Thinking of Dad

Six months ago I was really upset when I couldn't find a picture of Allen with his grandfather anywhere. He was the only grandchild without a picture of himself with his grandfather on the board of pictures at the service. Well...here is one! I am guessing that it is from July 4, 2005. I also am thinking that Martha must have taken this picture. I don't know though. I'm still sad that there isn't a more recent one.
I really miss that man. I was happy to see Martha's Post today. Thanks to video, he can remain that much more with us.

Blogging what I wish...

It has been cold and damp with constant rain for two days straight. There are puddles in my yard and a river in my basement. I can't stand it! I need a hot cup of tea to get rid of the dampness. I long for summer. I didn't want to blog about the miserable weather so I looked through my pictures to find summer. What could be happier and more summerier than a kid on a pogo stick and another on a bicycle?
Is it sunny anywhere in the world? I wish I could get on a plane and fly there!

A little closer to being finished

I spent a fair amount of time yesterday at a local High School creating this book display. I will say that I am quite pleased with it. The display showcases some traditional literature (Shakespeare, Kafka, Poe), some biographies (Malcolm-X, Trotsky) and some history (events of 911). All of these items have been written in graphic novel format. So if you never quite understood what was going on when your English class read MacBeth in High School, you can pick up its graphic novel counterpart.
Next month, the librarian plans on using this same display. She is just going to switch out the books to the fiction graphic novels that the kids are into such as the Japanese manga.
Anyway...this project is part of a reading promotion project that I am doing for one of my classes. A little bit closer to being done!

Look who's laughing now

I got to thinking more about those pansies. I've noticed crocuses and my tulips starting to push through the earth. So I wondered...can the pansies survive?

I decided to ask my friend Kathy who knows much more about flowers than I do. She said that pansies are hearty and quite often can winter over in some of the less severe winter states. (like Oregon) She said that they actually can be planted relatively early in the season. As a rule...it is better to wait, but they have a good chance of survival! So who knew?!!?

So here is a big cheer of encouragement for these little flowers: grow pansies, grow!!

(Photo by Bruno Girin at Creative Commons Flickr)

Trying not to laugh...

It is an absolutely gorgeous day outside. After spending a fair amount of time on school work, I decided to venture outside for a walk with my dog. Soaking up some vitamin D! I saw a number of other walkers out and about. I saw a few people raking up twigs and debris from their yards...but what I saw next truly astounded me! I saw that someone had planted pansies in some pots that lined either side of their steps! I thought to myself, "Who in the world would be silly enough to plant those in upstate NY in March?!!!?" Then I remembered that the house had been recently for sale. Sure enough, the car in the driveway sported plates from Washington D.C. I hope they aren't too disappointed when their pretty little flowers freeze and die!

(photo by Audreyjm529 at Creative Commons Flickr)

Sticky Once Again

Do you remember my sticky posts from last year? Well things are getting sticky once again!

(Photo by VirtualErn at Creative Commons Flickr)

Feast your thoughts...

Philippians 4:8 says..."Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

This is all I have to say today. I was assigned to read a certain book for my YA lit class for library science. I got about a third of the way through it and decided that I don't need to read such things.

Comfort Food

Creamed tuna and peas on toast. This is truly one of my comfort foods. It transports me back to a safe haven of childhood. I can hear the creak of the wood burning stove as Dad puts the logs in, laughter, my mother calling my father "Duck," or "Alf" and even the clunking of the old water heater in the back room. Sounds of comfort and tastes of home. Those were good days and I miss them.
What is one of your comfort foods? What are some sounds that you remember from growing up?