What funny expressions we have in our language. Like “tickled pink”. Do you know what that means? How about other expressions like… three shakes of a sheep’s tail mad as a wet hen the bees knees So many funny sayings came from things people used to describe situations and predicaments. They just thought it sounded funny to say it that way, and the next … The rest of the story…
Summer is almost over, and you know what that means… School days are here…or almost here for all you kids. And that’s a great thing…not a terrible thing. It means you get to dive into books where your brain can swim in adventures. You’ll be learning new numbers, words, stories about famous people, and a lot more. I remember those first days of Autumn, … The rest of the story…
I’ve heard people use the phrase “raining in my heart” to describe their troubled times. Or their loss of a loved one. Or their sadness in general. But I think you can use “raining in my heart” as a good thing. After all, rain is a good thing. Especially to a dry, dusty place. Rain gives us the water we need for growing food, … The rest of the story…
You know why you should read or work on math problems or paint or draw or write? Because it’s good for the brain. Yep, that muscle inside your skull needs exercise like all the other muscles in your body. But you don’t have to lift weights or run a race to exercise your brain…although those things are healthy for it too. Really all you … The rest of the story…
It’s time for kids to truly understand concepts like right and wrong, good and bad, truth and lies, and winning and losing. Here’s the ironic twist to what I just said…if you think I’m wrong, it means you at least partially agree with me. After all how could I be wrong in what I said, if there is no concept of right and wrong? … The rest of the story…
Are you a healthy happy human? Keep in mind, you don’t have to look like this guy to be healthy or happy. I just drew him that way to get your attention. It worked didn’t it. 🙂 Basically there are only a few things you need to do to be a healthy happy human. First…you have to be a human. Are you one? Good. … The rest of the story…
I saw a post on a social network today that talked about pink lemonade and pinwheels at a little girl’s first birthday party. Being a lover of alliteration, I decided to take on the challenge of writing today’s Rhyme Time writing for kids using “pink lemonade and pinwheels” as the theme. I found a picture of the little girl who turned one, and I … The rest of the story…
I have a little blue truck parked in my garage. It’s older than most of the people who read my Rhyme Time writing for kids or listen to my music. And it has become almost a part of me. It still runs, and once in a while I take it on a short trip to pick up supplies or other errands. It needs a … The rest of the story…
I got up very, very early this morning. In fact, when I first got up, it was still dark. So, after making some coffee, feeding the dogs, and having a little bit of breakfast I walked to our foyer window. The sun was just starting peep over the horizon. And as I stood there staring I noticed the bright orange and yellow clouds in the … The rest of the story…
Kids always want to make the day go faster when there’s something they’d rather be doing. You adults probably felt the same way when you were a kid. And maybe you still feel that way sometimes. I remember grandparents saying something like “stop wishing your life away”. They had a point. When we’re kids, we just can’t see how good we’ve got it. Someone … The rest of the story…
Maybe you’ve heard someone on the news say something like, “OK, we go now to Dave in Copter 6. He’s the eyes in the sky for traffic and weather reports.” Well, I heard something like that early this morning, and it made me think of a short Rhyme Time poem to share with you. It’s just pure imagination, but it shows another example of … The rest of the story…
Ever since I was about 16 I’ve been using words to make a picture. Well, let me clear that up a little. I haven’t been using words for all that time to just come up with one picture. Ha! That would have to be one large and complicated picture. No, what I mean is…I’ve been using words to make a picture every time I’ve … The rest of the story…
I remember, when I was a boy, some long, lazy summers in eastern Kansas. And today I thought about a place where we fished down by the creek bank in a remote part of some farmland. We used to take our rods and reels, walk about a half mile along the fence line on the tractor trail, and wind through a forest to where … The rest of the story…
Have you ever thought about what you might find in the color of water? Here’s a tip for you…pure water doesn’t have any color. It’s clear. So, it was sort of a trick question I guess, but I still meant it. There are plenty of ways you might see color in water. Of course, there are the obvious ways…like putting food coloring in it. … The rest of the story…
OK…I’ll admit it right up front…today I’m using “dazzle candy” as a metaphor. Plain and simple. Of course, my style, as always, is to hide the meaning just a little below the surface. I love rhyming, but I also love reason. And by “reason” I mean logic. You can read my Rhyme Time blog posts and so many of my rhymes seem illogical on … The rest of the story…
This dates me, but I remember my first days in grade school when my parents would buy my supplies and I’d keep them in a cigar box. I remember the first few years included the fat, brightly colored pencils and their large erasers. Then, the day finally came when I learned “cursive” writing. I was excited because it meant I’d finally learn to create … The rest of the story…
I could make this more complicated, but my story is a simple one to tell. I’ve always been a dreamer and and an optimist. This world can beat down dreams and optimism, but I don’t depend on this world for my inspiration. And I don’t depend on this world for esteem. It probably sounds old-fashioned and out-of-touch…but I believe in God. He’s the ultimate … The rest of the story…
Where I am now there’s the sound of thunder gently rolling across the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. A peaceful, light rain just finished splashing to the ground, and a very pleasant scent is drifting in through the open windows. It’s a nice feeling to hear and smell a summer rain. Maybe you’re still having hot, summer weather. And I’m guessing we’ll have some … The rest of the story…
One of the best things you can do to have a fun day is to help someone else. You might not make their problems all go away, but the important part is to be there. Be there for your friend…your family…your neighbor. And by “be there” I mean look for ways to give without having to be asked. We all need other people. And … The rest of the story…
Quick! Before anything else happens to distract you…think about nothing. You can’t do it, can you? If you think you can, then you just thought about something…which proves you can’t think about nothing. Oh no, it feels like we’re going in circles. If you think about it (ha ha), there’s really no such thing as nothing. So you couldn’t think about it even if … The rest of the story…
