EBBOM!
“Engage Brain Before Opening Mouth”, or EBBOM, has made it into our slang dictionaries. It’s good advice, of course, and most people can at least respect the wisdom driving such a saying. Notice, please, that I said “most”. There is one identifiable age in all societies where this wisdom simply resists application. It’s not for […]
Stranger Than Fiction: Challengers of the Falls
Niagara Falls has long been the inspiration of lovers, filmmakers, authors, artists, musicians and travelers who marvel at the beauty and majesty of the falls. The falls are among the largest in the world and without a doubt, the most breathtaking and alluring. The voluminous falls span the border between New York and the Canadian […]
Missing The Pools
It will soon be time to close the pool for the year. Though I love fall, I also love seeing my grandchildren, nieces and nephews enjoying the opportunity to swim and miss that when the pool closes. Of course, years ago, when my own children were young, we didn’t have a swimming pool at home. […]
Thrown Under The Bus!
Have you ever met one of those kids that will tell on themselves and throw everyone around them under the bus at the same time? Well, it runs in my family. When my nephew was little, the moment he got home from his grandparents he would list every piece of candy he received and who […]
Vann Turner’s: To Forestall the Darkness
If you follow my reviews, then you know that I love historical fiction. That being said, it is rare that I find a historical fiction book that diverges from a few of the genre’s archetypes. Vann Turner’s new novel To Forestall the Darkness, the first book in The Tribonian Trilogy,was a breath of fresh air. […]
More On Cognitive Growth
Continuing with predictable child development in the six domains (gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, language, self help/adaptive, and social/emotional), we continue with cognitive skill development. Another way to encourage cognitive development is through creative art. This is a great way to expand your child’s cognitive ability. Creative art in the adult world, can be pieces […]
Unexpected Objects
Using an unexpected object for serving or display is an art and can be so charming. Punch bowls are so beautiful and can be used for so many other things than punch. A punch bowl filled with ice and bottles of white wine or Champagne, snuggled down in the ice, makes a beautiful display. Fill […]
Variety Of Fall Flowers
I am looking to do a little fall decorating but I am not crazy about mums. When looking for flowers, it seems that mums are everywhere but very little else. Can you suggest another choice that still has that fall look? While it is true that mums are the easiest to find, there are other […]
Creepy Crawleys
There has been a lot of talk about pumpkins this year and some people are concerned that their might be a shortage come time for carving. All this discussion about growing pumpkins takes me back to my childhood. I grew up on a farm and we grew many different things. One of the most impressive […]
Margaret Wise Brown’s: Goodnight Moon (Children’s Book)
Last week, I was cleaning out some things and ran across a few books that I had saved from childhood. Reading has always been a huge part of my life and I have always had a large collection of books, even as a young child. One particular book was a favorite of mine and I […]
Plumbing Supply Stores aka. Water Parks
As a parent, you sometimes have to make difficult choices. Take, for instance, convincing my daughter Chuck E. Cheese was an automotive repair shop. That was a difficult choice. Well, actually that one was kinda easy. It was sorta like the whole human survival mechanism kicked in pretty quick there. Most parenting choices are way […]
Leather, Emerald Green and Winter White
Leather, emerald green and winter white really rocks the fashion scene this season. Leather, leather and more leather unleashes the most trendy style. The great thing about leather is the investment lasts for years. I have soft supple leather skirts and jackets that are ten years old and still look great. In fact most garments […]
Cognitive Growth Continued
Exploring the environment is the beginning of cognitive growth with your child. At this stage, the types of toys that involve movement and sound are important. The “little gym sets” are great. These fit over the child on the floor. You can change toys that hang from the gym using “baby links”. Toys should be […]
Reserve A Pumpkin
I have read recently that there may be a shortage of pumpkins this fall and a wondering if I should go ahead and pick one out for carving at Halloween. My kids would be very disappointed if we don’t have a jack o lantern but I am afraid that it might be too early? Actually, […]
A Monarch’s Power
Most people think of Queen Elizabeth II as only a monarch attending royal events and waving her hand to cheering crowds. Always dressed in her understated style, a pretty hat and handbag and her gloved hand, she seems to be only a royal icon representing the British Throne. This is the complete opposite of the […]
Stranger Than Fiction: Jack the Signalman
During the latter part of the 1800’s, travelers to Cape Town, South Africa, along the Port Elizabeth Mainline Railroad frequently saw a curious sight as they entered the train station. The signalman operating the levers that set the signals in the control tower was a baboon named Jack. As strange as it may seem, Jack […]
