10.31.10
Posted in Country Living, Fall Activities, Football, Green Living, Growing Green Kids, Holidays, Parent-child relationship, Politics, family, honesty, integrity, sportsmanship at 4:50 am by Administrator
First of all, I can’t believe September and October have just scooted by me! What happened to life slowing down a little after school starts? Seems it is just the opposite these days.
FOOTBALL: This is one area that has been on everyone’s mind and kept us busy this fall. Alabama is just a football State, that’s the best way to sum it up. After UA won the National Championship last season, anticipation and expectations have been really high this season. I was told by our son this week that his Dad and Mom were the only two people he knew that cheered for both University of Alabama and Auburn University! Seems everyone else in Alabama chooses sides. Boy does it get hot even between Facebook Friends, especially a day or two before the next game. I like to think that most of it is just good fun, but sometimes I wonder. The closer the date comes for both teams to play each other tempers really get touchy, sometimes down right ugly! I can’t understand this. We have two great Universities with some of the best athletes in the Country, yet a good number of Alabamians cheer for an out of state team rather than cheer for the opposing in-state team. When they play each other, there is little of, “May the Best Team Win,” sportsmanship, but a, “Fight to the End,” attitude. Some people even seem glad when a team player gets hurt and taken out of the game, especially if the athlete is an important one for winning. I guess it may help to be an alumni member of both universities in order to cheer for both during football season. But to me it just seems a natural thing to do, alumni or not. This is probably the same in many states, but very noticeable in Alabama! Just a few more weekends of football left. I say, “May the best team win and good luck to both teams.”
Aside from the college level football games, we have enjoyed the Little League teams and the Pee-Wee games. One of our grandsons made two touchdowns in one game. His team won by two touchdowns. He could hardly walk straight after because his head was so big. He was so excited and proud of himself. We were proud as well. That’s been a dream of his since he was two years old. He’s now nine years old and it’s the first time his has played on a Little League team. We also enjoyed watching our two great-nieces (sisters) cheer for their Pee-Wee team. They were so cute and did a great job cheering at such young ages.
POLITICS: Well I know this is a nation wide battle right now. Every commercial time on TV is filled with this or that politician either asking for our vote or talking down the opponent candidate. I’d much rather listen for the pleas for my vote. Most of the political talk during this mid-term election has been conservatives verses liberals, Republicans verses Democrats rather than issues. There’s been more debates, cookouts, town meetings, etc. this year than I can remember, even on the local level. Seems the effort to replace Democrats with Republican candidates is more serious than ever. It’s almost like the issue has been to get rid of one party and vote the other one in regardless of the actual candidate and what they stand for. Here again, I have my own way of cheering for the team. For those that ask for my vote rather than talk down the opposing candidate, I try to listen and gather what real information is out there. Usually if they ask for the vote, they also tell you why they feel they are worthy of the vote and some information about who they are, their experiences, beliefs, important issues to them, etc. I pretty much vote out the candidates that allow negative ads against their opponent because these ads also tell me that the person running these negative ads is in fact a negative thinking person. We need positive thinking people in office. I like positive, all the way. One of my favorite sayings is, “The power is in the positive.” That’s the candidate I vote for; mine will not be a straight ticket, but hopefully a totally positive ticket. The election is right around the corner. I still need to spend some time researching the really positive verses the negative.
HOLIDAYS: Halloween begins the start of the holiday season with harvest festivals, church activities and other ways to usher in fall and the holidays. It starts with the candy at Halloween and we continue to snack on Trick or Treat goodies until Thanksgiving or the candy runs out. Then we have the great week of Thanksgiving which means more family time, celebrations at church and in the community and plenty of eating turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. By the end of Thanksgiving week, it’s time to get the last of the Christmas shopping done. I may run off a little of the new weight I’ve gained thus far with some of the shopping, but not nearly enough. Then the Christmas parties start from every club and organization we’re involved in. December usually has at least two parties a week. This keeps December very busy with lots of activity and more and more eating. Then the Christmas meal brings on more ham, turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. Who can resist? By the time New Year’s is over I have usually gained about ten pounds and face the “Lose the Weight” New Year resolution. I truly think that even with the best efforts, this trend is why people usually slowly add ten or more pounds permanently for every decade they live. At least it seems that way for me. But I don’t mean to sound completely negative. I’m learning how to cook and eat healthier even when it’s a party or other celebration. It can be done by varying the traditional recipes or what we serve altogether. And it is still delicious and fun!
This year these three things have made Fall a very busy time in Alabama and will continue to be through the rest of the year. It is for me the busiest time of the year, but I love it. The weather is cooler but not yet the dead of winter and there are plenty of friends and family to enjoy along with the activities. It starts with a fun time for fall, a Thanksgiving time for our harvest and blessings, a celebration time for the birth of Jesus Christ, and a new start for the New Year. What other time of the year offers all this? Busy, yes, but also good for friends, family and good for our own soul.
Written Oct. 28, 2010
Peggy Williams
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10.31.09
Posted in Amazon.com, B&N, Bird Watching, Bird watching for children, Goodreads, Jacketflap, New Childrens Book Friends in the Meadow - Birds, Parent-child relationship, Shelfari, Svetlana Kovaalkova-McKenna, The Reading Tub, USA Book News, weRead at 3:31 am by Administrator
Friends in the Meadow-Birds is progressing along as well as any new children’s book I suppose, unless of course the author is Madonna or the book ends up on Oprah, by miracle. I’ll put the latter on my Christmas Wish List!
The book and information was placed on The USA Book News site in September, 2009 and will remain on display through December, 2009. The USA Book News site is http://www.USABookNews@earthlink.net.
The Reading Tub chose the book as one of the Fall Author Showcase features. It introduces the book and interviews the author, which was fun. See this article at http://www.thereadingtub.com/displayAuthor.asp?
The book has received several reviews on Amazon.com, B&N, and other sites. Friends in the Meadow-Birds continues to be mentioned on Twitter and Facebook and other social networking sites. The reading sites include Goodreads, Jacketflap, Shelfari,The Reading Tub, and weRead. It continues to be offered on online bookstores.
One of the lastest reviews is from the book/reading site Goodreads by Svetlana Kovalkova-McKenna. She wrote:
“Thank you Peggy, this is my review for Friends in the Meadow Birds
. I gave the book 5 stars:
This is a great starter book on birding for budding young naturalists. Once you get past the introduction, which is intended for parents, it is a little too serious for children to digest, but has loads of useful information, recommends two more great books on birding, and even has a link to Cornell Lab of Ornithology; you enter my absolute favorite part of this book - bird stories.
The bird stories are these great little gems with simply gorgeous real life photos of the birds. Most of the birds are given names, so you feel like you are reading fiction, while learning an immense amount of useful and academic information about birds. The stories can be read aloud to 4-6 year olds and given to 3-4 graders to read independently. Great book for home-schoolers.
That is not all! The book has space for your child to write notes about birdwatching, a very impressive glossary with scientific vocabulary and a certificate of completion that can be framed.”
So we keep moving forward, this book and I. Who knows what waits around the corner.
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09.24.09
Posted in Bird Watching, Bird watching for children, New Childrens Book Friends in the Meadow - Birds, Parent-child relationship at 3:51 am by Administrator
First Review: Delightful, September 15, 2009
By Kbird
Peggy Williams has written a delightfully fun and educational introduction to bird watching. The reader gets to meet Lovie Dove, a mourning dove that lives on Mr. and Mrs. Wilson’s farm. Lovie Dove introduces us to all of her bird friends, both those that visit the farm year round and those that stop on their migrations. The reader learns about doves, finches, bluebirds, cardinals, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and many, many more. Wonderful color photographs are included of each bird along with a detailed description. I love that Mrs. Williams includes a very detailed glossary, a place for notes, a Life List (a place to enter all the birds that have been found, when, where, etc.), and a Certificate of Completion. The book is wonderfully written with younger children in mind, perhaps pre-school through elementary school. I think this book would make an excellent addition to elementary school science curriculums, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troop activities, 4-H and Cloverbud group activities, or for that special child who loves nature. I hope Friends in the Meadow: Birds is just the beginning of a wonderful nature series.
Second Review: Guide for Future Generations of Bird Watcher’s, September 16, 2009
By G. Reba
“Friends in the Meadow: Birds” offers children the chance to experience birding from a unique point of view…that of the “educated” watcher. Author Peggy H. Williams brings to life the wondrous world that exists just outside our front doors. In story book fashion, you are introduced to such loveable “characters” as Lovie Dovie, Robby Robin, Reddy Cresty Cardinal, Fee Bee Chickadee, as well as others, while learning about their way of life. From habits to habitats, and friends versus foes, young readers are certain to walk away with a better understanding of the feathered world around them if not a newly uncovered desire for birding!
At the stories heart is a message of acceptance. By accepting each other the way we are, not in spite of our differences but with them, the world can be a more peaceful place. Who wouldn’t want to impart both the knowledge of Nature as well as these heartfelt sentiments to the next generation? For the budding birdwatcher in your neighborhood, a definite must read…..
Third Review: Bird Watching - sounds like fun!, September 17, 2009
By M. Stanhope
This book titled “Friends in the Meadow-Birds”, by author Peggy Williams is all about bird watching. It’s quite unique in the fact that it starts out with a couple who keep bird feeders filled and enjoys watching all the birds stop by to feed. As you go through the book, it describes each bird and little facts relating to the species. There are also pictures for each bird described. How cute!
This would definitely be a book to work with if you were interested in getting started on bird watching. If you wanted to start a hobby with a child this book has a blank list at the end so they can fill in birds that they’ve seen. It also offers a certificate of completion if you wanted to use this book as a project. It even offers a detailed glossary at the end of the book.
Most importantly, it offers ways for adults and children to have fun, find a hobby to share and become familiar with the environment, nature, and the serenity it offers. I found this book quite enjoyable.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write these reviews and for the wonderful words about the book!
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07.28.09
Posted in Bird Watching, Bird watching for children, New Childrens Book Friends in the Meadow - Birds, Parent-child relationship at 5:51 am by Administrator
Friends in the Meadow-Birds is now registered on Shelfari, The Site for Books. My address there is http://www.shelfari.com/o1514549898. Visit anytime and leave your comments. Look forward to your feedback. Thanks.
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06.24.09
Posted in Birding for Children, New Childrens Book Friends in the Meadow - Birds, Parent-child relationship at 1:40 pm by Administrator
First Blog Post
Welcome to our blog! We love kids, nature and animals of all kinds, especially birds. Come and share anytime!!
The book, Friends in the Meadow – Birds, has passed the initial test of the most important critics to us who include our grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The three year old grandson became a “birder” when he was around eighteen months old. He found a weak Goldfinch on the ground, was able to get close to it and said, “See birdie”. He has been hooked since, so his approval of the book was pretty much automatic. He especially likes birding when he can get his hands on my binoculars! The seven year old liked receiving the certificate from the book after identifying his first twenty birds. The others were not so quick to approve, but agreed to its merit after reading the book. Whew. . . . . , the worse is over!
This blog post is the author’s introduction of Friends in the Meadow - Birds to all interested audiences. Children of parents who are bird watchers will most likely enjoy the book as they are already familiar with the parent’s involvement in birding. The book will give them a way to relate more to their parent’s interests. Other children will also be interested. Children of parents who are not birders may find themselves becoming interested in the hobby, as the child reads the book, or has the book read to them. More interest in the hobby will develop as the parent and child begin birding activities together. Who knows, the child may make a birder out of their parents! There are many ways the hobby of birding can enhance any relationship. But it really takes the parent-child relationship to another level as both are spending time with the other. Time together is the key to building a great hobby but more importantly, a great relationship.
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