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Friday, September 30, 2016
Short story
There was some sort of dust-up between Marcus Stroman and the Blue Jays and the Yankees this week. I didn't really pay attention. I try not to watch any games involving the Yankees if I can help it. And, I am so over the "did you hear what he/she just said" storylines that plague our society these days.
From the sports world to the celebrity world to the political world, I no longer care what someone said or who was offended. Show me what people are doing (hopefully something positive), and then it is a newsworthy story to me. Other than that, it's just babble. (Except if a pitcher screams "don't look at me" for no reason. That's just funny).
So apparently Stroman yelled stuff and someone took offense. I know very little about Stroman, but my guess is that he is an animated, vocal sort, and that it is probably because he is a 5-foot-8 pitcher who constantly has had to prove himself to doubters throughout his baseball career. In fact, it's right there in his Twitter bio:
"Doing everything they said I couldn't."
Yeah, it's there all right. He's met with a ton of resistance on his way up. Because he's 5-8 and a pitcher.
The prejudice against short pitchers goes back decades. The Dodgers rejected Whitey Ford because he was 5-10. Pedro Martinez and Tim Lincecum were treated as freaks of nature because they were 5-11. 5-11! The average white male is 5-10! There have been several recent studies refuting the belief that shorter pitchers are less capable or more fragile. But still the perception remains that if you're under 6-feet (particularly if you're not left-handed) then you can't pitch in the majors.
I've been under 6-feet all my life. In fact, I'm even shorter than Marcus Stroman. And although I never had any significant athletic talent, I've dealt with some of the stuff Stroman no doubt went through. Imagine being 12 years old when Randy Newman's "Short People" hit the charts. It's hard to find the satire in that song when you're entering junior high.
I've heard it all. It gets easier as you get older and now I hardly think about it, except when someone is pointing out how short some major leaguer is (kind of like I'm doing now).
I decided to pay tribute to some of the more notable short major leaguers with an All-Short Star team. All of these guys are 5-9 or shorter and you've heard of all of them. By the way, I'm already making Stroman my pitcher on this team even though he isn't quite an All-Star. He's been through enough.
Catcher: Yogi Berra, 5-9
Only made the Hall of Fame and launched a thousand quotations. Other notable: Ivan Rodriguez (5-9).
First base: Joe Judge, 5-8
I am delighted to have this card. Judge was the star first baseman for the champion Washington Senators teams of the 1920s. Out of all the positions in baseball, first base is the spot where I could see tall players would hold a significant advantage. Kudos to the Senators, although I realize it was a different time. Other notable: George Burns (5-7).
Second base: Joe Morgan, 5-7
I know some of you newbies expected a card of Jose Altuve. But Morgan is from my era. So I split the difference and got Morgan in an Astros uniform.
Normally when I do these all-star teams, second base is the toughest position to fill. Not with this team. It is overflowing with little guys. Other notables: Altuve (5-6), Eddie Collins (5-9), Dustin Pedroia (5-9).
Shortstop: Freddie Patek, 5-5
When I was a kid, "the short guy in baseball," which I believe is Altuve now, was Freddie Patek. As mini adults, we couldn't get enough of Patek. He was practically one of us! There are more-famous short guys who played shortstop, but Patek is the first player I think of when short players are mentioned. Other notables: Jimmy Rollins (5-7), Luis Aparicio (5-9), Joe Tinker (5-9), Omar Vizquel (5-9), Phil Rizzuto (5-6), Dave Bancroft (5-9), Bobby Wallace (5-8).
Third Base: Heinie Groh, 5-8
The card says "outfielder," but that's an error. Groh was strictly an infielder, mainly at third base and second. Another Hall of Famer, I am fascinated by his famed "bottle bat" and what would happen if a player today came to the plate with a bottle bat. Other notables: Joe Sewell (5-6), Larry Gardner (5-6), Tommy Leach (5-6).
Left field: Tim Raines, 5-8.
He will be in the Hall of Fame someday. Nobody cares about height when you've had that kind of career.
Center field: Kirby Puckett, 5-8.
For a 5-8 guy, he could get up there.
Right field: Enos Slaughter, 5-9.
Every photo of Slaughter I've seen, he looks like he wrestled alligators and hauled railroad ties in the offseason. I was surprised to learn he was 5-9.
Other outfield notables: Mel Ott (5-9), Paul Waner (5-8), Sam Rice (5-9), Tony Phillips (5-9), Earl Averill (5-9), Albie Pearson (5-5), Jimmy Sheckard (5-9).
There are plenty of other short stories in baseball. Eddie Gaedel, of course. Harry Chappas. Tim Collins. Other short pitchers include Fred Norman (5-7) and Candy Cummings (5-9), credited for inventing the curveball.
I tried to keep the team to all-stars, but I'm sure I missed some.
The fact is -- speaking of "short" -- I am short on time today. So I overcompensated with a long post. That's what us short guys do. Or we yell stuff on the mound to annoy you.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
I think Ginter is trying to tell me something
If you've collected for long enough then you've probably done that goofy thing where you give the cards you purchase powers of knowing.
They're inanimate objects, yet sometimes, I could swear they know what I need. Or at the very least, they are trying to tell me something.
It's the only way I can explain my recent experiences with Allen & Ginter. I haven't bought a lot of 2016 A&G because I'm not trying to complete the set. But A&G is one of my first choices during impulse buys because I still like the set and, oh yes, minis.
So, speaking of minis, I pulled this one.
Now, I had pulled the same mini when I bought my first blaster of A&G and posted its contents. And I had just sent that mini to a fellow collector. So what are the odds of getting that mini again? Yeah, I know some math guy is going to tell me and say that the probability is actually not all that unusual. Don't spoil my post. The A&G cards are trying to tell me something, man! They want me to have this Orlando Cepeda mini!
So, not long after that, I picked up a rack pack of A&G, again solely for the minis. One of the minis that fell out was this one:
Heavens to Murgatroyd, this is the second time I've pulled this mini. What are the odds of pulling two of the same mini twice, math guy?
I know that A&G wants me to have this mini, but I sent it to a fellow collector, and then I sent the second one I pulled to another fellow collector!
I fully expect to pull a third Pedroia mini within the next month.
Ginter's gentle hinting isn't confined to minis either.
The Tom Murphy card at the top of the post is one of the short-prints. It's card No. 336.
But given my limited A&G purchasing I don't know how to explain this:
I had no idea who Tom Murphy was the first time or two I pulled his card.
But then something happened that sent a chill up my spine.
One of our sportswriters did a story on Murphy. It turns out he grew up an hour from me. I don't necessarily collect players who came from the same area that I did or lived near where I live, but I know a lot of collectors who do and apparently Ginter thinks I should!
Unfortunately, Ginter, I have no intention of collecting a Colorado Rockie, no matter how many Tom Murphy cards you throw at me.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
The power of the mustache
I'm expanding on my most recent post from the 1985 Topps blog. That's the advantage of having more than one blog -- the other blogs sometimes give you ideas for the main blog, and that is very key. Until Topps issues a product every day (don't say "ToppsNow," wise guy) or there's a card show every day, it will always be a challenge to come up with material on a daily blog.
So, this post is about the power of the mustache, specifically referring to one player.
I would hope that everyone familiar with 1970s/80s baseball players knows about the power of the mustache. The sudden surge in ability for players like Ron Cey, Mike Schmidt, Davey Lopes, Steve Rogers, etc., once they grew some lip hair is right there in the statistics.
But for me there is one player who documents this phenomenon better than any player.
Dwight Evans enjoyed a long and prosperous career, mostly with the Red Sox, from 1972-91. But the tone of his career shifted about midway through. Prior to 1981, Evans was known as a gifted fielder with a terrific arm and a wonderful sense of anticipation. His fielding ability was so good that it won praise on the biggest stage in baseball, the World Series.
But Evans' offensive ability was only slightly above average. He could hit 20-plus home runs periodically, but he was prone to season slumps, struggling particularly between 1976-78.
From 1972-80, here are Evans' offensive statistics:
AB: 3,394; Hits: 888; Avg: .262; Home Runs: 128; Total Bases: 1,521; Slugging Pct.: .448; Walks: 415, HBP: 21; Sacrifice Flies: 21; On-Base Pct: .344; OPS: .832.
Pretty good, but in a lineup that included Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice, Carlton Fisk, Fred Lynn, George Scott, etc., it's a good thing he had that glove. He was overshadowed.
OK, now:
Here are Evans' offensive statistics from 1981-91:
AB: 5,602; Hits: 1,558; Avg.: 278, Home Runs: 257; Total Bases: 2,709; Slugging Pct: .483; Walks: 976, HBP: 32; Sacrifice Flies: 56; On-Base Pct: .385; OPS: .868.
Evans was a far better hitter the second half of his career than the first.
Now you can argue that Evans received greater opportunity in the 1980s then the 1970s. With players like Yaz, Fisk and Lynn gone, the Red Sox relied on Evans' offense even more, particularly his power. Players like Boggs, Buckner, Stapleton and Barrett were not power guys. The Red Sox had Rice, Tony Armas and Evans and that was about it.
But I prefer to focus on the power of the mustache. The mystique of the mustache.
The difference between Evans from 1972-80 and 1981-1991 is not only in the stats, but in his facial appearance. Evans grew a mustache in 1981 (or perhaps during the 1980 offseason). And that 1981 season was unlike any other he had ever experienced.
Even though the strike wiped out a third of the season, Evans' numbers that year were better than some of his previous full-season numbers. He led the league in five categories. He had never led the league in any offensive category prior to the mustache year of 1981.
From 1981 on, Evans posted league-leading totals 13 times. He finished in the top five of MVP voting twice.
I am almost certain that if Evans ever thought about shaving his mustache, his numbers prevented him from doing so.
Don't mess with the power of the 'stache. If he had that thing from the beginning, he'd be in the Hall of Fame by now.
Monday, September 26, 2016
Card show proxies
I don't like missing card shows, because there are so few of them and they're shrinking by the year. So even though I was lucky enough to go to an unexpected show a couple of weeks ago, it's still eating me up that there is another show next month staring me in the face that I am going to miss.
It is very much like me to focus on what I can't have instead of what I do have. Getting myself converted to a more positive way of thinking is a constant battle.
So this is my attempt to focus on the PRO column in my hobby life, rather than the CON column.
I may have just a couple of card shows to attend each year, but I also have many other card shows available to me from around the country. That's the benefit of writing a semi-well-read blog. People read about what you like, go to their show in Dreamland, Arizona, or wherever, and -- wham! -- you have card show cards in your possession.
I like to call these people who go to a card show in distant lands "card show proxies." I don't necessarily commission them to get cards for me, but still the cards arrive from them. You want to talk about a hobby positive? That's one right there.
In Texas, apparently, there was a card show recently. Commishbob went to it and, no doubt, brought home a pile of vintage. He also sent some to me, as my latest card show proxy.
Let's see what he blessed me with:
Not many people seemed to care about my '77-84 TCMA post about Larry "Nap" Lajoie, but keep sending cards from this set to me. I love them. I own the Hodges card already, but this will simply go in the set-build quest. One day you will see a want list, and then expect me to bore the heck out of you with these for repeated posts.
This 1970 Bill Singer Story Booklet represents an upgrade over the one I already own. Here is the other one.
It's sad that Connie's story booklet is being replaced, so maybe I can read the story in her honor.
Once upon a time, this dude played baseball and basketball at the same time. Yup, Bill Singer invented Baseketball and is very bitter about not receiving credit. He doesn't like finishing second.
It's been years since pitchers were able to drill holes into bats with fastballs. That's how watered down today's game is. Or how shoddy the bats were then.
Here, the Bill Singer story tells you how the win is meaningless, even though three of the four panels are about the win.
And that's the Bill Singer story, Connie. You can have your storybook back. I have an extra.
Moving on to another set in touch with its comic side. The Commish found a bunch of '56 cards in the 50 cents stack. He said some of these might be just fillers for the time being, but I'll be the judge of that.
Yeah, I guess there's a couple I may replace someday, but right now I'm just too giddy about all of those '56s in one spot.
Plus one card from the previous year, and a Dodger card I needed!
The final card I'm showing is something I'd never be able to get at a card show, because I don't know the dealers all that well.
This is very cool!
Nomo signed, Bob said, for a dealer friend of his. Weeeee! This card allows me to boast of a Hideo Nomo trifecta -- a rookie card, relic card and autograph card.
Part of me would like to know more about the circumstances of this autograph: where was the dealer when Nomo signed, etc. But ... no, I am committed to the positive here: There is no way I would find a Nomo autographed card if I went to a card show.
And that's why I have card show proxies.
When you can't be there yourself, they get the job done.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
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|Mr. French, Phil2 & Little Rat
Your box-o-nosh may include a Cadbury Bubbly or a bag of Filipino mock pork cracklings. You can add an American preference, but might not get Polish Coffee Dream Candy with Coffee Filling. Insert joke here.
I found the website and concept a little confusing so I broke it down.
•Pick a 5, 10 or 20 piece box for $10, $20, or $40 dollars
•The chosen assortment may be a little weird unless you're a snack aficionado, so scroll down to customize categories if you'd like. You're still going to get a surprise mix
•Choose a delivery schedule: Weekly, bimonthly, or monthly
•There's a one time gift option which I suppose you could gift to yourself
•Customize (or don't) your Pak with preferences such as sweet, sour, gummy, seafood (Grilled Seaweed anyone?)
•Checkout (using Bitcoin if you'd like)
Dish taste testers thought the idea was pretty funny, like that fruit of the month club on Raymond. ("He's got us in some kind of cult!")
The MunchPak reminds me of care packages we got at school, and seems like an especially entertaining gift for the high and dry college student.
I'm sucking on one right now. It tastes fizzy without the fizz, like a hard candy Bottle Cap with more kick.
No one went for the Sriracha Peas. No one except me. I'm a wasabi pea fan, so. I became quite attached to the Cosmos something in Korean I can't find anywhere. It's described as a shelled shaped snack with peanut cream and tastes like something glazed and sesame.
Spin the international nibble wheel or for an extra buck delete foreign or add American snacks as a preference–why do they allow you to do both? There is no chocolate customization option, yet there is one for meat.

subset: commoncrawl


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So far in sharing with you my appreciation for the historic liturgy I have discussed its tone of reverence, its saturation with Scripture, its enabling full participation of the gathered worshippers, and its expression of a common bond with other congregations, both present and throughout history.
This week I want to share with you the liturgy's expression of durability. It can be very comforting to have something solid to stand on!
It has been said that the one constant is change. With the rapidly changing landscape connected with technological innovation, the need to adapt and relearn is relentless. Someone has described our modern age as "liquid modernity". Every place you try to take a stand, not only shifts, but shifts so quickly that it is like trying to stand on water.
In an attempt to attract worshipers many congregations have been offering so-called "Contemporary Worship Services". By that, they usually mean that the forms and means of leading worship follow the trends and fads of the times. Of course, the offering of any and all worship is contemporary, in that it is being offered at the moment it is being offered.
Aside from my observation that "Contemporary Worship" often does not use Scriptural language, is often folksy (not elevated or reverent), has minimal participation, and accentuates the uniqueness of the congregation; it is in a constant state of flux. That is because contemporary fads are constantly changing.
It strikes me that entertainment necessarily follows trends and fads. But is the Divine Service to be thought of as entertainment? Is the emphasis to be on performance and attracting an audience? If in fact God is giving himself to us in Word and Sacrament, our rightful and beneficial response is to offer a sacrifice of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving!
In the historic liturgy the worshiper is grounded in that which is time-honored and enduring. That which has carried and formed worshippers for two millennia is solid ground to stand and rest upon. This transcends trends and fads. It bespeaks of the permanence of God's Kingdom.
Since You Asked…
What does the Pastor's Stole signify? (the stole is the colored strip of cloth that loops around the back of the neck and hangs from both shoulders)
The stole represents a yoke such as would be used to link and employ an ox with a plow or cart. When a work animal is yoked to a task, that animal comes under the rule and guidance of its master. As Christians we are to be yoked to Christ (cf. Mt. 11:28-30). We are to fear, love, serve, and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. The Pastor's stole is therefore not only a sign of ordination in the Lutheran Church, but it visibly reminds the whole congregation of our servanthood to Christ.


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22 august—21 october 2019
The exhibition will present the diversity of Russian sculpture of the late XX — early XXI century made from polymers and plastics.
27 june—29 july 2019
The art of Israeli painter, art critic, teacher, and writer Sahsa Okun focuses on human physicality embodied in the materiality of painting.
The collection of masterpieces, chosen by the Russian Museum will allow you to make a first impression of the collection of the Russian Museum.
Russian Museum - one of the world's largest museums and is perhaps the only country where such a full treasure of national culture are presented.
Virtual tour of the museum complex. 2009 (Rus., Eng., Ger., Fin.)
In the online shop of the Russian Museum presented a huge range of souvenirs, illustrated editions and multimedia disks.
Be informed about news, events and exhibitions of the Russian Museum
© 2015
The State Russian Museum
Site development: Projector.media
The Russian Museum is the exclusive owner of all the interior images and pieces of art of the Russian Museum collection, as well as all the images and text information given on its official site. The usage of the texts and images provided on the site is only allowed with the permission of the Russian Museum.


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Having just read this thread, I find my position, I think, midway between Mark's perspective and everyone else. Firstly I think I am safe saying that everyone wants web services to work reliably ... at least when they need to. Secondly, web services working reliably I think is split into several parts including: 1. The sender of a request working reliably - if you can't get the message out onto the network infrastructure then you're not reliable 2. Delivery of the message over the network infrastructure to the destination web service reliably - i.e. it gets to where it needs to go 3. The receiving web service actually works reliably and does not fail and so produces the response that is required. Now I believe that 1 and 3 are completely out of scope as they are reliant on the design, architecture and implementation of the application software at each end. This leaves us with "2" which is all about delivering messages reliably, or, dare I say it, "Reliable Messaging". However, as Mark points out there are several ways in which "reliable delivery of a message to its destination" can be implemented including: 1. The initial sending application resending a message if it does not get the reply it needs - this is fine IF this is what an implementer wants to do although the logic required to do this reliably is non-trivial 2. The underlying communication technology is reliable. This is perhaps a bit far fetched, but you could imagine a private network which, because of redundancy and failure recovery software, was able to "guarantee" delivery or, if I'm accurate, "reduce the probability of failure to such a low level that the user of the technology views the cost of applying other "reliability" techniques uneconomic" - after all there is really no such thing as "guaranteed", or 3. Using infrastructure that sits between the sending application and the receiving application that provides reliable sending of a message over unreliable networks, e.g. the Internet. This has the major benefit of removing the need for applications at each end to worry about making sure that a message is delivered. Now I think that 1 and 2 above are out of scope, since, if an application designer wants to resend a message then they can and if you have super-reliable infrastructure then there's no need to do anything else. However I think that "3" is very useful, and this is what I think of as reliable messaging. However it does not mean that the sending application can just "fire and forget" whatever message they are sending, as, even if the most reliable infrastructure is used for delivering messages, they can still fail to get through, for example if the receiving web service has fallen over because the data center has gone up in smoke and there is no hot (or even warm) backup - then the probability of the original message ever being delivered in a sensible timeframe is pretty low. However it does mean that if a "well designed" infrastructure level reliable messaging solution has been used, it probably means that there is no point in the application trying to resend the message as it would almost certainly be unsuccessful. So the conclusion I think I would draw from this is as follows: 1. We need a well designed "reliable messaging" support within the architecture that can enable very high probabilities of successful delivery of a message. 2. The reliable messaging support must provide a mechanism of notifying an application that the message could not be delivered, so that the application can take a compensating action if they want, and 3. Reliable Messaging should be optional - you don't have to use it if you don't want to - as Mark points out, there are other ways of realizing this requirement. Finally, as I am, obviously, fairly new to this list, I apologize if I have already covered topics that have been covered before. David -----Original Message----- From: Mark Baker [mailto:email@example.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 7:35 AM To: Champion, Mike Cc: firstname.lastname@example.com Subject: Re: [RTF] AC019 proposal to WSA WG On Wed, Jul 10, 2002 at 08:42:58AM -0400, Champion, Mike wrote: > > There's a cost to making it reliable. If it isn't required, as with > > idempotent methods such as GET and PUT, then that's an enormous cost. > > Sure ... I can buy an unreliable car that will *probably* get me to work > for $1000. If it breaks down, I can simply buy another ....It's not > REQUIRED to have a reliable car, but awfully inconvenient not to. > > Or I can buy a reliable car for $10,000. Which strategy do most people who > can afford it take? I wish it were as easy as assigning a dollar figure! No, what I meant was that there's a cost in the brittleness of any system built to an architecture that implements reliable messaging, due to the reasons discussed in the Waldo paper. > > Maybe you can answer me this; why is it important that HTTP GET or PUT > > messages be reliably delivered? > > Because lots and lots of developers say that this is an issue, and many > member companies proprietary web services architectures have or propose a > solution to the reliability issue, and because if reliability isn't covered > in the WSA the developers will use incompatible proprietary solutions, and > the absence of a solution to a commonly cited problem in the WSA will > seriously undermine its credibility in the industry. I agree with most of that, but you appear to be associating "reliability" with "reliable messaging", so I can understand your concern. But I'm not ruling out reliability (that would be quite daft!), I'm just saying that there are ways of addressing it that don't invole requiring that every message arrive at its destination, and that it is primarily a function of the architectural style in use as to which solution is the most appropriate. Thanks. MB -- Mark Baker, CTO, Idokorro Mobile (formerly Planetfred) Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA. email@example.com http://www.markbaker.ca http://www.idokorro.comReceived on Wednesday, 10 July 2002 11:19:30 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Tuesday, 6 January 2015 21:40:57 UTC


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Spring has officially Sprung. The Vernal Equinox was at 11:43UCT on the 20th March. I took this photo during a lunchtime walk, a little over an hour later. As Tom Lehrer once said:
"Spring is here, spring is here, Life is Skittles and Life is Beer, I think the loveliest Time of the Year Is the Spring I do Don't you? Course you do..."
Well me, I prefer Autumn, but Spring is good too...
This is my Picture of the Day for the 20th March, 2009


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Eric practices in the areas of labor, employment and civil rights law. He is a 2001 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, where he graduated with high honors, served as an Articles Editor of the Texas Law Review, and was admitted to the Order of the Coif. He clerked for the Honorable George P. Kazen of the Southern District of Texas in 2001-2002.
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Committed to public service and social justice.
Copyright 2005 - 2017 McCracken, Stemerman & Holsberry, LLP. | Disclaimer


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If You're Curious
50 Books About Being Different
*banging head against wall*
Whatever. But now I'm on a bit of a book kick. I think it's extremely important to expose our children to books that depict a wide range of races, faiths, cultures, abilities and interests. One aspect of privilege is assuming that most of the people you or your children study in history classes and books will be of the same race, culture, gender or faith as you are. Exposing our children to fictional characters and historical figures that don't reflect their experience helps give our children a broader view of the world. It also encourages empathy. So here goes my list of fifty books about being different.
I hope your local library carries many of these titles.
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman. Grace loves stories - all kinds of stories - and when her class puts on a presentation of the beloved tale Peter Pan, Grace knows exactly who she wants to be. Except several of her classmates tell her that she can't portray Peter Pan because she's a girl. And that she can't portray Peter Pan because she's black. Well, Grace shows them. And she is the best Peter Pan ever. Hoffman's book deals with both racism and sexism in an age-appropriate and gentle way, leading children through stereotypes so that they can reexamine their beliefs. I especially love this book because Grace so reminds me of my Tongginator - she won't take no for an answer! A Reading Rainbow Book and a New York Times Bestseller. [RACE; GENDER]
The Boy Who Grew Flowers by Jen Wojtowicz. I pretty much love any book published by Barefoot Books, and The Boy Who Grew Flowers is no exception. This whimsical story about a quirky boy named Rink (from an extremely quirky family) and a kind girl named Angelina (whose right leg is shorter than her left) beautifully illustrates the importance of self-acceptance, kindness and loving friendship. You must, however, embrace the mystical since Rink sprouts flowers from his body on nights when the full moon fills the sky. Yep, I know. It's a tad... different. But the innocent, budding (ha!) romance between Rink and Angelina is sweetly powerful. And it highlights the importance of accepting our own and others' quirks and challenges. BOTYA 2005 Finalist. [LIMB DIFFERENCE; UNIQUE FAMILY; UNIQUE CHARACTERISTIC]
The Colors of Us by Karen Katz. Seven-year-old Lena wants to paint a self-portrait using brown paint. Her mother, an artist, talks with Lena about the many different shades of brown, and takes Lena on a walk around the neighborhood to illustrate her point. They compare the skin colors they see to all manner of yummy foods: ginger, honey, peanut butter, peaches, chocolate and more. I almost did not include this book since it reinforces some stereotypes through its illustrations (an Italian-American owns a pizzeria; an Arab-American owns a spices shop; etc.); however, I believe it does a good job of introducing different shades of skin color to very young children. I recommend it, but only when used in conjunction with other books about skin color and race. NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. [RACE]
Eating Gluten-Free with Emily: A Story for Children with Celiac Disease by Bonnie Kruszka. Y'all know I had to include a book about Celiac. I think it's very important to expose your child(ren) to at least one book about food allergies and/or intolerances, since this special need is the one they will most likely encounter during their school years. Children with restrictive diets experience a lot of social "othering." Our society is extremely food-focused, and children with Celiac, food allergies and/or intolerance often feel quite isolated and left out. They feel "different" on a daily basis, much the same as does a child with a severe and/or visible special need. [CELIAC DISEASE; FOOD ALLERGIES]
The Empty Pot by Demi. When the Chinese Emperor announces that his successor will be the child who grows the most beautiful flowers from the seeds the emperor distributes, only Ping shows the strength of character to stand before the Emperor with an empty pot. At first insecure about his first gardening failure, Ping clings to his father's advice, "your best is good enough." The other children all carry flower pots filled with lush plants and beautiful blooms, but Ping stands alone holding nothing. The other children laugh at him, but the Emperor praises him, announcing that he first cooked the seeds so that nothing would grow. Honesty and bravery are necessary for an Emperor. IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award; An American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists" book; NEA's Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children. [UNIQUE CHOICE]
Frederick by Leo Lionni. Frederick the mouse, an artist and poet, sits on a sunny rock dreaming the days away, collecting words and colors, while the other mice work to gather grain and nuts for the winter. Later in the winter, when the food runs out, Frederick warms his small community and fills them up with his poetry. My husband, who often experienced hunger during his childhood, is not a huge fan of this book, which he feels glorifies laziness. While I see his point, I still feel that Frederick teaches children about the importance of art, imagination and being true to oneself. Caldecott Honor Book. [UNIQUE CHOICE]
Guji Guji by Chih-Yuan Chen. Guji Guji is just your ordinary duck... only he isn't exactly a duck - he's a crocodile... er... crocoduck. Raised from an egg by Momma Duck, Guji Guji spends his early life learning how to be a proper duckling, despite the fact that he looks nothing like his brothers. One fateful day, he meets up with three nasty, grinning creatures who try to persuade him to deliver his fat, delicious duck relatives for their dinner! What's a "crocoduck" to do? This book teaches valuable lessons about identity and what it means to be a unique family. ALA Notable Children's Book. [UNIQUE FAMILY]
Hannah is my Name: A Young Immigrant's Story by Belle Yang. Na-Li and her family immigrate to the United States from Taiwan, leaving behind many things, including their names. Na-Li (whose name means beautiful in Mandarin) slowly adjusts to her new "American" name Hannah, works to learn her new language English and experiences a new culture, all while her parents work hard to obtain green cards. NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies; Chinese American Librarian Association Best Picture Book of 2008. [RACE; UNIQUE FAMILY]
Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester. No matter how hard he tries, Rodney Rat just can't seem to pronounce his Rs.His classmates tease him mercilessly and exclude him during recess. Rodney withdraws more and more until one day... Camilla Caoybara appears on the scene. Camilla announces to the class that she is bigger, meaner and smarter than anyone around. And she is! When the teacher picks Rodney to act as team captain during a game of Simon Says..., Rodney feels terrified. What happens next creates Rodney the Hero as he saves the class from Camilla the Bully. [SPEECH IMPEDIMENT]
I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont. This humorous ode to self-esteem encourages young children to appreciate everything about themselves, inside and out. The story follows an African-American girl brimming with self-confidence. Messy hair? Beaver breath? So what! "No matter if they stop and stare, no person ever anywhere can make me feel that what they see is all there really is to me." The illustrations are reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, with fun out of proportion people and animals, a Seuss-like bicycle and clawed couch. MLA Building Block Award 2005. [UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS]
It's Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr. Children of every size, color, family makeup and background will learn that they are okay, no matter how different they feel. Author/ illustrator Parr covers everything from the sensitive ("it's okay to be adopted" depicts a puppy resting inside the pouch of a kangaroo) to the downright silly ("it's okay to help a squirrel collect nuts"). I especially appreciate the carefully done "it's okay to have two moms ... it's okay to have two dads" page because the rather vague text can refer to adoptees, stepchildren and/or children who have parents in same-sex relationships. [MANY DISABILITIES DISCUSSED; UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS; UNIQUE FAMILIES]
Jane and the Dragon by Martin Baynton. During a time when girls are supposed to be genteel ladies above all else, Jane just doesn't fit in. She wants to be a knight, you see, and everyone laughs at her dreams except for the court jester. The jester lends her a small suit of armor and encourages her to practice. When an enormous dragon swoops in to cause havoc, Jane seizes the day. In the end, she turns an enemy into a friend, returns the prince to his parents the king and queen, becomes a proper knight with Saturdays off to visit a friend, and dances with the jester at the royal ball. The Jane series is so popular, it's now a television show. [UNIQUE CHOICE]
Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco. When Trisha and her family move, Trisha feels excited that she'll be mainstreamed at her new school instead of placed in a special needs class again, but on her first day, she is devastated to learn that Room 206 - her class - is known as "the junkyard." Then she meets her teacher, the quirky Mrs. Peterson, and her classmates, an oddly brilliant group of students each with their own unique talents. One day, the class explores a local junkyard where they collect an old model plane to refurbish for a class science project. All of Room 206 looks forward to the science fair when they will fly the plane from the roof of the school in remembrance of a classmate who died. The school bully tries to foil their plans, but in the end the Junkyard Wonders launch the plane and watch it soar. Inspired by the author's childhood. [LEARNING DISABILITIES]
Just Plain Fancy by Patricia Polacco. Naomi and her little sister Ruth care for their family's chickens in an Amish community. The Amish believe in simplicity, but Naomi struggles with feeling that everything in her life is just "too plain." She longs for something fancy. When the two girls find an unusual egg on the side of the road, they place it in a hen's nest, hoping it will soon hatch. Well, it does, and the bird that emerges is definitely not a chicken. The sisters name it Fancy and, worried that the grownups in their community will shun it, they keep it hidden. One day, as the community gathers, Fancy breaks free from the hen house and spreads her feathers for all to see. Naomi is praised for raising such a beautiful bird and learns that some kinds of "fancy" are acceptable. [UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS]
Kami and the Yaks by Andrea Stenn Strye. Just before the start of a new trek, a Sherpa family in Nepal learns that their yaks are missing. Young Kami, anxious to help his family, sets off alone to find the wandering animals who are essential to their way of life. A spunky deaf-mute child, Kami attempts to summon the yaks using his shrill whistle. When that doesn't work, he forges ahead, braving the elements. One steep mountainside and a fierce storm later, Kami finds the yaks herded around a young calf whose leg is trapped in the rocks. Unable to rescue the animal alone, Kami finds his father and brother, relating the problem through mime. Together the family rescues the calf, and the plucky hero proudly leads the way home. A Schneider Family Book Award winner 2008. [DEAFNESS; MUTISM]
Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus. Leo isn't doing any of the other things his same-age animal friends do: things like reading, writing, eating neatly or even speaking. His father expresses concern, but his mother feels confident that Leo will do things in his own time. Over time, Leo eventually absorbs what his peers have accomplished. He begins to "catch up," proving that his mother was right all along: he is just a late bloomer. I especially recommend this book to families who adopted older children either internationally or through foster care. Many times our children arrive in our home with developmental delays that, over time, gradually lessen and perhaps even disappear altogether. [DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS]
Let's Talk About It: Extraordinary Friends by Fred Rogers. In this book, America's beloved Mr. Rogers challenges the stereotypes that often surround children with special needs and celebrates six children who are extraordinary friends. He begins by describing common feelings people experience when meeting someone with a disability, such as curiosity, fear or surprise. Readers are reassured that these reactions are normal and that getting to know individuals is the best way to understand and appreciate them. The six friends have six different special needs, from cerebral palsy to downs syndrome. [MANY DISABILITIES DISCUSSED]
Looking After Louis by Lesley Ely. A little girl sits next to a boy named Louis at school. Louis rarely talks except to repeat words that others have said to him. And he doesn't often participate even though the little girl tries to involve him in class and at recess. Then one day another classmate named Sam finds a way for Louis to join in the fun: playing soccer. Sam asks his teacher to allow him to take Louis outside to play soccer during classtime. Mrs. Owlie agrees, which angers the little girl. But then she realizes, "sometimes it's okay to break the rules for special people." This book does very little to explain autism, but it does teach valuable lessons about inclusion. Nasen TES Special Educational Needs - Children's Book Award 2006. [AUTISM]
Mama Zooms by Jane Cowen-Fletcher. When a toddler sits on his energetic Mama's lap, it's easy for him to pretend that he is a train engineer peering down a dark tunnel, an astronaut flying his space shuttle through outer space, a ship's captain navigating the stormy seas, and so much more. His imagination and his Mama's "zooming machine" make all of this possible - a wheelchair that transports the child and his mother to work and play. Anchoring these adventures are the boy's father, who puts his child on his wife's lap in the morning and pushes her up "the steepest hills." This book is an unaffected, matter-of-fact glimpse into the life of a physically challenged person. [PARAPLEGIA]
My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson-Peete. Twins Callie and Charlie have lots in common, but they are also very different. One of their largest differences is that Charlie doesn't talk much because Charlie has autism. Throughout the book, young Callie describes autism and how her family cares for Charlie, and she also frankly describes the challenges associated with autism. This book reflects the real-life experiences of the mother-daughter author team: actress Holly Robinson-Peete and her twelve-year-old daughter Ryan, who is a fraternal twin to a brother diagnosed with autism. 2011 Comstock Read Aloud Honor Book; 2011 Rodda Book Award Nominee. [AUTISM]
My Friend Isabelle by Eliza Woloson. Charlie and Isabelle are good friends. They enjoy doing many things together, like drawing and painting, or playing at the park. Charlie describes all the things he and Isabelle do together, how sometimes they're the same and sometimes different. Charlie is tall and knows "a lot of words," whereas Isabelle is short and sometimes her words are "hard to understand." "Mommy says," Charlie explains, "that differences are what make the world so great." What makes this book great is that it describes the simple friendship between two friends, one diagnosed with Downs Syndrome and one not. 2004 iParenting Media Award Winner. [DOWN SYNDROME]
My Pal Victor / Mi Amigo Victor by Diane Gonzales Bertrand. Dominic and Victor do many fun things together. They love to swim and ride roller coasters together, tell one another stories and jokes, and cheer one another on as they accomplish great things. It's only on the last page that you learn Victor is in a wheelchair. Most books in this genre are from the perspective of a disabled child, just happy to be accepted by others; but in My Pal Victor / Mi Amigo Victor, the non-disabled person is happy to be accepted just the way he is by a disabled person. That's what makes this book unique. 2005 Schneider Family Book Award Winner. [PARAPLEGIA]
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems. Wilbur is different from all of the other naked mole rats in his colony because he wears clothes. Not only that, he is an exceptionally snazzy dresser. This creates much commotion among the community, and not in a good way. At last, the naked mole rats consult Grand-pah, "the oldest, greatest, and most naked naked mole rat ever," who calls for a town meeting. To everyone's surprise, particularly Wilbur's, Grand-pah arrives in a seersucker suit and eloquently commends Wilbur's simple question: "Why not?" [UNIQUE CHOICE]
Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein by Don Brown. I love this book because too many of us forget that giftedness is a special need. Gifted children often struggle with emotional issues, asynchronous development and social isolation. Odd Boy Out tells the story of Einstein and his hard-to-classify brilliance, which led to awesome scientific discoveries, but all too often left him a misunderstood outsider. Although it's unknown whether or not Einstein was on the autism spectrum, this book will be useful to read with children who have Asperger's. [UNIQUE CHOICE; AUTISM; GIFTEDNESS]
One Green Apple by Eve Bunting. It's hard being the new kid at school, especially when your manner of dress causes you to stand out and you don't yet speak or understand the language. Farah feels all alone, even when surrounded by her classmates. Then, on a class field trip to an apple orchard, Farah begins to connect with the other students, teaching them a valuable lesson about being different. The illustrations, along with the words, show Farah's downcast silence and sense of isolation, her shy smile when a classmate befriends her, and, finally, her triumphant smile as she speaks one of her first English words, App-ell. 2006 Arab-American Book Award. [RACE; RELIGION; UNIQUE FAMILY]
The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson. Clover's mom won't allow her to climb over the fence that separates the African-American side of town from the white part of town where Anna lives. She says it isn't safe for Clover to be on "the other side." The two girls manage to strike up a friendship anyway, sitting on the fence side by side through the heat of summer. Eventually, it's the fence that's out of place, not the friendship. The book ends with Anna saying, "someday somebody's going to come along and knock this old fence down," and Clover agrees. An ALA Notable Book; IRA Teacher's Choices 2002; Booklist Editor's Choice; and School Library Journal Best Book. [RACE]
The Pirate of Kindergarten by Georgia Ella Lyon. Doubles are good for lots of things: double scoops of ice cream; double cheese on a yummy pizza; double features at the movies; but double vision is NOT a good thing. In fact, it can make kindergarten a pretty hard place to be, as Ginny soon finds out. So when a school nurse diagnoses Ginny with double vision, she receives an eye patch to help her weak eye grow stronger so that she doesn't see double anymore. This eye patch earns her the nickname the "pirate of kindergarten." 2011 Schneider Family Book Award Winner. [VISION ISSUES]
A Place for Grace by Jean Davies Okimoto. Grace is a little dog with big dreams. After discovering she's too small to become a seeing-eye dog, she meets Charlie, a deaf man who believes Grace would make the ideal hearing-aid dog. This time her size is an asset, as hearing dogs must be able to spring lightly into the air to alert their deaf owners to sounds. But Grace mixes up the microwave beep with the doorbell and completely flunks Wake Up class (she jumps on the bed and goes to sleep at the sound of the alarm clock). Determined to help her graduate, her new owner cleverly personalizes her training and "snooze-alarm Grace" finally succeeds in becoming an official hearing dog. [DEAFNESS]
Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges. Ruby is unlike most little girls in old China. Instead of aspiring to get married, Ruby is determined to attend university when she grows up, just like the boys in her family. She must do double duty to continue her schooling, for the boys in her family need only focus on their lessons, but Ruby must fit them in between chores and lessons on how to be a proper lady. One day, her teacher shows Ruby's grandfather a poem she has written describing her poor luck to be born a girl. Her Grandfather questions her, and she confides her wish to go to university. Years later, at a New Year's Day celebration, he proves that he was listening. 2003 Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator and New Author Awards; 2003 Amelia Bloomer Project/ALA Recommended Feminist Books for Youth. [GENDER]
The Sandwich Swap by Her Majesty Queen Rania AlAbdullah and Kelly DiPucchio. Lily and Salma are best friends. They like doing all the same things, and they always eat lunch together. Lily eats peanut butter and Salma eats hummus, which isn't a big deal at all... until one day it is. As the story of their fight spreads across the school, so does intolerance. Students begin choosing sides in the cafeteria and calling each other "jelly heads" and "chickpea brains." When the two girls get caught in the middle of a food fight and called to the principal's office, they decide it's time to make some changes. 2010 Parent's Choice Award. [CULTURE]
Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are by Maria Dismondy. I read this little known book to the girls in my Girl Scouts troop last year and they absolutely loved it. Ralph loves to torment Lucy about the lunches she brings to school. Not only that, he encourages other kids to be mean to Lucy, too. Then one day Ralph needs Lucy's help. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun drive home the message that being different is what's actually cool. And being mean - isn't! 2011 Mom's Choice Award; 2011 Eric Hoffer Award Winner (Independent Publishing). [UNIQUE CHOICE]
Stand in My Shoes: Kids Learning About Empathy by Bob Sornson (and published by the Love & Logic Institute). When Emily asks her big sister what the word empathy means, Emily has no idea that knowing the answer will change how she looks at people. But does it really matter to others if Emily notices how they're feeling? Stand in My Shoes shows kids how easy it is to develop empathy toward those around them. While this book does not specifically speak to others' differences, the development of empathy helps children navigate differences in a positive way. [EMPATHY; SEVERAL DIFFERENCES MENTIONED]
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell. Molly Lou Melon may be short, clumsy, buck-toothed, and possess a voice that sounds "like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor," but she doesn't mind. Her grandmother believes in her, and constantly reminds her to have faith in herself. And she does... until she moves to a new town, where a bully named Ronald begins tormenting her. Molly Lou doesn't slink away; instead she stands tall and, in the end, Ronald ends up feeling pretty foolish. 2003 Beehive Award Winner for Best Children's Picture Book. [UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS]
Star of the Week: A Story of Love, Adoption and Brownies with Sprinkles by Darlene Friedman. It's Cassidy Li's turn to be "Star of the Week" in her kindergarten classroom! She's excited, but she's also worried: she has photos of all of the important people in her life, with one big exception. Cassidy Li, adopted from China as a baby, does not have any photos of her birth family. She doesn't even know their names. How will she deal with her "Star of the Week" poster? And the adoption questions that may come from her kindergarten classmates? [UNIQUE FAMILY]
Stephanie's Ponytail by Robert Munsch. "Ugly, ugly, very ugly," decree Stephanie's classmates when she arrives at school sporting a ponytail. But the next day, all of the girls have put their hair up in ponytails, too. Irritated by these copycats, Stephanie has her mom move her ponytail to one side with the same results. After wearing it top and front as well, Stephanie announces that she's going to shave her head! The next day, her teacher and classmates are bald as billiard balls, but Stephanie is chased from the classroom with her very ordinary ponytail flying out behind her. [UNIQUE CHOICE]
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf. Ferdinand is the world's most peaceful and beloved little bull. While all of the other bulls snort, leap and butt their heads, Ferdinand is content to just sit and smell the flowers under his favorite cork tree. The other little bulls love to fight and dream of being chosen for the bullfights in Madrid. But by mistake, Ferdinand is sent to fight. The only problem is, he will not fight. In the end, there is nothing the matadors can do but take him home. What's funny is that now I always think of the movie "The Blind Side" when I see the cover of this book. Go figure. [UNIQUE CHOICE]
Suki's Kimono by Chieri Uegaki. On her first day of first grade, Suki chooses to wear her beloved blue cotton kimono to school because it reminds her of her Grandmother. Her older sisters object and other children on the playground laugh at her, but Suki sticks to her guns, even when her two sisters pretend they don't know her. When it's Suki's turn to share with her classmates what she did over the summer, she tells them about the street festival she attended with her Grandmother and the circle dance that they took part in. In fact, she gets so carried away reminiscing that she's soon humming the music and dancing away, much to the delight of her entire class! [CULTURE; UNIQUE CHOICE]
Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester. Tacky the Penguin is definitely an odd bird. He's a total nonconformist living amid a group of perfectly proper penguins. His loud behavior and even louder clothing causes quite a bit of conflict until the day he scares off a pack of hunters. Tacky's friends then learn to appreciate his off-beat personality, now seeing him as quirky rather than annoying. Tacky the Penguin is an endearing mix of wonderful messages (it's okay to be yourself; sometimes our fears are worse than the reality) that are all delivered in a humorous, silly story that children will listen to over and over without growing bored. [UNIQUE CHOICE]
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. This is, hands down, my husband's favorite children's book. Diagnosed with dyslexia in his late teens, he truly identifies with the author / main character of this book. When Trisha starts school, she can't wait to learn how to read, but the letters just get jumbled up. She hates being different, and begins to believe her classmates when they call her a dummy. Then, in fifth grade, Mr. Falker changes everything. He sees through her sadness to the gifted artist she really is. And when he discovers that she can't read, he helps her prove to herself that she can - and will! 1998 Parent's Choice Honor Book. [LEARNING DISABILITIES]
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts. All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy's grandma says they don't have room for "want," just "need," when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren't much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants. 2007 Blue Ribbon Award; 2007 Charlotte Zolotow Award, Highly Commended Book. [SOCIOECONOMIC]
We'll Paint the Octopus Red by Stephanie Stuve-Bodee. What starts as a regular new-baby story takes an unexpected twist. At first Emma is unhappy at the thought of a brand-new baby brother or sister, but gradually she grows excited about the coming changes in her family. She spends lots of time dreaming of what she can do with the new baby. When Isaac is born, the family is confronted with the fact that he has Down Syndrome. Emma's father explains that Isaac will still be able to do all of the things that Emma hopes to do with him, he will just do them at a slower pace. [DOWN SYNDROME]
Willow by Denise Brennan Nelson. All of the students in Miss Hawthorn's art class draw trees that look exactly alike... all of the children except for Willow, that is. Instead Willow paints what she sees when she closes her eyes. The rigid, unimaginative Miss Hawthorne and Willow experience several run-ins, yet at Christmas the only gift Miss Hawthorn receives is from Willow. The child presents her with her beloved art book, which begins a transformation in the dour, unhappy woman. When the children return to school after winter break, they discover an inspired teacher in paint-smeared jeans and smock who invites them to help her change their room into a work of art. [UNIQUE CHOICE]
8 comments:
- Casa Bicicleta said...
Eeke, I only have about a third of the books on this list! I am so far behind! I just added a few to my wish list on amazon. Thanks!
BTW, As a person in the arts I agree with you on your assessment of the book Fredrick. I always loved this story. :-)
- January 22, 2014 at 10:27 AM
- Christina said...
This is fantastic! Thank you. Glad you are blogging again :)
- January 22, 2014 at 11:43 AM
- The Gang's Momma! said...
Li'l Empress brought home Chrysanthemum the week before Christmas. OH I LOVED IT!!!!
And we discovered the Tacky books when our oldest two were homeschooling and we were at the public library weekly. There's a BUNCH of them and well worth the seeking out. Every one of them!
I've got some catching up to do on some of the other titles. Li'l Empress is really reading every thing in sight these days so I'm thinking an Amazon order is in order :)
WELCOME BACK my friend, WELCOME BACK in GRAND STYLE :)
- January 22, 2014 at 4:52 PM
- Sophelia said...
Some wonderful sounding books here I can't wait to read~ thank you!
- January 23, 2014 at 5:32 AM
- Anonymous said...
Thanks for the list! Two we love are "Brontorina" (http://www.amazon.com/Brontorina-James-Howe/dp/0763644374/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390498998&sr=8-1&keywords=bronterina) and "10,000 Dresses" (http://www.amazon.com/10-000-Dresses-Marcus-Ewert/dp/1583228500/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390499040&sr=8-1&keywords=10%2C000+dresses)
- January 23, 2014 at 12:44 PM
- Anonymous said...
Great list. Now for some more homework--books for older kids. Two that Ilsa loved in elem school were "7 Daughters and 7 Sons" (retelling of Iraqi folk tale) and "Shadow Spinner." And there's lots for teens too. And adults--we should be learning about other cultures/outlooks/people as well, and reading is a great way to do it.
- January 23, 2014 at 4:00 PM
- Alyson and Ford said...
So glad to read your posts again; we missed you! Thank you for the list; heading to the library this afternoon to find some of them!
Alyzabeth's Mommy
- February 22, 2014 at 10:16 AM
- LucisMomma said...
So glad you are writing again. Love how your mind works, and how you share how to help our girls (and boys!).
Thanks for this book list. I added several to my cart on amazon. :)
I really have missed your Sunday blog links from other writers. I hope that you can occasionally post one of those.
- March 8, 2014 at 8:14 PM


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Watch our Video Below or Click the link to watch How to Bind a Pot Holder in Youtube.
To sew a binding onto a pot holder, you will cut a width of fabric (WOF) strip 2.5 inches wide.
If you need to connect your strips to make a long enough strip to sew onto your pot holder, watch this video.
Decide which corner the loop to be on and start sewing from that corner attaching the binding to the back. Use your 1/4" foot and sew along the first side of the pot holder.
When you get to the first corner, stop 1/4" from the end and then sew into the corner. Take out your project and fold the binding back at a 45 degree angle. Then fold it down so the folded edge aligns with the top edge of the pot holder.
Put your pot holder back under the foot and start sewing 1/4" from the edge. Don't forget to back tack. Continue sewing the binding on until you get to the first corner.
Flip the binding out so you won't sew over it. Stop stitching 1/4" from the edge. The binding should look like this:
Next turn the binding to the front pushing the corners to turn them. Use binding clips to hold the binding in place all the way around. Fold the corners so they are mitered corners.
For the loop, fold up the seam allowance and then fold down the binding over the top. Iron it flat.
Use a fancy stitch like the serpentine stitch to sew the binding down. Start sewing from the loop fabric and sew all the way around the pot holder. Here is a close up of the serpentine stitch
For more information on how to sew a mitered corner, watch this video.
Finally, fold back the loop fabric to make the loop and zig zag over the raw edge. Go over it twice to be sure it will hold.
Your potholder is finished! Here are the pot holders I made.
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Annette & Chris are a mother/daughter team. We've brought you craft projects and tutorials through this web site for over 20 years.


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episode 30
Episode 30 not only brings in the new year that is 2017 but also amazing guests such as the Twitch streamer/Youtuber miss Fruitopia, Land of Fruity Booty and Fruit Salad, Loserfruit. Loserfruit has been streaming on Twitch for over 3 years, has build a community of a Quarter of a million followers, has over 8 million views and does it all with a smile.
Topics this week: Sims 1 sound track, If Witcher 3 had a cast of people with normal names, What we want out of 2017, 2018 plans and that ancient activity that is random shower thoughts.
This podcast is live streamed every Wednesday 8pm AEDT on Twitch.tv/yougamebropodcast
You can find LoserFruit at


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Cinema program "Ad Astra" in Kraków
Original title: Ad Astra
Production: Brazylia/USA , 2019
Category: adventure / drama / mystery / sci-fi / thriller
Distribution: Imperial Cinepix
Directed by: James Gray
Cast: Brad Pitt, Ruth Negga, Tommy Lee Jones
Astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) sets out on a journey beyond the boundaries of the solar system to find his lost father and discover the mystery that threatens the survival of our planet. During his journey he will discover secrets that will question the meaning of human existence and our place in the universe. In other roles: Oscar-winning Tommy Lee Jones, Oscar-nominated Ruth Negga and Oscar-winning Donald Sutherland, directed by James Gray ("Immigrant", "Kings of the Night").
Movie trailer: Ad Astra
Your comments
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Hello! My name is Elena Genova. I'm an Edinburgh based designer, iconographer and simply a nice person.
You can find my design portfolio in Royalty Free and Custom Design sections of the website and my stock portfolio on istockphoto.com, gettyImages.com, creativemarket.com and graphicriver.net.
I love iconography, UI design, web design, and at the moment very keen on learning vintage design style. As for a hobby - I very much enjoy photography, running, table tennis and hill walking.
This website was created to promote my work and to share the experience I've gained in the last 20 years. I would really love to hear your opinion about my work and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.


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Another super leap from Ryan
Fine show at Tailteann Games
The historic and prestigious Tailteann Games took place in Morton Stadium, Santry on Friday, with a host of Wexford athletes invited to represent Leinster in the inter-provincial test of Ireland's most talented Juvenile athletes.
Adamstown's Ryan Carthy-Walsh, representing Good Counsel College, exceeded his own expectations and put his stamp on the games with a second qualification standard for the European Youth Olympics in the high jump with a strong leap over 2.03m.
Ryan took the gold and was awarded the prestigious male athlete of the games, along with the award for best high jump, and was laden down with trophies and medals on the return journey to Wexford.
Another of Wexford's best Under-17s, David McDonald, representing C.B.S. Wexford, did his county, club and school proud with a second place position in the 200m and third in the long jump.
Mean Scoil Gharman's Sophie McCabe (Bree), who is going from strength to strength this season, put in a gold medal-winning performance in the triple jump. Kathlyn Furlong of Coláiste Abbain and D.M.P. also sealed herself a place on the podium with a silver in the hammer. Another silver went to Chloe Whelan, pushing Mean Scoil Gharman up the rankings when she smashed her P.B. in the 300m hurdles.
All five of these athletes are likely to get an Irish vest for the School's International between Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, which will take place in Scotland on July 18.
The Leinster Under-14 to Under-19 track and field championships took place over the two days of last weekend in Tullamore Harriers Stadium, with medals aplenty for the Wexford athletes.
With most of the Juvenile clubs from Wexford being represented, there were numerous Leinster champions returning over almost all disciplines, from short hurdles to middle distance to the long and gruelling steeplechase events, which saw two Leinster gold medals coming back.
Each event allowed four athletes to go forward to the national finals in July and along with medals there were also a number of qualifying spots earned.
Three Wexford athletes set Leinster records: Pádraig Hore from Taghmon in the boys' Under-16 discus with a throw of 51.54; Ryan Carthy-Walsh of Adamstown with 2.00m in the Under-17 high jump, and Dylan O'Sullivan of Enniscorthy Athletic Club in the boys' Under-15 250m hurdles. Lystus Ebosele of Enniscorthy A.C. also broke the Leinster record in the Under-15 discus, only to be knocked back into second place by the next athlete to throw, who went on to break Lystus' C.B.P.
The Wexford teams in the inter-county 4 x 100m relays also performed superbly, with silver for the boys' Under-17 team of Ryan Carthy-Walsh, Kevin O'Connor, Jack Hayden and Ross Daly. The girls' Under-17 team of Shannon Wall, Haleigh Bawden, Elaina Browne and Aoife Muldoon demonstrated some fine sprinting to take the bronze medal. The Under-15 boys' and girls' teams and the boys' Under-19 teams all had close finishes for fourth place.
The Mr Oil Wexford Senior track and field championships take place on Wednesday, June 24, at Enniscorthy Sports Hub. This is the second year of Senior competition on the new track and promises to see some great competition over the two legs of the championships.
With a full range of competition for Novice, Senior, Masters and Over-50s on offer, the programme also includes the long jump and triple jumps for the older Juveniles.
The remaining throws event, the Senior shot putt, will also take place at the track.
Registration is from 6.30pm with the hurdles events kicking off the track series at 7pm sharp. The competition will culminate with the ever-popular relays which always provide excitement to finish the evening.
All points earned will go towards the Brother Egan Cup and a number of clubs will certainly be vying for the honour of being declared best track and field club for 2015.
Wexford People


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Good morning,
It rained last night and power must have gone off. All clocks need to be reset. I had planned to go to Quilt Canada today, but may go Saturday instead. I guess there are things I want to check out.
Yesterday was busy. I visisted mom and had to raise issues with management again. There have not been any improvements in past 2 weeks. Time to file report with authorities. So frustrating. I decided to get my hair coloured and cut. I tried a new place and I really like this place. Prices are reasonable. Then I went to LQS to pick up solid fabric for border on pillowcases and fabric for baby quilt. Everything was 15% off. I noticed it was fully staffed, and they said it was good timing as I made it ahead of a busload of women, who were also attending Quilt Canada. Phew!
Today I have errand to run with DH at bank. So I might do some sewing since it's such a dreary day.
Enjoy your day. Oh yes, Toronto Raptors won! (Basketball for those who don't follow sports).


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Frequently Asked Questions
What's your style of photography?
This is the key question when choosing your photographer to make sure we are a good match. I focus on natural, authentic storytelling, but with a healthy portion of fun and romance with some gentle posing tips provided when required. Take a look at some of my work to get a feel, - my main focus is capturing the emotion of the day naturally but beautifully. My editing style evokes memories of film with muted yet rich tones that don't shout in your face but talk to the heart.
How many images will I receive and how long does it take?
The number of images will depend on the coverage but typically for full day coverage 500-800 is normal. Although I do take more I'm careful to remove mis-shots, duplicates and those ones where you're pulling a weird expression!
Typically it can take between 2-8 weeks to edit all your photos but I'll always aim to get some sneak peeks on social media in the meantime. You will receive hi-resolution files so you can print as big as you can imagine.
What about prints and albums?
Once you have all your hi-res edited images on your custom usb (or download) you are free to print or share your images how you want for personal use. I can also organise prints for guests or thank you cards. I would naturally recommend you have a professionally designed and printed wedding book if your budget allows. These photos look amazing printed in high quality graphistudio books that will last a lifetime. I know money is tight at the time of your wedding, thats why I'm happy to design and order your wedding book for up to 18 months after your wedding. So no pressure to decide right away.
What about posing and group shots?
Nearly all weddings require a certain amount of traditional group photos, and they are still an important part of the process. From experience I would suggest keeping these to a minimum. It can be awkward for guests to go through a long list of formal shots and I can alway fit these in naturally around the day. Regarding posing it really depends on the couple but normally I'm after a candid look, and I understand that most people can be a little uncomfortable (grooms i'm looking at you ;-) about having their photos taken, but I'll ease you through the best looks gently and with minimum of fuss. I won't be asking for you to say cheese!
How do I book and what preparations do we need?
Please contact me to check my availability. After that we can call, facetime or meet up to discuss your wedding details and get to know each other. To confirm the booking I will need a completed contract and booking fee.
About one-two months before a wedding I like to meet my couples to go through the final details such as timings, locations and group shots. This gives me all of the information I need and ensures I am fully prepared and means you get to know me, putting you at ease on the big day.
What about location, do you travel?
Yes no problem, I would love to cover your wedding wherever it is. For weddings over 50 miles from Colchester I may have to add travel and/or accommodation costs to your quote. For destination weddings please get in touch for a bespoke quote.
Anything else?
Please please just give me call, email, facebook message whatever. I love to talk weddings and photography.


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English | Espańol
All Issues > Volume 23, Issue 2
Jesus sacrificed His life once and for all on Calvary to atone for our sins (Heb 10:10). He calls us to participate in His sacrifice by offering our own little sacrifices. He calls us to:
The Christian life is sacrificial rather than self-seeking and pleasure-seeking. We are centered on the sacrifice of the Mass and thereby taken up into the infinite saving power of Jesus' sacrificial death. The cross casts its shadow over all space and time. We realize that Jesus' sacrifice on Calvary is not just a past event but the reality overshadowing all human existence.


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Glen Holmes of Veseys Seeds says it made sense to send trees to help Fort McMurray rebuild. (Stephanie Brown/CBC)
Over 800 trees from Prince Edward Island are putting their roots down in Fort McMurray soil.
Veseys Seeds in York, P.E.I. donated the trees, as well as 375 hedging plants and 10 vines to help grow back what was lost in the wildfires.
The donation, valued over $13,000, was part of a "series of pay it forward good gestures that made all it happen," said Glenn Holmes of Veseys.


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Stuart has over 26 years' experience within the property and finance industries. Prior to joining MacroPlan, Stuart led the Urban Development Program for the Western Australian Department of Planning, which addressed residential, industrial and commercial land and infrastructure development across the state's high growth urban centres. Stuart has established himself as a leading industry expert in; strategic urban planning and regional economic development, infrastructure coordination, feasibility assessments, infrastructure coordination, urban master planning and, policy research and development. Read below for Stuart's perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing Western Australia in the coming year.
What are some of the biggest challenges WA faces in the coming year? 1. Negativity from the 'bad' economic and fiscal news that we will get from the media. 2. Expectations versus reality – only one can be truly 'managed'; but you can prepare for the other. 3. Finding value and opportunities. WA has been 'living off the fat of the land' to create jobs and wealth, but that won't cut it any more. 4. Disruption is coming; well it's already arrived for many sectors of the WA economy. But that can lead to a very positive cycle of renewal and innovation.
What are some of the greatest opportunities for WA in 2016? Retail development Education for domestic students needing to retrain/upskill and international students. Health and aged care Tourism (but we have a lot to learn)
How do you think Perth House Prices with fare in 2016? Dwelling prices will be flat in 2016 as a result of 'lows' in two fundamentals – low population growth and low consumer confidence.
What makes Perth an appealing destination for international investment? Western Australia is a global state, but Perth is not (yet) a global city. The real reason we don't have daylight savings in the west is that our biggest trading partners (and around 1.7 billion of the world's population) live in the UTC+8 timezone all year around. It is far more important for WA to stay in sync with our international partners than with the rest of Australia.
What effect will the opening of the new Stadium have on the sporting calendar? The Perth Stadium is one example of 'catch-up' infrastructure that helps put Perth on a level playing field with other cities. We look forward to many more 'internationals'.
What are the key growth sectors for employment in 2016? All population-driven parts of the economy (retailing, health, education, human services, aviation, wholesaling, logistics, etc). About 25% of the State's population arrived in the last decade, but we have been too busy building mines, rail and ports to have time to deal with all the infrastructure and services that people need.
The mining sector has seen a decline recently, how has this impacted the local economy? Confidence and housing prices - the decline is in mining construction, but the actual output of the iron ore mines has effectively trebled. Revenues to the mining companies (and to the government) are based on price x volume. Prices are down, but volumes are up so revenues/royalties are still high - just everyone expected more.
Will you be attending the 'Black Sabbath: The End Tour' at the Perth Arena in April? No, Black Sabbath is a bit before my time. Besides they'd never live up to an ACDC gig.
Can the Perth Wildcats take out the NBL Premiership this year? First, let us see if they can learn to play within the rules (ie. salary caps). Then, "may the best team win".
About MacroPlan: MacroPlan's experienced and qualified economists align their understanding of macro-economic forces with micro-economic variables such as geographic and industrial characteristics, demographics, labour market shifts, resource demand and commercial realities. Contact Stuart McKnight, General Manager – Western Australia, today to discuss your property research requirements.


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Thousand Oaks Auto Mall Freeway Sign Community Meetings on Wed, January 26th and Thurs, February 10th/
Courtesy of City of Thousand Oaks Website:
Thousand Oaks Auto Mall Freeway Monument Sign - Community Meetings
Location: Los Robles Greens Golf Course – Banquet Center, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks
Dates: 6:00 PM on Wednesday, January 26th and 6:00 PM on Thursday, February 10th
The Thousand Oaks Auto Mall lies on 54 acres along Thousand Oaks Boulevard between Duesenberg Drive, Packard Circle, and the 101 Freeway. The Auto Mall employs approximately 1,000 people, consistently generating almost one-quarter of the City's annual sales tax revenues. In the past four years, the Auto Mall has generated more than $28 Million in sales tax revenue to the City.
In recent years, the dealerships have been working with the City to improve the appearance and navigability of the Auto Mall. Along with pedestrian amenities and aged streetscaping, the primary concern is the lack of available parking for both customers and employees. In fact, as a Top Priority for FY 2007-2008, the Thousand Oaks City Council directed staff to develop a plan to mitigate parking issues at the Auto Mall.
On January 12, 2010, City Council authorized design for the Auto Mall project. Due to the significance of this undertaking, the City Council formed an Ad Hoc Citizens Auto Mall Advisory Committee. The Ad Hoc Committee met five times between February and June 2010 to review conceptual designs and make recommendations. The final report by the Citizen Ad Hoc Committee contained recommendations on the angled parking, landscaping, way-finder signage, and a new freeway monument sign.
At the December 14, 2010 meeting, City Council approved all the necessary plans and permits for the project to move forward, with the exception the freeway monument sign. At the request of the Auto Mall Association, the monument sign was not considered by City Council at the December 14th meeting, in order to receive additional community feedback and insight regarding the sign before making a decision. After completing additional public outreach and receiving community feedback, the Auto Mall Association will bring the item to City Council on February 22, 2011.
Selected Q&As
Who is paying for the new Auto Mall sign? The costs to construct, operate, and maintain the monument sign will be paid entirely by the Auto Mall Association. No City funds are being used to construct the Auto Mall monument sign.Previously, City Council committed $2 Million towards the other components of the project, (parking improvements, landscaping, etc.) none of which is to be used to construct the monument sign, if approved. Since 2001, the Auto Mall has generated $8 million in incremental property tax revenues for the Redevelopment Agency (RDA), with an additional $1.3 million expected in fiscal year 2010-11. The majority of the parking and landscaping costs ($6 Million) will be paid by the formation of a Community Facilities District (CFD) for the Auto Mall area. The property owners within the CFD will impose a special tax on themselves to finance the improvements in the Auto Mall.
Will the sign be precedent-setting? If approved, the monument sign will not set a precedent for digital reader boards in the City of Thousand Oaks. The approval is specific to the Auto Mall zone only; any other similar sign would require separate approvals by the Planning Commission and City Council. The existing Auto Mall sign was constructed in 1994 through the application of a special use permit. In a similar fashion, the proposed monument sign has undergone numerous iterations within the Advisory Committee, opened to public hearings, considered by the Planning Commission, and will eventually be considered by the City Council. In each stage, the necessity and appropriateness of the sign is evaluated.
More information and Q&As at www.toaks.org/government/depts/public_works/current_projects/auto_mall_improvement_project/default.asp
Also see www.conejovalleyguide.com/local-buzz/huge-electronic-billboard-for-to-auto-mall-removed-from-city.html