LadyD Books: August 2012

Sky Pig for Skywatch Friday

Do you see him? I mean, there he is, 'Piggy in the Sky!' I can visualize him and the outline of a pig at the top, in the center of the picture. For more cool photos from friends, visit Skywatch Friday

pigs and chickens at the Del Mar Fair: LadyD Books

While we were at the Del Mar Fair this summer, we went inside the big building to see all the animals on exhibit. I was fascinated by mama pig and her piglets. I didn't realize that there are so many different swine breeds. Did you?

If you are considering keeping pigs, here's a beginner's guide. I think a pot belly pig would be cute.

Wikipedia says,

"A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives. Pigs are omnivores and are highly social and intelligent animals."

Pig Books for Children

Oink?

Written by Margie Palatini
Illustrated by Henry Cole

Two pigs are living a happy life on the farm, but the other animals think the pigs are too messy, too lazy, and too stinky. Will the pigs end up improving themselves - or will the other animals do it for them?

Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore

Written and illustrated by David McPhail

The narrator of this story has a quiet evening interrupted by the antics of a pack of pigs that take over his kitchen, order pizzas, and bring in their pig pals by the busload!

Piggies

Written by Audrey Wood
Illustrated by Don Wood

This delightfully illustrated story features smart, long, silly, fat, and wee pigs dancing on a child's fingers.

Ashman, Linda, and Henry Cole. Can You Make a Piggy Giggle? New York: Dutton Children's, 2002. Print.

Pomerantz, Charlotte, and James Marshall. The Piggy in the Puddle. New York: Macmillan, 1974. Print.

Here's a bit of finger play I do with the grandchildren:

We All Have Piggies!

I have two fat piggies, (Hold up thumbs)
Two smart piggies, (Raise index fingers)
And two long piggies too. (Raise middle fingers)
I have two silly piggies (Raise ring fingers)
And two wee piggies (Raise little fingers)
Waving right at you! (Wave both hands.)

Friday 56 (Freda's Voice)

"There was no doubt in Matilda's mind that this latest display of foulness by her father deserved punishment, and as she sat eating her awful fried fish and fried chips and ignoring the television, her brain went to work on various possibilities." Matilda

Currently reading Matilda. Have you read this one? What do you think of it?

It is so much fun to see a pig run! I've seen the pig races at rodeos and the fair. Have you been to one? Linking up with Color Connection

I believe these plants are called Pig's Ears. Photo for Floral Friday Fotos

You know, it really is a small world. I discovered some other blogger friends did a post on piggies, too. You might want to visit, Pegga Pig Toys and Home is a Roof Over a Pig

Kind Regards,

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

Foggy Valley

The temperatures have cooled down somewhat and finally, the humidity is leaving us. Beach fog, familiarly called 'Coastal Eddie,' swooped in and filled up the inland valley the other day.

I've seen thicker fog banks but this was a welcomed site, bringing hot temps from in the 90s down to refreshing 80s temperatures.

I remember using the bright lights on motor vehicles, used in foggy conditions to improve road visibility and to warn others of one's presence. It seems low beam worked best in this situation for me.

This photo reminds me of a fogbound forest. The valley is enveloped and obscured by the fog. I can imagine similar sites over in Europe or for that matter, anywhere.

There is a town in southeastern Italy called Foggia; population 160,000 but this isn't it. I live in SoCal near a beautiful mountain range. As you can see, the fog is burning off.

When visiting Maine and San Francisco, I recall hearing foghorns, a device making a loud, deep sound as a warning to ships in the fog.

Birds on the telephone wire: LadyD Books

Nearby where I live, you'll find a flock of birds chatting amongst themselves regarding the local news, while waiting for the fog to lift.

Lily's of some type burst with new growth every spring and summer in these parts. White seems to stand out contrasted with all these gray skies.

White eppie flower in bloom: LadyD Books

The white "eppie" is one of my favorites I'm sharing with you for Floral Friday Fotos.

grandson playing by the pond: LadyD Books

It's amazing to me, how you can give a kid a simple wind-up toy that's about 1" long and here you'll find my grandson being entertained by the pond for hours. Photo for Color Connection.

The Friday 56 (Book Meme)

I've been reading the hardcover book that my aunt gave me awhile back; The O'Reilly Factor For Kids. She thought I might like it and could find some cool tips and insights to share with my 4 grandchildren. Bill O'Reilly shares a note from a viewer that is found on page 56... I find it sad to read.

"Nowadays, you have to have a boyfriend and be going all the way with him! Then on top of that, you have to do drugs, drink and smoke! -- Anonymous

The O'Reilly Factor for Kids: A Survival Guide for America's Families

Being a music educator, I just love hearing about some great kids out there and to hear of their wonderful personal goals and community achievements. Life is short, make it count. Do what matters!

Lastly, I want to thank Juli for mentioning LadyD Books awhile back, so kind of you! Please visit her wonderful blog at http://universeinwords.blogspot.com/2012/08/inspiring-friday.html

Today, LadyD Books is linking with the following:

InLinkz.com

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

Landing in Leucadia (Ghost Buddy)

Driving south along the coast highway #101 in SoCal, I came across this very cool post office. Just so right for Blue Monday and Mellow Yellow Monday.

With blue skies up above and the car moving ahead, I managed to take this pic from the window. A little bit of shakey ground but you get the idea.

The Belly Up is a hangout place for local talented musicians to play gigs at in Solana Beach; a popular hot spot for young and old who enjoy live music.

Speaking of entertainment, remember the Fonz on Happy Days? Well, Annika Dawson contacted me about reviewing a book written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver. I plan on reading this on! I am thrilled, delighted and thankful for the opportunity.

Here's what Annika has to say:

We are excited to celebrate Scholastic’s release of Ghost Buddy #2: Mind If I Read Your Mind? by New York Times-bestselling authors Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver. Ghost Buddy #2 is the follow-up book to the very successful 1st in the series, Ghost Buddy: Zero to Hero. Comical characters and hilarious plots will delight your kids and bring a fun reading experience to the long days of summer. It’s the perfect title for a family book club get-together!

“Billy and Hoover are back in the hilarious new series from bestselling authors Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver!

It's time for Moorepark Middle School's annual Speak Out Challenge, and Billy Broccoli thinks he's got it made. With his best friend Hoover Porterhouse—the ghost with the most—by his side, Billy’s got the competition in the bag. Who wouldn't vote for a demonstration on mind reading?

But when Billy lands a spot on the sixth-grade team, he starts spending more time with his new teammates than he does with Hoover. And the Hoove plays second fiddle to no one! If Billy's not careful, his secret weapon might just vanish into thin air, leaving Billy to pick up the pieces of a demonstration day disaster!”

For Book Sharing Monday:

Ghost Buddy #1: Zero to Hero

Ghost Buddy #2: Mind If I Read Your Mind?

Happy Reading!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

Turtle Skies

A billowing mass of condensed water vapor floating in the air, high above the ground. Photo shot with my Nikon D200 for Skywatch Friday.

The blue skies clouded over abruptly and made things less clear in some parts of the valley below.

I started recalling familiar phrases in reference to clouds. Can you think of some to add here? Example: Every cloud has a silver lining. I'm on cloud nine. She has her head in the clouds.

Wikipedia turtle: Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield. I have heard of snapping turtles and red ear sliders. And experiencing sea turtles in Maui has been a magical moment for me. They hear the music of the sea.

I have seen snapping turtles in Massachusetts, and land turtles at the zoo. This looks like a Box Car or perhaps these turtles seen at the S.D. Safari Park are called The Western Hermann's tortoise.

I had no idea just how many varieties of turtles exist. Familiar with the Logger Head sea turtle, or the slant neck water turtle? How about the Gopher turtle? If interested, a list can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle

These guys fascinate me. I watched them for quite sometime and studied their moves. (slowly)

So, there's the Diamondback Terrapin, Red-Eared Turtle, the Painted Turtle, Florida Cooter, Chicken Turtle, Mississippi Map Turtle, Musk Turtle or Stinkpot, Texas Tortoise, Eastern Mud Turtle, Wood Turtle, Blanding's Turtle, Atlantic Green, Spiny Softshell, Yellow-Spotted Amazon, Moorish Tortoise and Giant Galapagos Tortoise.

When our son was a young lad, the "Teenage Ninja Turtle" costume was ever popular for the day. Hubby would be in the garage using Turtle wax on the car and the kids and I would look at books and read about turtle eggs. I've made a collage of a few of our favorite 'turtle books.' Naturally, Franklin the Turtle is at the top of the list with the grandchildren. I posted a book review, http://ladyd-books.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-franklin-turtle.html. Another favorite children's book by Dr. Seuss is Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories.

Hardcover Book by Ann Ivans

The Friday 56: The Beginning Knowledge Book of Turtles

"The box turtle can close its top shell so tightly against its bottom shell that a thin knife blade cannot be forced between the two. But sometimes a box turtle gets so stuffed from eating wild strawberries and mushrooms that it cannot close its shell at all."

The Beginning Knowledge Book of Turtles

The Matilija Poppy for Friday Floral Foto. Last year I wrote about the Legend of the Matilija Poppy. These 'fried egg' flowers make the landscape a happy place.