Cold Winter Days and Gross Motor Development
When snowy and cold winter days invade our world, we are forced to stay indoors way too often. As parents, grandparents and caregivers, these are days we most dread. Children grow new behaviors as a supplement for exercise and outdoor activities. Not only are they bored, their brains are not getting the benefits that exercise […]
Mystery Sphere
As a teacher, should you ever have reason to enter a school, I offer some drop dead serious advice – beware of the mystery substance. Adults tend to rationalize a peculiar moment by predetermining that no one would do that and you just don’t find that sort of stain in a civilized society. They are […]
Richard and Barbara Osborn’s “On Her Majesty’s Berlin Mission: an Ian Black Novel”
This week I am finally reviewing a book from a pair of local authors that I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time: Richard and Barbara Osborn’s On Her Majesty’s Berlin Mission: an Ian Black Novel. This is the third Ian Black novel I’ve had the pleasure of reading, and I can definitely say […]
Talking to Santa
It’s the time of year that children everywhere are making a list of their favorite toys. I remember when my children were young, making the wish list each year and finding Santa to share the special items on the list. The trip to inform Santa what they wanted was always met with great anticipation by […]
Puzzles for Christmas
“Puzzles for Christmas” should be a chant heard around the world. Every child should wake up Christmas morning to find puzzles under the tree. In fact, my children would have been disappointed if Santa had not left puzzles under their tree, which he did each year until they left home. You might ask why puzzles […]
Star Wars
My wife has a talking Wookiee. While that may sound like a personal problem you don’t openly share with others, it turns out it’s a really good thing for a Star Wars junkie. Now I know most of you have probably never heard of Star Wars. It’s a small, independent film with a prequel just […]
Favorite Things of Christmas
As the song says: Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens, Brown paper packages tied up with strings, These are a few of my favorite things… things of Christmas: “White Christmas” is a 1954 musical starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye and co-starring Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. It […]
Santa
Should you teach your child to believe in Santa? Nickelodeon Parents Connect asked in a poll, “Do you let your kids believe in Santa Claus?” 65% answered, “Of course! It’s a magical part of childhood. What’s the harm?” 13% answered, “No. I think Christmas should be about Jesus, not Santa.” 10% answered, “Yes, although I’m […]
Dandridge Snowflakes
I have noticed that the new snowflakes in Dandridge do not match the older ones. Why do they not match? The older snowflakes were purchased several years ago. The ones that have been added this year are slightly different but are complementary to the old ones. The Town of Dandridge is working on replacing some […]
Holidays and Traditions
With the holiday season beginning, I thought it would be timely to repeat an earlier article about the importance of establishing family traditions. What are family traditions and why are they so important in a child’s life? Family traditions are rituals or routines with meaning. They are repetitive, create a sense of belonging, and children […]
Piper Kerman’s “Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison”
Like many people, I have recently been watching Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black in full-on marathon mode in preparation of the new season. Once I learned the show was based on a book I had to pick it up. Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison is a memoir by […]
The Christmas List
It’s the time of year that children everywhere are making a list of their favorite toys. I remember when my children were young, making the wish list each year and finding Santa to share the list. The trip to inform Santa was met with great anticipation by my daughter, but not so with my son. […]
Don’t Feed it to the Dog
After spending the day at my mother’s house, nestled cozy next to her dog in way too imminent nasal proximity, I offer this holiday tidbit. Please, for the love of all that is right in this world, do not let your dog ingest the remnants of a fine seasoned meal. It may begin as delicious […]
A Fine Line
Sometimes there is a fine line between acceptable and faux pas. I’ve noticed that when it comes to relationships, that line is often closely associated with the U.S. penal code’s definition of a felony. I know love is blind, but come on, people. Let’s use some common sense. I’m going to take a moment here […]
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I can’t wait. How about you? Just three more days until Thanksgiving! I can smell the turkey and pumpkin pies now. I can see a table flowing over with harvest food. I see corn, beans, potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cornbread stuffing, oyster souffle, broccoli casserole, baked acorn squash, pumpkin soup, cabbage casserole, cheese grit casserole, […]
Where Will the Reindeer be at Merriment on Mainstreet?
I saw on the Post and on Facebook that there will be reindeer in Dandridge on Merriment on Mainstreet on November 26. What I didn’t see is where they will be. Are they in the grass in front of Bible’s Drug Store or where? Actually, music will be on the lawn in front of the […]
