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My Dear Lily’s Halloween

My Dear Lily’s Halloween

Halloween is over, and I have to say it was an amazing week.  Sugar comas are out of the way and the candy quest is complete, but that isn’t what made this week great.  This week was all about the dog.  Yes, that dog.  My dear Lily, as you know, can be a handful.  She […]

Well, It Happened Again

Well, it’s happened again… time has changed!  I remember when our clocks were left alone, to continue on a natural course with the earth’s rotation around the sun.  Those were the times that saw the days get longer or shorter in gradual increments.  Yes, it gradually became darker in the mornings as we dressed for […]

Great Styles in Plus Sizes

Great Styles in Plus Sizes

Darlings, so many of my readers have requested  more articles about plus size fashion.  Since the majority of American women are beautiful and style conscience in the plus size range, designers and fashion magazines should  focus on the fact there is a definite need  for plus size fashions First, let’s start by erasing certain myths […]

Children and Traditions

Children and Traditions

With the holiday season quickly rolling in, now is a good time to think about creating family traditions. Family traditions are rituals or routines with meaning that are important in your child’s life. They are repetitive family events that children thrive on. Family traditions create a sense of belonging, and continuity for children. The tradition […]

Sunflowers, Drying on the Stem

I have enjoyed the sunflowers that are beside the bank in Jefferson City, however, now that they are dying, I was wondering why no one is cutting them down. They look pitiful all bent over and turning brown. I agree that the fields of sunflowers are lovely, however, beyond being beautiful, they are a viable […]

Just a messy job

I am getting ready for Halloween, however my least favorite chore is cleaning out the pumpkin to get it ready for carving. Is there an easy way to do this or is it just destined to be messy? Well, there are certainly several ways to clean out a pumpkin in preparation for carving, however, most […]

You Might Be Too Old To Trick-or-Treat If?

You Might Be Too Old To Trick-or-Treat If?

Once again, Halloween is upon us and Trick-or-Treat is on the tip of every kid’s tongue.  I am emphatic when I say dressing up, knocking on doors, and begging for candy is a kid’s sport.  Adults should never combine these activities, which by themselves could add spice to your marriage, get you encyclopedia salesperson of […]

Spooky Tales

Spooky Tales

Halloween is the perfect time for spooky tales, and I really enjoy all of the hoopla of the season. I adore all things (well, almost all things) dramatic and very few things are more dramatic than Halloween. I even live in a home that is haunted and it has been documented by paranormal experts as […]

JackRocks

Do you remember the game of jacks or jackrocks?  A rubber ball, and jacks made of metal or plastic. were required for the game.  The jacks were scattered loosely into the play area. Players bounced the ball off the ground, then picked up jacks, and catch the ball before it bounces for a second time. […]

Thank you, Teacher

Thank you, Teacher

Spoiler Alert!  I’m naming names here.  My recollections of teachers are strong, and I remember all of them.  Mrs. Kiser (room 103) taught me the “ball and stick” method of printing the alphabet; Mrs. Donohue unveiled to me the mysteries of phonics;  Mrs. Bunnell opened my eyes to the world of literature.  The list goes […]

Selecting Toys

Selecting Toys

Seeing the push of marketing companies to rush the Christmas shopping season, I wanted to give my tips on toy selection.  When selecting toys for your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, etc., there are a few things to keep in mind.  Before buying, consider these questions. Is the toy age appropriate? Always consider the child’s developmental […]

Stuck In Halloween Mode

“Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog” “Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting, Lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing” “For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and babble” “Double, double, toil and trouble, Fire burn, and caldron bubble” William Shakespeare Ah, I love Halloween!  I remember Halloween… […]

Stranger Than Fiction: The Amazing Harry Houdini

Stranger Than Fiction: The Amazing Harry Houdini

It was 86 years ago this week, Halloween, 1926, that legendary magician and escape artist, Harry Houdini died at Grace Hospital in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 52. Houdini’s death was the result of peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix. Houdini had once vowed that he would escape the spirit world, if it were […]

Child Emotional Health

Child Emotional Health

Early childhood specialist Erikson defined eight stages of psychosocial crises during social and emotional growth. You can help your child successfully complete these stages and become an emotionally healthy adult, by following a few basic steps. • Stage 1. Basic trust (ages 0 – 2): In this stage, you give your child his/her basic needs; […]

Turn The Volumn Up

Turn The Volumn Up

Life is getting more surreal by the moment.  In fact, it’s gone far enough.  I’m beginning to question whether my serotonin levels are off.  Take my family dinner Sunday evening, for example.  The adult conversation consisted of a five minute description of flan, fork jewelry, and geriatric pet sympathy.  Then I learned my mother’s car […]

Are You A Genius?

Are You A Genius?

According to my research, there is no precise scientific explanation for genius, yet we all recognize it when we see it.  The Latin plural for this word is genii (like the guy in the bottle who grants wishes), and it found its way into Latin partly from ancient Arabic by way of Old French.  But […]