous physicians
Came hurrying round at a run.
They all made a note of state of his throat,
They asked if he suffered from thirst;
They asked if the sneezles came after the wheezles,
Or if the first sneezles came first.
They say “If you teasle a sneezle or wheezle,
A measle may easily grow.
But humour or pleazle the wheezle or snezle,
The measle will certainly go.”

They expounded the reazles for sneezles and wheezles,
The manner of measles when new.
They said, “If he freezles in draughts and in breezles,
The PHTHEEZLES may even ensue.”

Christopher Robin got up in the morning,
The sneezles had vanished away.
And the look of his eye seemed to say to the sky,
“Now, how to amuse them today? ”

Poetry Friday

This poem made me think of trying to get my son to go to bed at bedtime.

Escape at Bedtime
by Robert Louis Stevenson

The lights from the parlour and kitchen shone out
Through the blinds and the windows and bars;
And high overhead and all moving about,
There were thousands of millions of stars.
There ne'er were such thousands of leaves on a tree,
Nor of people in church or the Park
As the crowds of the stars that looked down upon me,
And that glittered and winked in the dark.

The Dog, and the Plough, and the Hunter and all,
And the star of the sailor, and Mars,
These shown in the sky, and the pail by the wall
Would be half full of water and stars.
They saw me at last, and they chased me with cries,
And they soon had me packed into bed;
But the glory kept shining and bright in my eyes,
And the stars going round in my head.

The round up today is over at A Year of Reading.

A Challenge

I'm taking HipWriterMama up on her 30-day challenge. It started yesterday. I'm challenging myself to write for at least 30 minutes a day, and to send out at least one query a week.

So - after one day, how am I doing? Well, I wrote for substantially more than 30 minutes yesterday. But no query has been sent out yet this week. But - fear not - the week is not over yet.

I'll check in occasionally and let you know how I'm doing.

Class of 2K8

They're here. The new class of first time MG/YA novelists with books coming out in 2008.

The first two books being released in January are:

Liz Gallagher's THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE
Lisa Schroeder's I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME

There are lots of great writers on the list. Head on over to their blog to find out more.

One other thing - one of the writer's on the list PJ Hoover is a member of the great writer's critique group I'm in. Having had an opportunity to read some of the things she's written, I say, that when her book The Emerald Tablet comes out in October, you won't want to miss it.

Good luck to all the 2K8 writers and maybe I'll be in the class of 2k9. Hey - a person can dream!

Here's A Story

of a lovely lady.

Yes - the Brady Bunch.

I may have mentioned before that my kids don't watch a whole lot of TV. Partly that's because they're busy doing other things - and partly it is because we don't have cable and there isn't much worth watching (or that I feel comfortable having the children watch). But I remember coming home from school and watching The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Gilligan's Island and the Brady Bunch. Everyone you knew could pretty much quote any Brady Bunch episode from heart.

And my kids didn't know who Greg, Marcia, Peter, Jan, Bobby and Cindy were. Shown a picture of the iconic opening with all the faces in the squares, they asked - who's that in the middle? They didn't know Alice.

This was something that had to be remedied.

So for Christmas they got the First Complete Season of The Brady Bunch on DVD. They've watched about half of them so far. And they love it.

I've watched some of them with them - or listened while preparing a meal in the next room - and yes the shows were goofy and corny - but they are also funny and sweet, and most importantly - fine for children to watch.

New Year's Resolutions

I'm not making any.

So there.

There are of course things I want to accomplish. Goals I'd like to meet. And I know what they are - but somehow making them official seems to be setting myself up for failure. (I know, a real positive attitude - maybe that's because of the gray, dreary, rainy day outside).

I will however be taking HipWriterMama's 30-day challenge. I have until tomorrow to figure out what I'm challenging myself with. So, if a whole year's worth of resolutions are too much for you - head on over to HipWriterMama and take the challenge.

Tuesday's Proverb

By his own iniquities the wicked man will be caught, in the meshes of his own sin he will be held fast; He will die from lack of discipline, through the greatness of his folly he will be lost. (Proverbs 5:22-23)

Well, that seems like a good proverb to start the year off right. Yikes.