Share a Story

By Diane Forrest

Last night I was talking with a friend of mine who was having trouble sleeping.  I asked him if he wanted me to tell him a bedtime story to help him sleep.  Then I started thinking of some of my favorite stories.  One of my favorite ones is about the 7 Chinese Brothers.  It is about these seven brothers, who all look alike.  They all have a special talent, and they help get each other out of a certain problem that would cause their death.  The story ends on a happy note, and everyone is saved.

May is National Share a Story Month.  The month is organized by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups. The charity was founded in 1965 with the aim to promote children’s interest in books and reading, getting involved with libraries, schools and playgroups.

The main aim though, is to form book groups for parents and children to meet, discuss books, hear from visiting authors and just enjoy some good old-fashioned story telling!

Words for life.org offers some suggestions on how to celebrate this month.  They include:

1.    Share your favorite childhood stories

Think back to when you were a child and the stories that have stayed with you throughout the years. One will probably have had a big impression on you, so why not share it with your child? It might be something completely new to them or it could be a book that they love too, a classic such as Where the Wild Things Are. You don’t need to have a copy to hand either; you could tell it from memory and have some fun making it exciting, funny, sad or intriguing.

2.    Ask your child what their favorites are

Most children have at least one book that will have made an impression on them, whether it was one particular story or a series involving the same character or even a non-fiction title. (You may know before you ask your child which is their favorite story if you have had to read it time and time again!) Discuss what makes the book so special and why they like it. This helps your child think about books in a more analytical way and helps them form opinions that they know you respect.

3.    Read a bedtime story

Most children love being read to. It’s not just about the story; it’s also about curling up and spending special quiet time with you, without interruptions. You can enjoy board books with babies and younger children, and longer stories with older kids. By taking ten minutes or more out of your busy day you are not only helping them with their literacy but are also telling them that you love them and that spending time together matters. What a lovely thought before going to sleep!

4.    Create your own story

For thousands of years there were no books and, even if there were, most people couldn’t read. Instead they gathered to listen to storytellers for entertainment. It’s still a popular way to spend an evening now – think of ghost stories around a campfire or listening to a stand-up comedian talk about their life – so why not have a go at making up your own story? If your child can talk, involve them in it too. This is a fun way of passing the time when travelling and on rainy days and is more interactive than solitary reading. If your child gets really involved, you could always write your story down together and illustrate it with pictures or photos.

5.    Visit your local library

One of the best ways of getting your children and yourself into reading is by joining your local library. They usually have all the latest bestsellers, as well as old favorites, and you don’t have to pay a penny to borrow them. Many libraries have special children’s sections, with regular story times and music sessions, so you can sit and relax without worrying about making noise. The only trouble you may have is when it’s time to leave!

So this month.... stop by your library and stock up on some good stories or make some up on your own.  Some of the best ones come from your own life.

(All images from Google)

Share the Love

(Google Image)

By Diane Forrest

Redneck Valentine Poem

Collards is green,

my dog's name is Blue

and I'm so lucky

to have a sweet thang like you.

Yore hair is like cornsilk

a-flapping in the breeze.

Softer than Blue's

and without all them fleas.

You move like the bass,

which excite me in May.

You ain't got no scales

but I luv you anyway.

Yo're as satisfy'n as okry

jist a-fry'n in the pan.

Yo're as fragrant as "snuff"

right out of the can.

You have some'a yore teeth,

for which I am proud;

I hold my head high

when we're in a crowd.

On special occasions,

when you shave under yore arms,

well, I'm in hawg heaven,

and awed by yore charms.

Still them fellers at work,

they all want to know,

what I did to deserve

such a purdy, young doe.

Like a good roll of duct tape

yo're there fer yore man,

to patch up life's troubles

and fix what you can.

Yo're as cute as a junebug

a-buzzin' overhead.

You ain't mean like those far ants

I found in my bed.

Cut from the best cloth

like a plaid flannel shirt,

you spark up my life

more than a fresh load of dirt.

When you hold me real tight

like a padded gunrack,

my life is complete;

Ain't nuttin' I lack.

Yore complexion, it's perfection,

like the best vinyl sidin'.

despite all the years,

yore age, it keeps hidin'.

Me 'n' you's like a Moon Pie

with a RC cold drank,

we go together

like a skunk goes with stank.

Some men, they buy chocolate

for Valentine's Day;

They git it at Wal-Mart,

it's romantic that way.

Some men git roses

on that special day

from the cooler at Kroger.

"That's impressive," I say.

Some men buy fine diamonds

from a flea market booth.

"Diamonds are forever,"

they explain, suave and couth.

But for this man, honey,

these won't do.

Cause yor'e too special,

you sweet thang you.

I got you a gift,

without taste nor odor,

more useful than diamonds...

IT'S A NEW TROLL'N MOTOR!!

(Google Image)

When I was in elementary school, one of my favorite holidays was Valentine’s Day.  Everyone would make a box to place on their desk, and during our party, we would take turns and walk around delivering out cards to each student.  Then we would have cupcakes, cookies and other delicious treats. I couldn't wait to get home to open my cards to see what the boy I had a crush on put in my mailbox.

(Google Image)

I remember waking up every Valentine's Day, and sitting on my bedside table would be a heart shaped box of candy from my parents.  One of the saddest Valentine ’s Day was my first year at college.  There was no box of candy by my bed, or even in my mailbox.  The day was saved the next day when a nice big box of candy from my father came in the mail (after I called him crying of course).

(Google Image)

I have always loved passing out cars.  When I was working in the hospital, I would get the box of school valentines, and pass them to everyone I saw.  I would love picking out the perfect card for my husband, and I would always remember to put a heart shaped box of candy by my son's bed.

(Google Image)

My son grew up a little more cynical, he hates Valentine’s Day.  He accuses it of being a conspiracy between the card makers, the florists, and candy shops.  But Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be expensive.  I have started making my own cards, and making my own candy, and cookies - and passing it out to people in my life.  You can also send an email valentine card Its hard this year not having a Valentine to share the day with, but I get some joy in spreading the love to many people.

(Google Image)

So, if you don't have a special someone to share your day with, make a card and send to an elderly aunt or uncle, kids or neighbors.  Knowing that you put a smile on someone else's face will warm your heart too.  Happy Valentine's Day!!

(Google Image)

Hugging Day

National Hugging Day – January 21^st

By Akindman,

From the get go folks – hugs should be given daily – regardless of location, time or any other potential restrictions.  We simply do not show our emotions and warmth enough with other people, pets, etc.!

So go ahead, share a hug with someone!!

National Rocky Road Ice Cream 2011

Got a spoon?  I'll share.  Sure go ahead, grab one.  There you are - sharing Rocky Road Ice Cream with a friend is always good.

My grandkids like their Rocky Road Ice Cream in a cone.  It's fun to watch them licking away to keep the dripping to a minimum, but then again, that's part of the fun.

What a nice way to start your day!  

Mary (my Dietitian and Nutritionist) considers this about the right size serving.

But my eyes say this is just about right!  My brain generally finds something in-between (key word generally).

I have yet to find a cookie that suits my fancy while eating Rocky Road Ice Cream.  How about you, have you found a cookie that really goes well?

Find Something Beautiful

Lisa Beamer on Good Morning America - If you remember, she's the wife of Todd Beamer who said 'Let's Roll!' and helped take down the plane over Pennsylvania that was heading for Washington, DC back on 9/11.

She said it's the little things that she misses most about Todd, such as hearing the garage door open as he came home, and her children running to meet him. She's now the Mom of a beautiful little girl, Mary.

Lisa recalled this story:

"I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband died suddenly of a heart attack.  About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a classroom of students.  As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on the edge of her desk and sat down there.

With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and said, ' Class is over, I would like to share with all of you, a thought that is unrelated to class, but which I feel is very important.  Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of ourselves.  None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end.  It can be taken away at any moment.

Perhaps this is the power's way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day.  Her eyes, beginning to water, she went on, 'So I would like you all to make me a promise.  From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice.

It doesn't have to be something you see, it could be a scent, perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches one autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground.  Please look for these things, and cherish them.  For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life.  The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy.  The things we often take for granted.

The class was completely quiet.  We all picked up our books and filed out of the room silently.  That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than I had that whole semester.  Every once in a while, I think of that teacher and remember what an impression she made on all of us, and I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all overlook.