The Huffington Post reports that VP candidate Sarah Palin got a journalism degree from the University of Idaho...after attending six colleges in five years. Huh. She must be one quick study.
Whether or not she advocates banning books is a subject the McCain consultant wouldn't touch on the Diane Rehm show on Friday - I wasn't surprised - and frankly, I don't want to know what she's reading. Palin, that is. I'm pretty sure Rehm would shame us all.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
A Sweet Hippo and the Nose that Didn't Smell So Good
Based on title alone, I thought that Tony Payne's picture book Hipponotumus would be funnier than it was. Ah, but picture books are not written for 40-something moms so much as for 4-year-olds. And mine loved it.
So I'll admit I'm not a picture book expert, and frankly, I'm not reading many books from the grown-up shelves lately either. Maybe I'm going soft, maybe I'm just making bad picks.
The last book I didn't finish was What the Nose Knows, about the science of smell. Yes, I know it sounds geeky, but I like to think I'm as geeky as the next guy/girl; the subject fascinates me and the book was very well researched. It just didn't tell a story.
Folks, non-fiction does NOT have to be dry. I actually enjoyed a rather long historical nonfiction work about the history of the color red. It sounds drier than burnt toast, but the author told a great story throughout the book. Alas, the nose didn't know enough about creative nonfiction to pull off a similar feat.
So I'll admit I'm not a picture book expert, and frankly, I'm not reading many books from the grown-up shelves lately either. Maybe I'm going soft, maybe I'm just making bad picks.
The last book I didn't finish was What the Nose Knows, about the science of smell. Yes, I know it sounds geeky, but I like to think I'm as geeky as the next guy/girl; the subject fascinates me and the book was very well researched. It just didn't tell a story.
Folks, non-fiction does NOT have to be dry. I actually enjoyed a rather long historical nonfiction work about the history of the color red. It sounds drier than burnt toast, but the author told a great story throughout the book. Alas, the nose didn't know enough about creative nonfiction to pull off a similar feat.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Oughta Be A Rule
Cynthia Lord's first novel, Rules, is one of the best YAs I've ever read, and I suspect that will remain true for many years.
It's on the summer reading list for local 7th graders, and my daughter, who read the book at my urging last year, not only selected it, she actually re-read it to fulfill her summer report requirement.
In other words, it's good.
The book offers a glimpse at family life when one of the family - in this case, the main character's younger brother - is autistic. While Catherine has always seen her brother David as a bit of a burden, she copes by making up rules for him in hopes that will make everyone's life easier. (No toys in the fish tank. If the bathroom door is closed, knock!).
When Catherine forges a friendship with Jason, a wheelchair-bound boy who cannot speak, she discovers that autism is a relatively minor challenge compared to those others face. She manages quite admirably.
I won't give away any more details; it's a fairly short book and one truly worth reading.
Noting my daughter's interest in the book prompted a local librarian to recommend another novel approach to autism. The Curious Incident of the Dog that Barks in the Night focuses on an autistic boy who investigates and solves a crime. This one is aimed at adults, I think...anyone read it?
It's on the summer reading list for local 7th graders, and my daughter, who read the book at my urging last year, not only selected it, she actually re-read it to fulfill her summer report requirement.
In other words, it's good.
The book offers a glimpse at family life when one of the family - in this case, the main character's younger brother - is autistic. While Catherine has always seen her brother David as a bit of a burden, she copes by making up rules for him in hopes that will make everyone's life easier. (No toys in the fish tank. If the bathroom door is closed, knock!).
When Catherine forges a friendship with Jason, a wheelchair-bound boy who cannot speak, she discovers that autism is a relatively minor challenge compared to those others face. She manages quite admirably.
I won't give away any more details; it's a fairly short book and one truly worth reading.
Noting my daughter's interest in the book prompted a local librarian to recommend another novel approach to autism. The Curious Incident of the Dog that Barks in the Night focuses on an autistic boy who investigates and solves a crime. This one is aimed at adults, I think...anyone read it?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Stumbling Over Smart Guys and Trendsetters
Charles Murray's Opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, For Most People, College is a Waste of Time, is worth a read. Somebody, get this guy on a committee to reform education...and quick.
And I stumbled on this blog entry today - yeah, it's almost eight months old - and thought, yep, he's right: the iPhone and iTouch could replace a lot of retail sales people. (Sorry, guys.)
Then I thought, wait a minute. The technology I use isn't working quite so well. I subscribe to a couple of "trendspotting" newsletters, one RSS feed, and have three different Google Alert settings, yet I literally stumbled across these articles.
Sigh. See, this is why I like to keep track of my favorite reading material. Nobody else is really doing it for me...
And I stumbled on this blog entry today - yeah, it's almost eight months old - and thought, yep, he's right: the iPhone and iTouch could replace a lot of retail sales people. (Sorry, guys.)
Then I thought, wait a minute. The technology I use isn't working quite so well. I subscribe to a couple of "trendspotting" newsletters, one RSS feed, and have three different Google Alert settings, yet I literally stumbled across these articles.
Sigh. See, this is why I like to keep track of my favorite reading material. Nobody else is really doing it for me...
Friday, August 8, 2008
Are We Having a Ball?
Not exactly.
Ever since my neighbor talked me into co-coaching our kids' Micro soccer team (thanks, Allison) I've been perusing the shelves at my local library, begging other coaches, and scanning the internet for soccer books for kids and new coaches. I've found quite a few, and some are good - but so far, none are "great."
And I need a great deal of help!
A "Micro" soccer team consists of four- and five-year-olds; in most cases, they are co-ed teams. After flipping through a LOT of books (see below) it seems the key is to get them to play and have fun. Running laps, standing in line for drills, even passing is too much to ask at this age - and way too dull.
The first book I found was an e-book, Fundamental Soccer for Clueless Parents, and it really is for very-bare-beginners. Which was ok by me!
There are some great web resources, including:
http://www.kidsfirstsoccer.com
http://www.usyouthsoccer.org
Anyone have any others to recommend? I'm all ears. And our first practice is Friday...
Update: the season went great, and we're still having fun - the vast majority of kid on that team are still playing, eight years later. And have moved on to more qualified coaches ;)
Got a soccer player at home willing to work to get better? Here's a training program I came across recently that is designed for soccer players who are willing to work to "level up" and improve their skills and reach their goals (like making varsity!). Guaranteed results; 8 week money-back offer. See you on the pitch!
Ever since my neighbor talked me into co-coaching our kids' Micro soccer team (thanks, Allison) I've been perusing the shelves at my local library, begging other coaches, and scanning the internet for soccer books for kids and new coaches. I've found quite a few, and some are good - but so far, none are "great."
And I need a great deal of help!
A "Micro" soccer team consists of four- and five-year-olds; in most cases, they are co-ed teams. After flipping through a LOT of books (see below) it seems the key is to get them to play and have fun. Running laps, standing in line for drills, even passing is too much to ask at this age - and way too dull.
The first book I found was an e-book, Fundamental Soccer for Clueless Parents, and it really is for very-bare-beginners. Which was ok by me!
There are some great web resources, including:
http://www.kidsfirstsoccer.com
http://www.usyouthsoccer.org
Anyone have any others to recommend? I'm all ears. And our first practice is Friday...
Update: the season went great, and we're still having fun - the vast majority of kid on that team are still playing, eight years later. And have moved on to more qualified coaches ;)
Got a soccer player at home willing to work to get better? Here's a training program I came across recently that is designed for soccer players who are willing to work to "level up" and improve their skills and reach their goals (like making varsity!). Guaranteed results; 8 week money-back offer. See you on the pitch!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
I'm Rich!*
My friends Matt and Gina Hutter are featured in the July (print) issue of Money Magazine because they... wait for it... wait for it... use cash.
Greenbacks.
Bills.
US dollars.
Remember?
If the answer is no, please, please read the article. A few times. We'll wait.
= - = - =
Doesn't that make sense?
To Matt's money-saving tips I can add but one: before you buy a book, check it out at the library first. :)
*Sure, you can file this under "misleading titles." But I am rich in friends!
Greenbacks.
Bills.
US dollars.
Remember?
If the answer is no, please, please read the article. A few times. We'll wait.
= - = - =
Doesn't that make sense?
To Matt's money-saving tips I can add but one: before you buy a book, check it out at the library first. :)
*Sure, you can file this under "misleading titles." But I am rich in friends!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Just for Kix
Ah, 'tis true: I do read cereal boxes.
Did you know Kix cereal is a very healthy choice?
A 1-1/4 cup serving has less sodium and fat and more potassium than a serving (1 cup) of Cheerios, and the same amount of fiber (3 grams) and calories (110). Huh.
They're both fortified, so they're pretty equally plumped up with the usual vitamins. And I have to admit Kix has more sugar (3 grams vs Cheerios' 1 gram) and Cheerios has 3 grams of protein to the 2 grams in Kix.
And now I really need to go to the library, and pull something besides a cereal box off the shelf!
Did you know Kix cereal is a very healthy choice?
A 1-1/4 cup serving has less sodium and fat and more potassium than a serving (1 cup) of Cheerios, and the same amount of fiber (3 grams) and calories (110). Huh.
They're both fortified, so they're pretty equally plumped up with the usual vitamins. And I have to admit Kix has more sugar (3 grams vs Cheerios' 1 gram) and Cheerios has 3 grams of protein to the 2 grams in Kix.
And now I really need to go to the library, and pull something besides a cereal box off the shelf!
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