P is for Pinwheels, Pillows, and Painted Cows

 

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  “P is for Pinwheels, Pillows, and Painted Cows” 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/

P is for Pinwheels

Pinwheel in my yard. Copyright 2016. Linda Martin Andersen

In April, pinwheels are seen about town for Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Learn more here:

http://www.pinwheelsforprevention.org/learn_more/

https://youtu.be/NhjJD32ida8

P is for Pillows

Posted with permission by Katherine Scraper.  This post tells how a nursery theme inspired a customized gift.

https://pillowsalamode.wordpress.com/2016/04/03/elephants/

P is for Painted Cows

Meet A. Cow, an exhibit for the Cow Parade, a charity event for children’s hospitals. Photo– Fayetteville, NC, home of the Airborne. Copyright 2012 Linda Andersen.

 

A fellow blogger, Carol Campbell–writersdream9  shared the post below featuring painted cows.  I hope you enjoy them too.

https://writersdream9.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/peace-with-allflash-fiction/#comment-13875

What “P” 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!

What Exactly is a Whirligig? And Register to Win a Free Picture Book at a Friend’s Blog

“What Exactly is a Whirligig?  And Register to Win a Free Picture Book at a Friend’s Blog” 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.

Part 1–Earlier this week, I posted about Vollis Simpson and whirligigs he created.  See below:

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/whirligigs-in-the-wind/

This led to the question, “What exactly is a whirligig?”  I’ve been asked to clarify.  Whirligigs may be tiny, such as a pinwheel on a pencil eraser or huge like some of the whirligigs Vollis Simpson created.  (See picture below). These can weigh up to three tons (think elephants) and a tower up to 50 feet tall (think ferris wheel). 

Many words are used to describe whiligigs–synonyms such as whirlybird, spinners, pinwheels, and others.  See Wikipedia’s comments below.

Definition of whirligigs:

• According to Wikipedia, “a ‘whirligig’ is an object that spins or whirls, or has at least one member that spins or whirls. Whirligigs are also known as pinwheels, buzzers, comic weathervanes, gee-haws, spinners, whirlygigs, whirlijig, whirlyjig, whirlybird, or plain whirly. Whirligigs are most commonly powered by the wind but can be hand or friction powered or even powered by a motor! They can be used as a kinetic garden ornament. They can be designed to transmit sound and vibration into the ground to repel burrowing rodents in yards, gardens, and backyards.”

• According to Merriam Webster, a whirligig is “a toy that has a whirling motor or something that continuously whirls or changes.”

Looking for pinwheels?

Many stores stock patriotic pinwheels for US holidays at this time.  Garden centers probably carry a variety year round.

Have you ever owned a pinwheel?  Have you made one yourself?  Check out craft books or this site to find directions for making them:

http://www.marthastewart.com/270609/pinwheels

Pinwheels or Whirligigs as Yard Decorations:

Have you ever seen pinwheels decorating a yard?  I decided to add one to my yard after writing this blog post.  The pinwheel I bought is rather short, so I may replace the stake with a longer one.  Maybe you’d like to add a pinwheel stake to your yard.

Pinwheel. Linda Martin Andersen. Copyright 2013

Part 2–Donna Earnhardt is giving away a copy of her picture book Being Frank.  Register to win by visiting her blog link below and following the rules there:

http://wordwranglernc.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/being-frank-book-giveaway/

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

Copyright © 2013 Linda Martin Andersen