D is for 9 1/2 David

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  “D is for 9 1/2 David” 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/

Just so you know, my selection for “D” may not seem to quite fit.  Stick with me!

D is for 9 1/2 David

9 1/2 David. Copyright 2016. Linda Martin Andersen

• My husband wears a 9 1/2 D shoe.  When he goes to the shoe store, he asks for a 9 1/2 David and the clerk never seems to bat an eye.  She returns with just what he asked for.  My husband learned to ask for his size this way years ago.  Maybe it’s part of the shoe trade talk.  Other family shoe trivia: My dad wore a double d width. My older grandson wears a bigger size shoe than his dad and he’s only 14.  I understand he may soon outgrow the stocked sizes.  If his next shoes have to be special ordered,  I imagine that will be rather expensive.
• Perhaps you have special shoe shopping needs.  I have a narrow heel with a wide foot, which makes it difficult to find a non-lace shoe that fits.  For dress shoes, I tend to stick to a name brand that usually fits pretty well.  How about you?  Shoes…do you love them or hate them? 

More about shoes–but no reference to “D,” unless D is for Darlings–little darlings. Little Darlings’ shoes.  Little Darlings’ bronzed shoes.  (Please excuse the dust and the imperfect finish)

Bronzed Baby Shoes. Copyright 2016. Linda Martin Andersen

• When young parents begin their family, they often keep baby books, scrapbooks, photo albums, or may even consider a tradition that goes back to the 1930s or so–  Bronzed baby shoes http://www.americanbronzing.com/  Have you ever seen any bronzed shoes?  Were they placed on bookends, like these?

Even more about shoes and a connection to another “D.”  D is for dumped shoes. Yes, dumped.  Lost, thrown away, dumped.

• A writer friend, Jennifer Larson wrote Lost Soles, a book about lost shoes.  I interviewed her here in 2014.
•  https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2014/11/08/have-you-ever-found-a-lost-shoe-book-giveaway/  Although the entry for  book giveaway has long since ended, the interview is one you’ll still enjoy. 

 

A word from Jennifer Larson, author and collector:  “Over the years, I’ve photographed more than 100 lone shoes. I’m always on the lookout for the next one. If you have a lost sole find and want to share, please visit my website www.authorjenniferlarson.com. I love receiving photographs of lost soles from everywhere.” To keep up with Jennifer’s latest finds, follow her blog at www.authorjenniferlarson.blogspot.com.

What “D” 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!

This Month’s Top Ten Recipients: All About Kids Award

 “This Month’s Top Ten Recipients: All About Kids Award” by Linda Martin Andersen. 

ANNOUNCEMENT:  THE WINNER OF THE BOOK GIVEAWAY IS…

Sarah Swan.  She came in style on an orange and white pinto and rides away with a prize.  Sarah, please contact me by email and give me your address.  I’ll mail a copy of A Rock Can Be by Laura Purdie Salas.  It is her latest release and that’s why I chose it as a giveaway.

JUNE:

Everyone knows we celebrate Father’s Day on June 21, 2015.

Did you know that June 28, 2015 is America’s Kids Day? Yes it is, and that’s what inspired the theme for this month’s blog.

Here are This Month’s Top Ten Recipients: All About Kids Award (selected by me for this site only)

 

1. Beautiful in Your Skin Month– I’ve described some favorite people as being beautiful inside and out.  What do you think it means to be beautiful in your own skin?  Describe what actions a person might be doing to earn this comment.  Tell about a time someone said something to you that made you feel beautiful.  What kind of beauty was it?  Physical?  Inner?  Beautiful in your own skin?  A combination of these?  Another type of beauty?  Tell us about it.
2. National Smile Month–When you say something encouraging to someone, do you find yourself smiling?  What other things bring a smile to your face?  List as many as you can in a minute.  Chose one of the items on your list to write about.  Turn your notes into a poem or story.  Have fun!  Survey people for an hour, a day, a week.  Smile and see if they respond with a smile.  Share your results with someone.  Would you say a smile is contagious?  Why or why not?  Have you ever smiled through the pain?  What does this mean?  Tell about a time you experienced this.
3. National Sun Safety Week:  1-8–The weather is beautiful.  The sun feels great.  Why do we need to hear something about sun safety?  What can you do to be more safe in the sun?  Intentions don’t count.  What promise will you make?  Who will hold you accountable for keeping your word?
4. Say Something Nice Day: 1–Name something nice that was said to you today.  What nice thing can you say in the next ten minutes?  In the next hour?  Be sincere.  Count the number of nice things you hear in an hour/a day.  Where did you hear most of these?  Do you think positive things said by retail merchants should count?  Why or why not?  Does a positive comment said by a clerk make you feel good? Why do you think they make positive comments to you?  Do you think their positive comments are sincere?  Most of the time?  Some of the time?  None of the time?
5. Positive Power of Humor and Creativity Days: 5-7–What helps you when you are feeling blue?  Does humor help?  Does it help to do something creative?  Keep your hands busy?   Give examples of how humor and creativity have had a positive influence on you. 
6. Upsy Daisy Day: 8–Have you ever heard anyone use this expression?  How could you use it?  When turning something upright?  When helping someone out of a chair?  Other examples.  I have a friend who likes to say oopsy when a mistake happens.  What do you like to say?
7. Family History Day: 14– Ask about your family history:  Who was it who used to work for the circus?  Who was the rodeo star? Did anyone move west by wagon train?  Was anyone a lumberjack?  A lawman?  Record what you learn.  Add to your research another day–maybe a family reunion.   Lots of families have those in the summer. 
8. National Flip Flop Day: 19– When I think of flip flops, I think of summer, the beach, shower shoes, and Jennifer Larson.  Go to her site and you’ll see why.  http://www.authorjenniferlarson.com/home.html
9. Family Awareness Day: 21–What is special about being part of a family?  What is special about how you and your family spend time together?  How do you show your family that you appreciate them?  Learn about other family structures such as single parent families, grandchildren raised by grandparents, foster families, adopted children, and others. 
10. Let It Go Day: 23–What does it mean to “let it go?”  What is something you can let go today?  Let your worries go, your To Do List, your busy schedule.  What about your hair?  How did you feel at the end of the day?  Better or not?  Why?

Thanks for visiting.  Come again soon and bring a friend.  Comments are appreciated.  If you’re under 13 years old, please ask a trusted adult to post for you.

This Month’s Top Ten Recipients: Add More Humor Award

 “This Month’s Top Ten Recipients:  Add More Humor Award” by Linda Martin Andersen

Everybody knows that Mother’s Day is May 10, 2015 and Memorial Day is May 25, 2015.  Very special days.  Don’t forget them.

This month, I am spotlighting ten humorous May Days.  Think funny this month.  What’s funny to you?  What does funny sound like?  What does funny look like?  Do you ever snort when you laugh?  Do you ever feel like your side will split? 

This Month’s Top Ten Recipients: Add More Humor Award (selected by me for this site only)

1. Mother Goose Day: 1  Can you name three funny Mother Goose rhymes?  What lines are funny to you and why?  Name a Mother Goose rhyme that shows another emotion.  Which one?
2. Free Comic Book Day: 2 When was the last time you read a comic book?  Read one or more today.  Do you read the newspaper comics?  Which is your favorite?  Which was your favorite comic three or more years ago?  Has it changed?  If so, why do you think that’s so? 
3. National Two Different Colored Shoes Day: 3  Jennifer Larson has a published book about lost soles.  See here:  http://www.authorjenniferlarson.com/   I like Jennifer’s search for lost soles.  You might too.  If you’ve never worn two different color shoes, try it today.  If you’ve done it before, you know it’s fun.  Do it again.
4. World Laughter Day: 3 If you were in charge of world laughter, how would you make the world a happier, funnier place?  How can you begin on a smaller scale?  Name a way to include more laughter in your own day.
5. Cartoonists Day: 5  Name a favorite cartoon or cartoonist.  What do you admire about this art or artist?  Where can you learn more about the cartoonist? Take time to research and share what you learned.
6. Great American Grump Out: 6 What is a grump?  Define a “Grump Out.”  How would you organize one?  Consider a Family Grump Out today or challenge a friend to accept the challenge with you.  Set rules participants agree with.  Discuss how it went at the end of the day.
7. Limerick Day: 12  Here are some examples of limericks:  http://www.kidzone.ws/poetry/limerick.htm  Happy reading.  Write one of your own.  Joy Acey shares limericks here:  http://poetryforkidsjoy.blogspot.com/search?q=limerick
8. National Chicken Dance Day: 14 Can you do the Chicken Dance?  See here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWjeITmDmmo  What other dances make you laugh?
9. O. Henry Pun-off Day: 15 Who was O. Henry?  Read his biography and some short stories here:  http://americanliterature.com/author/o-henry/bio-books-stories   Enjoy kid puns here:  http://www.buzzle.com/articles/puns-for-kids.html
10. What You Think Upon Grows Day: 31  Imagine for a moment a garden in which  all your thoughts sprouted and bloomed.  What flowers would you be happy to share with a neighbor or friend?  Which would need weeding?  Is it possible to have a garden of perfect thoughts?  Why or why not?
    

Please leave a comment.  Thanks for visiting.  For more May celebrations visit http://www.brownielocks.com/may.html  Come again soon and bring a friend. 

Children 13 years old or older are invited to comment.  See: http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm

 

Lucky Winner Announced–Jennifer Larson’s Giveaway

“Lucky Winner Announced–Jennifer Larson’s Giveaway” by Linda Martin Andersen

Today, I announce the winner of the book giveaway.  But first, I’d like to share a recent observation that included shoes.   Last week near lunch time, my husband and I were riding down a busy highway and stopped for a traffic light.  A truck that serves prepared food was parked at an auto parts store on the corner.  People were standing near the window of the food truck, which was opposite our view.  All we could see was the truck and shoes underneath.  It was a humorous sight and reminded me of Jennifer Larson’s book called Lost Soles.  When did you pay attention to shoes this past week?  Comment about it below.

Thanks to all who visited “Have You Ever Found a Lost Shoe?  Book Giveaway!” and left a comment.  Those names were placed in a drawing for a free copy of Lost Soles by Jennifer Larson.  The names on cards, plus a plastic lucky frog foot, were shaken and my husband drew the winning name.

And the winner is Susan Williams.  Congratulations Susan.  Let’s give her a shoe-tongue flapping, double-knot tieing “Writer’s Playground” round of applause.  Susan Williams, would you please email me and provide your mailing address?  I will forward the information to  Jennifer who will send you a copy of Lost Soles.  Enjoy!

Jennifer, thanks for being a guest blogger here and for providing a giveaway.  It was great to have you. 

Readers, the next time you see a single lost shoe, think of Jennifer Larson.  Support her book launch by visiting http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Soles-Jennifer-Larson/dp/1492294179/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416138105&sr=8-1&keywords=Lost+Soles+by+Jennifer+Larson

Book copies are available just in time for holiday giving.  To learn more about Jennifer Larson, please visit her website  at www.authorjenniferlarson.com.  She loves receiving photographs of lost soles from everywhere. And to keep up with her latest find, follow her blog at www.authorjenniferlarson.blogspot.com.

Any shoe sightings you’d like to share?  Any lone sole sightings?  Please leave a comment below.  Thanks for visiting. Come again and bring a friend. 

Children 13 years old or older may leave a comment. Read more about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. (COPPA) See: http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm

Have You Ever Found a Lost Shoe? Book Giveaway!

“Have You Ever Found a Lost Shoe?  Book Giveaway!”

Have you ever found a shoe when walking to the playground, riding down the road, walking on the beach, or somewhere else?  Not a pair of shoes, but one shoe?  One lone lost sole?  I have and I’m pretty sure you have too. I know someone who is on the lookout for lost shoes every day.  She takes pictures of them, and guess what…she has even written a book about them. Today, I’m honored to introduce this special lady to you. Please help me welcome Jennifer Larson, author of Lost Soles.  Let’s give her a shoe-tongue flapping, double-knot tieing “Writer’s Playground” welcome.  And here’s Jennifer…

 

 

 

 

Thanks for having me here today.  My inspiration for Lost Soles began when I started noticing lone shoes in random places. There’d be a sandal in the median, a flip flop on the sidewalk, or a sneaker on the side of  the road.

 

 

I began photographing these lone shoes ten years ago, creating a portfolio of boots, heels, cleats, and more.

                                  

I’ve even found a slipper. Then I started to wonder how these shoes had come to rest alone in such odd places. Where was their mate? How did they get separated from their other half?And that’s when I decided to tell the children’s story of a pair of flip flops, Flip and Flop, that get separated from each other after a day at the beach. Flip flies off the beach cart and gets left behind. He then embarks on a journey to find his way home in hopes of reuniting with his “sole mate.”

 

I decided to self-publish, and after two years and a lot of hard work, my first children’s picture book, Lost Soles, is coming out and will be available on amazon.com.

 

Over the years, I’ve photographed more than 100 lone shoes. I’m always on the lookout for the next one. If you have a lost sole find and want to share, please visit my website www.authorjenniferlarson.com. I love receiving photographs of lost soles from everywhere. And to keep up with my latest find, follow my blog at www.authorjenniferlarson.blogspot.com.

Jennifer, thanks for joining us today.  Love the book cover and story idea. 

Readers:   Jennifer is offering a free copy of Lost Soles to some lucky person who leaves a comment here by November 15.  The winner will be announced at “A Writer’s Playground” shortly afterwards. 

Don’t you love Jennifer’s way of taking cast off items and making them something special?  Show your admiration by visiting her photos and blog and by commenting here.  Thanks for visiting. Come again and bring a friend. 

Children 13 years old or older may leave a comment. Read more about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. (COPPA) See: http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm