School Presentation

By Rebecca Talley

Yesterday I had the privilege of doing a school presentation. I presented in individual classrooms.

In the 1st grade class, I donned my headband with antennas attached and read my picture book, Grasshopper Pie. I let one of the kids hold a large plastic grasshopper and put a smaller one on my finger to help me tell the story. I shared how this story was based on an experience with my kids when they tried, unsuccessfully (thank goodness), to feed me a live grasshopper. I also showed the kids the proof and an original watercolor illustration. They seemed to enjoy it and asked me a lot of questions. 1st graders are wiggly so I knew I had to be animated and entertaining.

I then presented to the 4th graders who were much less wiggly. While writing my book, I tried to build up to the climatic moment and yesterday I was pleased with the reaction by the kids. They all started laughing and gasping just before the mom gets the grasshopper in her mouth. I also shared my process with getting my novel, Heaven Scent, published. I showed them the notes I wrote and a couple of the proofs as well as the edit requests from my editor. I wanted to emphasize that rewriting and editing are part of the writing process. One girl wanted to know if you could turn in your manuscript with smears on it, you know, after you'd erased your mistakes. Her comment made me realize how fortunate we are to have computers. I remember writing on my lined paper and erasing mistakes, only to rip the page, and have to start over. Or using a typewriter only and having to use the correction ribbon or type it on erasable onion skin paper. We've come a long way since then. I explained to her that you have to write your story on a computer and edit it right on the computer and then the mistakes aren't noticeable anymore.

To conclude, I presented to a large 3rd grade class and ended up speaking to them for an hour. They had so many questions about submitting stories and writing. It was so fun to see the excitement and how most of the hands went up when I asked who kept a writing journal. I also asked what was the one thing that could help a writer the most. After a few answers one girl said, "Read." I told her that was absolutely right. The more we read the better writers we'll become and the more we write the better writers we'll become, they're both intertwined.

It was great to see such enthusiasm. I had a lot of fun and hope to be able to do more school presentations.

Exterminating Bugs

by Heather Horrocks

What is it about the change in the weather that drives the bugs inside?

The common cold bugs, I mean. Inside our bodies. Inside mine, at least. This week. Sniffle, sniffle. Blow. Sniffle, sniffle. Blow. Ad nauseam. Plus I’ve got a really sore nose now.

Can those scientists really not come up for a cure for the common cold? I mean, really. They can put a man on the moon, yada, yada, but we have to sniffle for days here on earth.

Okay, I’ll quit complaining. (Ha! Did you believe that?) I know it’s not a horrible thing like those that can happen suddenly – no deaths in the family, or accidents, or diseases. And I know other people are dealing with those big, horrible things (and I’m praying for you, if I know about it).

I do identify with those of you who have lost a loved one. I lost my father two years ago and my mother-in-law (second mother) last August, and I still have a very hard time attending funerals. But the sniffle, sniffle seems to muffle all that stuff, and my world has narrowed down to just me and my tissues. Sad, isn't it? What's the phrase from Miss Congeniality? 'Both pathetic and grotesque.' Yup, that probably describes it. Me, with my irritating sniffle. Sniffle. Excuse me, I have to go grab a tissue.

Okay, I’m back. I wonder just how many varieties of cold bugs there are. And would they survive a nuclear blast like the cockroaches? And then will the cockroaches catch colds?

Speaking of cockroaches (hey, my head is all fuzzy and tangents are all I can manage this week), we lived in South America, where they are huge and gross. I’m glad I don’t have them here in the Western United States.

Where will my mind wander next? It’s like a great adventure. My mind has caught the Common Cold Express. Off we go!

Because this is just a weird day, and because I absolutely love movies (I even owned a video store for five years), I’m going to list a few of my favorite movies (feel free to join in on your next blog : ) ... Star Wars (the original, not the dreadful Episode I), Steel Magnolias (‘Hit this!’), National Treasure, Groundhog Day, Three Men and a Little Lady, Undercover Blues, Miss Congeniality, and my new favorite, Enchanted.

Now I think I’d better take some medicine and tuck myself into bed. (If I’m naughty, will someone send me to my room?)

I hope this blog finds all of you healthy. And that those of you who are dealing with a real crisis are able to find comfort and peace throughout it.

B's and P's and Q's

by Faith St. Clair

Last week marked the two-year anniversary of my Mother’s death. I really didn’t think about it too much last year at this time, but this year three funerals surfaced in a week and a half. One of those was Anna Arnett’s husband, Charles. Although I didn’t physically attend his services, reading about his life, his influence and his funeral (as well as those that I have attended) has brought my emotions and memories to a head.

Although I have relived the pain of my Mother’s suffering and have succumbed to the usual and intense loss for not having her here on this earth to guide me, bug me, hug me, inspire me, make me laugh and enjoy holidays with, the main thrust of my emotions has been fun and excitement. I think of the fun and funny things about her and I am excited about where she is and the great work I know she is doing on the other side of the veil.

For the fun and funny:

Belch, bellybutton, burp, butt, barf, or boobs. If it started with a "b", you would never hear it come from my Mothers' mouth.

“There are such things as the use of proper vocabulary, dear.” She would say.

We didn’t talk about our “time of the month”, or refer to our “fanny” very much. We didn’t show our “navels” and the only thing that was allowed to “burp” was a baby. She held our hair back as we “vomited” and our bodies were “torsos”. We “tinkled” and went “number two” but talking about bodily functions was pretty unacceptable (since I guess “body” started with a “b”). Jeans were what farmers wore and girls were meant to have long hair and boys, short hair. “Two-piece swimming suits” (bikinis starts with a “b”) were out of the question and “respect for your elders” meant you did not address them by their first name – EVER – and what they said, went.

Thinking of her prompts me to remember my P’s and Q’s (not my “b’s”). She would get so flustered in the company of base remarks. Although I’m grateful for her example, she still makes me laugh.

I also get excited when I think of her and where she is. She is amongst great company and I often think that when my time comes, how excited I will be to see God, Christ, Mom, Doug, Gary, Robin, Linda, Popsie, Grandma and Grandpa, Max, Charles, Dale, Randy and so many more. I will enjoy the reunions, the visiting and the lack of sorrow.

Until then… on this balmy bench I banter a bunch of words for my beautiful mother to bask in. These are “b’s” she actually enjoyed…

Ballet, butterflies, bouquets, Brahms, babies, blessings, beautiful, big band, black strap molasses, books, breezes, belief and bells.

April Fool's Day

by Terri Wagner

I've never been big on April's Fool's Day, probably because I forget about it until someone, usually the radio reminds me. But my mother and brother are huge fans and work hard every year to top last year's. For so many years, I lived in my beloved adopted Virginia and didn't participate. My first year back in Alabama, my mother called me up on March 31st and said, "I'm coming down and we are going over to Baton Rouge to surprise your brother."

"Uh, sure," was my first reaction. It was a Saturday that year so no work conflicts (having never had to work, my mom doesn't really grasp the work concept). However, I had to take Chewbacca, my black lab. Dad was going on a boat trip. My mom doesn't really like dogs, and I had a small Cavalier at that time.

Just driving the 3 hours to my brother's house with a dog who likes to peer out the front and a mom who hates dogs was NOT amusing. Not to mention, the rest stops we had to take periodically, making that 3-hour trip something much longer.

Then uncertain of the new house's location, we sped past the turnoff. We stopped in this little country gas station/store to ask directions. I'm sitting in the car telling Chewie how sorry I was for all of this when my brother walks out of the store. I sit frozen for a moment, not sure what to do. Then I figure he can't see in my car and it's not an unusual car. He's hysterical. He obviously recognizes the car, but his brain says that can't be his sister. I’m thinking this is funner than I thought. Then Chewie pops his head up and there goes the surprise.

I wave him over, tell him why we're here and that his mother is in the store. So he goes in to surprise her just as she is coming out. Big blam with the screen door and then shouts of surprise on both their parts. He was there getting ice cream for cake (I'm thinking yum cake, makes the trip worthwhile). So then they decide to surprise his kids and wife.

I drive pass the house, park, take Chewie onto the front porch (which of course no one ever comes too) and ring the doorbell, sliding to the right side. Bert has his wife answer the door. She looks at this big black dog and squeals. Then mom and I jump out and yell April Fool's.

I made none of this up. They do this kind of thing every year. Wonder what they're up to this year.