Pumpkins on My Mind

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart. “Pumpkins on My Mind” by Linda Martin Andersen

I’ve been noticing lots of pumpkin products for sale this fall…

When I went to mail a letter, a sign on the glass door advertised homemade pumpkin ice cream.  It’s served up by Andy, our local postmaster.  You can read your mail as you enjoy a cone.  Almost like being in Mayberry.  I like that about this place.

Recently, my niece ordered pumpkin pancakes at Cracker Barrel and raved about how good they were.  And she’s a finicky eater.  Another favorite I’ve seen on menus is pumpkin roll and of course pumpkin bread.

Most all of us are checking out the pumpkins in the grocery store or produce markets for carving, or just for decoration.  If you make homemade pumpkin pies, you’ve probably purchased pumpkin pie spices.

When I think of pumpkins, I am reminded of pumpkin patches and The Peanuts televised special, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”  If you love Charles M. Schulz specials and great sized pumpkins, you’ll probably enjoy these links:

http://thefw.com/things-you-didnt-know-about-great-pumpkin/

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-great-pumpkin-74423844/?no-ist

https://www.giantpumpkin.com/world_records.php

In fall, hayrides always come to my mind, especially those hosted by our family for the past ten years.  Until this year, that is.  The grandsons believe they’ve outgrown them.  Truth be told, most adults don’t seem to think they have.   The last few weeks, I gave away almost all our hayride decorations.  Thinking back on the one pictured below always brings a smile.  Although the photo doesn’t show this perfectly, the inflated pumpkin’s face is printed upside down.  No matter how we tried to hide it, the children always discovered the upside down face and turned it to the front.  It must have brought a smile to them too.  Not quite a perfect pumpkin, which most likely made it all the more fun.

Hayride 2012. Copyright 2016. Linda Martin Andersen

 Writing Prompts:

• What brings a smile to your face this pumpkin season?
• Tell about a hayride or other special fall event that you have experienced.  What made it special?
• What are your favorite Halloween specials? Or horror movies?
• Have you ever stuffed a scarecrow?  Tell about a time you decorated for Halloween or fall.
• Have you ever created your own costume?  Do you remember Charlie Brown’s costume?

An aside–my thoughts and prayers go out to all who were effected by Hurricane Matthew.  I hope you’ll find a way to celebrate fall, even during this difficult time. 

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

Nobody Ever Promised…

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart
“Nobody Ever Promised…” by Linda Martin Andersen

 

 

Poster created at http://www.quozio.com

My dear friend, Sarah Swan, reviews children’s books on her blog.  Earlier this summer, Sarah honored my husband and me by reviewing books that mention death.  Thank you so much, Sarah.  Check out the books Sarah reviewed here:

In Honor of Scotty Andersen and his lovely Wife, Linda

To learn about Sarah’s young adult novel, Terror’s Identity, see here:  https://www.amazon.com/Terrors-Identity-Sarah-Swan-ebook/dp/B01CMUWJ04

What books have you read that mention the death of a pet or loved one?  Use the writing prompts below as conversation starters with your parents/children.

Writing Prompts:

1. Nobody ever promised…
2. When my _________ died, I felt like…
3. When my friend was crying, I…
4. My Pet Died
5. Ways to Feel Better When You’re Sad
6. Who I Talk to When I’m Sad
7. Visiting the Cemetery
8. Flowers on the Grave
9. A Marker on the Grave
10. Attending a Funeral or Memorial Service

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

Middle Grade Novels Tackle Tough Stuff

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart
“Middle Grade Novels Tackle Tough Stuff” by Linda Martin Andersen

Read all about it

on Facebook and register to win a set of great middle grade novels.

http://mggetsreal.blogspot.com/2016/07/5-middle-grade-novels-with-tough-topics.html

Carol Baldwin read all about it and helped spread the word.  Read an interview on her blog.

http://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2016/08/mggetsreal-behind-scenes-with-joyce.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FDtis+%28Carol+Baldwin%27s+blog%29

I encourage you to..

Read all about and help spread the word! Readers need to know!

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

Who’s Coming to Town?

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart
“Who’s Coming to Town?” by Linda Martin Andersen

In summer, many families travel to visit relatives or vacation out-of-town.  This summer, an author friend is coming to town.  She was invited to do a book signing at Ft. Bragg, NC.  I hope you can stop by to see her and check out her latest book, as well as some short stories.

Who is this author who is coming to town? 

Sandra Warren. 

When is Sandra Warren’s book signing? 

Friday, August 5, 2016 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and

Saturday, August 6, 2016 from 9:00 am – 12:00 am.

 

Where is Sandra Warren’s book signing?

At the PX

 5050 Butner Rd, Fort Bragg, NC 28307  

Sandra Warren will be signing copies of We Bought A WWII Bomber, Hidden Casualties: Battles On The Home Front and When Duty Called: Even Grandma Had To GO.  Watch a book trailer here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUmxqhIpadI

Hidden Casualties and When Duty Called are nurses stories about serving in Desert Storm.

 

Sandra Warren didn’t stop here.  She found a way to turn her research and photos into another format.  See here:

http://sandrawarrenwrites.blogspot.com/2016/05/got-left-over-research-photos-put-them.html

Sandra Warren also shared how to create a book trailer.  See here:

http://sandrawarrenwrites.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-trailers-made-easy.html

Come out and meet Sandra Warren.  You’ll be glad you did.  If you don’t live in the area, Amazon carries these and more titles in various genres.  See here:

https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Warren/e/B00L4BPF2M/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1470137498&sr=1-2-ent

Everyone knows that one of teachers’ favorite back-to-school writing prompts is:  What did you do over summer vacation?

If I were writing in response to this prompt, I’d tell about Sandra Warren, the author who came to town.  Here are other prompts for you to consider.

Writing Prompts:

1. Who came to visit you this summer or who did you visit?
2. Write interview questions for a favorite relative.  Ask the person to respond.
3. What family projects did you do this summer?
4. What tips can you pass along on how to keep cool?
5. What books did you read for pleasure?  Tell about them.
6. How would you organize a book review panel?

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

The Last Cherry Blossom–Coming Very Soon!

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart
“The Last Cherry Blossom–Coming Very Soon!” by Linda Martin Andersen

NO, there’s no real danger to cherry trees that provide us so much beauty.  No threat to them in that way.

So what is this post about?  A new book called THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM by Kathleen Burkinshaw.

                   

Photos used with permission.

THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM is a book you don’t want to miss.  What have you heard about it?  If you don’t know about this debut book due to launch on August 2, read more here.

Earlier posts I hope you’ll choose to visit/revisit include…

• One of my earlier posts:

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/the-cherry-blossoms-in-washington-d-c-remind-me-of/

Two posts to follow by Carol Baldwin:

1. “Carol Baldwin’s blog:  Meet Kathleen Burkinshaw–Debut Middle Grade Author” posted at

https://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/kathleen-burkinshaw-debut-middle-grade.html

2.  Carol Baldwin also posted a review of THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM.  See here:

https://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-last-cherry-blossom-review-and-arc.html

• Here’s a Kirkus review too:

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kathleen-burkinshaw/the-last-cherry-blossom/

If you want to order a copy of this book before August 2, here’s one place to do so: 

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Cherry-Blossom-Kathleen-Burkinshaw/dp/1634506936/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469710602&sr=8-1&keywords=Kathleen+Burkinshaw

I’m so happy for my writer friend and her writing journey!  What a great gift to readers everywhere.

Readers, I hope you’ll try some writing of your own..

Writing Prompts:

1. Tell about a time your life changed for the better.
2. Tell about a time your life changed for the worse.
3. What helps you to handle things when life turns worse?
4. How do you like to celebrate when life changes for the better?
5. Who helps you through life events when you face changes?

I hope you’ll look for and read THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM by Kathleen Burkinshaw.

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

The Last Cherry Blossom–Carol Baldwin Interviews the Author

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart  “Carol Baldwin’s blog:  Meet Kathleen Burkinshaw–Debut Middle Grade Author” posted at

https://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/kathleen-burkinshaw-debut-middle-grade.html

Posted by Linda Martin Andersen

 

Have you ever been so excited for someone that you couldn’t stop thinking about it?  Have you ever known something was special before others declared it so?  If this isn’t making sense, I hope it soon will.

Please take time to read Carol Baldwin’s interview with a special debut author, Kathleen Burkinshaw.  Enjoy!

https://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/kathleen-burkinshaw-debut-middle-grade.html

More posts to follow about Kathleen Burkinshaw and her debut book, THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM.

Writing Prompts:

1. Tell about meeting an author or illustrator for children’s books.
2. Write a letter to a favorite author or illustrator.
3. Interview someone who is special to you.  Share your interview with others.

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

A Game Played with Erasers

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart  “A Game Played with Erasers” shared with permission from Renee at

https://godselfie.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/do-not-erase/

Posted by Linda Martin Andersen

 

Thanks, Renee for allowing me to share your post, “Do not Erase.”

https://godselfie.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/do-not-erase/

I loved learning of this simple eraser game and the players’ creativity.  I hope this post inspires you to play something similar.  Or perhaps this post will bring back memories of childhood games you loved.  Share some of your favorite games or playful memories here!  I look forward to hearing from you.

Writing Prompts:

1. Favorite Childhood Game
2. A Time You Made a Friend When Playing a Game
3. A Lesson Learned While Playing a Game.

Choose a writing prompt about playing games or create your own.

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

A Heavenly Father’s Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart

As some of my blog followers know, my husband died on June 14, 2016.  His memorial service is Tuesday, June 21, 2016.

This is a time of grief and loss for me and yet it is also a time to celebrate Scotty’s earthly life and his new eternal home.  I am calling this a Heavenly Father’s Day since Scotty is sharing it with his Heavenly Father.  Here’s a link to his memorial service:

http://www.capefearcrematory.com/obituaries/John-Andersen-4/#!/Obituary

Here’s one of my favorite memories…

 

Even while on oxygen, we danced. Copyright Linda Andersen

 

My grandsons and I gathered yesterday and shared memories of Scotty.  Here are a few:

• Kids loved him, even ones who didn’t know him were drawn to him.  I think they could sense his playful, childlike nature.  He especially enjoyed spending time with small children.
• Our grandson said he liked to scare people.  At our annual hayride, Scotty did occasionally wear a costume and mask and jump out at children who attended.  Once a child cried, and the mask came off.  No more tears.
• He loved having people gather at our home for a parties, such as the annual hayride.
• He was patient and especially enjoyed teaching young children to fish.
• He loved frogs and had a pretty big collection.
• He loved going to church and working on church service projects.
• He loved his family and spending time with them.
• He loved his job and the people he worked with.
• He loved his friends and time spent working or playing.

Writing Prompts:

1. What is your favorite memory of your dad?  Share it with him or other family members, if he is deceased.
2. What is something that makes your dad laugh?  Why?
3. What practical jokes have you ever played on your dad?  How did he react?
4. What is a word you could say that would bring back a great memory?  For example, I could say “Alpine Inn” and our family would moan and groan about a dilapidated motel where we stayed on a vacation.
5. What would a Heavenly Father’s Day look like to your dad?

I hope all of you out there are enjoying Father’s Day with your father, your sons who are fathers, or grandsons who may become fathers, or other “father figures.”  Visit a “playground” of your own choosing–it can be your family room, a restaurant, a church, a long distance phone call or Skype or even an actually playground down the street.

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

Happy Birthday, Blog

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart  “Happy Birthday, Blog” by Linda Martin Andersen

My blog’s name is “A Writer’s Playground,” but he recently informed me that he prefers to be called Blog.  Today, is all about Blog.

Here is how Blog has celebrated each birthday: (Archived here, like any proud Mama would do.)

Blog’s first birthday–May 2013:

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/a-writers-playground-is-celebrating-its-first-birthday-lets-parade-in-our-favorite-hats/

Blog’s second birthday–May 2014

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/may-days-and-my-blogs-2nd-birthday/

Blog’s third birthday–May 2015

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/virtual-entertainment-at-my-blogs-birthday-party/

What does Blog want for his 4th birthday? 

 Blog wants to tell all about his adventures and he wants to start at the beginning.

(so I’ll help) 

In 2012, my good friend, Joan Y. Edwards, helped me set up Blog which I named “A Writer’s Playground.”  I thank her for that!  Blog thanks her too!  Without her, he wouldn’t exist.  And now, it’s Joan’s turn to receive some help.  On May 13, 2016  some of Joan’s followers will participate in a Blog Blitz for her new book:  Joan’s Elder Care Guide: Empowering You and Your Elder to Survive. I’m excited; so I know she has to be!

Used with permission.

For purchasing information for Joan’s Elder Care Guide, see here:

4RV Publishing: the price includes shipping anywhere in the USA.

Paperback $15.99 includes shipping within the USA
Hardback $19.99 includes shipping within the USA
http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/joan-y-edwards.php

• Amazon Paperback $16.99: http://www.amazon.com/Joans-Elder-Care-Guide-Empowering/dp/1940310393/
• Amazon Hardback: $20.99: http://www.amazon.com/Joans-Elder-Care-Guide-Empowering/dp/1940310407/
• Barnes and Noble Paperback $13.14 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/joans-elder-care-guide-joan-y-edwards/1123707963?ean=9781940310398
• Barnes and Noble Hardback $16.24 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/joans-elder-care-guide-joan-y-edwards/1123707963?ean=9781940310404

Get your copy soon.  Consider giving this guide book to anyone you know who is a caregiver, or leads a group for caregivers, or works with the elderly, or has a grandparent, or… (in other words, just about everyone)

Blog wants to tell about his growing pains.

Blog has decided to change things up a bit.  Since May 2012, Blog has begun each calendar month with a list of ways to celebrate special days.

Blog will no longer provide a list of calendar events on the first of each month.  Resources for monthly calendar events are available in many places.  See some examples here:

Recommended lists of monthly calendar events: 

1. Chase’s Calendar of Events 2016: The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months– a resource available to use on site at many public libraries. 
2. http://www.brownielocks.com/may.html
3. http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/
4. http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/
5. Search Archives at this site.  Search by key words.  A good place to start would be with the name of the month.

Blog wishes to add more flexibility to his posts to provide his voice (that’s me) with more time for writing stories and books, while encouraging followers to search out their own monthly activities.  Please provide feedback so Blog knows how that’s going for you.

One example of  Blog’s recent growth:  In 2016, “A Writer’s Playground” participated in two blogging challenges. ” Just Jot It January” and in April:  “A-Z Blogging Challenge.”  Blog has visited many blogs unknown to him and has gained some new followers.  Will Blog decide to do more blog challenges in the future?  Wait and see.

Thanks for playing along with me as Blog continues to grow.  Maybe next year Blog will be old enough to start school.  😉

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

 

Y is for Yard, Yes, and Yesterday

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart  “Y is for Yard, Yes, and Yesterday” by Linda Martin Andersen

This month I’m sharing photos and blog posts from A-Z.  I’m excited about trying something new.  I hope you’ll stop by often throughout the month.

Check out the participants for the April (2016) Challenge.  There are plenty to choose from http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

Y is for Yard

In an earlier post, I wrote about an experience in my back yard.  An elm leaf was suspended in the air and twirled in the breeze–one of nature’s windsocks.  I am thankful for all I see out our window.  I am also thankful for the wide open space and for the wildlife that visits too.

Check out the photos below and earlier posts about them.  I hope you enjoy them.

Tell about some of your pleasant experiences in the yard.

 

Copyright 2015 Linda Martin Andersen

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2015/06/25/where-are-you-hanging-out-this-summer/

Copyright 2015 Linda Martin Andersen

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2015/08/28/its-show-and-tell-friday/

Photo by Jim Martin. Copyright.

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/jump-back-jack/

 

Y is for Yes

Are you a writer and hoping for an acceptance from an editor or agent and rejections show up instead?  Stick with it.  Your “Yes” is out there somewhere.  It might be closer than you think.  See…

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

 Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Your job is to keep writing, polishing your work, and submitting it.  Find your “Yes.”

Y is for Yesterday

Do you like collecting antiques and reading old diaries?  Do you like history and nonfiction?  Do you enjoy visiting museums and touring old homes.  Do you enjoy looking at old photographs.  Is “yesterday” or history something you want to know more about?  Do you read historical fiction?

Which interests you most:  yesterday, today, or tomorrow?  Why? How will this guide your search for books to read?  Do you enjoy a variety or are you drawn to a specific genre or time period?

Some of my first independent readings were biographies.  Have you read any lately?

What “Y” words come to mind for you? I hope you’ll share why they’re special to you.

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!