Visiting The Lady

It started to rain just as we left Ellis Island and headed to the ferry to visit The Statue of Liberty. But there are definite advantages to visiting Lady Liberty on a rainy November day.

No crowds.

I'm sorry this picture is blurry - it's from the museum. That lady has one big face!

And really big feet.

And then we walked up the pedestal to the base of the statue. 165 steps. That's a lot of steps. Once there we could go outside on the observation deck and look up. This is what we saw.

Once upon a time you used to be able to climb inside the statue itself. Not anymore. Personally, I'm okay with that - because I remember climbing that spiral staircase when I was a kid. And all I can say is once was enough. You can look up and through a plexiglass window see up inside the statue - and see the staircase that I no longer have to climb.

Coming to America

Imagine if you will. You've been on the ship now for weeks. In steerage. You've sold everything you had to pay for the passage. You've fit everything you treasure in two trunks a large basket and a cloth bag. It's all you and your family have to start over again in a new land. America.

Then finally one day you see her - the Lady in the Harbor. The glorious beacon to freedom. You have arrived. The promised land is before you. Soon you will see for yourself if the streets are really paved with gold.

But not so fast. Although the first and second class passengers will be processed on board the ship, the steerage passengers are to be put upon ferries and sent to Ellis Island. The name sends dread through you. You've heard of people not allowed in, sent back home because they have a bad cough or an eye disease, or are simple minded or don't have enough money. You know you yourself are not simple minded. But you don't have much money - is it enough? And the baby has come down with a cough? Will they let you in? What if they won't let the baby in? What can you do? A baby can not be sent back across an ocean by itself.

You get off the ferry and enter the building, following the scores of others and trying to figure out what to do next, where to go. You are told to leave your baggage on the main floor - to check it in. Leave it? It's all you have in the world. No, you decide you'll simply keep it with you. Your son is big, he can help with one of the trunks.

Then up the stairs to the reception room. It's large, so much larger than anything you've seen back home. And it is full of people and benches. A man in a uniform directs you to one side. You wait, you hope. You sweat it out.

Most people were processed through Ellis Island with no problems. Their paper work was in order, they showed no signs that they would be a burden on society, so they were released and ferried over to the train station in Jersey City or to New York to continue their journey and start their new life.

Some however had to go through medical exams, legal hearings and competency tests. Some people stayed for days or weeks on Ellis Island in the dormitories that slept 300 in beds stacked three high.

Today the island is a museum. And it is where we spent out day today. There are wonderful displays about immigration through the ages - and specifically to Ellis Island. Very informative and very interesting as well.

One interesting thing is the language tree - showing what language some of our common words come from. Pippi likes the word Caboodle; it's Dutch.

And this sea gull sitting on the piling by the ferry dock just seemed like he wanted someone to take his picture. So I did.

Writing Wednesday - NaNoWriMo

Okay, I decided to plunge ahead and do NaNoWriMo this year. Not familiar with it? It's National Novel Writing Month. Yes, that's right. The goal is to take the month of November and write a 50,000 word novel.

It's first draft territory - no worrying about editing or making sure every word or every scene is perfect - just getting the words on paper (or on the computer screen in most cases).

Unfortunately I can't commit for the entire month, so I have to try to finish 50,000 words a bit earlier than that. I'm not sure I'll meet the goal. But what the heck, I can try anyway.

The best thing though is that NaNoWriMo has a Young Writer's program. And Pippi has signed up (under the name Jinx, if anyone wants to be her buddy). She is totally into it. Kids get to set their own word goal - and for sixth graders the recommended goal was between 6,000 and 12,000. She chose 11,000 since she is 11. Seemed reasonable. She already has over 2,000 words (she's ahead of me!). She may update her goal. She's been involved in the forums and is really loving this. She's always loved to write and I like how this is really focusing her attention on one project for awhile (which of course is largely the whole point of NaNoWriMo)

So are you doing NaNoWriMo?

A Day at the Science Center

The graffiti wall (don't worry, it's just a computer image using light in a "spray can".

Diagnosing the patient with a little help from Nurse Ammy.

Scaling walls

Balancing high in the air.

Tuesday's Proverb

Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing, but virtue saves from death. (Proverbs 10:2)

All The Saints

In honor of All Saints Day (yesterday) and All Souls Day (today) I bring you once again "As The Saints go Marching In" as understood by Pippi (from a few years ago)

Oh when the saints go marching in
Oh when the saints go marching in
Oh how we will be outnumbered
when the saints go marching in.

The Loot

Happy Halloween

Little Red Riding Hood and Guitar Man

A Halloween Story

In honor of Halloween here's a story 11-year-old Pippi wrote. It actually started out as the introduction to a story she decided not to write. But she figures this stands on its own.

Maude Dwight

by KRM

The wind whistled through the cave's open mouth. It was Halloween night, and Maude Dwight sat shivering inside Skull Cove. She had gotten a little fire going, but she couldn't do anything from the wind that kept blowing it out.

PHOOSH!! The fire was out. Maude reached out blindly for her flint. Once she grabbed it, her fingers locked around the smooth stone, she heard footsteps. Wast it her Papa come to save her? She dropped her flint in excitement, waitin got see her father's flashlight.

But she never saw it. The footsteps got louder.

Suddenly, a dark, dark figure appeared out of the shadows. A knife glinted in the dim light.He lashed it at Maude.

Maude screamed.

And that scream can be heard every Halloween night.

Happy Halloween.

Bonus Revision Tip

I was thinking more about revisions after yesterday's post and realized I had left out one crucial rule of thumb. I figured if I waited until next week to share it I'd forget to mention it again.

So here's a bonus revision tip on a Thursday.

When re-reading your story. If there are places you skim over in order to get to the 'good stuff', look at those places very carefully. If you're not interested in reading them again - even though it may be the hundredth time, maybe they're not worthy of staying in the story.

Writing Wednesday

Once again I find myself revising things I've already written. Sometimes it feels as if all I do is revise things I've already written. And I know some of you know the absolute truth of that.

The revisions I'm working on now are actually big picture kind of revisions and I'm going through chapter by chapter to see if all of the scenes actually move the plot forward or if they are just happy little place holder scenes - showing what "happened then". I find I write a lot of that kind of scene. I know in my time line that it is Thanksgiving or Christmas and I feel that I must write in detail about that event. But if nothing that happens during that event actually moves the story forward, then it is just kind of boring reading.

Since I'd rather my story not be boring I have to make sure that each scene either has a reason for being there. Or else it has to go.

So that's what I'm doing today.

How do you revise?

Carving Pumpkins

A fine October tradition.

Pippi's pumpkin goes by his formal name of Jonathan O'Lantern, instead of the nickname Jack. I'm not sure if Harry's pumpkin has a name.

Edited to add: This post has been attracting spam comments. I'm not sure why. I'm going to close the comments on it. Sorry.

Fall Flowers

We actually had snow in the air today - but yesterday I noticed my mums flowing over my garden fence in the backyard and couldn't resist taking a picture.

Tuesday's Proverb

The Proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes his father glad, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother. (Proverbs 10:1)

Poetry Friday

It's time for Poetry Friday once again, and I've got another Pippi poem to share.

Maybe
by KRM

Maybe I'm a
Giant
with hands
the size of
Houses
and eyes
the size of
Dinner plates,
Or a fairy
with glittery
Wings.
Maybe I'm
A tree swaying
in the fall
breeze.
Perhaps I'm a
lamp, shining
it's bright light
down upon
the paper
(of equations - ugh.)
Maybe I'm
A Manticore
a club in
my meaty
fist, horns
coming off of
my furry head
Fury spelled
across my eyes
of red.
I could be
a shy satyr
Or a unicorn,
Even.
I could be a
fish blowing
bubbles.
The one thing I'm
NOT
is doing my
incredibly
dumb
HOMEWORK.

Ah, doesn't it just bring you back to middle school again?

The round up this week is by Kelly at Big A little a.

The Emerald Tablet

I've been remiss in posting this. PJ Hoover had her debut book released this week. If you haven't already bought yourself or your children a copy of The Emerald Tablet, then go do so. Why you ask? Because it's a great story.

Still not convinced?

Watch this.

Window Wednesday

Ha - fooled you. I bet you thought this was going to be Writing Wednesday - and it should be - and I did write today. But today's big news is our new window.

Before (note the boy peering through the blinds):

And after (different view - but you get the idea):

A nice improvement - don't you think. And so much less drafty. In case you can't tell from the picture, that is a bow window - it curves out a bit - making the living room seem a little roomier.

Tuesday's Proverb

She [folly] sits at the door of her house upon a seat on the city heights, Calling to passers-by as they go on their straight way: "Let whoever is simple turn in here, or who lacks understanding; for to him I say, Stolen water is sweet, and bread gotten secretly is pleasing!" Little he knows that the shades are there, that in the depths of the nether world are her guests! (Proverbs 9:14-18)

Let's Hear it for the Kids

Both Pippi and Harry had some good news this week. And since I shared my good news, I'll share theirs.

First: On Tuesday Harry's street hockey team won a game. This has been a tough season and they just could never seem to catch a break. There was one memorable (miserable) game where they lost 17 to 2. It's hard to keep positive in the face of stuff like that. But on Tuesday they won. Yay!! With a score of 7 to 1. And wouldn't you know it - it was the only game all season I wasn't able to make it to (PTO obligations). You don't think they won because I wasn't there, do you? I'd hate to think I'm bad luck for the team.

Second: Yesterday Pippi found out that she is the second sixth grader picked for the middle school band. Not too many sixth graders make it in - especially not before the winter concert. But she did. Her band teacher praised her playing (clarinet) and then gave her a note at the end of class that she was in. The first sixth grader in is a friend of ours - and he's actually the one who told me Pippi had made it in (when I picked the kids up from his house yesterday) Pippi just sat there and smiled.

So. Yay for Pippi and Harry!

It's been quite a week around here.

Jury Duty

Oh what fun. Everyone's favorite civic duty. Jury Duty. At least the people who work there realize that everyone before them is trying to think of a way to get out of it. They acknowledge it and try to convince you that being there is a wonderful thing.

So - I had to go. (Had already had it postponed from the summer.)

I was hoping for one of those terribly boring experiences where you sit in the room all day and wait for your name to be called. And your name isn't called. I had a good book with me. I figured that would work for me.

That's not what happened. And that actually turned out to be a good thing.

First panel of jurors called - 25 people out of a room of several hundred. And of course I'm one of them (worse luck, I'm figuring.)

We get up to the courtroom. The judge talks to us for awhile. Then he picks 8 people to serve on the jury (civil trial). He starts questioning them. Many questions that ranged from if they knew anyone involved in the case down to what bumper stickers they had on their car. A couple of people were excused at this point.

Then the attorneys get to excuse jurors. So one is excused, another chosen - who must then answer all the questions.

Another juror is excused. And another chosen.

Five, six, maybe seven jurors excused (picky attorneys, I'm not sure quite what they were looking for). Then my number called.

Oh dear. Didn't want to be on a jury. And now I'm sitting in chair number one. But I decided to look on the bright side - the case was only going to run for three days. Today, tomorrow afternoon and Monday. I figured I could work out after school care for those days. So, as things go not so bad.

Then lunch break.

Went back in and I was asked a few more questions.

The Plaintiff's attorney excused another juror.

Someone else was picked - and questioned.

Then the Defense attorney excused me!

Slightly mixed emotions. After all I don't want to be on a jury - so this is good. But hey, what's wrong with me? I'll get over it.

So I went back downstairs to wait to see if I would be called for another panel (and seriously hoping I would not). I sat with two other people who'd been excused from the jury (seriously they excused maybe 10 or more people - and not because the juror asked to be excused - I don't know if this is typical or not) and one woman who had simply been sitting there waiting all day.

Only two panels had been called. Ours and one other (possibly for a 5 week murder trial based on something another judge said, but perhaps not). Everyone else was sitting in the waiting room. Waiting. For hours. The 45 minutes or so before they made an announcement that everyone could go home felt much much longer.

So in the end I was glad I was on the panel - definitely more interesting than sitting in the waiting room (though I would have had a chance to read my book) and I don't even have to go back. It all worked out quite nicely.

And bonus! I'd never been in a courtroom before. But now I have first hand experience with not just the waiting room but the panel selection - and even sitting in the jury box. Plus there were interesting people - all with a story to tell - great for thinking about characters. Somehow, somewhere, I bet I can use all of this in a story someday.

Tuesday's Proverb (Yes, I know it's Wednesday)

The woman Folly is fickle, she is inane, and knows nothing. (Proverbs 9:13)

Unexpected Stuff on a Monday

I just got a publishing contract.

My first.

I'm beyond excited and trying very hard not to use all caps and lots of exclamation points.

YAY!!!

Huckleberry Hill

We spent the afternoon on Huckleberry Hill - aka the home of my brother and sister in law. The afternoon included a mini baby shower, fun with cousins and lots of gazing at beautiful leaves. We just wish it didn't take so long to get there - but the trip was worth it.

Poetry Friday - another Fairy Tale Edition

This week I have another poem by my 11-year-old daughter (actually I have a whole bunch, but I'm going to parcel them out on Fridays). What happens when you take a familiar fairy tale and look at it from another point of view completely. Is it still Happily Ever After? (and I don't mind saying, when I read this poem I got goosebumps)

Happily Ever After?
by KRM

It was a cold
windy
night
and the wolf
had been slaughtered
by a wood-cutter.
Everyone was
living
Happily Ever After.
But Reuben
sulked, his back
against a tree
the wind whipped
around his fur.
Ice-cold tears
lined his eyes
of anger
He thought
of his
father
and his last
encounter
with him.
But now,
Gone.

Reuben looked
at the
sky, clouded
with
dark, menacing
clouds
The Forest
seemed
at rest
peaceful,
though
trees were
bending in a
Sixties dance,
and the wind
howled ferociously
the quaint
cottages were
at rest
oblivious to
Reuben
his story
or
his father.

The Poetry Friday Round-up is at Picture Book of the Day.

Writing Wednesday - Critiques

The contractor is gone for the day, there is an apple cake in the oven, my critiques for the week are done and I have another hour and a half before the kids get home from school.

Time to write!

But first - a quick post for Writing Wednesday. Since I spent the morning doing critiques, I have that on my mind.

Writing is fun. Writing is largely a solitary endeavor. And it is very easy to become enamored of ones own turn of phrase to see if what is on the paper is very good or not. That's where a good critique comes into play.

For a long time a friend and I critiqued each others' work. Of course we knew each other so well - and our writing style's so well, that it was almost like reading your own - with the same pitfalls.

About a year and a half ago I joined a wonderful critique group (and now belong to two wonderful critique groups). They are both on-line - with weekly deadlines. It works very well for me.

Now I get opinions from a variety of people - each of whom takes a slightly different approach to the things they look for and critique on - which is great - because it truly gives a well rounded view point in the end.

I have learned so much about what works and what doesn't in my own writing and in others' and really think I am a better writer today because of the groups.

So - aside from singing the praises of these groups - what can I say about critiquing?

1) Don't be offended if someone isn't as enamored with your pithy wordings as you are. Take all criticism and comments in the spirit offered - a spirit of trying to help everyone do their best.

2) When critiquing offer all your comments and criticisms in the spirit of trying to help everyone do their best. (see #1)

3) Be specific. "It's all great" might make the writer feel good - but it won't help her improve. What things did you have questions on? What things did you think could be better? And also - what things did you love? Critiques don't only have to point out things that are "wrong" they can also (and should also) point out the things that are right. Everyone likes to know when they hit that home run.

Okay - that's all I've got for today. Off to do some writing!

A Little Curb Appeal

We're having some work done on the house. New entry doors and storm doors. The back and side doors won't be a dramatic change in look - but the front door provides us with a much needed update in appearance. The real big change will be when we get the window done in two weeks.

Before:

After:

another after picture, since there is glare off the storm door.

Tuesday's Proverb

If you are wise, it is to your own advantage; and if you are arrogant, you alone shall bear it. (Proverbs 9:12)

Sunday Reflections

Praying before Communion and I try to put myself in God's presence. I picture Jesus standing on a hill preaching, and I am sitting at the bottom of the hill, taking it all in from a distance, happy to be there, but not really a part of what's going on.

I was content at the bottom of the hill, sitting on a rock and watching. I could see the inner circle around Jesus, talking to him, asking him questions. What would it be like to be that close? But it was comfortable here on the rock, and maybe too much would be demanded of me if I went closer.

Praying after Communion I pictured Jesus on the hill again. This time I was sitting next to him. I had allowed myself to go up that hill and go to him.

And I was glad I did.

Apple Picking

Time once again for our annual outing to pick apples. This involves a wonderful pick your own orchard where the dwarf apple trees are trained on wires, so all the apples are within easy reach. Of course this means that it is very easy to pick apples - and even with the warning of "don't pick as many as last year" we came home with more than 40 pounds of apples.

After the orchard we head to a winery in the area for a little fun for Mom and Dad.

And then to Washington Crossing Park - a little nature, a little history, a little walk across the Delaware.

After that we stopped at our alma mater. And walked around campus. So many new buildings have gone up in the past 20 years that it's hard to recognize the place. But the dorm where we met is still standing (even though it's slated to be taken down - or so I understand)



This is one of the two bags of apples. Yum.



And this was the quick desert we devised with some of those apples after we got home. Sliced and dredged in flour mixed with sugar and cinnamon and then fried in butter and oil, with some honey drizzled on for good measure. Double yum.

Homework?

Pippi doesn't want to do her homework. So she let her views be known through her dollhouse.

Oh and did you notice what good taste her doll has in reading material?

Talking About Books

There is a lot of talk this week around the blogosphere about Banned Books Week.

I think most rational people can agree that banning books is bad. When a government controls - in any way - the information available to it's people - it's a bad thing.

As far as I know, in this country, we do not have an issue of government censorship of books.

Most often then, when people talk about Banned Books, they are referring to books that individuals or groups of individuals have requested be removed from libraries.

Quite rightly this raises a concern. One person, or even a small group of people, should not regulate what other people have access to. Just because someone disagrees with a book shouldn't mean that I don't get to read it. I have my own opinions about things and deserve the right to make my own judgments. As does everyone else.

Now - quite often it seems - that books are being challenged not in the public library - but in a school library. And while it also holds true for children that they should be entitled to make their own decisions about things - not all books are appropriate for all children all the time. Has a book with sexually explicit themes found its way onto a K-5 library? If so, is it wrong for someone to request the book be removed - as long as it is still available in the older grades? (I have great respect for school librarians and all librarians for that matter, and think they do a great job of keeping their collections geared to the appropriate level, so I think this would be a very rare occurrence.)

Which brings me to my last point. Often on these lists of banned books are books that have been challenged - and henceforth removed from a 'required reading list'. I'm going to go out on a limb here - but telling someone you don't 'have' to read it is not the same as telling someone they 'may not' read it. It's not banning a book. The book is still available for people to read. It's still available for those students to read. They are just not required to do so.

Perhaps I feel strongly about this because last year, in fifth grade, my daughter had two novels (of many) she read for her advance language arts class that were clearly more appropriate for upper middle school or high school students. Both of the books labeled by Publisher's Weekly for ages 12 and up.

Now these students were reading at a more advanced level, it's true, but they were still only fifth graders with fifth grade sensibilities. And I think the teacher did them a disservice by including those books as part of her curriculum.

If, in two years when my son is in the same class, those books are still part of the curriculum, I may very well question their inclusion. There are hundreds of wonderful books that advanced readers in fifth grade could enjoy - why burden them with stories that include rape, and murder?

So will I be among the book banners if I challenge these two books*? I would never say the children may not read them. I would never say they should be unavailable to them. I would say, I don't think you should make them read these books. Not at this age.

Book banning is serious. It's horrible. It is a way of keeping people ignorant. But by including books that have been "challenged" and removed from "required reading lists" on the list of "banned books" I think people do the issue a disservice, they water down the issue.

And that is my rant for today.

*and no, I won't identify the two books.

Writing Wednesday - First Page

In my critique group we've spent some time talking about and discussing what makes a good first page. In Writer's Digest this month there was on article on what agents hate in Chapter One. Of course they have to get past page one in order to read all of the first chapter. What it comes down to is that not only does the first chapter have to be good - but the first page has to grab the reader.

So here's a little test. Here's the current first page from my historical YA work in progress. Would it make you want to read more?

Chapter 1

“Do you think they have new fashion dolls?” Polly asked, running forward to get a better glimpse of the approaching ships.

I breathed deeply of the salty, fishy air and watched, feeling my stomach tighten. These were not ships delivering goods.

“Molasses!” Patience jumped up and down and clapped her hands.

“No.” I shielded my eyes to watch the ships form a ring around Boston and then drop their sails. Instead of a lovely row of billowing sails against the horizon, we now had a well regulated line of ships surrounding the port. War ships.

“I didn’t think they’d really do it,” Susannah said.

I tucked a flyaway strand of hair back into my bonnet, that sinking feeling wouldn’t leave my stomach. I tore my eyes away from the forest of riggings out in the harbor and looked at my best friend. “We best get the children home.”

Our younger sisters were still discussing the many goodies that could be aboard one of those ships. Susannah continued to look into the harbor. “Do you think they’ll stay long?”

“Only until we pay for the tea.”

“Papa says we’ll never pay for that tea.” Susannah grabbed five-year-old Patience by the hand and turned toward home.

“Then they’ll be there for a long time.”

I signaled to Polly to come and we left Long Wharf, through the crowd that had assembled, and toward home.

Patience tugged on Susannah’s hand. “I want an ice,” she said.

Susannah stuck her hand in her pocket “I don’t have any money with me.”

“I have a shilling,” I said, and felt in my own pocket to make sure it was true. My fingers wrapped around the small silver piece that Da had given me for helping in his apothecary shop.

*all content copyright Christine Marciniak

Leo and Kristen - This One's For You

I went up to my parents' attic and what did I find? A young boy in a coon skin cap, a fur stole, a plastic holster on his hip, playing his uncle's old Trombone.

You just never know what you'll find in an attic.

Tuesday's Proverb

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

Tuesday's Proverb

Instruct a wise man, and he becomes still wiser; teach a just man, and he advances in learning. (Proverbs 9:9)

The House on the Corner

Another original poem by Pippi in response to neighbors who moved out this weekend. They will be missed. And they lived in...

The House on the Corner
by KRM

The house on the corner is empty
No lights are on
No car in the driveway
NO TV blaring inside
No babies wailing
or 3 year old to call
out my name as I
walk past on
my way to school

The house on the corner
has been empty before
and it will be
empty again.
And new neighbors will
move in and out.

But the house
on the corner is
empty.
No lights are on.

That Makes as Much Sense as Anything

Harry - at breakfast this morning: Where's Wall Street? (the news radio station was on)
Me: In New York - but it's also what they call the businesses that deal with money and investments.
Harry: They only have 30,000 dollars left. (pause). After the robbery. (pause) Or something like that.

Yeah. Something like that.

Writing Wednesday

And that's what I'm doing.... writing. I'm trying to use the tips PJ posted about awhile back and make sure that every page has tension. That every scene is useful. That everything my characters do make sense in the context of the story.

It goes a lot slower than you might think.

And in other writing topics - Pippi, who just last year thought she didn't like writing poetry - can't decide now if she likes writing poetry or fiction better. The advantage to poetry, she decided, is that she actually finishes a piece. She says she never seems to finish the stories she starts.

I can relate to that.

Word Problems

That's what we used to call them in math. Those problems that weren't as straight forward as a simple equation. Now they're called "Open ended questions." And they always end with "show your work and explain your answer."

I've got two kids. Both have very different approaches to math.

With Pippi (when she was Harry's age) she'd look at the word problem and pretty much give up immediately. "How can I be expected to know that?" Or come up with some solution that doesn't really involve math (not a real example, because I promised her I wouldn't share the most notorious of her solutions - but think along the lines of: if you have 25 apples and 5 people how much would each person get? and she'd come up with an answer like 'it would just be easier to make applesauce'.) I kept having to tell her that if the problem came from math class they probably expected numbers to be used in the answer.

Now for Harry - he sees the solutions to problems in his head. You give him a problem and he thinks about it for half a second and tells you the answer. Then you get to the point where it says "show your work and explain your answer." He says: It just is. How can you explain that? I can't do that. It's impossible.

That banging sound you hear is my head hitting the wall.

Tuesday's Proverb

Reprove not an arrogant man, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. (Proverbs 9:8)

As Speechless as She Gets

Pippi yesterday at dinner: I feel like I should be talking about something. I think we should be having a conversation. But I don't know what we should be talking about. I can't think of anything to talk about. I'm speechless.

(Most talkative speechless person I ever met.)

Watch Out Lance

My niece and nephew are gearing up to be the next hot cyclists. Check it out over at my Mom's blog, Morning Glory Alley.

Just in Case You Were Wondering

Silly Putty will stain bedsheets when inexplicably left between the sheets of a little boys bed over night. And will cause the sheets to clump together so that the orange stain from the Silly Putty gets spread around a lot.

Not that I have personal experience with this or anything. (And Harry insists he put the silly putty away - despite the obvious evidence to the contrary)

Sigh.

A Pippi Poem

Middle school brings with it new challenges. Not the least of which is gym lockers. Pippi's locker apparently got the best of her today.

My Gym Locker
by KRM*
My gym locker is
small
gray/brown
OUT TO GE ME!
"Pssst!!" I whisper to
it
"Open up!"
I shake the locker.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
"GRR" I moan
Suddenly, I feel
the tug. I turn
it and it opens
"Yes!" I flush.
WHAM
The locker monster
grabs the door and
slams it shut.
I'm warning you
now, my gym
locker is
out to
GET ME!!!

*A note about attribution for Pippi's poems. I'm using my daughters real initials as a means of striking a balance between proper attribution and her privacy.

Harry Says

Harry is putting off doing a homework assignment (to be truthful he's been putting it off for hours, now he is actually finishing it).

He walked away from his paper and looking perplexed said to me "Wherever I look I see my nose."
(I told him it was because it was between his eyes - now get back to work)

Tuesday's Proverb

He who corrects an arrogant man earns insult; and he who reproves a wicked man incurs opprobrium. (Proverbs 9:7)

I read this proverb and immediately thought of election campaigns. Can't imagine why.

Poetry Friday - Fairy Tale Edition

Pippi has a love for fairy tales. And why not - there are a lot of good stories out there. She also likes listening to music from Broadway shows. So the other day she was listening to songs from Beauty and the Beast and started thinking about Gaston - the big guy who wants Belle to marry him. This is the poem that resulted.

Beauty and the Beast
By KRM

I was the big
Big man,
Muscular
Athletic, wonderful.
But she didn’t want me.
She fawned over
A beast locked
In a haunted castle
These years
What did he
Have that I
Didn’t.
Naturally, I started
Pressing her buttons.
But that made her
Hate me even more.
So then I set
Out.
Last straw.
Kill the beast!
A little lie here
A little blood there,
The benefit was mine.
The girl…mine!
But still,
My plan backfired,
Pushed off a
Tower. Landing
KERSPLAT
Down below.
And that was
My story.
My intentions
Started out
Good.
All I wanted was
Beauty
And
Instead got the
Brunt of the
Beast.

The round up is at Wild Rose Reader today. Head on over.

First Day of School

Pippi's all ready to go - dressed in the new school uniform (they have a choice of a few colors) and eager to meet her first day of Middle School head on. She had a successful day and will willingly return tomorrow.

It was hard to get a picture of Harry standing still. He had a little free time before we had to leave so he rip-sticked around the driveway while he waited. Third grade is also off to a rip roaring success - a nice teacher and kids he knows and likes in his class - what more can you ask for really.

Tuesday's Proverb

For by me your days will be multiplied and the years of your life increased. (Proverbs 9:11)

Catholic Carnival

The Catholic Carnival is up and running this week over at just another day of Catholic pondering. Stop by and immerse yourself in some great thoughts and ideas.

Last Day of Vacation

School starts tomorrow and the kids aren't particularly thrilled with the idea - a few more months of summer would suit them just fine. Pippi put her thoughts to paper and asked me to post it.

So here are Pippi's thoughts on going back to school tomorrow.

My Doom is Approaching
by KRM

My doom is approaching
In 24 hours I'll be held
Captive in a strange lodging.

But perhaps I'll
run away and join
the pirates.
I'd call myself "Matey"
and I'd sit in the crows nest all day and....

Or I could wander into
Sherwood Forest.
I'd poach some of the King's deer
and get a grand old price on my head.
I'd run from the law and
play with rich merchant's money....

Or perhaps
I might grow a gigantic
beanstalk that stretches
all the way to the sky.
I'll climb it and
I'll meet giants, fairy folk,
unicorns, you know.

But, my doom is approaching.
In 24 hours I'll be at school.
But there's always the possibility
that I'll be held hostage by
a band of Native Americans....
(I have absolutely no adventure in my life.)

Happy Labor Day

Summer's winding down, but that doesn't mean there wasn't time for a last get together at Ammy and Grampy's house for a swim in the pool (and the hot tub) with the cousins.

Oh - and sorry that I had to turn the comment verification back on. I was getting spammed.