Sunshine and gratitude

/
"As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness — just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm."

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder, "Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder, Vol. One"

cats in the sun

I like to...

Read More

Saturday movie review: 'Go Grandriders'

/

Today I'm reviewing a movie you're highly unlikely to ever see. It's not currently playing anywhere in the United States nor is it slated to be, as far as I can tell. It's not available on Netflix. You can't buy it on iTunes. You can, though, purchase the Blu-ray from Amazon. (That's not an affiliate link.)

Go Grandriders

The name of the movie is GO GRANDRIDERS, and I tell you...

Read More

On covering former First Lady Laura Bush

/

In light of yesterday's patriotic mood in honor of Memorial Day, I thought today would be an ideal time to share my experience covering the conversation between Laura Bush, Barbara Pierce Bush and Soledad O'Brien at the AARP Life@50+ event in Boston a few weeks ago.

Life@50+ Laura Bush presentation

As a guest...

Read More

Saturday movie review: "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom"

/

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit my ignorance up to this point regarding Nelson Mandela. His history, his legacy, the difference he's made in his world... our world. Sure, I knew he was integral to South Africa's anti-apartheid movement. But I didn't really get it.

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

I now really get it. Thanks to the movie MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, starring...

Read More

Nature-nurturing books for young readers

/

Though Earth Day 2014 has come and gone, every day is a great day for sharing with children books on nature and the environment. Especially picture books the kids will not only enjoy but possibly — no, probably — learn a little from.

E-I-E-I-O

Last week I received four fantastic picture books...

Read More

What made me smile, er, cry this week

/

Happy Friday!things that make me smile

Other than seeing via FaceTime Bubby's pride and joy at losing his first tooth and learning from the editor (in another phone call with her!) that my picture book manuscript is still under serious consideration for publication at a fabulous publishing house, the video below is what most made me smile this week. After those first two things, of course.

More accurately, the following video made me...

Read More

Care for yourself: 16 ways grandparents should follow their own advice

/
Care for yourself: 16 ways grandparents should follow their own advice

We grandparents regularly show love and encouragement to our grandchildren. Yet how often do we turn that steady flow of love and encouragement on ourselves? If you're like me, not often.

Time for that to change.

Following are sixteen ways to nurture and care for yourself in ways you likely encourage your grandchildren to care for and about their selves.

boy walking dog

(15 more follow...)
Read More

Dance and get happy

/

abstract dancers

Yay for Friday!

It's been a challenging week for a variety of reasons, so having made it through to the end warrants a happy dance for one and all. For happy dance inspiration, following are two of the happiest dances I've seen in a while.

First up, does anyone do...

Read More