H is for Haiku–Shared in Memory of Maureen Wartski

 

 

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  “H is for Haiku–Shared in Memory of Maureen Wartski” 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/

A photo of Maureen Wartski shared with me for my blog. Copyright 2016. Linda Martin Andersen

 

Obituary:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsobserver/obituary.aspx?pid=169167778

“Haiku Walk”–Archived at her blog:

“When I was growing up in Japan, keeping eyes and ears open for interesting objects or events along the way was a game.” Read more here:

https://maureenwartski.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/haiku-walk/

Archived at my blog:

Haiku poetry was shared by Maureen Wartksi, Robyn Hood Black, and Joy Acey.  Here is a haiku by Maureen:

Frostbitten flowers

Curl their petals inward

Guarding memories.

by Maureen Wartski

Enjoy more about haiku form and samples by three poets.

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/haiku-for-you/

In another achieved blog post, Maureen shares her beautiful quilt art and a comment about her work:  “Personally, I like my wall-hangings and quilts to tell a story.”  Maureen achieved that and much more.

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/quilting-its-an-art/

Moon Over Mountain Art Quilt by Maureen Wartski. Copyright 2016. Linda Martin Andersen

This lovely quilt art was a gift from Maureen when my husband was very ill.  It hung over my bed during his sickness and today it’s displayed in my dining room for the enjoyment of all who enter.  Maureen also mailed me original haikus and sometimes handmade cards each week during his extended illness.  I kept them all!  She richly blessed my life.

I miss Maureen and remember her fondly, especially when I read or hear haikus!

What “H” 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!

March Calendar Events–Spring Bursts on the Scene

 

 “March Calendar Events–Spring Bursts on the Scene” by Linda Martin Andersen

My sister asked me to redo a floral arrangement I had made for her several years ago.  It needed a pick-me-up.   I finished the changes on February 24, a snow day in Fayetteville, NC.  Even though I love the occasional snow here, I was glad to see spring burst on the scene, even if it was in my foyer.

I hope something from the March calendar events will put you in a creative or playful mood.  Enjoy!

Copyright 2015 Linda Martin Andersen

 

March is…

American Red Cross Month or Red Cross Month–Name a time the Red Cross helped someone.  What did they do?  Do you know any Red Cross volunteers?  Research and learn more about this organization.

Deaf History Month (3/13 to 4/15)—What books have you read with a character who is deaf?  Does the character speak and sign?  Are any of your friends hearing impaired?  Do you know any students who have someone who signs for them?  Where can you learn sign language?

Expanding Girls’ Horizons in Science & Engineering Month–Why is this called “expanding girls’ horizons?”  Why do you think girls might need this?  Discuss this with others.

Mad for Plaid Month—Name three things you usually find in plaid.   Are you mad for plaid or do you dislike it?  Why? 

Music In Our Schools Month–If you could choose the music for your music class what would you choose?  Why?  What is your favorite instrument?  Favorite musician?  Favorite type of music?

National Craft Month–Do you own a craft box?  What type craft supplies are inside?  What  projects do you enjoy?  Where do you get your ideas?  Do you share them with friends and family?  My daughter-in-law gets lots of ideas from Pinterest.  She recently showed me photographs of benches made from old bed frames.  A friend, Joy Acey, makes Poetry Boxes and shares them with family and friends.  See her blog post about poetry boxes and photographs too:  http://poetryforkidsjoy.blogspot.com/search?q=Poetry+Boxes

Copyright 2015 Joy Acey

Copyright 2015 Joy Acey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Kite Month (3/28-5/3)—Maybe you’d like to fly a kite this month.  When did you last do this?  Where were you?  Was it during March?  If so, was it a “lamb” or “lion” day?  What do I mean by that?  What does it mean when you tell someone to “go fly a kite?”  Draw a kite design and a setting that hints about your day.  Think Charlie Brown, kite, and a tree.  Do you remember what Charlie Brown called that tree?

National March Into Literacy Month–What does it mean to “march” into something?  What does “literacy” mean?  How are you “marching into literacy?”

National Nutrition Month–Name as many healthy foods as you can in a minute.  What healthy substitutions could you make in your diet?  For example, substitute water for soft drinks.  Will you try one healthy substitution for a week?

Optimism Month–What is optimism?  Which of your friends would you call optimists?  Would they call you an optimist?  What helps you have a positive outlook?  How can you share it?  Joan Edwards, a dear friend of mine and a true optimist, has a blog called “Never Give Up.”  Check it out here:  https://joanyedwards.wordpress.com/

Sing With Your Child Month–Think of something you like to do with a friend.  What is a song that fits that experience?  Try singing it next time you’re doing this together.  For example:  When out boating, you could sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”

Women’s History Month–Who is a famous woman in history that you admire?  What did you admire about her?  What do you have in common with this person?   How would you like to be remembered?

Youth Art Month–Name places where youth art would be on display in your area.  Where could you go to see more?

Special Weeks in March…

Celebrate Your Name Week: 1-7–Do you know anyone with the same name as someone famous?  Surely, there’s another Michael Jordan around. 

Edgar Allan Poe is a famous author’s name.   The 1897 Poe House, a part of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex in Fayetteville, NC.  was owned by Edgar Allan Poe, but not the author.   This historical house shows what life was like in 1897.  See here:

http://www.ncdcr.gov/ncmcf/1897PoeHouse.aspx

What do you know about your name?  Are you named for a relative or someone famous?  Who chose your name?

National Pet Sitters Week: 1-7–Have you ever worked as a pet sitter?  If so, what were your duties?  How would you rate your pet sitting skills on a scale from 1-10?  Why?  Would you rather pet sit or baby sit?  Why?

National Procrastination Week: 1-7–What is procrastination?  It is usually seen as a problem.  When have you procrastinated?  Any tips for someone with this problem?

Return The Borrowed Books Week: 1-7–Do you have any overdue library books?  Have you ever paid an overdue fee?  Have you ever lost a library book and had to pay for it?  What are ways to prevent this from happening?  Can you renew books online?  Where do you place borrowed books when you take them home?  Is there a better place for them?

Save Your Vision Week: 1-7–Does your school regularly check students’ vision?  This could help detect vision problems.  What are other ways to save your vision?  What are some things that can damage vision? 

Severe Weather Preparedness Week: 1-7–What severe weather preparations does your family make?  Have you ever gone without electricity or water for a long period of time?  Do temporary shelters open in your area?  Have you ever stayed in one?

Women in Construction Week: 1-7–A friend of mine is getting a new house built.  A woman is her construction contractor.  What women do you know in the construction field?  What construction work can you do? What construction work would you like to learn?  Who could you ask to help you?

Women of Aviation Worldwide Week: 2-8–What is an aviator?  Whose name comes to mind when you hear women aviators?  What deed is she best known for?  Check your facts.  Add a few more to your memory bank.  Ask family members the same questions.  Have them check their answers and add to their knowledge. 

National Agriculture Week: 8-13–What agricultural products is your state or area known for?  Have you ever worked on a farm?  Have you raised any of your own food?  Have you ever picked fresh corn or selected a pumpkin from a farm.  I grew up gathering things from our family vegetable garden.  Last year, I had a dairy farm treat.  I ate ice cream produced fresh at  Maple View Farm in Hillsboro, NC.  Learn more here.

  http://www.mapleviewfarm.com/about.php

Girl Scout Week: 8-14–Say “Girl Scouts” and most people think…cookies.  I know I do.  Do you?  Are you a Girl Scout?  Have you been?  What’s your favorite Girl Scout cookie?

Act Happy Week: 16-22–What do you think “Act Happy Week” should include?  What if you don’t feel happy all the time?  What can you do?  What else?  When I needed someone to help me feel happy, Stephanie Green, a children’s book author volunteered to show me around town and visit with me.  Thanks, Stephanie.  She is finishing the 12th and final book of her Princess Posey series.  Check out her books here:

http://stephaniegreenebooks.com/books/books.html

Wildlife Week: 16-21–What wildlife have you seen in your backyard?  On road trips?  Other places?  Have you ever seen posted signs asking you not to…feed the ducks or other animals?  Why do you think that is a rule there?  Should you respect the request?  Why or why not?

World Folktales & Fables Week: 16-22–What old stories do you like to hear?  Can you tell any of the Aesop Fables without having to read them?  Try it.

International Tree Climbing Days: 21-22–Do you have a favorite tree for climbing?  Do you read, write, or draw while in the tree?  Do you have a tree house or know someone who does?  What about a tree swing?  If you have no place to play in trees, use your imagination to take you there.  Oh and be careful about tree climbing.  Do it with parents’ permission and always with landowner’s permission.

Tsunami Awareness Week: 22-28–What is a tsunami?  Describe its power and the damage it can cause.  How would you prepare for a tsunami?

American Crossword Puzzle Days: 27-29–Do you solve crossword puzzles?  Do you find them online, create your own, or buy crossword puzzle books? 

National Week of the Ocean: 29-4/4–What would you like to see or do in the ocean?  Have you ever been on the ocean?  What were you riding on?   A motor boat, a yacht,  a cruise ship, etc.

 Special Days in March…

Dr. Seuss Day: 2–Thank goodness Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), didn’t give up even after 27 rejections.  We like to hear his silly stories again and again.

http://www.npr.org/2012/01/24/145471724/how-dr-seuss-got-his-start-on-mulberry-street

National Grammar Day: 4–Do you have an ear for grammar errors?  What grammar errors do you often hear?  Do you have an eye for grammar errors?  What words trip you up?  What can you do?

Toy Soldier Day: 4–When I hear ” Toy Soldier,” I recall the dance from the “Nutcracker Ballet.”  What do you think of when you hear “toy soldier?”  What books, movies, etc?

World Read Aloud Day:  4–Check out Amy Ludwig VanDerwater’s poem called “Reading Aloud.”  Also read “This Home” inspired by a child who makes a paper house for her toy turtle and classmates join in the fun. 

http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/2015/02/struck-by-tiny-paper-home.html

World Day of Prayer: 6 (Always First Friday)—Is there prayer at the flag pole at your school on this day?  What do wish all the world would pray for?

National Cereal Day: 7–What are some of your favorite TV commercials for cereal?  What are some of your favorite cereals?  Which of the cereals you eat do you think is probably the healthiest?  How did you decide?

Daylight Savings Time Begins: 8 (One hour ahead)–If you get confused about whether to move ahead or behind an hour, here is a saying to help you remember:  “Spring forward.  Fall back.”  Have you ever been late on the morning following the change in Spring?  Have you ever been an hour early in the Fall?

International Ask A Question Day: 14–What job/career encourages a person to ask lots of questions?  Any others?  Ask someone else this question and see if your answers are the same.

Awkward Moments Day: 18–What are some awkward times you remember? Share them with someone.  Maybe the whole family will join in.  When I was a teenager, I remember some TV commercials products made me feel awkward if my boyfriend was over. 

World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People: 20–Have you ever been in a play or other production before an audience?  What about a program at school?  Does your area host summer theatre camps for children?  Do churches in your area put on productions?  Would you like to perform?  Where can you find out about acting?

International Day of Forests and The Tree: 21–A tree farm grows in front of my house.  I would like to know more about forests.  If we are lucky, a guest blogger will share a bit of his knowledge with us this month.  Stay tuned!

National Common Courtesy Day: 21–Define common courtesy.  Check here: 

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/courtesy

What manners do you call your strengths?  Which ones need some improvement?  How can manners be improved?   Where can you practice?

National Quilting Day: 21–Where have you seen people quilting?  Was it on TV, video, a movie, or at a craft festival?  Do you have a handmade quilt?  Do you know anyone who donates homemade quilts for church raffles or gifts?  Where did early quilters get fabric for sewing?  What is quilt art?  I have a lovely art quilt given to me by Maureen Wartski.  It is called “Moon Magic.”  See other samples of Maureen’s art work here, shown in her memory.  I miss you, dear friend.  https://maureenwartski.wordpress.com/art/

Poetry Day: 21–Write or read poetry today.  Find seasonal poems, poems about animals, poems about school.  Choose other topics.   Read poems by three favorite poets.  Read poems you haven’t read before.   Look for a poems by a poet you do not know.   Do you have a new favorite?

International Goof-off Day: 22–What is a “goof-off?”  When have you been one?  What day of the week would you say you might be the most likely to goof-off?  Why?

Tuskegee Airmen Day: 22—Who are the Tuskegee airman?  Why are they honored with a special day?  When was this group formed?  Why?  Have you ever seen a movie or special program about the Tuskegee Airmen?  Where were you?  Share something you learned.

Please leave a comment.  Come again soon and bring a friend.

For more March celebrations visit  http://www.brownielocks.com/march.html

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

 

 

 

April Inspired a Poem

“April Inspired a Poem…” 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.

Just for fun…Choose a month.  I chose April, which is National Poetry Month.  List the sequence of months that follow and let that inspire a poem.  Here’s mine:

April, May, June, July–

Decided to make an apple pie.

Baked, cooled, and sampled it.

Naughty me–didn’t share a bit.

Sharing about some favorite blogs…

• Recently, I subscribed to a poet’s weekly blog post.  Amy Ludwig VanDerwater’s blog is called The Poem Farm.  Visit her blog here:   

http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/

• When I was a child, my grandfather used to say that if the first words spoken in a new month were, “Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit,” you would have good luck.  Occasionally, I remembered.   When I read Tim Livingston’s recent post entitled “Forestry Friday…Otter, Otter, Otter,” the title’s repetition reminded me of the rabbit superstition.  Perhaps saying otter three times will bring you good luck or fun, fun, fun.  Tim’s blog is definitely, a fun site to visit.

http://theforesterartist.com/2014/03/28/forestry-friday-otter-otter-otter/

• Another recent favorite is Mary Livingston’s blog.  She’s Tim’s wife.  See her terrific spring art here: 

http://thebackdoorartist.com/2014/03/28/stalking-butterflies/

• To read more about saying “rabbit,” check out these sites: 

http://www.yankeemagazine.com/article/marysfarm/rabbit

http://geyserofawesome.com/post/15802168301/rabbit-rabbit-is-a-common-british-superstition

 

April brings…

Confederate History Month 

Jazz Appreciation Month

Keep America Beautiful 

Month of the Young Child

Math Awareness Month –Here are two math poems:

It’s Pi Day  http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/2014/03/its-pi-day-celebrate-314159.html

http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/2014/03/meter-stick-new-book-new-look-winner.html

Month of the Military Child 

National Child Abuse Prevention Month National

Card and Letter Writing Month

 National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Month  As a child, this was one of my favorite things served in the school cafeteria.  What is one of your favorite dishes?

National Garden Month 

National Humor Month

National Kite Month  Have you ever flown a kite?  If not,  I hope you won’t let April slip past without trying it.

National Poetry Month   Enjoy Joy Acey’s reading of one of her poems:  “How Tall is the Boy?”  http://www.nowaterriver.com/portfolio/poetry-videos/

Straw Hat Month Describe your favorite hat and tell where you like to wear it.

Stress Awareness Month

 

Special Weeks in April…

Golden Rule Week: 1-7  Can you quote the golden rule?  What helps you keep it?

Bat Appreciation Week: 6-12 (First Full Week)

 National Library Week: 13-19 (2nd full week)

National Park Week: 19-27  How many can you name?  How many have you visited?

Bedbug Awareness Week: 20-26

Coin Week: 20-26 ( 3rd  Full Week) 

International Whistlers Week: 20-26  Check out music by Phyllis Heil, my favorite whistler.  http://www.thewhistlingwoman.com/

National Playground Safety Week: 21-25 

Special Days in April…

April Fools  or All Fools Day: 1

National Fun Day: 1  

National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day: 2 What flavor jelly do you like with your peanut butter?  Do you ever eat honey instead? 

Find A Rainbow Day: 3  I know where to see a rainbow any day.  Check Laura Renegar’s blog:  My Side of the Rainbow.  http://laurarenegar.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-pitmad-victory-winters-hibernation.html#comment-form

Pony Express Day: 3

Weed Out Hate: Sow The Seeds of Greatness Day: 3

“Sorry Charlie” Day: 6

Winston Churchill Day: 9 

D.E.A.R. Day (aka Drop Everything And Read): 12 What are you reading now?

National Dolphin Day: 14

Jackie Robinson Day: 15

Ellis Island Family History Day: 17

National Haiku Poetry Day: 17   Included here in memory of Maureen Wartski, a dear, departed friend who wrote haiku poetry and shared it with her readers:  http://maureenwartski.wordpress.com

Poem In Your Pocket Day: 17

 Earth Day: 22

Eeyore’s Birthday Day: 26  Do you know who Eeyore is?  Where does he live?  Name two of his friends.  Which one are you most like?  Why?  

Richter Scale Day: 26  What does this scale measure?  Why is it important?

Save The Frogs Day: 26  My husband loves frogs.  Do you?  Why do you think there is a day for saving the frogs?  Research to learn more.

Holocaust Remembrance Day: 27  What have you read that tells of this period in history?

Bugs Bunny Day: 30

*Thank you Brownie Locks.com for celebration information.  For more, check out: http://www.brownielocks.com/april.html

Let’s talk:  Choose one or more of the conversation starters above and leave a comment.  Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Please come again soon.  Bring a friend.

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

Copyright © 2014 Linda Martin Andersen

Haiku for You

“Haiku for You” by Linda Martin Andersen

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

On my December 1 blog post, I made these comments about National Haiku Poetry Day:  National Haiku Poetry Day:  22 What is a haiku poem?  What is the formula?  Where can you find this information?  Now that you know how write a haiku, pick a winter topic and write one of your own.

I love haiku poetry and so I invited some of my favorite haiku poets to discuss this art form, share their work, and inspire you to write your own.

It is my pleasure to present three guest poets.  Please join me in welcoming … Maureen Wartski, Joy Acey, and Robyn Black.  

Maureen will introduce us to the history and form of haiku, followed by haiku poetry about winter or Christmas.

Guest #1:  Maureen Wartski

Have you suddenly stopped  whatever you were doing because you saw or felt something that caught your attention and made you suddenly aware ? That awareness is  a ‘haiku moment,’ an instant when you want to somehow express your perception and share it with others. For example, a simple observation written by the great Basho many years ago allows us to feel and understand what the poet saw so many years ago:

 First snow

falling

On the half-finished bridge.

Basho

Haiku has its roots in Japan’s Heian period (700-1100) when a knowledge and appreciation of Chinese poetry was de rigeur in high society. Eventually, a poetic form called the tanka, a 5-7-5 triplet followed by a seven syllable couplet, took hold.  Nobles who sat around viewing cherry blossoms while drinking sake elaborated on the tanka, but by the mid sixteenth century ordinary folk developed a ‘peasant’ poetry that was truly Japanese. Called haikai, this ‘peasant’ poem consisted of a beginning triplet called hokku followed by a linked poem. Eventually in the 17^th  century, Basho shed the linked poem. The hokku, which needed a seasonal word and an ‘aha’ moment at the end became known as an independent poem called haiku.  

I have always enjoyed reading and writing haiku. When I was a little girl in Japan, I used to put together (very bad) haiku in my head. Later, I continued to enjoy the  sparse and elegant form of this poetic form. Short, quick, sometimes surprising, haiku goes to the heart of any experience. It paints a picture, offers an observation. And often the triplet of 5-7-5—or, occasionally 7-7-5 syllables stays in the heart or the mind for a long, long time.

As for the season word needed in a haiku, they needn’t be complicated. For winter, this can be as simple as ‘cold, cool, north wind, snow, sleet, etc. ’ or delve deeper with ‘withered garden, cough, frozen butterfly, holly berry, etc.’  I’ve used a lot of season words because I have been writing a haiku a day for some time, culling them at the end of the year into a work called ‘A Year of Haiku’. Here are a couple of winter poems from Volume Three, Echoes.

 Here are poems by Maureen Wartski:

Frostbitten flowers

Curl their petals inward

Guarding memories.

 ————————————-

Maybe up for rent…

Abandoned bird’s nest on that branch

Is covered with snow.

—————————————————- 

And the last one of the year, written on New Year’s Eve:

The year is ending

Memories of hours past

Are gentle echoes.

I invite you to visit Maureen’s blog where she shares life experiences through conversation, haiku, and art quilts.  Lovely!

http://maureenwartski.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/meeting-a-grateful-man/

 

 Guest #2:  Joy Acey

Since I will be in Kauai, Hawaii  for the holiday–

Cook Island pine trees

swish with tropical breezes

Mele Kalikimaka

The Cook Island pines are about the only pine tree one will see in the
islands.  They were brought to Hawaii when Captain Cook came to the
islands.  They are tall and quick growing.  Since the Captain sailed on
masted ships, it was thought the Cook Island pine would work for mast
replacement if the main mast got broken in a storm. In the last line,
the Hawaiian “Merry Christmas” is more than 5 syllables, but it is the
perfect way to end this haiku, so I bent the rules.

But I do live in the desert, so Christmas means artificial trees. (Live
trees have a hard time withstanding our heat.  They drop their needles
too quickly.)

stacking tumbleweeds

three high to spray with white paint

making a snowman

————————————-

round sweet naval orange

hangs heavily in the toe

of your Christmas sock

—————————————-

collected pennies

gone from the glass Mason jar

a happy Christmas

Every day, Joy Acey posts a poem for children at http://www.poetryforkidsjoy.blogspot.com/2013/12/smile.html It is one of my favorite places to visit.  She encourages children to write poetry too.  Joy shares a variety of poems.  Some are haiku.

 

Guest #3:  Robyn Hood Black

In a recent blog post, Robyn hosted Haiku Society of America President, David G. Lanouse.  He shared poems by Issa, haiku poet of Japanese tradition.  http://www.robynhoodblack.com/blog.htm?post=938974

blooming

with butterflies

the dead tree.

Issa

—————————————————-

Robyn shares some of her haiku below:

winter moon

branch lines crisscross

the grass

©Robyn Hood Black

———————————————————-

winter chill

turkey vultures circling

one of their own

©Robyn Hood Black, The Heron’s Nest, June 2012

———————————————————–

winter rain

the fine print

smaller each year

©Robyn Hood Black, Chrysanthemum, April 2012

I met Robyn at a poetry workshop for writers that she organized.  Thanks to Robyn, I have a poetic license, along with everyone else who attended.  How fun!

For more about Robyn, check these links.  http://www.robynhoodblack.com  Haiku Page Link:  http://www.robynhoodblack.com/haiku_113533.htm  Blog Link http://www.robynhoodblack.com/blog.htm (Check for a series completed on Dec. 20 called “We Haiku Here,” featuring speakers from the recent Haiku Society of America Southeast Region conference):  Twitter:  @artsyletters  Art blog:  artsyletters.com  Etsy store features her original gifts for readers and writers & “literary art with a vintage vibe”: https://www.etsy.com/shop/artsyletters

Maureen, Joy, and Robyn, thank you being guests here today and for sharing your poems. Happy National Haiku Poetry Day.  Thanks for making this day very special.  

Please leave a comment about one or more of the haiku poems above or share one of your own.  Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Please come again soon.  Bring a friend.

I appreciate any children who visit this site, but you must be 14 or older to leave a comment according to Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. (COPPA)  See:  http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm  Perhaps an adult would comment for you.

Copyright © 2013 Linda Martin Andersen

 

It’s July–What Outings Are on Your Calendar?

“It’s July–What Outings Are on Your Calendar?” 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.

Think:  What does the word “July” bring to mind? In the USA: fireworks, and all things red, white, and blue to celebrate the Fourth of July.  It also means days at the pool, lake, or beach.  Summer camps, Vacation Bible School, and time out of school.  Family reunions and family vacations.  Ice cream, watermelon, and fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden or a local produce stand.  Hot, humid days, sunburns, and time in the SUN.

Make a list of outdoor events you’d like to attend.  Discuss them with your family.  Volunteer to help with planning and preparation. 

Special Days in July:

• U.S. Postage Stamp Day:  1  For those who live in the U.S, visit your local post office today or some time this month.  Wish them Happy U.S. Postage Stamp Day.  Do you collect stamps?  Do you have favorites?  Ask to see a brochure of stamps for sale.  Why not buy a sheet, a book, or a roll of stamps?
• I Forgot Day:  2  Find a book about a character who forgets things.   Here’s one suggestion:  I Just Forgot (Critter Series) by Mercer Mayer
• World UFO Day:  2  What is a UFO?  Research a UFO sighting.  Do you think UFOs exist?  Why or why not?
• Compliment Your Mirror Day:  3  What is a compliment?  Give an example.  What does it mean to compliment your mirror?  Give an example.  When you see your mom look in the mirror, give her a compliment. 
• Fourth of July or Independence Day:  4  What is your favorite way to celebrate this day?  Have you been to a fireworks show?  Does your family grill out for the Fourth?  What foods do you serve?  Do you usually stay at home or go on vacation for this holiday?  Research early Fourth of July celebrations.  Did they have fireworks?
• Global Forgiveness Day:  7  What is forgiveness?  Do you know the expression “forgive and forget?”  What does it mean to you?  When I read the name of this celebration, I thought of more than one meaning for global.  Global can mean worldwide or all of something.  Have you ever forgiven part of what someone did to you and not all of it?   Tell about it.
• Tell the Truth Day:  7  What book character comes to mind?  Tell about a time when you were honest, even though  you knew you would get in trouble.
• International Town Criers Day:  8  What is a town crier?  What did he usually hold in his hand?  Why?  What words did he cry out to get your attention?  Why did he want people to hear his message?
• Slurpee Day:  11  How many different locations can you name where you have bought a slurpee?  What is the difference between a slurpee, an icee, ice cone, and shaved ice?  Which do you prefer?  Why?  Have you ever made your own?  Search for recipes.
• Collector Car Appreciation Day:  12  I know three car collectors.  Do you know any?  Have you ever been to a car show?  Did you talk to any of the owners?  Once, I passed by a house with a special glass showroom for collector cars.  What stories can you share about collector cars?  Here’s a photo of one I’ve ridden in. 

1929 Model A ride to celebrate my first magazine publication. Copyright 2012. Linda Andersen

• National French Fries Day:  13  Survey your friends and discover which fast food fries they prefer.  Ask which style they choose at home:  wrinkle cut, home fries, or skinny fries.  Find out how many eat homemade fries at home.  Ask if they deep fat fry or bake in the oven.  Chart your results.  Ask who eats fries with ketchup.  Consider gathering friends for a get-together where everyone brings his/her own fries.
• Gummi Worm Day:  15  What does it mean to “worm” something out of someone?  What does it mean to “worm” out of something?  http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/worm+out+of
• Do you know who created gummi candy?  Research to find out.  Name ways to have fun with gummi worms.  Here are some food suggestions: 
• Have you ever eaten a “dirt” cake?  Would you like to make one?  Gummi worms are optional.  http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/dirt-cake
• Here’s a link to a YouTube video showing how to make homemade gummi worms (sugar free)  Good for Type 1 diabetic kids (T1 Kids)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMqOMExjo8
• National Get Out of the Doghouse Day:  15  What does this expression mean:  get out of the doghouse?  Name comic strip characters who get in the doghouse.  Do you know book characters who do also.  Name them. 
• Celebration of the Horse Day:  20-21  Name favorite horse movies and books.  Brainstorm words you think of when you hear the word “horse.”   Find nonfiction books at the library about horses.  Use these resources to add to your brainstorm list.  Think of a horse project you can try such as interviewing someone who stables horses or make a collage about horses, etc.  Name famous horses and tell why they are remembered.  If you were to ride a horse, what kind would you like to ride and why?
• National Lollipop Day:  20  Name businesses that give away suckers to children.  Is a sucker different from a lollipop?  If so, how?  What flavor is your favorite?  Which is one you do not like?
• Cousins Day:  24  Do you have cousins?  Are they first cousins, second cousins, or some other category?  Who can explain the family tree to you?  Have you ever made one of your own?
• Tell am Old Joke Day:  24  What is one of the oldest jokes or riddles you know?  Change it somehow. Make it an original idea or borrow from another expression.  Tell it to a friend.  For example:  Why did the chicken cross the road?  “To see if the grass was greener on the other side.”
• National Dance Day:  27  Have you ever taken a dance class?  Which kind?  Tell a story about it to someone and have them share their experiences with you.  Ask them to teach you a dance step and you teach them one.
• Walk on Stilts Day:  27 Have you ever seen someone walk on stilts?  Where were you?  What people walk on stilts for their job?  Research and see.  Not all are entertainers.
• Aunties Day:  28  Name your aunts.  Name something you like about each one.  Find a way to let them know on this day.  Read a book with an aunt as character.  Yuri’s Brush with Magic by Maureen Wartski features an aunt from Japan who visits North Carolina. 

                                    Truman’s Aunt Farm by James Kim Rattigan is about a birthday gift from Aunt Fran.  What other titles do you know and recommend? 

• Rain Day:  29 Look for poems or stories that include rain.  Watch a documentary on TV or DVD about the tropical rain forest or other locations with high rainfall.  Watch a documentary about people who work in the rain or in areas that are swampy such as “swamp loggers.”  Research tropical storms, hurricanes, or flash floods.  Name ways to keep storm drains clean.  What other ideas come to mind?
• Paperback book Day:  30  How big is your paperback collection? Is it getting larger or smaller?  Why?  What do you do with copies you have read?  Consider swapping with friends or donating to a public library. 

Special Weeks in July:

• National Farriers Week:  7-13  What is a farrier?  What does he/she do?  Research about farriers.  Find books, videos, DVDs about the subject.
• National Ventriloquism Week:  17-21  Name a ventriloquist.  What was his/her dummy’s name?  Was the routine funny?  If so, who got to tell the punch line most times?  Why do you think so?
• National Scrabble Week:  21-24  Do you have a Scrabble game?  If so, who would you like to invite to play with you?  Or consider asking a friend who owns this game to teach you to play.  Why not have a family game night?  Invite friends to bring a favorite game board and enjoy a game night together.
• National Zoo Keeper Week:  21-27  What is a zookeeper’s job?  Revisit the interview with Melissa Barr at this blog last summer:  https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/meet-melissa-barr-a-zookeeper-at-north-carolina-zoological-park/  If we all call out Melissa Barr’s name, maybe she’ll join us again this summer!  Come on, shout it:  MELISSA BARR!
• World Lumberjack Championships:  25-27  What is a lumberjack?  Is that the same as a forester?  Research to see.  Check the link here to learn about competitions at the championship:  http://www.lumberjackworldchampionships.com/lumberjack-events.php

July is…

• Air-Conditioning Appreciation Days (7/3 to 8/15) Do you have air conditioning in your home?  Have you  ever had your air conditioner to break down?  How did you keep cool?  Have you ever stayed overnight somewhere with no air conditioning?  Tell about it.  Research air conditioning and its inventor.
• Family Reunion Month  Have you ever been to a family reunion?  Did everyone bring a covered dish or was a meal catered?  Were games played?  What did you enjoy most about your experience?  Would you like for reunions to continue?  What can you do to make that possible? 
• National Grilling Month  What comes to mind when you hear the word “grill?”  Does your family own a grill?  What is your favorite grilled food?  Tell about a time you went to a cookout.  
• National Ice Cream Month  What is your favorite flavor ice cream?  I read that the national flavor is “vanilla.”  If you nominated a favorite flavor, what would it be and why?  Survey friends to find out their responses.
• National Recreation and Parks Month  Name three parks or recreation centers you have visited.  Recall a memory you have of each one.  Would you recommend this location to a friend.  Ask a friend which ones he/she would recommend to you.  Create a flyer about favorite sites and post them around town or pass them out in your class in school.
• National Wheelchair Beautification Month  Who do you know who uses a wheelchair? Give a gift to beautify the ride this month.  Items to consider:  flag, silk flower, ribbons, streamers, and a sign. 
• National Blueberries Month Did you know that blueberries are very good for you?  Do you know why?  Consider going to pick some at a blueberry farm.  It would make a great outing.  Maybe you can make muffins or other desserts with blueberries.
• National Hot Dog Month  What day of the month do you think more hotdogs will be eaten this month?  Why?  Will you eat some that day?  What places do you think of when someone mentions hotdogs?  Why?  How do you like yours prepared?  With what toppings?

*Thank you Brownie Locks.com for July celebration information.  For more July observances check out: http://www.brownielocks.com/july.html

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.” Please come again soon.  Bring a friend. 

Copyright © 2013 Linda Martin Andersen

Which Do You Predict? Spring Marches…or March Springs…?

“Which Do You Predict?  Spring Marches… or March Springs…?” 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.

Think:  What does the word “March” bring to mind?  I think of Spring.  Combine the two and what do I get? Which do you predict for this year? 

Spring marches… or March springs… How would you complete each prompt?  If you add a few more words, what do you get?  Here’s one:  In March, bunnies spring into action–especially the Easter Bunny. 

Your turn.  Please leave your comments below. 

Most of us have heard this expression about March:   “In like a lion and out like a lamb.”  Or the reverse:  “In like a lamb and out like a lion.”  Back in February, we had an expression about weather based on a groundhog and his shadow.  More winter?  Early spring?  It seems we like “seeing both sides of a coin.”  And who knows what that expression means?

What will you celebrate in March?  There is much to choose from.  Enjoy.

Special Days in March:

World Day of Prayer:  1  What do you think this day is all about?  Name three ways you would consider celebrating it.  Which would you choose and why?  Discuss your ideas with your parents.  Please check the link below for Christian books for young children by Jill Roman Lord. 

http://www.jillromanlord.com/index.html 

Dr. Seuss Day:  2  What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book? What is your favorite part of the story?  Read a Dr. Seuss book to someone or with someone. 

Read Across America Day:  2:  Name two favorite books.  Pretend to place one in your right hand and one in your left.  Who would you pass each book to?  Ask the people you passed books to to tell who they’d pass to.  Keep the passing going until you have no more people to pass to.  Give a shout!   Your hands have passed reading part-way across America. 

International Tongue Twister Day:  2  Tongue Twister Contest:  Have a friend or parent locate tongue twisters in the joke section of the library.  Make two copies of the one chosen.  Type, if possible.  Do not let the contestants read the tongue twister in advance.  Team up against someone and see who can read it more quickly and accurately.  Try another tongue twister. If possible, find ones not commonly known.  Can you say the tongue twister three times without messing up?  Have a group try it at the same time.  Listen to the buzz in the room.

  

Namesake Day:  3  Do you know anyone named for someone else?  For example, I was named for my mom and her sister.  Does that make me the namesake of two people?  This is a good day to recognize the person you were named for.  Who do you wish you could have been named for?  Is the person living?  If so, let him/her know how you feel. 

National Grammar Day: 4  What is grammar?  Find a grammar rule in a book.  Break it on paper.  Have a friend do the same thing.  Exchange papers and see if you can correct each other’s grammar mistakes.

Toy Soldier Day:  4  Name places you have seen toy soldiers.  I have several toy soldier Christmas ornaments.  The Nutcracker ballet has toy soldiers.  Where have you seen toy soldiers? Did you know people who collect them? 

Name tag Day:  7 Where have you worn a name tag?  Here’s a silly game that you could play with people who might not know everyone’s name:  Everyone wears a name tag.  Some people make up names and write them on the tag.  Have you ever done this?  Here’s another name tag game.: Write a celebrity or cartoon character’s name on a sheet of paper.  Tape it to someone’s back.  The person wearing the tag must ask other players yes/no questions to try to discover the name on his/her back. 

Get Over It Day:  9  Some people may use this expression to tell someone to stop complaining or whining about something.  Make up your own expression for this or state one you’ve heard.  Here’s one I’ve heard:  “We all have our crosses to bear.”  Here’s one I made up:  “Hush mush!”

Genealogy Day:  9  Play Point the Finger Game (for good and bad traits):  Name physical traits you have.  Which relative has this too?  Name personal traits, skills, strengths and weaknesses.  Which relative has this too? 

Check Your Batteries Day:  10 Let this day remind you to check your toys and electronics with batteries.  What about your “batteries?”  Do you need to be energized?  Do you need to eat healthier, get more sleep, get more exercise, set goals, try something new, etc?

Johnny Appleseed Day:  11  Read Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg.  What is one way you could spread something good?

Napping Day:  11  Do you have pets?  Do they nap during the day?  Do you?  Do you think you’re too old to nap?  If so, curl up with a good book and relax instead.

Girl Scout Birthday Day:  12  Do you know a  Girl Scout?  Do you eat Girl Scout cookies?  Learn something new about Girl Scouts today.  Share what you learned with someone.

Organize Your Home Office Day:  12  If you don’t have an office, clean out your desk, your book bag, your purse, your pockets, or your dresser drawers.  Did you find something you thought was lost?  Did you throw anything away?

Potato Chip Day: 14  Make a chart listing five or more flavors of potato chips.  Survey your friends.  Which is the most popular with your friends.  Consider adding another category–2nd choice flavor.  Enter those responses in a different color.  Talk about your results with your friends.  Consider having a Bring Your Own Chips (BYOC) party. 

National Quilting Day:  16  Are there any homemade quilts in your home?  Who made them?  Are they sewn by hand or machine stitched?  Research quilting bees.  What are some conversations that might have been discussed?  Have you ever been to a quilt show or seen a quilt auctioned?  Have you ever made a paper quilt with your classmates?  Meet Maureen Wartski on March 16 and learn about quilting, quilt art, and her art and writing.

                                                                        

St. Patrick’s Day:  17  Do you know the story of St. Patrick?  Why do we wear green?  Have you ever been pinched for not wearing it?  At one school I know, a staff member hands out paper cutouts of shamrocks to anyone who forgot to wear green.  What a kind person.  Do you have a special St. Patrick’s Day memory? 

Corn Dog Day:  20  Do you eat corn dogs?  Do you prefer hot dogs or corn dogs?  Where have you eaten a corn dog?  I know there are hot dog eating contests.  Are there corn dog eating contests?   Research and see what you learn about their history,  nutrition, etc. 

National Common Courtesy Day: 21  What is an example of a common courtesy?  Make a list of the ones you have shown this week.  What is the one that seemed most appreciated?  Why do you think so?  What is Women’s Lib?  Research and then tell how you think it has changed some custody traditions. 

International Day of the Seal:  22  Why do you think this day is celebrated?  Find images of seals.  Find locations on a world map or globe where these live.  Public libraries usually have good databases for children, if you would like to search for more information.  These can be viewed online.  What does “seal of approval” mean?  Do you know the gesture for showing approval called “seal of approval?”  Maybe your teacher has led you to clap this way.

International Goof-off Day:  22  It’s okay to goof-off some, but if you do it too much you may get the nickname of “goof-off.”  What does that mean?  What do you like to do when you get a chance to goof off?  Ask your friends for their favorite ways to goof off.  Name a favorite goof-off character on a television show, book, cartoon.  Tell why you call him a goof-off.  Do you think the character would agree with you or argue about the name?  Why?

National Puppy Day:  23  What’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys?  A litter of puppies.  Have you ever held a tiny puppy?  What about a baby kitten?  Have you ever gotten to name a puppy.  Please comment about a favorite baby pet memory.

World Tuberculosis Day:  24  What is tuberculosis?  Have you ever been tested for it.  It is often called TB.  Visit here again on March 24 to learn more about TB and about Shannon Hitchcock’s book, The Ballad of Jessie Pearl.  There’s even a book giveaway.

National Medal of Honor Day:  25  Do you know someone who earned a National Medal of Honor?  Is this someone you can interview with your parents?  Make a list of questions to ask.  Research the war the service person fought in and locate information about why this medal is awarded.  This is called “doing your homework.”  What do you think that means?

Passover:  25  Who celebrates this holiday?  Why?  Where can you read more about this holiday?  Research and learn about the traditional meal served.

Good Friday:  29  Who celebrates this holiday?  Why?

National Day of Unplugging:  29-30  Would you be willing to unplug devices you use for one day?  Two?  More?  No batteries either.  What would be hardest to give up?

Doctors Day:  30  Hooray for doctors!  What type do you visit?  pediatrician?  Specialist?  What field interests you?  What diseases does a doctor in that field treat?  Have you ever owned a toy doctor’s bag?  A stethoscope? 

Easter:  31  Who celebrates this holiday?  Why?

Special Weeks in March:

Severe Weather Preparedness Week:  3-9  What severe weather do you have in your area this time of year?  Do you chart hurricanes?  Do you have a special kit prepared in case of a storm?  What should be in it?  Do you know the closest emergency shelter?  Do you know the evacuation route, if one is designated in your area?  Where can you learn this and more?

Celebrate Your Name Week:  3-9  Name three ways to celebrate your name.  Why not fill a whole page with your name, like punishment writing for breaking rules?  This time give it a positive spin.  Send the full page to your mom and dad and thank them for giving you this name.  If you’d like to add some humor, thank them for not naming you________, ________, or ___________.  Select silly names like characters from cartoons or comedy programs.  You could fill an entire page with these names if you’d like.  Have fun with it.

National Schools Social Work Week:  3-9  Does your school have a School Social Worker?  She/he may serve more than one school.  Do you know?  What are some duties of a School Social Worker?  If you don’t know, how can you find out?  When I think of a School Social Worker, I think of abuse prevention, homeless programs, and eyeglasses for needy students.  What about you?

National Words Matter Week:  3-9  What words matter to you?  Name a few.  Make a list of encouraging messages you share.  Examples:  You can do it.  I believe in you, etc.  Keep up the positive messaging.  Maybe it will catch on like text messaging.  Wouldn’t that be great?

Women in Construction Week:  3-9  My mom loves doing construction work.  She volunteers to go on mission trips with church to Haiti and other locations.  She has helped paint and build church pews there.  I know two women who are electricians.  Who do you know in construction work who is a  woman?  Look for women in construction work around town.  Do you think you’d like doing construction work?  What kind? 

National School Breakfast Week:  4-8  Do you usually eat school breakfast?  Why or why not?  What is your favorite school breakfast?  Select a creative name for a food item on the menu.  Ask your friends to try.  Vote for the best menu item. 

American Crossword Puzzle Weekend:  8-10  Do you work crossword puzzles?  Word searches?  Do you buy books of puzzles and  word searches?  Do you make up puzzles of your own?  Try using www.puzzlemaker.com

Sherlock Holmes Weekend:  15-17  Who was Sherlock Holmes?  Was he real or myth?  Why is he well known?  Do you like a good mystery?  Why not challenge everyone you know to read a mystery this special weekend?  You could either read the same title or choose different authors to learn about.  Share your opinion with others. 

Flood Awareness Week:  18-22  Have major floods occurred in your area?  Were you living?  Are there photographs and articles you can read?  Does your local public library have records?  Does your local newspaper have a library?  After researching, write about something that stood out for you. 

Wildlife Week:  18-24  Do you like observing wildlife in your yard, at the zoo, at a petting farm, at a museum, at the fair?  Are there other locations where you’ve seen wildlife?  Have you seen wildlife in bodies of water, in the air, or in the forest?  Tell about a time you saw wildlife and it startled you.  Share a favorite wildlife story. 

World Folktales and Fables Week:  18-24  Pick a couple of fables or folktales to tell.  Gather friends together and take turns sharing stories.  What name do you think of when you hear fables?  Aesop?  Do you have a favorite?  What is its moral?

Tsunami Awareness Week:  24-30  What is a tsunami?  Are they present in the area where you live?  What things can you do to be prepared in case of a storm?  Name some famous tsunamis and statistics from the storm.  Do you know a movie with a tsunami in the story?  Do you know anyone who survived a tsunami?  Where did he/she find shelter?

National Week of the Ocean:  31-4/6  How far from the ocean do you live?  Have you ever visited the ocean?  If you have, what is your favorite thing to do there?  If you have never been, what would you like to do when you do go?  If you can’t get to the beach this week, what can you do to pretend that you are there?  Maybe you could create a sandbox for the week in a dishpan or in the yard.  Play with sand toys.  What ideas do you have?

March is…

American Red Cross Month or Red Cross Month  Research to learn the history and mission of the Red Cross.  Name a movie with a Red Cross vehicle.  Name a disaster where the Red Cross helped.   What type things did they do?

Brain Injury Awareness Month  Name a safety measure you can take  when you’re playing or exercising to help prevent a brain injury.

Deaf History Month  Locate a school for the deaf.  Find its location on a city map, a state map, a world map, or a globe.  Name a book or television program, or movie with a deaf character.

Music in Our Schools Month  Name one way music makes a difference in schools.  Celebrate by making a musical instrument.  Send your music teacher a card.  Teach someone a song.  Put in extra practice on your musical instrument.  Study a composer.  Listen to silly songs.  Change the words to the song just for fun.  Make beautiful music.

National Cheerleading Safety Month  What are some safety measures used by cheerleading squads today?  What is your favorite cheer?  Lead a cheer.  Teach it to someone.

National Craft Month  What crafts do you enjoy?  What craft item have you made and given as a gift?  Which project did you especially enjoy?  What is an inexpensive craft project you would recommend?  Tell why.  Have you ever entered a craft contest, like building a Gingerbread House contest?  Tell about it.

National Kite Month  Have you ever flown a kite?  Did you tie tails to your kite?  What is their purpose?  What book character do you think of with a kite? What cartoon character? Have you ever made your own kite?  Have you ever been to a kite flying contest?  What does this expression mean?  “Go fly a kite?”

National Nutrition Month  What are three things you’d like to learn about nutrition?  Research them.  Share what you learned with someone.  Research with your parents to learn if the food pyramid has changed since they were born.  

National Peanut Month  George Washington Carver studied peanuts.  Research and describe two or more of his findings.  Look for book titles such as this series on scientists:  Smart About George Washington Carver, the Peanut Wizard written by Laura Driscoll and illustrated by Till Weber.

National Umbrella Month  Andy Rooney did a special on umbrellas for 60 Minutes television program on Jan. 13, 2008.  I hope you enjoy this video.  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3706677n  What type umbrella do you prefer?

National Women’s History Month  Is there a display for National Women’s History Month  in your local public library or your school?  If not, ask a librarian for recommended titles.  Make a list of famous women  in history and ask friends for other names.  Research one or more this month.  Make a chart listing women in history and the reason known.  Which woman inspires you and why?  Read about her.

Optimism Month  What is optimism?  Look up its definition.  Survey your friends and family to see what they say optimism is and how you get it.  What do you agree with?  What do you disagree with?  Write about it.  What will you do differently to be more optimistic?

Poison Prevention Month  ****Super Important:  Discuss this one with a parent.  What safety measures do you take at your house for poison control?  What can be improved?  Make a plan.  Carry it out with adult assistance.  http://www.aapcc.org/

Youth Art Month  Art is a beautiful way to tell a story.  What do you like to draw?  What can you teach someone else to draw?  What can you learn from him/her?  Do you like to study about artists?  Do you like to check out drawing books?   Spend quality time on an art project just for fun.  Create a card for your art teacher.

*Thank you Brownie Locks.com for March celebration information.  For more March observances check out:  http://www.brownielocks.com/march.html

Let’s talk:  Choose one or more of the conversation starters above and leave a comment. 

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.” Please come again soon.  Bring a friend. 

Coming March 16:  A guest blog about quilting by Maureen Wartski, author of Yuri’s Brush with Magic.   

Coming March 24:  A guest blog about tuberculosis by Shannon Hitchcock, author of The Ballad of Jessie Pearl. 

Copyright © 2013 Linda Martin Andersen