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Sunday, October 31, 2010

Serendipity in a Nutshell

I had the pleasure of attending a performance this evening at Stage Right Studio by a Massachusetts family who is dear to my heart.  I was blown away.  I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce to you The Flynns.  I hope you enjoy the performance.



I have been an honorary member of this family since birth.  My mother was best friends with their mother/grandmother.  But, as a young adult, I drifted apart from them after my mother's untimely passing in 1982, and for the next few decades my whereabouts remained a mystery to them.  Until one day, 6 years ago, I received a phone call from Little Sister.  Seems the family wanted my address to invite me to a 65th wedding anniversary celebration. 

"I'll give you Karen's address, but I doubt she'll come.  You see, she's up in Nova Scotia now."

"She is?   Where?"

"On a little island off the coast of Cape Breton called Isle Madame."

You see, I needed to escape, so one day I opened up a map of Nova Scotia, closed my eyes, and pointed my finger.  Where it landed is where I ended up!  And, where the elder Flynn's grandfather emigrated to from Ireland back in the 1800's.  Not only that, but they were on their way up the following week to continue their geneological research.

It is indeed a small world.  After all those many years, we were reunited, and I have been embraced ever since by this wonderful family.

That's My World

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Afternoon Delight

Sometimes,
life just gets in the way,
repressing inspiration,
inhibiting motivation,
 until one comes upon a scene such as this. 


"Play, Incorporating Animistic and Magical Thinking Is Important Because It:
Fosters the healthy, creative and emotional growth of a child;
Forms the best foundation for later intellectual growth.
Provides a way in which children get to know the world
and creates possibilities for different ways of responding to it.
Fosters empathy and wonder."
-Rachel Carson
The Sense of Wonder

Photo stolen borrowed from
a friend.
Thanks, Michael.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

A More Than Worthy Cause

Today, at Wren's site, I became aware of a program to assist children with the financial burden of their classroom projects.  As a former educator, I can appreciate the efforts of this website, http://www.donorschoose.org/, and applaud, not only their goals, but the ease in which they are making it possible for children to gain access to hands-on knowledge across the learning spectrum.

The classroom project that Wren is promoting involves frogs!  Oh, my!  I wish there had been such a project and as dedicated a teacher when I was in school.

There are many more classroom projects that need your support and the website is user-friendly.  So, if you choose to explore the possibilities, you may find a project in your locality that better reflects your personal interests and passions!  Or, you can go to Calling All Scientists: Frog Life on View Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org and make the purchase of a new aquarium for this one teacher in Detroit, Michigan!!

Won't you take a few minutes to check it out?!?

And Wren, thank you for the heads-up.  To excite children about the wonders of nature fills me with delight.