News

It's kind of dreary here on the rez.  Rainy, damp, cold.Difficult to get going on a day like today.Then this bit of sunshine from a School Librarian:Although my school is in central Illinois, my 3rd grade students found much in common with Facile and his family.  Our school population is  76 % free or reduced lunch and   61% minority.  The themes of hope and determination really resonated with my kids.  They know these are the characteristics needed to be successful, and this book is an excellent example of culturally responsive literature.  Thanks, Karen!It's nice to hear from readers and their [...]

A friend of mine gave me a gift last week.  She took me to see the fairy houses hidden along the Tranquility Trail in Frick Park Pittsburgh.  There have been been ten reportedly found.  We saw about five. Five tiny dwellings harbored at the base of trees and cuddled in logs.  Magic!And unexpected!  I am usually a passionate observer of nature.  I found that while exploring the fairy world I suddenly saw things I had not noticed in ways I had not seen them before. And imagine!  My imagination has been captured.  Who built [...]

Even on the Rez...stockings are hung,Hoping for a white Christmas,A bazaar every weekend at churches and schools and community centers,Cactuses are lit up,Colored lights shine from out on the mesaand closer to home.And my Reena-dear 😉 enjoys a Christmas treat.Wishing you Joy and Peace for the Holidays.

 Writing as therapy Prayer for the Thanksgiving  Goddess (Thanksgivings past and present)I pray the turkey be defrosted but still a tad icy inside.  Harbor me from an over bearing mother, grandmother or aunt who thinks a turkey not slaughtered on thanksgiving mourning is a waste or scorns a bird that has been frozen.Please may my husband understand the fowl that has lived in the refrigerator for five days, the one I have fondled and agonized over takes great care as if it were my child.  It does not stuff and roast itself. Grant [...]

See this on Amazon:How will Gregory find his way back to Dad? Swish-swoosh . . . Gregory draws a lion in the sand. ''Don't go in the water, and don't leave Sandy,'' warns Dad. But the sandy lion grows a tail that gets longer and longer and soon Gregory is lost on the beach. This wonderful read-aloud book brings to life a summer experience that is all too familiar for young children. Karen Williams's rhythmic text has been paired with Floyd Cooper's brilliant illustrations, revealing the trip down the beach entirely from a [...]

As travelers in Europe, Steve and I have stayed for part of several trips on organic farms.  One of the best parts of the places we stayed was the opportunity to meet the Wwoofers who worked on the farms. These mostly young people come from all over the world to volunteer, learn about organic farming, learn the language in the country where they work and to travel cheaply.  They find their way to these farms through the World, Wide Organization of Organic Farms (http://www.wwoof.net).Choose a country from the website.  These farms are all [...]