~The House That Built Me~

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~Everybody Chill Out.. I got this~

 

 

Said Jesus to His flock.....

 

Have you heard me?  Are you listening?

 

Is this anything different from what I have

said all along? 

 It was written long before

even I came before & among you.

 

 

Haven't you figured out that the future has already

been written just as the past has already been lived?

 

 

Where is your faith?  Where is your cross?

 

Yes.. THAT cross.  The one you must carry

in order to proceed to get us all where we are going.

 

 

What? 

 

 Do I know how heavy that cross is?

 

Do I know how long and far that destination is with

it carried over your back?

 

  Splinters you say?

 

 

No you can't have the blue one or the green one.

 

Do you mean to tell me that you honestly believe

that the orange one is any lighter in weight

than your brown one?

 

How can I ask you to carry it by yourself?

 

 

Wait a minute. .. so now you are  demanding Sunscreen?

 

 

No it isn't in the plan to make take a

break at that roadside  park.

 

And please just ditch that GPS cause it won't

be of help at all to where we are going.

 

I know it says the views are better and the

trip will be shorter.  None the less, the answer

is still

 

 

 No.

 

 

For the last time.. I am not going to answer your

question of are we there yet?

 

Or how many more miles?

 

Oh and while we are at it since 

I'm the

leader then I get to select the music I want to

listen to along the way.

 

I do understand how you do not like my style

of music...

 

But even so, my trip...

My rules

 

Thirsty? 

 

Yes I am too.  Very thirsty?

 

No, please share what little water you have with

the others who thirst...

 

Because I said so....

 

No, trust me

 

You will Never run out of water

This I promise to you.

 

And while we are at it..

 

I MOST Definitely Do Know How

Heavy that cross is

 

 

And the colors really do not matter

 

No really... for they are all the same

 

 

Your splinters? 

 

Let me show you mine.

 

 

Yes you will carry it

 

But you weren't listening when I told

you that I will help you along the way when it

gets far too heavy and the road too treacherous

 

 

Because I LOVE You

 

More than you will ever know

 

 

Please just Trust Me

 

 

I have already promised you I know

I AM

 

The Very Best Way

 

 

Come along now

We must be going

 

We have many places to stop

Many people to help

Many people to show

Many people to inspire

 

They need us to show them

The Way

For we need them to join us

Along our Way

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Bluebonnets in a Texas Fall~

The Bluebonnet is the official state flower of Texas.

It grows wild and permeates our natural landscapes & along our vast roadways

announcing the grand arrival of Spring.

First Lady Bird Johnson established as one of her national

platforms the beautification of our nation w/her wonderful

wildflower planting agenda.  And her legacy previals in all the

gorgeous roadways and byways across all of our diversified states.

The seeds are harvested & sold throughout our state to help us to

colorize our natural environments.  They will regenerate after the season if the birds

do not carry them away and if there is sufficient water for growth.

Seeds from packets can be spread generally during the month of Nov.

in hopes of a vibrant and hearty harvest for the next Spring.

 

In the late 1990's First Lady of Texas, Laura Bush established an annual

event, The Texas Book Festival so literacy could be placed on the front burner

of the State's agenda.  And it has been a huge success.  Authors, q&a's,

seminars, writer's workshops etc. are the platform for getting attention

for literacy.  One of the highlights is the focus for children and the importance

of reading at an early age.  Kids can meet favorite authors, illustrators, do

crafts and listen to live music.  The event takes place every Fall.  And just

as  Texas First Lady Bird did in the 60's, the seeds to lifelong reading and

literacy were planted in Austin, Texas once a year.  The event

has been a huge success and even went into the national spectrum once

First Lady and President Geroge W. Bush resided in the White House and

promoted literacy and education during the National Book Festival held in

Washington, D.C.

 

 

And now we have the Texas Bluebonnet Award in which 20 children's books

are selected by the Texas Library Association into a master list selected for

readers in grades 3-6.  There is a huge variety of books to explore.  They open

these books for review by Texas children to read.  The kids have the final say

after spending the Fall months reading and reviewing these titles.  They get to

use personal discrimination to identify their favorite through a voting process in

the Winter.  One title will be selected to stand out as the favorite once the votes

are counted.  A student is allowed to vote on their favorite after reading 5 books of

their choice.  Parents are also encouraged to share in this adventure and read aloud or

along with their child.  Participation in this program also has rewards for the

students hard work.  If a child reads 5-10 books then they may vote and get a pencil.

If 15 books are read then they will be rewarded w/a vote, pencil and each lunch in

the library.  For those kids who complete all 20 books then they get all fo the above and

also an autographed copy of the winning book or a free book from the Spring Book Fair.

 

 

 

For the size of this blog entry  I will only mention some of our favorites.  And there have so

many WONDERFUL books we have enjoyed.  Big Hoot might have a hard time

picking his favorite.  I won't get to vote but that won't stop me from hooting

about my favorite.  And it's a doozy!!  I will save that one for last.

 

We were excited to see Zita the Spacegirl on the list.

It was a favorite of Big Hoots as he only read it about

4 times over the Summer... No Really... he did..

I know.. pretty amazing huh?  And I was glad since he

had already read it, that was one less book he had to

handle along w/all his homework projects at his new

magnet school.  I like this book because it features a

girl heroine who finds herself in a mess and is trying to

undo the wrong she unwillingly caused.  (oh how I

can personally relate)  ;p

 

 

After all of that action and energy spent trying to get back

home from a planet filled with monsters.. a person

might get hungry.  And what kid does Not like a

hotdog.  Heck, my brother used to plan clandestine

operations raiding the refrigerator for the raw weiners

then running off and chowing down while I was growing up.

(now this is the part where the gag reflex sets in for me)

However, both of my hoots LOVE a good cooked (thank

you God) hotdog!!  So enters .....

 

 

a fun and educational source for everything fun,

yummy and fulfilling.  There are tons of historical

references to the foods we eat and the places and in

some cases the reasons they were invented.  You might

want to grab something to eat after reading this one..

or maybe even take in a country fair or two.

 

 

 

After that excursion you find yourself up for more adventure in

the  cute book about postcards and camping adventures.  And let's

face it.. what child doesn't dream about leaving home for an

exploration of the great unknown (or maybe even to jsut leave

home after Mom or Dad gets mad at them and the discover all the

injustices that can be rendered onto a helpless & defenseless and oh

so mistreated kid)???

 

 

 

Here is where I might have to take a serious guess and wonder if

this Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie just might win the vote of Big Hoot.

For there has Never been a pickle (aside from the dreaded sweet variation)

that this hoot has not loved and conquered.  In fact, pickle is one of his

nicknames as it also rhymes w/his last name.  So he did speak highly of

this vingary smelly of a book.

 

 

Our next selection is along the lines of boys, screams and all that

goes bump in the night.  And we read it during the week of

Hallowee so what better time.  However, this book can be enjoyed

year round.  It is unlike any kid's book I have read before.  And I Loved it..



 

Scarum Fair is loaded w/blood, guts, gore and all that is creepy

and macabre.  It has a comical sinister undertone that

throws in just enough humor and lyrical style that keeps you

laughing and turning the page quickly for the next entry.

 

 

What boy doesn't get into the not your sugar coated

nice and neat book?  Most are into boogers, snot

and obnoxious noises that can be conjoled from their

body parts & crevices.

 

 

 Oh yes.. And guess what?  It's a poetry book!!

Yep.. Can you believe it?  Poetry that the kids will

adore since it's all about creepy, crawly and disgusting

things that you might fear..  Even the ghouls  girls

might get a kick out of this one.

 

 

Oohh La La.. there is even one that the girls might

especially be drawn to.  Just Being Audrey is a cute

book about Audrey Hepburn and her childhood.

The illustrations are light, fun and classy... all

the wonderful traits that symbolized the classy

woman and idol she became.

 

 

It teaches how you can overcome a very difficult

childhood while surviving a World War.  And how

staying true to yourself and what you believe in

can make a huge difference in the world.  It also

illustrates how one quiet, sweet girl grew up to become

an international star that influenced personal demeanor,

fashion and how we can save lives.. one child at a time.

(oh yes.. and for the girlie girls out there.. it even has BALLET)

 

And speakin' of dancing.. there is a vibrant book on South American/Latin

dance and music.  I never realized that there were so many different styles of

Latin music & dance. 

 

Under the Mambo Moon is a great book that explains the origin of the different dances..

the Cha Cha, The Mambo, The Tango etc., the musical instruments used, the beats and

the culture behind style.  I have never really gotten into the hugely popular Dancing With

The Stars TV competition show.  I've have seen it a few times just in passing.  Now, after

having read this morsel of knowledge I want to really Watch it as I now Understand so much

more.  It is a fantastic history lesson, music interpretation and multicultural gem.  This book is

written in an unusual format.  And I have to admit that it took me awhile to finally get to that

"Ah Ha" moment where my mind put the subplots together.  But once I got there, I realized that

I was looking forward to reading it all over again cause there was just so much meat there.

Big Hoot wasn't into this book at first, but it to is a poetry book and he was able to pick up

great nuiances I had missed while I was reading this one to him.

 

 

The style, rhythm and vibrant colors makes a special impact in this picture book format.

By the end, Big Hoot was really enjoying it.  It's definitely worth a look through.. especially

if you are into the dance show.  It explains much!!

 

 

 

Ellray Jakes is a comforting and not so comforting book about a boy

who "just wants to get along".. the Rodney King of his Middle School.

However, as we who have survived the Middle School angst and ranks know..

That is waayy easier said than done!!

Especially when you have to deal w/parents who don't understand the torment

you endure on a daily basis from 2 bullies that make your life miserable.  This

 book is a great source of help, understanding, conflict management when dealing

with the horrible and ever growing problem of Bullying.

 

And Ellray Jakes can be a friend to all who have or are having to deal w/

bullying from mean classmates~

 

 

And this is where our bookmark rests for this post.  The next three are some

up & coming..and coming up books we have yet to read....

 

 

And now I have saved the BEST for LAST..

My choice for the Bluebonnet Award IF they would

only let Me Vote......(grumble, moan,*sigh..hiss)

 

 

And how can you NOT LOVE a book

that's first two hook 'em sentences are

 

"He was the best of Toms"

"He was the worst of Toms"

 

 

 

And it has my very most favorite ever of all times

Food......

 

~CHEESE~

 

 

 

And two of my favorite authors of the

Victorian Era....

 

Charles Dickens & Mark Twain

 

 

 

And an alley cat with one

Major secret he's been hiding

his whole miserable life.....

 

until....

 

one little orphaned mouse

accidentally comes across it.....

 

 

Anyone who KNOWS me knows I have a passion

for books of any kind.. But my achilles heel is

Children's Lit.

 

There are hundreds of my favorites.. But once in

awhile, a book comes along that literally just

pushes me over the edge.

 

Holes, by Louis Sachar did it a few yr. ago.

Honestly, AN"YTHING written by my buddy

Louis is a fine jewel among gems..

 

And like Holes.. The Cheshire Cheese Cat

has so many different subplots, hidden treasures

and historical info that I got hooked immediately.

This book is witty, wry and wonderful.

 

And to even imagine Charles Dickens with

major writer's block for an opening hook, line

and sinker is a home run!! 

 

Will Dickens catch the words he's longing for?

Just what happened to Skilley the Alley Cat

and his sad sad story?

 

I don't FREAKIN' KNOW..

Cause I was gonna read before the Presidential

Elections suckered me in and then

sucker punched the crap out of me.. leaving me

gasping in disbelief.

 

I'm dying to finish this book ... but it's just so

dang cute that I want to slowly savor it

like a cold fresh wine or a finely aged Cheese!!

 

Happy Reading!!

Our kids are our future.. and by golly they have

their work cut out for them...