I accidentally left the garage door open last night. We keep our garbage can in the garage, and in addition to containing food refuse, it also held a painting tray with a smidgen of leftover paint. So the visitor to our garage certainly had some snacks but also left behind evidence. I’ve got to say,…
Songbirds are declining in numbers due to a variety of issues, including loss of habitat, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. Other than avoiding pesticides, I decided one simple way to help is to keep a feeder with birdseed in my front yard. But as you can see, I’ve attracted a rather large, flightless bird. I…
Usually, at some point in time during the year, I end up at the beach. Living in North Carolina, the beach is an easy weekend trip and is generally super relaxing, once you get through the traffic. I love walking on the sand, looking for seashells, and listening to the whoosh of the waves. Alas,…
Saturday, June 24 2023 is Great American Picnic Day, which is always celebrated on the last Saturday in June. The holiday is exactly what it sounds like—a day to encourage people to get outdoors and have a picnic. Personally, I’m all for it! I love a good picnic. Several times each summer my husband and…
It can be tough to find well-thought-out classroom materials for Juneteenth, the federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Galveston, TX on June 19, 1865. Although President Lincoln had already issued the Emancipation Proclamation and General Lee had surrendered, enforcing the emancipation required the presence of Union troops. Texas was the…
I’m going to visit my parents in Michigan this week, and I made the assumption I would be able to wear a sweatshirt while there. That’s not the case according to the the weather forecast. Lower Michigan is supposed to be warmer on some days than it will be in North Carolina, where I currently…
My husband and I are cleaning out his family home with a plan to move there this summer. His mother passed away two years ago, and she was a wonderful woman and a bit of a pack rat. She saved everything from dishware to wrapping paper to t-shirts from her boys’ scouting days. Amidst the…
May 23 is Margaret Wise Brown’s birthday. I can say with confidence that we all know her best as the author of Goodnight Moon. It’s a classic story that will always be soothing for littles. Why? Because it deals with common objects and scenes from a young child’s world. It may drive us crazy reading…
May 15 is Bring Flowers to Someone Day! Although flowers are a lovely present, I always enjoy admiring them in nature even more. That’s why when I gift flowers, they’re usually ones that can be planted afterward. I gifted a basket of tulips for Mother’s Day last year, and Mom put the bulbs in her…
Guess what! The Mailbox® now has Boom Cards! And oh-my-gravy, they’re so fun to play. Honestly, they’re fun to make as well. (I’ve been working on sets for Preschool and Kindergarten.) Our Boom Cards use fun and colorful artwork from our fabulous artists at The Mailbox® and provide terrific skill practice for your students. Go…