The Straight Line Family

Most people think a straight line can only be thin. I look at the tree trunks and see a variety of thickness. How about you? This photo for Skywatch Friday was taken at Owls Head, Maine. It's a town in Knox County, Maine.

Have you ever been to Maine? I've seen the east coast in the winter and summer. It's quite magical!

The Friday 56

"When you observe and explore straight lines in the environment, they are usually attached to things and have to be isolated in order to be recognized, such as a line going from the ceiling to the floor in the corner of the room, one side of the picture frame, or one particular branch in a tree." -- Mona Brookes

Drawing with Children: A Creative Teaching and Learning Method That Works for Adults Too

I've always wanted to learn how to draw, especially to advance from stick figures and see myself making progress!  I just love this snippet from the Foreword of Mona Brookes book:

"I love to draw. My first box with twenty-four Crayola crayons was my most valued possession. The words azure, mauve, and taupe made me tremble with anticipation. The silver and gold crayons were especially precious; I used them more sparingly than any other colors..."

How about you... do you have artistic talent and does it run in the family? I love to write stories, play the piano, and sing but I find myself tracing from coloring books or drawing the straight line family!

Blessings,






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

Related articles

• Remembering Along The Trail
• Starvation Mountain: Haiku
• Learn to Tie a Tie with the Rabbit and the Fox: Review
• Soaring Through Struggles

7 Reasons to Like Lavender

Nestled in the foothills of the Palomar Mountain Range in northern San Diego County, Keys Creek Lavender Farm is a delightful, picturesque destination with row after row of beautiful, fragrant lavender.

I had the opportunity to visit the farm recently since May & June is their bloom season. These beautiful surroundings heightened my senses, relaxed my mind and fed my soul. You can see the labyrinth garden in the left panel. The farm stand provides bath, body and health products, honey, fresh cut lavender, lavender plants and more. Visit their website, Keys Creek Lavender Farm

I personally think guys and gals can benefit from the lavender product. It's beneficial for aching muscles, fatigue, headache, ear ache, insomnia, stress and anxiety, sinusitis... just to name a few. Like lavender? I'm a huge fan!

Photo for Skywatch Friday

The Page 56 :

"Lavender blues, in hues from deepest indigo through amethyst, violet and hyacinth, all evoke a richness that is well documented throughout history. Purple symbolizes majesty in many cultures. Maybe it is the richness of the color that makes it so attractive, maybe it is its vast range of shades, from pink and red to blue, that means it can be mixed and matched to many other tones."

Lavender - Practical Inspirations For Natural Gifts, Country Crafts And Decorative Displays

I love the book, especially the chapter layout and its contents for easy reference... like,

History and Folklore
Cultivation
Lavender and Linen
Decorative Lavender
Fragrant Lavender
Delicious Lavender

Best,






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

Book Review: Something Fishy

I was thrilled to hear from Caitlin Eck, Publicist for Independent Publishers Group regarding a possible book review for 7-9-year-olds. I've got to say, I am pleased to introduce you to Mr. Polisar's great new book, Something Fishy with excellent illustrations by David Clark. First, let me share a brief description to give you a feel of this cute hardcover children's book. Thank you, Caitlin!

About The Book

Exploring a delightful world of truly exotic and unusual sea creatures, Something Fishy is filled with intriguing facts about an array of fish and animals that live in or near the water. Written entirely in verse, Barry Louis Polisar’s witty and thought-provoking poems introduce children to some of the oddest creatures in the animal kingdom, including many rare and endangered species. Children will be captivated by the lively illustrations while learning and laughing at the clever rhymes.

My Review

A unique and fun approach to verse and rhyme, these witty and lively poems will have you smiling and learning about many special sea creatures such as the crab, puffer fish, and killer whale. If you know the way of a jellyfish, children will enjoy silly descriptions like yuck and gelatinous muck. The author is exceptionally creative with the poem, The Smallest Fish along with a myriad of exciting illustrations that adults will enjoy, too. Don't be surprised when you hear your Dad chuckle aloud while reading the Pot-Bellied Seahorse. Baited is another nice poem woven with a hint of wisdom in letting go. The book ends with a wonderful explosion of symphonic praise for all sea life with educational endnotes in the back of the book. This is a delightful book that one will enjoy reading again and again.

5/5 stars. Highly recommend.


About The Author

Barry Louis Polisar is an author and singer-songwriter who writes children's music and numerous children's books, poems and stories.

Barry Louis Polisar is a four-time Parents Choice Award winner and the author of the Rainbow Morning Music Picture Books series and numerous other books. He has written songs for Sesame Street and the Weekly Reader and has been featured regularly on the Learning Channel. His song “All I Want Is You” was featured on the Grammy Award–winning soundtrack to the movie Juno. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland. David Clark is a nationally syndicated cartoonist whose work is featured many newspapers, including the Washington Post. He is a winner of the Reuben Award for Newspaper Illustration from the National Cartoonist Society and has illustrated almost all of Barry’s books, including Peculiar Zoo, Snakes and the Boy Who Was Afraid of Them, and The Snake Who Was Afraid of People. He lives in Luray, Virginia.     

I love the book! If it were possible to rate a book 10 stars, then this is the one! 
Of course, maybe it's because I like to fish, along with my entire family...
Thank you, Barry Louis Polisar!     

Something Fishy (Rainbow Morning Music Picture Books)







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

Diana Ross: Secrets of a Sparrow

Whirling way above the mountain tops, a huge cloud covering hovers over the beginnings of a glowing sunrise. Gosh, it is no secret that it looks like another beautiful morning in SoCal. I am so fortunate to look towards the eastern sky each morning and see a beautiful gift in the heavens. Reminds me of the song, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

Photo for Skywatch Friday.

I grew up loving her music and followed the latest with this bright star, Diana Ross. How about you? I'd say she is an icon and my favorite duet with her and Lionel Ritchie is Endless Love.

From the Inside Flap

This long awaited memoir reveals the heart and soul of the most private of the megatalents -- upon the occasion of her thirtieth year as a show business great.

If any one performer defines the word "Superstar," it's Diana Ross -- a pop music legend and cultural icon who has been at the top of her profession for three fabulous decades. Secrets of a Sparrow, her inspirational and intimate memoir which takes its title from a favorite spiritual her mother sang to her, focuses on just that: the pain and pleasure of getting to number one and staying there, along with the lessons learned and the lessons taught. Here are Diana Ross' onstage electricity and allure transposed to the spoken word. Whether recounting triumphs or setbacks, togetherness or solitude, Diana is never less than open. These are the thoughtful and lyrically composed reminiscences of one of the most accomplished women of our time, a woman who is a role model in so many ways. Always true to herself, Ross is the ultimate entertainer who aims to please but never compromise -- and she's not about to start now.

The Friday 56

"We played endlessly in the backyard of 5736 St. Antoine, just behind the back doorway of our kitchen. I used to sit on a stool in that doorway, particularly in the summer, with the warm sun shining on my face. I picture myself in something red, maybe some red pants." -- Diana Ross

Secrets of a Sparrow

Diana Ross: I'm Comin' Out

Do you have a favorite hit song of Diana Ross and the Supremes?

Well, my granddaughter is coming out in her adorable Hello Kitty and red pants, too!

Wondering around the Avocado Festival, I looked up and spotted this beautiful fruit tree with branches heavily laden with Loquats. The loquat tree can reach 20 - 30 feet high.

Wikipedia says:

The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to central China (Chongqing and Hubei province). It is a large evergreen shrub or small tree, grown commercially for its yellow fruit, and also cultivated as an ornamental plant. It was formerly thought to be closely related to the genus Mespilus, and is still sometimes known as the Japanese medlar. It is also known as Japanese plum and Chinese plum, and in China as "pipa" (枇杷).

I have a loquat tree in the front part of our ranch. We eat the fruit ever so quickly before the birds get to them. Of course, it helps to have many grandchildren who enjoy eating lots of fresh fruit. Do you care for the taste and have you made jam with them? The seeds are quite lovely as well.

Linking to Orange You Glad It's Friday

Best,






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

Soaring Through Struggles

Looking closely, you'll see that the flags have letters that read backward. LadyD Books is linking along with others, her one word, JOY

Today's Happenings

I got an email from someone today saying, "I don't know you and I don't care about your photos!"
Ouch! I wasn't sure if I should "Delete" or tell them to "Unsubscribe." Faced with a choice, I decided not to dwell on it and...

My Response

I immediately went into prayer and then felt better about the whole matter. Plus, I read a little. My "JOY" was back!

Barbara Johnson

"I was flying from Minneapolis to California, or so I thought, when the pilot announced we were returning to our port of departure. "Whatever for?" we all wondered, groaning and complaining. The pilot explained that the aircraft couldn't get enough altitude to clear the Rocky Mountains near Denver. Despite our mutterings, we turned around and headed back.

Once on ground, it wasn't long before the airplane mechanics found the problem. One of them had left a vacuum hose in the door, preventing the seal from being tight enough to allow the cabin to be pressurized and thus enable the plane to clear the Rockies. A simple error by a careless mechanic drained the airplane's power to soar.

What's your personal vacuum hose that keeps you from soaring?

Pray for illumination.
Let go of worry.
Follow the disciplines outlined in the Bible.
Communicate with the Pilot as well as the ground crew.

Do whatever is necessary to remove the hoses that drain your energy or force you backward.

Don't give up and take the bus. It's better to fly. Remember that underneath are the "everlasting arms."








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

Remembering Along The Trail

Remembering is important to God. He encourages us to make memories. In Joshua 3-4, we read the account of the Israelites moving the ark of the covenant across the flooded Jordan River. After the water parted to allow the ark and Israelites to cross, God commanded the leaders of the twelve tribes to take one stone each from the river and to place it where the priests had stood with the ark when they arrived safely on the other shore. "These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever" (Joshua 4:7). They are still there today.

We're encouraged to remember days of old, the wonders of God, the Sabbath, God's deeds and our struggles, our Creator, our youth, and that life is short.

If you've not yet begun to create memories, start now. Load up your camera with film, fill that pen with ink and capture the miracles and wonders that come your way.

Surround yourself with whatever it takes to be reminded. God is faithful. Don't ever forget that.

-- Luci Swindoll

Photo for Skywatch Friday

I just felt that this passage may be for someone... Sincerely wishing moms a Happy Mother's Day!

Along the many trails at the San Diego Safari Park, we came across so many different varieties of Aloe Vera and many of the plants were in bloom, like these interesting orange flowers. Photo for Orange You Glad It's Friday



The Friday 56

"Grandparents will be thanked for what they have spoken and for what they have kept to themselves. The discoveries they have kept silent about leaving the child to find his own. The dreams, the mistakes, the doubts, the worries, and the fears of old age they share only carefully with the young."

-- Charles and Ann Morse from An Illustrated Grandmother's Notebook by Juliette Clarke.

To all the mothers... every day is mother's day, so celebrate your nurturing and caring ways!

Blessings,






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

No Two Clouds Alike

Photo for Skywatch Friday

CLOUD RHYME

What’s fluffy white and floats up high,
Like a pile of cotton in the sky?
And when the wind blows hard and strong,
What very gently floats along?
What brings the rain, what brings the snow,
That showers down on us below?
When you look up high in the sky,
What is that thing you see float by?
  -- Adapted Traditional

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/

There Is None Like You

I love this song by Lenny LeBlanc. 
It reminds me that there's no two clouds alike, each one being so special!

 

A fellow blogger, friend and author, Valerie Story has shared one of her many books with me. Currently I am reading Unleashed (Of Poltergeists and Murder: The Curious Story of Tina Resch). Have you read this one? The author of Healing Words, Larry Dossey, M.D. said this about the book, "UNLEASHED is a gripping account of that strange, unguarded borderland between mind and matter, where thought and emotion explode onto the physical world in chaotic, unpredictable ways. UNLEASHED should come with a warning label: MAY FOREVER CHANGE YOUR WORLDVIEW" 

 The Friday 56

"Pastor Heinz did not know the Resches well. When Joan told him about flying wineglasses and chairs that moved by themselves on a Saturday night, he suspected the problem was bottled spirits and not the invisible kind."

Unleashed: Of Poltergeists and Murder: The Curious Story of Tina Resch

I know it's a bit of a change from all the children's picture books I have been reviewing lately. So, what are you reading now and where do you post your reviews? You'll find me at Goodreads, LibraryThing and Amazon.

Happy reading and have a wonderful Cinco de Mayo!

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

Book Tour and Review: Bella Saves the Beach

This is the third book from Nancy Stewart's best selling children's picture book Bella and Brit series, Bella Saves the Beach.

About The Book

Bella and Britt are worried about all the trash appearing on their beautiful beach.  But what can they do?  Britt is leaving on vacation, and Bella can’t solve the problem alone.  Without adults to lend a hand, can they possibly save their beach?

Excerpt:

Bells, Britt and all their friends built sand castles and filled moats with salty sea. But this summer, the girls were worried.

“Look at all this trash, Britt,”said Bella.

She nodded. “Yeah, and I leave on vacation tomorrow. I can’t help pick it up!”

Next morning, Bella walked along the beach alone. “Hello.” Bella said tot he old crooked beak pelican, perched on his piling. “Somebody has to help, and I guess it’s me.”

My Review 

Children love the sights and sounds of the salty ocean and sandy beach, but not when it's covered with trash. Two dear friends, Bella, and Britt have concerns for the safety of mammals, birds and fish. With Britt willing to help, Bella shows great leadership skills in launching a campaign to save their beach where everyone gets involved with picking up beach trash. What I enjoyed most about the story is the realistic approach to a dream coming true along with a practical plan. In addition, it just takes one sincere girl and lots of helpers to make a clean beach happen. An additional educational bonus is the author's end notes on the dangers of beach trash with solutions to this problem, along with a list of some birds we all enjoy at the beach.

5/5 stars. Highly recommend this well-written story with beautiful art by Samantha Bell.

 

Purchase from:

NANCYSTEWARTBOOKS.COM
 GUARDIAN ANGEL PUBLISHING 
AMAZON
 BARNES AND NOBLE

About The Author

Nancy Stewart Bio:

Nancy is the bestselling and award-winning author of the four Bella and Britt Series books for children:  One Pelican at a Time (eighteen weeks on Amazon Bestselling List), Sea Turtle Summer, (which won the Children’s Literary Classic Gold Award), Bella Saves the  Beach (which won the Gold)  and Mystery at Manatee Key.  The authorized biography, Katrina and Winter:  Partners in Courage, is the story of Katrina Simpkins and Winter, the dolphin. One Pelican at a Time and Nancy were featured in the PBS Tampa special, GulfWatch.   All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing. 

Nancy is a frequent speaker and presenter at writer’s conferences throughout the United States.  She conducts workshops and seminars and speaks to school children on writing and helping save their planet.  A blogger with a worldwide audience, she writes of all things pertaining to children’s literature.

Nancy’s travels take her extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education.   She and her husband live in Tampa and St. Louis.

 Visit her online at www.nancystewartbooks.com and her blog at http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

 

A special thanks to Pump Up Your Book for the opportunity to host today's book tour. I do hope you'll take the time to visit other bloggers along the way to read more perspectives of Nancy Stewart's picture book!

 

Bella Saves the Beach Tour Schedule

Thursday, May 2^nd

Book review at Kid Lit Reviews

Friday, May 3^rd

Guest post at Lori’s Reading Corner

Monday, May 6^th

Interview at Tribute Books Reviews and Giveaways

Tuesday, May 7^th

Book reviewed at The Picture Book Review

Wednesday, May 8^th

Book reviewed at My Devotional Thoughts

Thursday, May 9^th

Book review at It’s About Time Mamaw

Friday, May 10^th

Book review at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

Monday, May 13^th

Happy Reading!

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