THIS AND THAT

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

DIABETES CHECKUP: "Would you like to get your flu shot today?"
"No."
I talked to my Dr. for a few minutes.
I left with a flu shot.

THOSE GREEN BANDS: The lady at McDonalds asked, "What's up with those green bands." I turned around and saw that the man standing behind me was wearing a green band around his arm too. I said, "I had blood drawn this morning." The man standing behind me said, "Me too." Go figure!

BOOKS: Here a book, there a book, everywhere a book. I've got books all over the place. Everyplace I go around our house I see books. There was a time when I could only read one book at a time. Not anymore. Now I usually have two or three going at the same time. I surprise myself that I am able to pick up a book and start right into reading without being confused by having just put another book down.

LIBERALS: The reasoning of liberals is going to drive me to despair. If I fail to post anything for several days check with the insane asylum. I will be there.

WANT TO HEAR A JOKE?: The weather person says a cold front is moving into the Phoenix area.

MORNING SUNSHINE!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: MORNING SUNSHINE--How To Radiate Confidence And Feel It Too by Robin Meade

If you are having a problem with your self-image or you just want to feel more confident, you may want to read Robin Meade's new book, Morning Sunshine!--How To Radiate Confidence And Feel It Too.

"Robin Meade's millions of fans know her as the composed, upbeat host of HLN's Morning Express with Robin Meade. But before she was a household name, she, like countless other Americans, struggled with anxiety attacks and an erosion of self-confidence."

"In Morning Sunshine! Robin divulges, with trademark candor, how she fought through fears that nearly derailed her career. She reveals what made her question her abilities and her very purpose. She shares how she reawakened her passion for life and grew into the beloved TV news personality she is today."

"Robin offers inspiring 'What I've Learned' nuggets in each chapter and helpful 'Confidence Booster' tips throughout the book. Her personal journey comes to life in a way that makes you feel as if you're chatting with a friend over coffee."

"Her refreshing sense of humor--and her belief that you can emerge a bolder, more confident version of yourself--make Morning Sunshine! a perfect companion on your road to self-esteem and fulfillment."

I found two things I didn't like about this book: (1) At times--too many times, she uses coarse and offensive words. I realize these are acceptable and "good" words by today's standards but I still don't respect a person who chooses to use them on a regular basis. (2) She was blessed by the philosophy of healing she received from Dr. Amelia Case. Dr. Case studied under John Demartini one of the experts you may know from the DVD or book, The Secret. I'm glad Robin was helped by this philosophy and some of it is good but I do not accept much of what is taught. I realize these two things may not be major and will be considered "picky" by many but I want my review to be an honest one.

You will find this book interesting and enjoyable to read and hopefully you will feel and radiate confidence after reading it.

LEAVE A COMMENT, MAKE ME HAPPY AND ALSO WIN A BOOK. PLEASE DO IT. YOU WILL ENJOY THIS BOOK.

The generous folks at Hachette Book Group are allowing me to host this book giveaway for five (5) copies!

• Winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing address please.

• You do not have to be a blogger to win. You can win more than once on my blog.
  

• I MUST have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in your comment.

• Some choose to omit the @ sign and the . dot by writing it in "code" like this: you (at) your email (dot)com.

• I'll close the comments October 12 and pick the five winners. I will contact the winners via email to get their mailing information. The winners will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from them within three days, I will select another winner(s).

THE ANGEL

Saturday, September 26, 2009

(Let me begin by apologizing for the length of this post. Many of you know I do not like long posts and will not read one if I think the person posting was too lazy to do the hard work to shorten it.Phillip Done, author of the book, Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind tells many funny stories that almost made me laugh until I cried. One story he told had me crying but not with laughter. I have made this as short as possible without losing the heart of the story)

One year Mr. Done had a child in his class named Michael. He called him Angel because in the Bible there is an angel named Michael. As he got to know Michael he thought he was an angel because of his kindness to others. Michael was a special little boy.

Michael loved to sing. The songs from Grease were his favorites. He wanted his teacher Mr. Done to learn them.

Michael had to quit going to school when he got leukemia. Michael loved to sing. So once when Mr. Done visited him in the hospital they sang every song he had ever taught Michael. They belted out "Do Re Mi" and "Food Glorious Food". They sang "Getting to Know You" and "This Land Is Your Land." And for a few moments, the cancer and chemotherapy and needles were gone. The music had made them forget.

The Wizard of Oz is Mr. Done's favorite movie and he wanted Michael to see it so he bought him a DVD of it. And he said to Michael, "I want you to learn the songs, Angel. And the next time I see you we will sing them together." He beamed. "Okay."

As the weeks went by Mr. Done didn't get to visit as frequently as he would have liked. One night around ten o'clock his telephone rang. It was Michael calling from the hospital. He surprised the teacher by telling him that he had already learned all the songs from The Wizard of Oz. He asked Mr. Done which song was his favorite. He told him it was "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and he started singing because he knew Michael would like it. Michael sang along with him. The teacher's voice wanted to break but he wouldn't let it.

When they finished singing he told Mr. Done he had to go and he said, "Bye." "Okay, Angel. Talk with you soon." That was the last time he ever heard his voice.

The memorial service was held at Michael's church. The pews were filled with teachers, classmates, and families from school. Michael wanted Mr. Done to speak. He didn't think he could do it but he decided he should--and he did.

After he spoke the pianist began playing and the choir filled the sanctuary with,"Somewhere Over The Rainbow." Mr. Done said, "I felt like crying and laughing at the same time. I cannot believe this. I thought. That little guy chose this song for me. I know he did. He picked this song to comfort me! I turned back around and looked up toward the ceiling. I knew Michael was up there singing. I sang with him."

Much later, toward the end of the school year, Michael's mom stopped by Mr. Done's classroom and handed him a bag. "Michael wanted you to have this." Before he died, Michael bequeathed most of his things. Out of the bag the teacher pulled a well-worn video of Grease. On the cover was a note in Michael's handwriting: Dear Mr. Done, Learn these songs! Next time I see you we will sing them together. Love Angel

Mr. Done said, "I stared at the note for a moment and shook my head. Then I looked up at Michael's mom with a big grin. "Well, I guess I know what I'll be singing when I get to heaven."

KIDS

(The following post is from a wonderful book, Close Encounters of the Third-grade Kind by Phillip Done. It is abbreviated because of space.)

Recently, someone asked me if kids today are different than the kids I taught when I first started. My answer is no. Kids are the same today as they always were. yes, they have Xboxes and PlayStati0ns and Game Boys and iPods and cell phones and computers now. But it's the gadgets that have changed, not the children. Kids are kids are kids.

Kids still get excited when you bring in a fossil or a magnet. They still get the giggles, and will giggle more when you tell them to stop giggling.

If a mom sends in milk with birthday cupcakes, one child will show you his milk mustache. Another will lap the milk up just like a kitty cat.

When throwing something away, they will always shoot a basket. When playing kickball, they will climb on the backstop while they're waiting for their turn. Someone's shoe will go flying when he kicks the ball.

As soon as they spot their teacher coming to pick them up in line, they will shout, "Here he comes!" When they see him walking across the blacktop during lunch recess, they will wave at him and shout his name like they haven't seen him in five years.

If you excuse them for lunch one second late, they will let you know. When they deliver something to the library, they will come back panting because they ran the whole way.

If you light a candle in science class, they will ask if they can blow it out. When you pass around a conch shell, they will always listen for the sea.

After they sing "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad," someone will always ask, "Who's Dinah?"

They can't talk to you without fiddling with something on your desk. Most can't talk to you without turning back and forth like the inside of a washing machine or standing on one leg like a flamingo.

Would I trade this life of giggles and stories and songs and runny noses and glitter and chairs that are too small to sit in? Not in a million years. Life with kids is such a rich one. And though there are days when I'd rather not deal with spilled paint and the missing books and sick betta fish, I'm sure that someday when I'm retired I will look back on all this and itch to clean out a backpack, pump up a ball, and hear a good knock-knock joke.

(There is so much more to this. Scroll down to my review of the book and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy.)

THOUGHTS ON TEACHING

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD-GRADE KIND --Thoughts on Teacherhood by Phillip Done

Close Encounters of The Third-Grade Kind is the most delightful book I have read in many months. No! Let me change that. It is the most delightful book I have read in many years. The emphasis is on the word delightful. It was a joy to read from beginning to end. You don't have to be or have been a teacher to enjoy this book. You just have to have been a child who went to school.

I have read books written by comedians that were not nearly as funny as this delightful book. I smiled even when I wasn't laughing out loud. In many places I laughed so hard I almost cried. In a few places I did cry. If you take this book with you on a long flight your trip will seem short. If you pick it up and try to read just a few pages, you will find it can't be done. When you finally are able to put it down, you will wonder out loud, "Where did the time go?"

"In this collection of charming and touching tales, you'll join twenty third-graders, class pets, and Mr. Done, as he confiscates yardsticks that have magically turned into swords, scoops goop out of pumpkins, holds on to newly pulled baby teeth, follows mud tracks to students' desks, and forgets to wear green on St. Patrick's Day."

"Sure to touch the heart. Done's priceless lessons in life and learning remind us of playing Heads Up 7-Up during rainy-day recess, decorating shoeboxes for valentine mailboxes, and those special teachers in our lives who made a difference."

I agree with author, Harry K. Wong who said, "This is a must read book."

I am pleased to be able to giveaway five copies of this splendid book. I wish it could be fifty.

LEAVE A COMMENT, MAKE ME HAPPY AND ALSO WIN A BOOK. PLEASE DO IT. YOU WILL ENJOY THIS BOOK.

The generous folks at Hachette Book Group are allowing me to host this book giveaway for five (5) copies!

• Winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing address please.

• You do not have to be a blogger to win. You can win more than once on my blog.
  

• I MUST have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in your comment.

• Some choose to omit the @ sign and the . dot by writing it in "code" like this: you (at) your email (dot)com.

• I'll close the comments October 8 and pick the five winners. I will contact the winners via email to get their mailing information. The winners will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from them within three days, I will select another winner(s).

NO MATTER WHAT THE FATHER WILL BE THERE

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

(Yesterday I posted a review for IF GOD IS GOOD--Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn. Since human suffering and the goodness of God is of such interest I want to keep attention on that book by posting something from it again today.)

In 1988, an Armenian earthquake killed forty-five thousand. In the chaos, one man made his way to his son's school, only to find nothing but rubble. Other parents stumbled around dazed and weeping, calling out their children's names. But this father ran to the back corner of the building where his son's classroom once was, and began digging.

To everyone else, it seemed hopeless. How could his son have survived? But this father had promised he would always be there for his boy, so he heaved rocks and dug, calling for his son by name: "Armand!"

Well-meaning parents and bystanders tried to pull him out of the rubble. "It's too late!" "they're dead!" "There's nothing you can do!" The fire chief tried to pull him away saying, "Fires and explosions are happening everywhere. You're in danger. Go home!" Finally, the police came and said, "You're in shock. You're endangering others. Go home. We'll handle it!"

But the man continued to dig, hour after hour---eight hours, then twelve, twenty-four, thirty-six hours. Finally, in the thirty-eighth hour of digging---a day and a half after everyone told him to give up hope---he called his son's name again, pulled back a big rock, and heard his son's voice.

"Armand!" the father screamed.

From under the rocks came the words, "Dad? I told them! I told the other kids that if you were still alive, you'd save me!"

The father helped his son and thirteen other children climb out of the rubble. When the building had collapsed, the children survived in a tentlike pocket. The father lovingly carried his son home to his mother. When the townspeople praised Armand's father for saving the children, he simply explained, "I promised my son, 'No matter what, I'll be there for you!"