word of the week

Our Word of the Week

that I added to the fish bowl on my desk

is...

resolution

1. a promise to yourself that you will make a serious effort to do something that you should do  2. the point in a story at which the main conflict is solved or ended.

ah ha!

Because of one very curious cat named Calvin (see previous post), I've been unable to put plants and/or flowers inside our home.  I've been wanting to add a little green in the corners of a few rooms and this might be the solution!

After stumbling across this "indoor herb garden"at Pinterest, I was inspired.  I figure Calvin can't nibble on the plants if they't too high for him to reach.  I also love the idea of hanging a few plants from the ceiling.

Photo #1 via Pinterest.  Photo #2 via gardening-experts.

mohammad ali

Mohammad Ali's COLORSCOPE

YELLOW (leo): optimistic, expansive
BROWN (capricorn): capable, prosperous
DARK BLUE (aquarius): wise, sincere

Click here to read more about COLORSCOPE.
Click here to visit Alix's Blog.
Click here to discover your own three colors!
(Mine are bright blue, lavender, and light blue)

a great letter

things i love about this letter

the writer (a boy) used a magenta colored pencil

he isn't afraid to ask for what he wants

the fancy "D" in his Dear 

an empathetic voice

and self awareness

(Image via Cup of Jo.)

three thousand miles

my first christmas

without snow tingling air

and white clouds of breath

as soon as you step outside

my first christmas

without stockings in the new room

and obeying granny's morning rule

no presents before eight thirty!

my first christmas

without eggs benedict on an english muffin

sitting in grandaddy's study

playing backgammon with lucky dice

Poem by Alexandra Thayer Stewart

Image via fitsugar.com

word of the week

Our Word of the Week

that I added to the fish bowl on my desk

is...

blessing

1. thing conducive to happiness 2. grace said at a meal

busted

i didn't do my homework

i'm done, i'm toast, it's true

i didn't do my homework

just X me out, i'm through

i didn't do my homework

a report on hester prynne

i didn't do my homework

i have nothing to turn in

i didn't do my homework

well, that's not exactly right

i did do all my homework

and stayed up late last night

my homework was completed

but still, i'm digging my grave

the essay, it was perfect

although i never hit save

Click here to read more poems inspired by pictures!

(Poem by Alexandra Thayer Stewart)

(Image via We Heart This)

word of the week

Our Word of the Week

that I added to the fishbowl on my desk 

is...

baguette

1. a long, thin loaf of French bread

One of my very favorite sandwiches is a warm baguette filled with brie cheese, cranberry chutney, and arugula.  Do you have a favorite sandwich?

ten days

I just love peeling back the days of an Advent calendar.  Only ten left!

happy boy

happy boy

wears a bright red collar

that matches 

his smiling face

delighted by

fresh fallen 

snow

piled high

for the holidays

(Image via Pintrest)

(Poem by Alexandra Thayer Stewart)

word of the week

Our Word of the Week

that I picked from the fish bowl on my desk

is...

tidings

1. a piece of news, usually used in plural (good tidings)

no time for a title

i slug a gulp

of instant coffee

stirred with a pen

racing, rushing

go go go

get out the door

and think

who uses

blue ballpoints

with bent caps

instead of a spoon

go go go 

get out the door

shoving the pen

inside my pocket

it rips 

a hole

as an idea

peeks around

my pressed suit

like a little boy

with grass stained knees 

stopping me

still

at the kitchen counter

filling this blank page

Click here for more poems inspired by pictures.

(Image via 123rf.com)

(Poem by Alexandra Thayer Stewart)

word of the week

Our Word of the Week

that I added to the fish bowl on my desk

is...

smarmy

1. behaving in a way that seems polite, kind, or pleasing but is not genuine or believable

ramona quimby, age 8

Synopsis from Goodreads: From the first day of third grade, when Ramona Quimby meets her eventual nemesis Yard Ape, life moves on at its usual wild pace--usual for the boisterous Ramona, that is. Soon she is accidentally squashing a raw egg into her hair at the school cafeteria, being forced to play Uncle Rat with her annoying young neighbor, and, worst of all, throwing up in her classroom. The responsibilities of an 8-year-old are sometimes daunting, especially in a family that is trying to squeak by while the father goes back to school. But Ramona is full of too much vim and vigor to ever be down for long.

In her second Newbery Honor Book about Ramona (the first was Ramona and Her Father), Beverly Cleary presents another slice of the Quimby family life. Author of more than two dozen children's books, Cleary has a true knack for understanding the tangle of thoughts and emotions in a child's mind and heart. Empathic, witty, and astute, she has earned many other awards, including the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. Alan Tiegreen's clever line drawings have charmed countless readers of Cleary's books over the years, and his style is now inextricably tied to hers.

What I think: I adored all of the Ramona books when I was a kid, but "Ramona Quimby, Age 8" stands out most in my memory.  Probably because of the very funny egg scene when Ramona cracks what she thinks is a hard boil egg on her head.  I remember laughing out loud the first time I read that part.  Ramona is a rebellious, strong-willed, all-around fantastic character.  It's impossible not to love her.  

(If you haven't listened to the Ramona books on tape, they're terrific.  Stockard Channing reads aloud and gets the voice just right.)

Image via Goodreads