Mimi Lost Her Kite!

This could be one of the saddest little pictures I have ever seen! Maddison delivered this to me this morning, all folded up in an envelope with my name written on the front. After she had left for school I opened it and almost cried! Tonight, I talked to her and asked her what was going on in the picture she gave me. She told me that the person in the picture was me, and that I was crying because I had let go of my kite and lost it. I am pretty sure this drawing is going to go into the "keep" box!

Rise and Shine

I just finished "Rise and Shine" this morning before work. It was the third book by Anna Quindlen that I have read. The story was about two sisters, one a famous morning news anchor, and one a social worker. They live in New York and definitely see two sides of the city. I would recommend this book to most anyone who likes to read, especially about women's issues. It was the kind of book that I hate to see end. I started a new book tonight, by an author I have never read before. I will report on it soon! Happy reading.

Maddison wearing her best "country girl" look before her kindergarten program. The program featured lots of standard "country songs", and several speaking parts. Maddison remembered all of her lines!

Home Safe

Home Safe is by one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Berg. I haven't read a book of hers yet that I didn't enjoy. In this book, she features a woman who has recently lost her husband. The woman is a writer by trade, and has been unable to write since the death of her husband. The book is about love and loss, strength and weakness, and finding ones own way. One of my favorite parts of the book was the writing assignments that the character gives her students to encourage their creative stories. I am contemplating using some of her ideas to expand my writing. One week she has her students write about a room that had meaning for them, another week they were to write about a risk they took. I tend to get bogged down in the day to day stuff of life and fail to stretch my imagination and writing skills. Stay tuned, I may have to get creative in the coming weeks!

A Picture With No Snow!

This picture was taken last summer. I wanted to post a picture that made me think of warmer weather. Snow is in the forecast again for tomorrow, but I will only look forward to nicer weather!

Bloodroot

I just finished "Bloodroot" by Amy Green. The story centers around 4 generations of an Appalachian family, living on a mountain. If you like stories about this part of the country (which I obviously do), and you enjoy reading text written in a regional dialect, then you will most likely appreciate this book. The style is narrative and the sections are quite long. Bloodroot contained a lot of folklore, superstitions, wives tales and "homegrown" remedies. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has interests in any of the above mentioned areas!

Green Eggs and Ham

I had the honor this morning of eating breakfast at Maddison's school. They were celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday by serving green eggs and ham. With the exception of the food, it was a wonderful event, complete with the Cat in the Hat (aka Mr. Roth the principal!). I can't help but feel that I need to literally soak up every minute I can with Maddison and Mason before they get to the time when being with Mimi and Papa is not the highlight of their week. Maddison and I had such a great time this morning. On the way to school, we laughed as we tried to think of funny looking foods that we have eaten. And then we tried to think of other kinds of food that would be fun to eat green (ice cream, mashed potatoes). We got to the school a few minutes early and had to wait for them to open the doors. It was chilly and Maddie leaned into me and I wrapped my arms around her. Even after other kids came to the door, she let me keep hugging her. On the way to the cafeteria, we held hands as she pointed out various school landmarks (the art room, the office). How long until she won't want to hold my hand or let me hug her in public? I dread that day! Maddie and Mason still run and jump into our arms when they come to visit. I don't want them to ever lose that enthusiasm to see us. In reality, I know that it is coming. It will be a sad day indeed when their friends take priority over us, and they shy away from those public displays of affection. But today, walking down the school hall, holding hands with the sweetest little red head I know, I made sure to keep a mental note of how wonderful the feeling was. It will be stored in my memory bank for the day when she walks a step or two ahead or behind me, embarrassed to be seen with an adult. May that memory bank hold strong for times when I need to go to a "happy place"!