So, once there was a lily pad that no frog ever used. You wouldn’t think a lily pad would get its feelings bruised, But sure enough this lily pad cried to itself each night… And each day did its very best to stay out of plain sight. It watched the frogs spot other pads and jump on for a rest, But no one seemed … The rest of the story…
We’re really having an unusual stretch of rainy weather here in Colorado. Typically we don’t have so much rainfall in so many consecutive days. We’re sort of spoiled on 300 or more days of sunshine a year. So, the poet in me was looking at our little front yard flower garden, and I saw lots of raindrops perched on petals and leaves. As I … The rest of the story…
If you’ve ever watched any of those old Three Stooges movies, you’ve probably heard Moe call Larry and Curly “lame brain” more than once. Of course, that was the pot calling the kettle black. Moe was every bit as much a lame brain as the others. He just got to be the leader of the pack. When I was a kid, most moms were … The rest of the story…
I heard this expression today: “reading is so delicious“. And being a lover of words and the word pictures they can stir up…well I just had to bake some of my thoughts about it. It’s only natural…and delicious. 🙂 When you think about what reading can do for you, it makes sense to say it’s delicious. At least when you’re using it as a … The rest of the story…
There are lots of things to do with kids in Denver. And I’ll bet even a lot of parents in Denver don’t realize how many fun things there are right here in their home town. So, imagine how kids in other states might feel if they think they’re gonna have to leave the really fun things they love to go hang out “in the … The rest of the story…
I saw the phrase “rhyme machine” and being a children’s writer I figured I’d run with it. Suddenly I saw kids jumping into a high-tech solar-powered rocket ship. They simply touched colorful pictures on a screen to zoom to imagination destinations. And I could see the rhyme machine gliding effortlessly through the air without making a sound. Each stop was a blast. Every kid … The rest of the story…
I don’t have any scientific proof, but I believe God made butterflies for kids. Think about it. Butterflies are beautiful creatures. So are kids. Butterflies love to flitter here, there, and everywhere. So do kids. Butterflies love sweet things. Kids, do too. It’s difficult to look at butterflies and not smile. Same with kids. OK…maybe I’m biased. I’ve always had a soft spot in … The rest of the story…
Get plenty of sleep. Eat foods that are good for you. Don’t eat and drink sugary stuff all the time. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Yep, these are all healthy habits for kids. But did you know that healthy habits are more than just food and hygiene? For instance…there’s this very addictive invention that almost all American families have in their … The rest of the story…
The men’s final is being played at Wimbledon today. I love tennis. It’s about the only sport I’ll still watch on TV. And something I find interesting is what kind of details spectators and speculators find interesting in the “big match”. They’ll get down to the details of the players’ gear, clothing, and shoes. They’re even talking about the tennis ball used at Wimbledon. I … The rest of the story…
Have you ever heard of tiddlywinks and pick up sticks? When I was a kid, I played both of those fun games. It was also fun to play marbles, jacks, and checkers. Those games don’t need: Batteries Controlling devices, or Internet connection And they’re great for developing hand-eye coordination, patience, and perseverance. They can also be played in small areas, quiet spots, and even outdoors. … The rest of the story…
Smiley faces are some of the most used emoticons. But do they represent real emotions? Or something we just wish for? You’ve probably noticed how nice everyone is at the grocery store or department store checkout. The clerk smiles and asks “How are you today?” And without even thinking about it for a second, you probably smile and say something like, “Fine, and you?” … The rest of the story…
On this Independence Day 2013 I took some time to read the Declaration of Independence. I recommend all Americans do that from time to time. A free people almost inevitably tends toward a selective memory or even total forgetfulness when it comes to how those freedoms came about. And we should never forget the courage it took for the Founding Fathers to stand up … The rest of the story…
Short bedtime stories are great for kids and for the adults who read to them. Here’s why… The first, and hopefully the most obvious reason, is this. When parents (or other adults) read to kids, there’s a strong connection being made. Never underestimate the power of words to bond one generation with another. To this day I still remember my mom reading to me … The rest of the story…
Do you have kids? Know someone who does? Well, today I’m including links to some audio stories for kids I narrated, produced, and posted a while back. Most of these recycled podcasts have video, too. And you’ll hear some classic stories like “The Emperor’s New Clothes” as well as some more obscure stories. There’s even one by a young Romanian writer. If you’d like … The rest of the story…
You’re not perfect, and that’s something you should never worry about. If you’re worrying, and fretting, and always thinking about how you can or could be perfect, you’re really going to limit how much good you can do for others in this world. Think about this…even though you’re not perfect I’ll bet your mom loves you…or your dad…or your best friends. Right? Are they … The rest of the story…
Do you have words and music in your heart? You don’t have to be a singer songwriter or composer or poet. You only have to be still and listen. There are wonderful words and music written on the tablet of your heart. If you sit very still and listen very closely, you’ll learn to hear the words and music that live inside you. It … The rest of the story…
What’s a healing touch? First, I’ll tell you what it isn’t. A healing touch isn’t like what you see in the movies…where someone gets struck by lightning and suddenly they can touch people and cure diseases. A healing touch isn’t about making miracles happen wherever you go. It isn’t about you. It isn’t about me. And it isn’t really even about physical healing. Healing … The rest of the story…
I love metaphors and similes. I use them all the time. They’re some of the best ways of describing things without using the same ol’ dry and overused adjective descriptions. Like, today for instance. The title of this post (and Rhyme Time) is “where the sky ends“. I decided to use “where the sky ends” as a metaphor for something involved in friendship. And … The rest of the story…
You’re a work in progress. That’s why you should mind your manners. Be nice to other people. Why be mean anyway? What good could possibly come from it? Think about this…You probably like to get presents on your birthday or Christmas…right? And you probably like when there’s ice cream or cake for dessert. True? Well, each time someone gives you presents or ice cream … The rest of the story…
Have you ever sat down and thought about how unique you really are? It’s true. There’s not another person on the whole planet with the same fingerprints, DNA, or even the same brain as you. When you think about the work that went into making you, you should be glad to be yourself…and never wish you were someone else. And it’s no small thing … The rest of the story…
