You know, as we head into fall, and winter starts making a comeback (yes, I know this is only August, but that’s kinda the point here) it starts to get interesting to know where we are in the world. Not where in the world are we, although that’s important, too. Continue reading “What city in Europe or North America is on the same latitude as yours?”
The world is changing. Like it or not, this is the case. People who have long held privilege in Western cultures are starting to see those privileges leveled with those around them. Personally, I think this is a good thing. Continue reading “Female Action Heroes: The 11 Most Influential of Our Time”
This is a great infographic! Global English Editing services (I am not endorsing them – I know nothing about them) have put together this fun list of the most iconic books set in every country of the world. With this gorgeous map, you can tour the entire literary world—without ever leaving home.
If you scroll past the map/graphics you’ll find all of the books listed alphabetically by country so you can get a little sense of the plot. Unfortunately, there’s no hot links so if you want to grab any of them, click here.
And yeah, I specifically chose the Lithuanian entry as the graphic for this post.
So, as it does from time to time, the topic of the future came up the other day. In this instance, it had to do with Monki and the idea of an allowance.
It seems that, coming as we are, from different cultures and different generations, we also have a different approach to things like allowances and teaching fiscal responsibility to the little one.
Since it’s still a bit of a ways off, it’s a discussion we will continue to have for a while, debating pros and cons, floating hypothetical situations and ultimately seeing what she needs when she needs it. Continue reading “Allowance for Allowances”
So there was this article a few weeks back in The Washington Post: The death of reading is threatening the soul. Pretty heady stuff. Their subhead is Commitment to reading is an ongoing battle.
And I read it at a most opportune time. Continue reading “The death of reading is threatening the soul – The Washington Post”
I’m just waiting until we move into a (at least) semi-permanent place, where I can get all my books gathered together – and then I will figure out an organization strategy. So looking forward to that day!
Here are 10 organizational strategies for the next time you find yourself in the throes of moving, decluttering, or procrastinating.
Source: The Millions : Ten Ways to Organize Your Bookshelf – The Millions
Friday July 14
Friday morning we again made it to Disneyland and were all about meeting characters. Our first stop, just inside the gates, was Daisy Duck. Since it was early in the morning, Monki was asleep by the time we made it to the front of the line, but we’ll tell her she had a great time and all will be right in her world. Continue reading “And So It Ends – 2017 Summer Holiday”
Thursday July 13
Well… since yesterday was Monki’s birthday, it only follows that today was mine. The big 5-0. Half a century. Not a bad life so far.
There’s certainly something special about spending your birthday, any birthday, at Disneyland. If you let it be known it’s your birthday, everyone gives you well-wishes and makes you feel good. And for me, celebrating with my first child, it was pretty awesome. Continue reading “Happy 50th – 2017 Summer Holiday”
Wednesday July 12
Finally it was here! One year since our little Monki joined us. It was her birthday and she… well, she couldn’t care less. Pretty sure she had no idea but that didn’t stop us from getting ready to celebrate it. Continue reading “Monki’s Birthday – 2017 Summer Holiday”
Sunday-Monday July 9, 10
Sunday morning, bright and early, all of the out of towners showed up at mom and dad’s place for brunch and goodbyes. AAron and Troy were there along with Tom. Family and other friends came by as well and there was even a cupcake to celebrate Monki’s birthday (although according to Lithuanian tradition you don’t officially celebrate birthdays before the day because that is bad luck and takes time off the back end of your life). Continue reading “Back to LA, Back to France – 2017 Summer Holiday”
Saturday July 8
We all got up early and got ready for the main event, hitting the temple for the 10am services. The place was packed, full not only of all of mom’s friends and family (including Aunt Carla and Uncle Harvey and their daughter, my cousin Michelle. Aunt Bonnie with her daughter Annie (and Annie’s two kids), cousin’s Jerilyn and Thom Deane, Heidi and Troy Teadt, Dana Reznick Campbell and her kids Kym and Manny and Alivia, who is exactly one month older, but half the size of Monki – but was a perfect playmate!), but also the friends and family of the other three women. It was a delightful service (me and the family took a little part in it) and mom was great! Her speech took a jab at my bar mitzvah speech some 37 years ago, but that’s okay – if you can’t hang on to old family jokes, what’s the point, right? Continue reading “The Bat Mitzvah – 2017 Summer Holiday”
Wednesday-Friday July 5-7
The next three days were a blur of seeing friends and doing things around the house with the parents.
Wednesday, I got up early to go shopping with dad. We hit several different stores, including Walmart. I ended up getting a few more things than I originally intended to and got gently ribbed for it. I can’t help it! Continue reading “Visiting Friends – 2017 Summer Holiday”
Monday/Tuesday July 3 & 4
Monday morning and we had been “in country” for nearly a week. We woke up early (no jet lag excuse, just normally get up early) and got everything packed and ready to go. We had to “check out” of our Air B&B by 11am so the house was a flurry of activity as everyone grabbed all the stuff which had migrated everywhere and corralled it back into suitcases and backpacks. Continue reading “Baked and Stuffed Bears – 2017 Summer Holiday”
Saturday/Sunday July 1 & 2
Saturday was reserved for Sea World. Like the Zoo, we were again in a situation of several groups looking at different things. And since we were on baby schedule, no one wanted to stay with us for long (mom and dad stuck it out for a bit, but then they wanted to go see other things, too). Continue reading “Like a Fish Needs a Race Car – 2017 Summer Holiday”
Getting the Hang of Thursdays 