Banned Books Week 2011

What banned and/or challenged books are you reading?

Banned Books Week:
Celebrating the Freedom to Read
September 24−October 1, 2011

For more information:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm

Weekly Writing Prompts

Monday, September 5, 2011

What was your favorite part about returning to school?

• My favorite part about returning to school was and still is seeing people I haven't seen much over the summer. As a student, I saw my best friends over the summer, but there were other friends that I missed during the summer months and was glad to be with them again when fall rolled around. Work is kind of the same. There are a few people I see during the summer but most I don't. It's always good to see them again as we join together in the common task of educating (raising?) Indiahoma kids.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

How do you feel when you return home at the end of the day?

• In a word, exhausted.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

What is the first thing you see when you walk into your house?

• I usually enter my house from the side porch that is next to the car port. This takes me into my bedroom. The first thing I would see if I were paying attention, would be the mirrored dresser that belonged to my mom's Uncle Orin. My mom refinished it for me and it is quite a lovely piece of furniture.
  
  People coming in through the front door would see the leather couch and love seat, the back of the matching recliner, a desk full of clutter, Owen's toys strewn about the floor, the book cases and TV. It's where we live.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

If you could return the decorations in one room of your house, which would it be?

• No doubt, I would return the decorations in the back room, the man cave, Daryl's nest...because they don't belong to me. I'd love to trade them in and redecorate the room as it was intended to be: a recreation room for the kids so they'd have a place to hang out with their friends. So the kids are grown and gone and have their own places to hang out with their friends now. Still, a recreation room with exercise equipment might be just the ticket.

Friday, September 9, 2011

If you could return to a place you once lived, where would you go?

• Are we talking permanently or for a visit? I'd love to spend time in Southern California again. The beaches, the mild temperatures, family, old friends, so many fun things to do... And I'd love to go back to Germany, practice speaking German, travel around Europe by rail, visit museums, drink beer... I wouldn't stay too long though because my bucket list is full of new places I want to go and experience.

5 Minute Friday

In Real Life

GO

I can remember a time when I said, In real life..." That was back in the day when my life seemed surreal. Now it feels very real. I'm living real life.

It's strange how much time I spend with teenagers. Pretty much 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Is it warping my mind or keeping my young? They thought it was funny that I said, "True that." Doesn't everyone say that? Or is there a different expression for real life?

I'm bringing back the expression "groovy." My teens like to laugh at groovy. A boy asked me earlier this week, "What exactly does 'groovy' mean?" It means "Boss" or "Far Out" only with a mellow meaning. Clear as mud? I should have said, "Sweet or tight," but that would've been so in real life.

My seven-year-old grandson is spending the weekend with us. He's playing a video game, Pa is watching sports and I'm blogging. That's about as real life as it gets around here.

STOP

If you want to be part of 5 Minute Friday, go to: thegypsymama.com and blog along. She has a very nice and interesting website that you will enjoy even if you don't want to join her blogosphere.

America in Color from 1939-1943

I wanted to share this link to some amazing photographs posted on the denverpost.com photo blog.

Does anyone know if photos belonging to The Library of Congress are copyright free to American citizens?

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5 Minute Friday: REST

It's another Friday. Today's prompt/theme is "rest." Write for 5 minutes freely, not worrying about grammar or the perfect choice of words or sentence structure or anything. Just pour your words out and see what happens.

START:

Rest is exactly what I need and thank goodness for a three day weekend. I have just completed the first two weeks of a new school year and worked at the public library the past two Saturdays. I also work Thursday and Wednesday nights making my work day last from 8:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. Oh yes, I need some rest.

Tomorrow morning is my grandson's 7th birthday party which will be a fun time with Owen and his friends at the town park. Pinata, playground equipment, water guns, bubble blowers, party games, hot dogs, cake and fun. I'll be refreshed.

Then home to my house by myself. My husband is going to Norman to meet friends for the OU opening football game. Then he's going to his sister's house to spend the night. I'll have the house to myself to do whatever I want whenever I want. And there is so much to do.

The Lord said to rest on the Sabbath and I understand the wisdom of that order. To be productive and to make a difference you have to be rested, therefore energized and able to perform.

I plan on being well rested when Tuesday rolls around and it's back to the grind.

STOP.

To learn more about 5 Minute Friday, visit thegypsymama.

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