C is for Cotton, Concentrator, and Christmas Card Bowl

 

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  “C is for Cotton, Concentrators, and Christmas Card Bowl” 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/

An ABC Find:

First Presbyterian Church. Copyright 2012. Linda Martin Andersen

Yesterday, I discovered an ABC Find.  While driving, I turned from  Ann Street onto Bow Street, where our church sits on the corner. I like that the word “church” completed the ABC find.  I never noticed this ABC Find until participating in the 2016 A-Z Blog Challenge;  yet I’ve passed by these street signs all my life.

C is for Cotton

 I live near cotton fields.  I tease that it’s as close to snow-covered fields as southerners usually get.  Squint and see if you can imagine snow.

Riddle:  What do you call a cotton-picking good friend?

Answer: A cotton harvester.

Fall 2012. Close up. Copyright Linda Andersen

Fall 2012. Copyright Linda Andersen

 

C is for Concentrator

  Two of my family members now require oxygen and concentrators provide it for home use.  This model comes with a top attachment that refills small portable cylinders, often referred to as tanks.  “E” cylinders, larger ones, are most often delivered by medical suppliers.  Patients place these on carts for portable use.  Smaller tanks are sometimes carried on the patient’s shoulder.  Do you know anyone who requires supplemental oxygen?  I’m thankful concentrators are a medical option available for patients who want to remain in their homes.

C is for Christmas Card Bowl

Years ago, when shopping in an antique/vintage shop, I spotted some reduced Christmas merchandise.  I fell in love with a set of bowls made from Christmas cards and stitched together.  Have you ever recycled cards?  What did you make?

Christmas Card Bowls. Copyright 2015. Linda Martin Andersen

What “C” 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!

Think Color! Which One or Ones?

“Think Color!  Which One or Ones?” by Linda Martin Andersen

“A Writer’s Playground”–A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.

This time of year, people talk fall color.  They might ask, “Did you get to the mountains in time for the fall color?” or “Were the leaves at their peak?” (best color)

What other things come to mind when you think color?

One day this month, our newspaper came in pink.  Why?  I bet you know–National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).

Think Pink–

http://www.thinkpink.org.au/

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month:  http://www.nbcam.org/

It’s October and a beautiful pink blossom has opened in our yard.  It’s from a Confederate Rose, a gift from someone.  Pink is not usually a color I associate with fall, and yet there it is.  Read more about this plant here:  http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2009/11/18/confederate-rose-will-rise-again/

Color is a big part of our world.  Just talking about color brought this song to mind:  “Colour My World” by Chicago:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL2prMmPmQ4

Have you ever had someone compliment your clothing by saying, “That’s your color.”  Here’s more about a color analysis:  http://www.thatsyourcolor.com/

What do you think of with each of the basic colors?

Here are a few of my thoughts.  What are some of yours?

Think Blue–

One connection is based on San Diego’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Campaign:  http://www.sandiego.gov/thinkblue/

I thought of a favorite book by Joyce Moyer Hostetter entitled Blue: 

http://joycemoyerhostetter.info/

http://joycemoyerhostetter.blogspot.com/

A blue bird just fluttered across my yard.  Maybe you have them in your area too.   Tim Livingston does and he photographed one:  “Bird on a Wire”  http://theforesterartist.com/2013/10/24/bird-on-a-wire/

Think Purple–

The Color Purple–described as “the musical about love” http://www.colorpurple.com/

Lavender, a shade of purple, is often requested as the paint color for a girl’s room. 

Think Black– 

A color often worn to funerals http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black  It is also worn for formal function:  black dress, black tux.

This also made me think of B&W (black-and-white)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-and-white B&W reminds me of old photographs.  Ansel Adams comes to mind.  See the link to The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite National Park:  http://www.anseladams.com/

If I think white

(not a basic color)–I dream of snow, although this southern girl is more likely to see cotton fields. 

Fall 2012. Close up. Copyright Linda Andersen

Fall 2012. Copyright Linda Andersen

Think Brown– 

For me, literature comes to mind:  Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/brown-bear-brown-bear-what-do-you-see

and “How now, Brown Cow.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_now_brown_cow

Think Yellow–

(Yellow lettering wasn’t easily read) One finding:  http://blog.theberrycompany.com/blog/berry-marketing/think-yellow-go-green-kicks-off-in-lincoln-ne  I think of sunshine, smiley faces, and sunflowers.  How about you?

Think Green– 

Sitting in the grass, watching pines sway, and seeking summer shade under trees thick with leaves.  “Going green” means caring about the environment by recycling, etc.  Read about waste management:  http://www.wm.com/thinkgreen/index.jsp

Think Red–

Think red for a healthy heart.  Ruby red reminds me of Dorothy’s slippers in “The Wizard of Oz” and “Seeing red” means being angry,  That reminds me of Joy Acey’s poem called “My Anger.” http://poetryforkidsjoy.blogspot.com/search?q=anger

Ruby is a red gem and also a girl’s name.  Ruby the Copycat, by Peggy Rathmann, is a picture book gem. 

Think Orange– 

A juicy citrus fruit and the source of orange juice (OJ).  A Halloween color.  The color of shiny, round pumpkins.  Pumpkin fields remind me of the Peanuts characters in “The Great Pumpkin.”  Some say that orange is “the new black.”  What do you think?  What do you think that means?

  A fall bonfire with leaping flames. 

Thanks for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Leave a comment that tells what each basic color reminds you of.  Or choose a favorite. Come again soon.  Bring a friend. 

Please note:   Children 13 and under are not allowed to leave comments. It’s against the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. (COPPA)  See:  http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm

Copyright © 2013 Linda Martin Andersen