Building Developmental Skills with Digital Cameras
You should consider introducing your child to a camera this summer. Digital cameras give opportunities for us to see the world from their perspectives and serves as a useful learning tool to expand vocabularies, develop story-telling skills, and enrich scientific investigations. Remember to let your child choose his/her subjects to photograph. Researchers in Europe gave […]
George R. R. Martin’s ‘A Feast for Crows’ Review
Since the show just wrapped up its season 4 finale, I figure it is time to review George R. R. Martin’s A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire: Book 4). As usual for my gradual review of this series, there will be incredibly heavy spoilers for the past entries, including one that […]
Happy Without a Roof
For years, I’ve been lost in the misunderstood void of joyous thoughts, lyrically misrepresented. Finally, a song comes along that defines my feeling of happiness in a meaningful way. I don’t hesitate to declare my euphoric emotions. I am not ashamed I feel, most certainly, like a room without a roof. Time after time, song […]
July 4th Celebratons
I read this week that Shakin the Lake has been cancelled. I really hate that because it is one of the few events that our whole family can enjoy. Do you know of any other family friendly things going on for the 4th of July? I agree that it is a shame and the community […]
Fun Activities to Keep Children Active and Learning this Summer
Here are some fun activities to keep children busy this summer. While having fun, they will also be engaged in learning. -Run through the sprinkler -Play in the rain/mud -Make mud pies -Find worms after it rains -Skip rocks -Go fishing -Visit local nature preserve and go on a nature hunt -Take a hike and […]
Memories of Dandridge
A friend who grew up in Dandridge has always told “good old boy” stories that would send me to the floor in laughter. I will share some of his memories (some would require censoring) and hope you enjoy them as much as I have. First I must say the Dandridge of old and today are […]
A Summer of Maxi Dresses
Wow, the maxi dress is really a trend this summer! The maxi dress was a major fashion in the 60’s and 70’s.; it seems everything old is new again. Jackie Kennedy’s sister, Lee, was remembering that era and how easy it was to dress for a party in a recent article I read. One could […]
Alien Dinner Choices
It’s true, people sometimes accuse me of being somewhat paranoid. I think they’re just out to get me. It is, however, remotely possible I’m getting worked up over nothing this time. Or, more likely, a serious dilemma looms on the horizon. The social ramifications of space travel are, in a word, ominous. The concerns related […]
School Is Out – Now What?
My kids have only been out of school for a few days and they are already bored. Do you know of any free or cheap things to do this summer to keep them busy? It is often difficult for children to gear down after a busy school year. You might try some structured weekly […]
Clash of Addiction
My daughter recently introduced me to an app called “Clash of Clans.” When I say introduced, I mean it roughly the same way sugar was introduced into Western culture, South American drug cartels introduced addicts to their product, and small pox was introduced to the Aztecs. I am now convinced that civilization as we know […]
Blending Fashion Levels
Darlings, I love the most elite fashion designers; in fact, I have a passion for them. But one must be extremely wealthy to wear the most elite designers from dawn to dark everyday. I am talking about the really haute designers that cost a fortune. There is a way to way to achieve the look […]
Looking for Heirlooms
I am a tomato lover and am wondering if I should be looking for heirloom tomatoes? I have heard that they are better than other varieties but I am not sure where to find these seeds or young plants. With tomatoes like many other things, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Heirlooms are […]
Memorial Day Civil War Mourning Tradition
Memorial Day is a time honoring our fallen soldiers for their dedication to give the greatest sacrifice, their lives, for our country. For some, this distinguished day is also a time to reflect and remember the loss of loved ones. Customs for mourning during the Civil War era have been described as an art form […]
Making Choices
Do you ever wonder why some preteens and teens seem immature, making bad choices in their daily lives? And, there will always be the child that seems to “have it together” even in those turbulent years. There are many things that garners confidence in a child, but the one we will discuss today is the […]
Memorial Day Memories
Tomorrow is Memorial Day. Historically, this has been a sign of getting out of school for the summer. As a matter of fact, summer vacation began with Memorial Day and ended with Labor Day. It is a season of picnics, lazy days on the lake, going barefoot in the park, fireworks, parades, and warm temperatures. […]
Roy Barzilai’s ‘The Objective Bible’
My review this week is on an absolutely fascinating philosophical/socio-psychological work by Roy Barzilai: The Objective Bible: Western Civilization’s Struggle for Philosophic Liberation from a Herd-Mentality and Pagan Mysticism. This book presents Barzilai’s thesis that United States is headed for a splitting of civilizations much like the split in ancient Israel, and supports this thesis […]
