T is for Tractor, Turkey, and Thinking on Your Feet

 

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  “T is for Tractor, Turkey, and Thinking on Your Feet” 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/

T is for Tractor

Every fall, our family has an annual hayride held on farm property surrounding our home.  Our son drives his tractor that pulls a trailer lined with straw and filled with children’s laughter.  I have blogged about our hayride here:  https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/our-annual-hayride-a-fall-family-tradition/

 

 T is for Turkey

Yesterday, I was considering what “T” words to spotlight when two wild turkeys crossed our backyard.  I wasn’t able to photograph them, but one thing I have learned to do is to credit great photographers when I meet them.  Check out Tim and Mary Livingston’s art and photos of turkeys.  You’ll love their blogs too.

https://theforesterartist.com/2015/03/20/get-your-strut-on-its-spring/

https://theforesterartist.com/2013/11/28/make-yourself-at-home-i-made-turkey/

Sneaking Bliss Blog with Mary A. Livingston:

Turkeys–

https://sneakingbliss.com/2015/11/26/whimsday-bliss-turkey-dinner-old-school-3/

And bears–

https://sneakingbliss.com/2015/07/31/guess-whos-coming-to-dinner/

T is for Thinking on Your Feet

Feet by Linda Martin Andersen. Copyright 2016

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/think+on+feet

I am not the most mechanically minded one in the family by any stretch of the imagination, but I take comfort in being able to think on my feet some times.  It feels good to be able to solve something when you haven’t plotted and planned in advance.  My reaction:  “I want to scream and shout and let it all out”– Scream and Shout  by Will.i.am and Brittney Spears:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYtGl1dX5qI

Name a time when you were quick at thinking on your feet.   How did you react?  Internally?  Externally?

Thanks for playing along!

What “T” 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!

Just Jot It January #9

 

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

“Just Jot It January #9” by Linda Martin Andersen

I accepted a challenge for January: Just jot a note and submit.  I can’t participate every remaining day this month, but I will join in when I can.

I decided to create a theme to write about:

Today, I celebrate a “Toothy Critique,” inspired by…

http://theforesterartist.com/2016/01/08/toothy-critique/comment-page-1/#comment-14693

I have been a follower of Tim Livingston’s blog, The Forest Artist, for several years.  Today’s post made me laugh.  It also caused me to reflect on a “toothy critique” I received.  That critique spurred me to rewrite until my manuscript is now marketable, according to a friend.  So, today I celebrate a “toothy critique.”

How about you?  Have you ever received a “toothy critique?” Were you able to use it in a positive way?  Tell about it.  What do you celebrate today?  I look forward to your comments.

Visit http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/31/just-jot-it-january-2016-rules/ for details about Just Jot It January and to comment on other participants’ posts.

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  I’d love to hear what you’re celebrating.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

 

 

Forests Call to Me

 “Forests Call to Me” by Linda Martin Andersen

Last night,  some family members gathered for dinner at my sister’s new house.  My fifteen-year-old niece decorated her bedroom with a forest theme–her idea.  I’ve enjoyed watching her room transform.   She selected her own bedspread, which is printed in an artistic tree pattern.  She also chose the room’s accessories.  My favorite is a lit bare-branched tree, several feet tall, with an owl (stuffed animal) perched on a limb.  Obviously, the forests call to my niece.

Earlier this month, Tim Livingston shared a guest post on March 21 for International Day of Forests.  Tim is a forester artist.  He manages forests and photographs, sketches, and paints its beauty.  Forests and art are two of his passions.  See here:

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2015/03/21/march-21-international-day-of-forests/

 

In 2013, Clarion Books published a poetry book called, Forest Has a Song, by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, one of my favorite poets.  It is also obvious that Amy hears the forests’ song.  See here:  http://www.amyludwigvanderwater.com/BOOKS.html

 

Like my niece, Tim Livingston, and Amy Ludwig VanDerwater,  forests call to  me.  How do I know?  One way–the house where my husband and I live is off the highway, down a private dirt driveway, and  surrounded by trees.  We love seeing deer, foxes, hawks, and other wildlife in our yard.

Forests call to me.  Do they call to you?  In what way?  Please share your thoughts here.

Thanks for visiting.  Come again soon 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

 

March 21–International Day of Forests

 “March 21–International Day of Forests” with guest blogger, Tim Livingston.

I can’t think of anyone I’d rather hear discuss International Day of Forests than Tim Livingston.  He’s the forester artist who blogs here:  http://theforesterartist.com/

Here’s Tim with lots to share…

International Day of Forests

International Day of Forests is a day designated by the United Nations to promote the importance of trees and forests in our lives.  A worthy cause in my book for sure.  In the United State we’re fortunate to have a mature forestry profession.  I feel blessed to be a part of it.

In contemplating what this day means to me, I reflect back on experiences that I’ve had. I have only practiced forestry in the United State, but I’ve had opportunities to interact with forestry professionals from other countries a few times during my career.

Once, we were visited by a group of forestry professionals from Mexico. They toured our facilities and our woods operations. It was a positive experience for them and I hope they gained knowledge from us that they were able to put to good use. I’ve also had opportunity to tour a Mexican manufacturing facility during my tenure. It has been enlightening to see how things are done by our southern neighbor.

We were also visited by a New Zealand forester who came to instruct us in the fine art of pruning conifers to enhance wood quality. It sounds simple enough, but the New Zealanders had developed pruning to a fine art. We learned a lot that we put into practice in our own forests.

Sharing forestry knowledge across borders benefits us all. Even when we think we are ones teaching, we are also learning.

I was at Humboldt State University as a student when I had my most memorable international forestry moment. We were visited by a forestry exchange student from a Central American country. He was taking forestry classes for one quarter at HSU. I can’t remember which country he was from, but he had never been this far north. It was a cold December day when a student walked into the Forestry Building lounge and announced it was snowing. Our exchange student bolted for the door. Snow doesn’t fall in Arcata very often. It’s a low elevation coastal town. We students got up to go see the snow. When we stepped outside, here was our exchange student standing in the middle of the street spinning around with his arms and tongue out catching snowflakes. He was so excited and told us he had never seen snow before. It was a moment. The moment really had nothing to do with forestry, except that it was forestry that brought us all together.

 

It’s International Day of Forests, so hug a tree. Then tell it thank you for all the wonderful things trees provide for us. The world would be a lot less comfortable and beautiful without trees.

Thanks so much, Tim Livingston for all you do to keep our forests healthy and beautiful.  Happy International Day of Forests, everyone!

Readers, if you’ve ever observed forests in other countries, I hope you will comment on how they are like your own and how they are different.

Thanks for visiting.  Come again soon 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

 

 

 

What is a steam donkey?

“What is a steam donkey?” by Linda Martin Andersen and inspired by Tim Livingston’s blog.

Do you love nature?  Forests?  History?  Photography?  Art? Education?  Preservation?  A steam donkey?

Yes, a steam donkey!

Do you know what a steam donkey is?  Is it a donkey letting off steam?

Not a chance.  But here’s your chance to learn what it is.

Tim Livingston’s got a story to share, photography, and artwork too.  I hope you’ll follow his blog so you can catch each segment of the steam donkey story.

In February, there’s a Forestry Education Fundraising Auction.  Try saying that ten times fast.  After a while, you’ll sound like you’re rolling along on steam.  Tim’s a part of this event too.

Do you want to learn more?

All followers shout:  Yes, we do! Steam donkey, steam donkey, steam donkey now!

Take it away, Tim Livingston.

http://theforesterartist.com/2015/01/23/forestry-friday-steam-donkey-wip/

Please leave a comment below.  Thanks for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  I hope you’ll return soon 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

 

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

Did You Know That Friday is Now Forestry Friday?

“Did You Know That Friday is Now Forestry Friday?” 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.

Have you read any good alphabet books lately?  Have you read any interesting blog posts about forestry?  If not, why not combine these two interests?  You will not want to miss this.  Visit “Forestry Friday…W is for Wildlife” by Tim Livingston. 

http://theforesterartist.com/2013/10/18/forestry-friday-w-is-for-wildlife/

Tim Livingston is a photographer and an artist.  He’s a forester who loves wildlife; so of course “W” is for Wildlife.  I look forward to learning more about forestry each Friday.   I hope to see you there.

Thanks for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Leave a comment if you’d like.  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

Timber Sports–Lumberjack Skills in Axe’tion

“Timber Sports–Lumberjack Skills in Axe’tion” by Tim Livingston and posted 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.

July 25-27 is The Lumberjack World Championships.  To celebrate, Tim Livingston, a forester from California, is here to talk about timber sports.  I met Tim through his blog, the forester artist.  His combined interests intrigued me.  He is also a writer and photographer.  His wife, Mary, shares many similar interests. Together, they own a niche publishing company called Red Tail Publishing.   What a talented couple! 

To learn more about  the Livingstons check here: 

http://thebackdoorartist.com/

http://theforesterartist.com/about/

http://redtail.com/

Readers, please welcome Tim Livingston.  In an earlier blog post, we gave Melissa Barr, our guest zookeeper, our best animal cry.  What if we give Tim our best forest cry:  TIM–BER.  I just realized we’ll be calling Tim’s name when we do that.  Must be meant to be.

Oops, did anyone besides me hear a tree fall?  Hopefully not.  Readers…here’s Tim.  You’re in for a treat!

As a Registered Professional Forester in California, I am often in the woods to meet with loggers. The loggers may have timber to show me that they are selling or I may be giving them instructions on log manufacturing for the mill.   When Linda asked me to write a guest blog about timber sports, she also posed the question, “What is a lumberjack, is that the same as a forester?”

A forester prepares the plans for how a forest will be managed.  Timber harvest planning, logging oversight, log procurement,  reforestation and general forest health are some aspects of a forester’s job.

The lumberjack, commonly referred to as logger, conducts the actual logging operations while following the harvest plans. They are the ones cutting trees and getting them to the mills.  Loggers need to be organized, understand basic physics and be good business people.  They have to be versatile, as some days they are road builders and other days they are preparing land for replanting.

Loggers are hardworking and hard playing people.  During the logging season they work long days in dirty and difficult conditions.  This kind of work environment breeds a strong camaraderie amongst fellow loggers.  It was this mindset that lead to the development of timber or lumberjack sports.

Timber sports are to loggers as rodeos are to cowboys.  Timber sports originated in the 19^th century in logging camps and used the tools of the logging trade.  Logging camps began competing against each other, and eventually these local competitions grew into regional competitions.

The timber sporting events of today developed from the actual logging tools and jobs, both historic and modern.  These events test the skill and efficiency of using industry specific tools. Today, both men and women compete in the events.

Logrolling and boom running events originated from handling logs in ponds and on log drives in rivers.

Bucking and chopping events utilize crosscut saws (misery whips), chainsaws and axes.

Pole climbing tests the competitors’ ability to go up and down the trunk of a conifer tree. Even choker setting is a speed event.  A choker is the cable that hooks around a log to haul it in.

Choker Setting Event
Copyright 2007 by Mary Livingston

Choker Setting View
Copyright by Mary Livingston 2007

The  axe throwing event is a test of skill and accuracy.

Axe Throwing
Copyright by Mary Livingston 2007

Timber sports competitions are held in the United States, Canada, Norway, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.  Nearly all universities or colleges that offer forestry degrees also have a timber sports team.  Logging conferences are held throughout timber country for timber professionals.  These conferences usually hold timber sports competitions or demonstrations.  Most events are free to the public.  If you ever get a chance to attend a logging sports competition or demonstration I really encourage you to go.  Check online to see what is going on in your neck of the woods.

Our granddaughter was presented this chainsaw carved chair at a festival, after watching it be made.
Copyright 2007 Mary Livingston

The Lumberjack World Championships are July 25, 26 and 27 in Hayward, Wisconsin.  Competitors converge on Hayward from all over the world.  Check out their website at http://www.lumberjackworldchampionships.com/index.php.

Here are some other websites with information on timber sports events.

http://www.starinfo.com/ljguide/  This site is a clearing house of timber sports information.

https://www.facebook.com/STIHLTIMBERSPORTS  Stihl sponsors many timber sports events.

Back when I was in forestry school at Humboldt State University, I didn’t compete in timber sports.  It is something I wish I had done, but I didn’t think I had the time.  However, twenty-seven years after I was first at HSU, my youngest son also attended and he participated on the school timber sports team.  Incidentally, the school mascot is the Lumberjacks.

Our son in a log rolling contest
Copyright 2007
Mary Livingston

Our son in a log rolling contest
Copyright 2007 by Mary Livingston

This weekend my wife, Mary (www.thebackdoorartist.com) and I will be attending the 66^th Annual Lumberjack Fiesta in McCloud, CA.  McCloud is a small timber town in Northern California and the fiesta celebrates that heritage.  We will be representing Red Tail Publishing, and autographing books along with another author, Ivy Smith. Come down and say hello if you’re around.  If you can’t come down there will be a 15% off sale on all Red Tail Publishing books at www.redtail.com starting July 26^th through August 4^th .  Did I mention, there will be timber sports happening there!

http://www.mccloudchamber.com/lumberjack-fiesta

 

Readers, if you get a chance, visit Tim and or Mary’s blog after the weekend and see if they post more about their adventures at the festival.  Once again, let’s thank Tim Livingston for sharing about forestry and lumberjack skills. 

*Applause!*

Readers, please leave a question or a comment.  I encourage you to visit a timber sport in your area when you can.  And be sure to visit “A Writer’s Playground” again soon.  Bring a friend.

Copyright © 2013 Linda Martin Andersen

A Sunshine Award for A Writer’s Playground

“A Sunshine Award for ‘A Writer’s Playground'” 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.

YES!  I was awarded a blogger award called The Sunshine Award— 

for bloggers “who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere.”

 

What a compliment!  Thank you, Joan Edwards for selecting “A Writer’s Playground” for The Sunshine Award.  

Please take a moment to visit Joan at http://joanyedwards.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/i-gave-the-sunshine-award-to-10-bloggers/

Here are the rules for the Sunshine Award:

Thank the person who gave this award in the beginning part of a post about it.

Answer the questions below.

Pass on the award to 10 (1 selected four) fabulous bloggers, link their blogs, and let them know you awarded them.

Here are my favorites:

Favorite Color –green

Favorite Animal –lamb

Favorite Number –3

Favorite Drink –hot chocolate

Facebook or Twitter –Not at this time.  I prefer to email or call a friend.

Your Passion –writing

Giving or getting presents –giving

Favorite Day –Friday

Favorite Flowers –hyacinths

Now, it’s my turn to recognize some fellow blogger friends with The Sunshine Award.

CONGRATULATIONS…

1.  From the Mixed-up Files at http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/  A definite ray of sunshine for middle grade readers and writers.  The latest post by Sue Cowing features an independent bookstore in Kansas City MO called Reptile Readers.  You’ve got to check it out.  Other independent book stores are featured in posts, along with book reviews based on themes, and even giveaways.  It’s a super blogging group.

2.  ReaderKidZ at http://www.readerkidz.com/ This site posts book reviews by themes for younger readers.  It features authors-in-residence and resources for parents and teachers.  ReaderKidZ  deserves to be recognized for recommending quality reading materials that brighten a child’s face like sunshine brightens a day.  Another quality blogging group.

3.  The Forest Artist at http://theforesterartist.com/  This site is posted by Tim Livingston, a forester who is also an artist.  He and his wife, The Backdoor Artist, appreciate nature and its beauty.  They are willing to belly crawl for just the right photograph of wildlife.  They see the beginning of each new day together and capture it in their art.  It’s my honor to present them each with the Sunshine Award.

4.  The Backdoor Artist at http://thebackdoorartist.com/2012/10/09/wings-of-autumn/  I spotlighted this particular post because turkey buzzards just flew in my yard.  Mary Livingston’s post mentions a book she’s creating about these birds.  She finds beauty where most only see ugly.  Sounds like she’s someone who deserves the Sunshine Award to me.

*Applause!*  Now, I’d like to ask these bloggers to please pass The Sunshine Award to other bloggers.  Keep the rays shining bright.

Thank you for joining us at “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend.

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen