I’ve been thinking…

About August.

July is the quintessential summer month. Long days, hot sun, lots of summer fun.

But what is August? The days do seem shorter — no more long summer dusks that stretch bedtimes. And the hot summer sun is displaced by those hazy humid days. Is that a hint of Fall in the air?

I’ve been thinking…

…about summer and in particular, summer reading.

Even in our A/C world where there is no reason to slow down for summer heat and humidity, we still revel in summer afternoons with “nothing to do” but relax and have fun….

I’ve been thinking …

About birthdays.

It is birthday season in our family. When the kids were young, we had big family parties on Mother’s Day to celebrate our two and cousins’ May birthdays.

I was so grateful to have the little ones to focus on as it took away the sting of not having my amazing mom with us.

I’ve been thinking…

About PLAYING!

At this stage of my life, “playing” means golf!

But thinking back when I was a kid, “playing” meant being outside, down at the creek, out in the woods. Exploring and building forts and discovering (there it is again!) the wonders in the world.

Do kids play outside today?

I’ve been thinking…

…about learning.

Most synonyms associated with “learning” suggest schooling — studying, knowledge, to be taught.

I like to think about learning as discovering. We don’t have to be in a classroom for that.

I’ve been thinking…

What might inspire a poem?

Spring’s battle with Winter is worthy of note.

We consider how…

Winter’s crusty ground begins to yield to the warm breath of Spring.

But Winter is not going easily — whipping those March winds into a frenzy.

Daffodils and crocus ignore the roars.

I’ve been thinking…

…about ZOOM!

And Facetime! With grands in 3 different states, it is quite amazing — and wonderful — to see them almost “in person”…

I’ve been thinking about…

Marilyn.

Marilyn Roessler was an educational innovator. She was team teaching, running reading workshops, and directing outdoor education programs long before these best practices were commonly embraced. But it was as a teacher of the gifted that I so fondly remember this highly gifted woman…

I’ve been thinking…

Tis the season for “resolutions.” Sadly, the concept of setting resolutions at the new year has taken on a negative edge.

But aren’t resolutions really about reflecting on where we have been and where we want to go? And isn’t this a healthy mental and emotional exercise?

I’ve been thinking about…

Light!

In this season of very short days, and very long nights, we — all of us — seek LIGHT!

The brain needs light to function. (This explains why I am tired these days at 8:30 pm; it has been dark for hours!) So, it makes sense that during the darkest days of winter, we not only seek light, but celebrate it!

I've been thinking...

...about the excitement of NEW!

We have a new baby in our family! Our sixth grandchild. His mama calls him the "caboose." We are thrilled to have Mac join the cousin crew! Though it will be a bit of time before he's romping with the kids!

I’ve been thinking…

…about teaching.

I have been “retired” from the classroom since 2015 but have “re-tried” teaching in new ways.

Teachers have an intrinsic need to reach out, to share — to help. My children’s books are a way to reach out and share ideas, with the intent to help children negotiate challenges in their young lives.

I’ve been thinking…

…about the joy of meeting new friends.

We all have friends from different walks in our lives. Friends from church. Friends from our school days. Friends from work. Friends from our children’s school days…

I’ve been thinking…

…about blessings.

A thought in my mind — and heart — when I write books for children is that they will have some positive impact in the lives of young readers and their adult reading partners. I’ve shared in this space some stories of how children have reacted to the books, which certainly made my heart smile.

But this one is very special. I share it here as it came to me…

I’ve been thinking…

…about connections.

After years of avoiding social media and blogging, I’m discovering the joys of connecting with old friends and meeting new.

Last week we asked for “followers” to share grandparent names — those that they called their grandparents and/or those that their grands call them. This outreach has generated wonderful responses with names from around the world and pet names from families.

I’ve been thinking….

…about grandparenting.

On September 12th, we celebrate Grandparents’ Day.

There was a time long ago that I cynically thought this was just another “Hallmark moment” to sell cards. Maybe because I am now in this distinctive tribe, I celebrate grandparents’ day every time John and I get to facetime with the grands, or best yet —hug them in person!

This seems to be a golden age for grandparenting.

I’ve been thinking…

… about the joys of reading.

My grands are all beginning to read. What adventures await! But challenges abound as well.

I once heard a noted educator say that reading is the hardest thing the brain has to learn to do. As a reading specialist, I get questions from parents on how to best help their children with “reading homework.”

First —

I’ve been thinking…

…It was so special to capture the story from my daughter Jillian about that first day. But like my other stories, it lived in my computer files until…

I’ve been thinking…

…about GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!

Yes, all in caps because going to school is a BIG deal!

Certainly, for parents and little ones, going to kindergarten is a major life moment.

Today Cara Goes to Kindergarten was inspired by the actual story of my oldest granddaughter’s first day of “real” school. The whole family was excited! We all had followed the preparation leading up to Cara going to kindergarten! My teacher soul was especially stirred as they shared their stories…

I’ve been thinking…

…how grateful I am to my young readers.

It is nerve-wracking asking for feedback on creative projects. We want honest critiques that help hone the result. But we yearn for the “way to go!” to bolster our efforts.

Several young readers were particularly encouraging that Little Children, BIG Feelings was worthwhile. I am forever grateful to my dear friends Cindy and Matt for sending a videotape of young AJ listening to his mama read a draft of the book. He was genuinely intrigued by the story and the balloons. And at the end, he made my heart smile with the precious words, “Read it again, Mama!”…