Joy in the Morning–Who Brings It?

 

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  “Joy in the Morning–Who Brings It?” by Linda Martin Andersen

Earlier, I posted that my creativity was returning, which brought me great joy.  I included a photo of a few purchases for my kitchen coffee station–a simple joy.

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2016/09/21/nothing-says-joy-in-the-morning-like/

A friend recently gave me a gift for my coffee station.  The dish towel’s message turned my focus from what brought me joy to who brought it.  Please compare the original coffee station set up to my latest one, featuring the new towel.

My earlier post :  What brings you joy in the morning and throughout the day?

Bamboo Coffee Station. Copyright 2016. Linda Martin Andersen.

My latest post:  Who brings you joy? (See photo below)

Copyright 2016. Linda Martin Andersen

Who brings you joy?

Writing Prompts:

1. Who are the special people in your life who bring you joy?  Name as many as you can.
2. Sometimes, when I see a young child I smile for no special reason.  Who gives you that kind of joy?
3. Who lifts your spirits, makes you snap out of a bad mood, and helps your joy return?
4. Name people who would say you bring them joy.
5. Who do you believe causes you to feel joy?  The towel in my coffee station states our need for a whole lot of Jesus.   Do you agree?
6. I praise and thank Jesus for the joy in my life.  How about you?
7. The towel’s message reminds me of the quote, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”  What does it remind you of?

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!

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!

Nothing Says Joy in the Morning Like…

 

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  “Nothing Says Joy in the Morning Like…” by Linda Martin Andersen

Personal grief hit me hard in June.  It left me too sad to do some things I enjoy, such as making small home decorating changes.  Fortunately, my  creativity is returning.  This brings me great joy!

Yesterday, I decided to replace the coffee station in my kitchen.  I purchased a bamboo napkin holder and serving tray to hold my coffee maker and condiments.   This simple decorating change filled me with joy.  Now as I pour myself a cup of coffee, I’m reminded to start my day with joy.  I was also reminded of two Folgers’ coffee jingles:  “Nothing says morning like Folgers in your cup. ” Also:  “The best part of waking up in Folgers in your cup.”

These jingles influenced my writing and this blog title.  Writing and word play bring me joy.  Choosing to change my coffee station brought me two joys:  creative decorating and writing.

What caused this positive change?  Time for a moment of truth…I added too much water to my coffee pot which caused it to boil over and ruin my  tray.  Cause and effect.  That’s one accident I’m glad happened.  😉  It started positive wheels turning.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7LXSQ85jpw

These jingles influenced my writing.  Can you recognize their influence in my blog title?  Writing and word play bring me joy.

What brings you joy in the morning and throughout the day?

Bamboo Coffee Station. Copyright 2016. Linda Martin Andersen.

Writing Prompts:

1.  Look around your bedroom and locate things that bring you joy.  Write or tell about them.

2.  Look for things that bring you joy on your ride to school.  Write or tell about them.

3.  Begin a Joy Journal.  Record things that bring you joy throughout the day.

4.  Write an acronym for JOY.  Here is a site for word suggestions:  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/phonetic/y.shtml

Example of an acronym for  JOY:  J–Jump  O–orbit Y–yell

5.  Write a phrase acronym for JOY.  Example:  J–Jump  O–over  Y–yokes (burdens).  Discuss the meaning of this phrase with an adult.

6.  Do you know someone named Joy?  Tell ways this person brings joy to the world.  Example:  Joy Acey:  http://poetryforkidsjoy.blogspot.com/2016/09/sharks-and-minnows.html

7.  Do you know a song about Joy?  Change some of the lyrics to include things that bring you joy.

8.  Complete this writing prompt:  Nothing says joy in the morning like…

9.  Here are two Folgers’ coffee jingles:  “Nothing says morning like Folgers in your cup. ” Also:  “The best part of waking up in Folgers in your cup.”  Use these jingles as writing prompts to create your own personal jingle or slogan.

10.  What is your definition of joy?  Expand your definition with personal examples.

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!

 

Z is for Zebra, Zig-zag, and Z-Z-Z–the Snoring Sound

 

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  “Z is for Zebra, Zig-zag, and Z-Z-Z–the Snoring Sound” 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/

Z is for Zebra

Zebra in the children’s ward of the hospital. Copyright 2016. Linda Martin Andersen

Years ago, an adult family member was admitted to the hospital.  Typically, he likes to kid around. When he was assigned a hospital room, he ended up in the pediatric section. That was the only available room, he was told.  We all got a good laugh.   This zebra was painted on the ceiling in his room, along with other animals.  Have you ever seen a zebra in these colors?  Have you ever seen a zebra on ceiling tiles?  What zebra story can you share?

Z is for Zig-Zag

When was the last time you zig-zagged from one point to another.  If you haven’t done it in a while, or have forgotten how, ask a child to demonstrate.  Or when all else fails, watch a YouTube video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV9z7otXJZI 

For a kid, zig zagging seems natural; however, this YouTube demonstration seems straight out of a learner’s manual.  Thank goodness when I learned to zig-zag, I had fun getting into the  groove, and gliding to and fro.  How about you?

Z is for Z-Z-Z–the Snoring Sound

Listen to this silly snoring sound:  http://soundbible.com/1683-Silly-Snoring.html

Here’s an original Sleep Command Game. 

Needed items:  Someone to lead the game of 3 or more family members or friends.  Watch/clock with a second hand.  Paper and pencil, and a large empty room or grassy yard.

1.  Invite your family to get down on the floor or in the grass to play a Sleep Command Game with you.
2. Record the time on the clock before you begin.
3. Give commands such as: Toss and turn.  Sigh–make it a deep sigh.  Turn from your back to your belly, and back over.  Stretch.  Snore.  Snore louder.  Snore even louder.   Sit up startled, etc.
4. When someone laughs, check and record the time.  How much time passed before someone laughed?
5.  Ask your family to play again and try to beat their recorded time for not laughing.  Compare the results.  Did they succeed?  Did the results turn out like you expected?  Tell about it.

Tell about a time you had the silly giggles.  Was it hard to stop giggling?  Why do you think that might be so?

A big thank you to the creators of the A-Z Blogging Challenge.  I made it to ‘Z end.

I might not have been the first one to cross the finish line, but I completed the race.  I met my goal, reached it, and had so much fun along the way!  Thanks to all those who played along with me.  It was also great to meet so many more bloggers.

What “Z” 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!

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!

X is for Box, X-Ray, and XOXO

 

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  “X is Box, X-Ray, and XOXO” 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/

X is for Box

Most days when I open my mailbox, I find bills or junk.  Still, there is always the hope that there will be something better.  And some days there is.  A greeting card sticks out of the letter stack or a box fills the space.  Joyous day!  Occasionally, UPS delivers boxes to our door, but mostly boxes arrive in our roadside rural mailbox. Who would think that a brown box without color or ribbons would bring such pleasure?  But it does.  Why do you think that is?

What was the best gift you ever received in the mail?  Some of my best were story acceptances for magazine publication.  Just know that lots of rejection letters arrived before the acceptances.  Even after publication, rejections come.  It’s how it is.  Keep on writing!

Tell about a gift you were excited to send.

Time to recycle by Linda Martin Andersen. Copyright 2016

For an earlier post featuring recyclables, check here:  https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2016/04/21/r-is-for-rose-recyclables-and-remodeled-back-porch/

X is for X-Ray

When I was a high school student,  I drove a school bus.  I took bus driver training and passed by the skin of my teeth.  That was back in the day when buses had standard transmission–shifting gears required.  A yearly physical was also required.  Drivers were lined up and a doctor listened to our hearts and x-rays were taken to rule out TB.  I teased that if our hearts were beating and we didn’t have TB, we could drive a bus.

Have you ever had an x-ray?  Was it to rule out a broken bone, part of dental visit, following an accident, or used to help diagnose a disease, etc? Have you ever seen an x-ray?  Your own?

X is for XOXO

x= kisses

o= hugs

Have you ever signed  a letter with XOXO?

Have you ever seen XOXO written on Valentine’s Day conversation hearts?

Where else have you seen XOXO?

Do you know song lyrics that include Xs and Os?

XOXO to all my followers.  Bless you one and all!

What “X” 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!

W is for Wisteria, Wonder, and Writer’s Gifts

 

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  “W is for Wisteria, Wonder, and Writer’s Gifts” 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/

W is for Wisteria

Have you seen wisteria twisting and climbing trees in your area?  I told someone it’s as close to purple mountain majesty as we get in the Sandhills of North Carolina.  Wisteria always reminds me of one of my favorite authors…

Joyce Moyer Hostetter has a new middle grade historical novel that will be launched in October 2016.  It’s called Aim.  It is the prequel to Blue.  Comfort rounds out the trilogy.  Wisteria plays an important role in the setting of Joyce’s books.  So of course, she’s showing off their lovely blooms below.

  These Advance Readers Copies (ARC) arrived on Monday.  The launch day for Aim is Oct. 4, 2016.  Congratulations, Joyce!                                   

Why is Joyce modeling wisteria? 

Perhaps she is celebrating that Aim, the prequel, is coming soon!

To learn more about Joyce Moyer Hostetter’s books, check here:  http://joycemoyerhostetter.com/my-books/

Joyce’s blog:  The Three R’s–Reading, ‘Riting, and Research:  http://joycemoyerhostetter.blogspot.com/

I had the pleasure of interviewing Joyce Hostetter for another of her books, Healing Water, a book that includes leprosy.  This post probably received the most comments of any I’ve ever written.

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/who-would-write-about-leprosy-joyce-moyer-hostetter-thats-who/

Joyce Hostetter and Carol Baldwin co-write a newsletter for teachers and parents.  Learn more about “Talking Story” here:  http://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/p/talking-story.html

I hope you’ll check out Joyce Moyer Hostetter and her books!

W is for Wonder

When I hear “wonder,” I tend to think “head in the clouds.”

Copyright 2014. Jim Martin

 

What do you think of when you hear “wonder?”  I wonder what he/she’s thinking.  I wonder if I’ll ever reach my goal.  I wonder what it would be like to be…or to do… I hope you’ll share something that you wonder.

Amy Ludwig VanDerwater is participating in a poetry writing challenge this month that she calls, “Wallow in Wonder.”  Here’s a post to enjoy.

http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/2016/04/wallow-in-wonder-day-25-mama-kangaroos.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+amylv%2FGmZc+%28The+Poem+Farm%29

Visit Wonderopolis here:  http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-do-kangaroos-keep-in-their-pockets

W is for Writer’s Gifts

When friends give me gifts, they sometimes purchase something to inspire my writing.  Here’s one example:

Writing Muse. Copyright 2016. Linda Martin Andersen

Thanks to all who gift me with encouragement, love, friendship, and shared writing tips!  I love and appreciate my writing community.  It keep me going!

What “W” 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!

 

V is for Violets, Van, and Vending Machine

 

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  “V is for Violets, Van, and Vending Machine” 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/

V is for Violets

http://www.wikihow.com/Grow-African-Violets

My maternal grandmother lived in my home for a few months while waiting for a retirement complex to be completed.  She tended to her African violets in a front window of my home.  I admired her ability to keep her violets looking lovely.  When she moved, she gave me a violet stand and a couple of violets. I never was able to keep the plants looking as good as she did.  The violet stand now sits with potted silk violets in full bloom all year long.  They look so real, people often touch them.

How about you?  Can you keep African violets happy?  Are there plants you do have a knack for growing?  Do you enjoy looking for wild violets in meadows?  I do!

V is for Van

I recently began following a blog called “Van by the River.”  Here’s a post about Scrubbing Your Face that includes a video of an orangutan at a Tokyo zoo.  I think you’ll enjoy it.

https://vanbytheriver.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/the-scrubbed-face/

My husband and I have owned two vans in our adult years which we enjoyed driving on trips.  The first one was a used Carolina Telephone Company van that my husband and I had customized and drove to Disney World.  Joining us were my parents, my two sisters, and our two children.   The second van was a Chevy Astro which my husband, two children, my mom, and I drove to California and back.  Great memories from both trips in our vans.  Just so you know, the photo below was not one of our vans, but it looks like a fun ride.

Would you call this a Hippie van?  What were some of the slogans painted on a Hippie van?  Research to learn more.

Has your family ever owned a van?  An SUV?  Tell about a long car trip.

V is for Vending Machine

Have you ever purchased a snack from a vending machine?  Who hasn’t, right?  What is one of your favorite snacks from there?  Have you ever had to make a vending machine snack substitute for a meal?  Have you heard a pack of nabs or peanut butter crackers called a square meal?  What does that mean to you?  What does your eye search for when you have money in hand and are standing before a vending machine? Have you ever lost money in one?  Have you ever taped a note on the machine stating that you lost money?  Did you ever get it back?  In what locations are you most likely to find vending machines?  Tell about an experience buying something from one.

When a family member is in the hospital, I may raid the vending machine, especially when the cafeteria is closed.  I often pack a lunch when I plan to stay all day.  Have you ever done that when someone you know is in the hospital?

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

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