Take 2 minutes today to read the little poem THE SNAIL with your kids

How to improve Reading & Vocabulary Development AND teach Poetry to Kids!

Let’s talk about reading a poem today.

Shall we stay inside to read that poem? Or head outside?

Can we make the decision to stay all cozy inside AND head outside… at the same time?

Of course not!

But perhaps this little poem about a snail by 20th century novelist and poet Richard Wright gives us the option to do both…

Make up your mind snail!
You are half inside your house
And halfway out!

In this poem, Richard Wright experiments with the form of the traditional Japanese haiku – with its 3 lines and a specific number of syllables per line.

Wright’s poem celebrates a little wonder of life… the snail.

Read the poem with your kids or grandkids. Read it a couple of times.

Talk about the wonder of that little snail who carries its house from place to place.  Talk about how it pulls itself back into its shell when disturbed, danger threatens or to escape the weather. The snail house also protects the snail from sharp objects or vegetation as it pulls itself from here to there. That little snail house seems like a pretty good deal!

The voice, or speaker, of the poem comes along and notices the half-in, half-out snail.

This is a tiny moment of life, a sliver of time… but that moment can make us hesitate, smile, think and talk to the snail.

Hey! Make up your mind snail!

Ask your kids why that snail may be half-in and half-out. Is it feeling a bit threatened? Is it getting ready to make a move? Is it just enjoying the day? Is it finding a nice place in which to read a poem?

It’s moments like these that poets capture… wonderful moments that so many of us rush by.

It’s poems like these that teach children to notice life. It’s noticing life that counts when it comes to becoming proficient READERS.

During the rest of today, focus on finding little moments and little details, just like the snail half-in and half-out of its house. It’s great fun!

Remember that READING is all about the WORDS… Written, Spoken, Felt.

Oh. Back to the original question. Is it possible for you to be half-in and half-out of your house… at the same time?

You decide!

Getting a grandson into Social Media… sort of!

Two weeks ago, I “launched” my @GrandparentU Twitter page.

This is something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time… combine my love of grandchildren, children, education, reading, literacy, family, fitness and health as a resource for fellow Grandparents and Boomers.  We are, after all, a great force of nature!

I first posted a profile pic of me with my husband Barry and all 9 grandchildren, but it got “lost” in the Twitter space…

… and many friends and followers didn’t recognize me @SharonCouto (which I still have) as @GrandparentU.

So yesterday I asked my 6-year old grandson, Alex, to take a photo of me for @GrandparentU.  Kind of get him into this Social Media world!

I handed Alex my cell phone and he went about his work, setting up the shot, albeit laughing up a storm while he listened to my directions.  Little did I know that he was having fun VIDEOING me…

I don’t think I’ve had such at a fun photo shoot ever, and how appropriate is this for a GRANDPARENT site!?

And I don’t think I have a photo of me ever with a smile as big as the one captured through Alex’s beautiful, beautiful eyes…

Now that’s a Grandparent smile!

Join and follow me over at @GrandparentU for some lively understanding, shared wisdom and fun!

Thanks, Alex, for giving me the knowledge, great secret and love of spontaneous LIFE…

A Grandson with a Heart of Hearts…

Everyone is surrounded with hearts.

Hearts float around us in people, in words, in gestures and in things.

But not everyone sees them, feels them or acknowledges them.

My 6-year old grandson Alex is one of the people who has the gift to find hearts just about everywhere, and in everyone and everything.  Alex loves people.  Audrey has said from the moment Alex was born that he loves life.  He’s happy to be alive.  He finds joy, excitement, laughter and love in every single moment.

Alex finds hearts.  And hearts find him.  Hearts seem to land on him.

This past week, with Matt in the hospital and Audrey caring for him, I spent lots of time with Alex.  He attends afternoon Kindergarten, so he was home with me each morning while his 3 brothers were off to 1st grade or pre-school.  We had time to talk, to play, to build railroads, to cook, to clean, to fold laundry, to download new Apps on my cell phone, to read, to play Webkinz and to eat together.

It was in the eating that the hearts really seemed to make their magic… or where Alex found them,  saw them, felt them, acknowledged them…

Yes, I think it’s a true gift to see the hearts that surround us and find absolute delight in them… and Alex’s heart is wide open to receive all the hearts that come his way.

But the best part of all is the happiness, the giving, the perfection of sharing his heart and all these hearts that come his way.   Alex was born with the lesson of sharing this great joy.  It’s deep in his own heart.

We all have this gift.  We just have to open our HEARTS to discover the magic and wonder of people, things and life itself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grandparent University: Research Projects (like the study of “two lips”)

A sudden medical emergency is always trying.  It always rearranges lives.  It’s always frightening and stressful and life-changing.

When a medical emergency strikes your son-in-law and leaves your daughter and their 4 children in a blur of whats and what-ifs and what now… well, the grandparents step into their world as quickly as possible to lend their hearts and hands.

I am fortunate to have retired from a 30-year teaching position and to currently work from home.  I am blessed to live near my 9 grandchildren and to see them often.

But last week I found myself in a super crash-course in Grandparenting.

I was able to take a few minutes to organize my “notes” from this  Advanced Course at Grandparent University.

And as the days progressed, I realized that there was still so much more to learn.  Of course, I have the answers to many, many questions.  After all, I am a parent of 4, a retired teacher and an experienced Grandma.

BUT…

I must get on the Grandparent University RESEARCH PROJECT train to find the correct answers to these pressing (and actual) questions from these 4 little grandguys:

1. How do dogs pick boogers?
2. What is Vitamin Deed?
3. What is Step 5 in getting rid of hiccups? (I’ve been told by 6-year old Alex that Steps 1-4 are: drinking a glass of water, holding your breath, eating a teaspoon of sugar, standing on your head. He’s very curious about that Step 5.)
4. If baby ducks are called ducklings, why aren’t kids called kidlings?
5. Who invented the silent K, G and W?
6. Why is a foot 12 inches?  And the related: Why is a real foot not 12 inches?
7. How do olives get in the can?
8. Why is it called a highway?
9. Why can’t you always win at the Loser Machine (aka Claw Machine)?
10. Do you get your money back if you throw-up your food?
11. Do they have toilets in igloos?
12. Why can’t pigs walk backwards?
13. I don’t see two lips on tulips. Do you?
14. Why are the NY Giants called NY Giants? (Bad time to talk about this, guys!)
15. Why can’t you fart any time you want?

Hmmmmm.

Inquiring minds. Pressing questions.  Two lips are the most wonderful distraction, anyway… right along with boogers and farts.  Yes?

I guess I’ve gotta get on these topics to stay matriculating at Grandparent U!

An attempt at Gram-Glam taken down a notch…

Hey, Goldie Hawn does it.  Glams-up, I mean.

I even read that she goes by the name Glamma to her grandchildren.  (Get it?  GLAM-ma?)

So, why can’t I?  Glam-up, that is.

Because I’m not Goldie Hawn, I guess!

Take last night, for example.  I had 4 front row tickets to the hottest event in town… StyleWeekProvidence at the exquisite downtown landmark, The Biltmore Hotel.  I would be attending with my husband Barry, our daughter Jane and our friend Jackie.

So… what to wear?

Fashion Shows are beyond awesome for fabulous, quirky, glitz and glamour, so why not take this Gramma for a little Glamma ride!?

I had, right after Christmas, purchased a silvery, sequin-y, glam kind of sweater-jacket for some kind of occasion that I might find myself invited to.  It’s Bird by Juicy Couture, size Large and retails at…

Now don’t panic here, because you’ll soon see that I wasn’t anywhere near a Juicy Couture retail store.  I was at T.J. Maxx during their post-Christmas sale and paid a whopping…

Yes, that’s $39.00 for a mis-labeled Large Juicy Couture glammed-up  jacket that fits like a size Small.

And StyleWeekProv seemed like the perfect occasion to debut my fashion find…

I had also recently purchased a pair of skinny jeans.  These skinny jeans brought me all the way back to college, when this particular brand came only in men’s styles and I wore them slung w-a-y low and kinda sexy.  Ahem.  Not any more, thank you.  I now want my Levi’s women’s and comfortably fashionable…

I tossed on a pair of black, scrunchy boots, some sparkly vintage jewelry, courtesy of my Mom, and was good-to-go…

But hang on a second.

I began to second-guess the glam factor of my skinny Levi’s.  I love them and all, but…

Shake it off, Sharon. The glam sweater will carry the outfit.

Barry, Jane, Jackie and I took our seats.  The air was electric with excitement, bright lights, fashion chatter, smiles, ooos and ahhs, clicking cameras and long, sustained applause as designers showcased their enchanting styles…

KAREN SABAG -

CANDICE WU COUTURE -

Chances R Designs by Toni –

Stunning. Fabulous. Fun.

GLAM-orous!

So had I pulled off a Gram-GLAM fashion show evening in my Levi’s and $39.00 Juicy jacket?

Not so fast.

As the guests, models and designers gathered in a large adjacent room, still filled with the glitz and glamour and fun of the show, I saw a couple of Audrey’s friends, who had come with their young daughters.

Hellos.  Hugs.  Smiles.

The little girls were dazzled with excitement.  One was dressed in a red dress and gorgeous tutu, with awesome fashionista boots and a darling jean jacket.  The very picture of fashion. High couture…

This is the little one who looked up at me with her huge, beautiful eyes and smile and said, “I love your sweatshirt.”

Holy boot-kickin’ wagon cover rough canvas overalls.

Had my Levi’s turned my Silvery glitz Couture into Gold Rush attire?

But ah.  No second-quessing.

I had a wonderful time just the same… in my overalls and sweatshirt at StyleWeekProv at the historic Biltmore Hotel in downtown Providence.

(But I do have one possible explanation.  The beautiful little girl is little, after all.  Her field of vision may have been somewhere around here, at my waist…

… where it would not be out of the question to mistake a cashmere waistband for a cottony, polyester sweatshirt blend.  Right?)

Oh, well.  Should I just leave Gram-Glam to Glamma Hawn?

Nah.  I’ll try it again!  Move ovah, Goldie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A handmade Crocodile prop, a poem & a grandson combine for a “cheerful grin”!

How to delight a child with a poem and a bit of imagination…

Yesterday afternoon, my 3-year old grandson Henry asked, “Grandma, do you have any new poems?”

(Since January 1st, I’ve been doing some posts about poems & kids… and I have some built-in grandkids around to experiment with.  I call it Take 2 minutes today… and here are some beautiful little poems that I love to teach:   TEMPLE BELL by Yosa Buson,  THE RED WHEELBARROW by William Carlos Williams,  I, TOO, SING AMERICA by Langston Hughes,  DRAGONFLY CATCHER by Chiyojo, RED SLIPPERS by Amy Lowell… and my latest poem, HOW DOTH THE LITTLE CROCODILE by Lewis Carroll.)

But back to Henry.

“Do I have poems?” I asked back.  “I’ll never run out of poems. Ever!”

Henry smiled as I asked, “Do you want to read a poem about a CROCODILE?”

OH, HOW ENTICING.

Off we went to my computer and to HOW DOTH THE LITTLE CROCODILE…

HOW DOTH THE LITTLE CROCODILE by Lewis Carroll

How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail,
And pour the waters of the Nile
On every golden scale!

How cheerfully he seems to grin,
How neatly spreads his claws,
And welcomes little fishes in
With gently smiling jaws!

I read the poem to Henry with my hands clenched like crocodile jaws… just for “welcoming” the little fishes.

Henry giggled and jumped and asked me to read-it-again.  Again.  And again.

Then Henry asked if we could MAKE a crocodile.  He remembered reading about a crocodile in his library book SPOT GOES TO THE PARK by Eric Hill...

And sure enough, there was a perfect Eric Hill crocodile to trace, to color, to cut…

We just had to add a few little fishes…

To make this most delightful time with a boy, a poem and a homemade crocodile prop…

(And, of course, we DID create the ball, the hippo and Spot. Thanking both Lewis Carroll and Eric Hill for the most delightful moments today. Take 2 minutes today to join the fun!)

A peek into my pantry by Keri Glassman from Nutritious Life

What a peek in your pantry reveals about your health, wellness & fitness…

Yesterday morning, as my daughter Audrey was stepping on a Miami-bound plane on a business trip, I was taking her place on a New Year, New You Pantry Makeover phone interview with nationally recognized nutrition expert and published author Keri Glassman.  Keri is the founder and president of Keri Glassman, Nutritious Life, a nutrition practice based in New York City. For years Keri has been a leader in advancing a “whole person” approach to health and wellness. She has dedicated her career to creating services and promoting education through her “Nutritious Life” brand.

Oh, dear.

Audrey told me to immediately send a photograph to Keri; a photograph of my main pantry area.

Double dear.  (Or dare, as the case may be.)

Keri would be analyzing my stash of food products in the optimal health, wellness & fitness arena.

(I want to say I wasn’t kinda tempted to rearrange my stuff to make myself look more, well… in total management of a very healthy-looking pantry… but I didn’t have time I didn’t want to skew the integrity of the assessment and interview.)

Take a peek at what Keri saw…

I do have other cabinets stocked with snacky things, canned goods, etc., and a refrigerator filled with lots of fruits & veggies, but this pantry cabinet is my basic go-to one for ease in grabbing something for quick lunches/dinners for Barry and me (and grandkids!).

(I’m also somewhat of a “European-style” shopper who buys fresh fish, poultry, meat every couple of days.)

But anyway… before I blinked, I was on the phone with Keri.

Keri is refreshingly friendly and upbeat in a let’s-get-going-on-this kind of way.  I love this.  We began our conversation with some information about me… relevant and timely New Year kind of conversation.  I love this, too.  I find it so much easier to make changes, both big and small, if my timeline for doing so is fresh and focused.

I told Keri that Barry and I began a (nother!) C25K training program on January 1st for a St. Patrick’s 5K in March.  AND that we Polar Plunged into frigid New England waters to begin the New Year in a real wake-up kind of way.  We are also both registered for the Boston Run to Remember Half Marathon in May.  This will be Barry’s most ambitious running training of his life.  And I’m all signed up to do the Patriot Half Iron distance in June.

Yes, we have some goals. We have our training schedules all set up.  Now we need some help in our Pantry!

Keri asked lots of questions about my lifestyle before she offered her assessment.  I love that as well.  (No immediate judgements on my over-stuffed carb Pantry!) I told her that I’m one of those “Club Sandwich” generation women who help and cook for my almost 87-year old Mom.  Barry and I both shop and cook, but I sometimes defer to Barry’s preferences in choice of rice, pasta, snacks.  (Yes, I went there!) We also regularly have some or all of our 4 kids & spouses and 9 grandkids for planned or spontaneous breakfasts, lunches, dinners.

Phew.

Down to the New Year, New You Pantry Makeover nitty-gritty.

Keri was not critical of my food choices; rather, she offered better choices for health, wellness and ways to improve nutrition for our fitness goals.  I love this.  Love this.  Give me better choices, not a complete, overwhelming re-do.  A Makeover… substituting better foods for foods we already enjoy and adding foods that will complete our nutritional needs.

So here goes, keeping in mind that all choices are made better by portion control…

- better options for our storehouse of rice products are whole grains, quinoa, wild rice, brown rice
- better bread choices are 100% whole wheat; for example, Arnold / Oroweat brand Thins & Minis
- better pasta choices are always whole wheat varieties (Barry needed to hear this!)
- nuts are great choices, but add seeds (pumpkin, sesame, flax, sunflower) and dried fruits such as figs, apricots, etc., but do not over-consume
- better choice for peanut butter is almond butter (I love almond butter and need to get Barry and my grandkids on board)
- better choices for teas are always greens (Barry and I love green tea… him decaf, me otherwise)
- another choice for fitness energy foods – Honey Stinger
- better choices for treats, appetizers, game-day dishes are hummus, guacamole, almond butter, canned pumpkin to add to recipes (love this suggestion!) – especially for the upcoming Super Bowl – GO PATS!
- better choices for cooking & baking are olive oils

Keri was offering such brilliant, yet practically helpful advice that I didn’t feel overwhelmed or that I had been doing everything wrong.  She was spot-on with what I think I knew, but needed to hear. Out loud.  About my own Pantry.

I love the concept of BETTER CHOICES.  It’s so psychologically easier to access, grasp and to implement.

I was so comfortable with Keri that I wished I had time to snap a few more photos of the insides of my other food spaces.  She made me feel at ease with my health, wellness & fitness… not that this better choice thing was difficult and all-consuming.  I’m beyond happy that I dared reveal what may very well change the way I live and love!

I highly recommend visiting Keri at www.nutritiouslife.com and following Keri on both Facebook and Twitter at @KeriGlassman.

Keri’s ease of information and approach to health & wellness is life-expanding.

 

 

 

A Snowman no more…

Down came the rains and washed the Snowman out…

Can I be heartbroken over a melted Snowman?

Yes, when my 3-year old grandson Henry meticulously created the Snowman (on top of my patio table that should have been winter-stored by now) from perfectly packed snow, winter berries, sticks, a carrot, ferns, mittens that no longer fit him and his wonderful imagination…

Henry carefully placed each berry, each stick, each “crop” of hair (even remarking that the ferns could be used as reindeer antlers).

Henry asked for a little carrot and little mittens.

It was a warm afternoon, so I let Henry sit outside on my deck as he set about his work and then worked and worked.  And worked.

Last night it began to rain.  Henry called me to ask if his Snowman was still there.

I assured Henry that the rain would end.  It would get cold again.  And… well, you know.

But what I didn’t anticipate seeing this morning as I peeked at my back deck was this…

Oh my goodness.

I know all that stuff about solids, liquids and gases existing and depending upon the temperature, pressure and nature of those substances.

I know all about how our world is constantly cycling as a solid, liquid or gas.

I know about melting… my heart, that is.

But I don’t think a Science lesson is in order here.

I think a Love lesson will do, in the form of lots of solid Hugs.

And another Snow Storm.  Pronto!

 

 

 

 

Take 2 minutes today to read the poem RED SLIPPERS with your kids

How to improve Reading & Vocabulary Development AND teach Poetry to Kids!

Kids are very good at creating mental images from words.

Name one thing and a child will tell you all kinds of details about that thing… and every child will have his/her own creation from that same word.

Allowing children opportunities to create mental images from words is one way to improve Reading. Reading is built upon the creation of mental images. Writing is built upon the creation of mental images.  Listening is built upon the creation of mental images.

It’s these mental images that bring our children on great journeys with WORDS.

Take a little walk today along a shop-lined street with American poet and writer Amy Lowell… and see for yourself the grandness and fullness of your child’s imagination.

It’s a grey, windy winter’s day. Stop in front of the little shop with the RED SLIPPERS in its window…

RED SLIPPERS by Amy Lowell

Red slippers in a shop-window, and outside in the
street, flaws of grey,
windy sleet!

Read the poem with your kids.

Ask your kids to describe the Red Slippers in the shop window; what are you picturing in your head?

Are they dress-up shoes? Are they plain or sparkly? Do they have straps or high heels or open toes?

Are they children’s shoes or grown-up shoes?

Are the red slippers like the ones in The Wizard of Oz? Are they girl shoes or boy shoes?

Are they bedtime slippers? Ballet slippers?

Are the red slippers sitting on a pedestal way up high? Are there other shoes in the shop-window? Is the window clean and shiny? Does inside the store seem warm and cozy?

Your child will build an entire scene from these simple words: red slippers in a shop window.

The great contrast to the red slippers inside is the weather outside the shop-window, in the street. This is where you and your child are standing!

It’s a grey day of wind and sleet. What are you wearing on your walk on this windy day? Can you feel the sleet on your face or hands? Are you wearing boots? What do your boots or shoes look like? Are they as lovely as the red slippers in the shop-window?

Do the red slippers draw your attention inside?

Do the red slippers make you forget the flaws of grey for a moment?

Amy Lowell’s poem RED SLIPPERS offers a universe of images in 3 short lines of verse. You may want to offer your own images of the red slippers and grey day, too. Decide if you’re going to go into that shop to purchase the red slippers for your child or yourself!

But wait… would you wear the red slippers in this weather?

This little poem will brings lots of images, lots of words and lots of fun to your child’s day.

READING is all about the WORDS – Written, Spoken, Felt.

Go on… take this walk with Poetry today. To read a poem in January is as lovely as to go for a walk in June. – Jean-Paul Satre

On a mission for the perfect LBJ (that’s “Little Black Jacket”)

On a Mission for the perfect LBJ: Little Black Jacket

**Cue Mission Impossible music**

I’ve been on a mission for a versatile Little Black Jacket.

By versatile, I mean reaching into the world of the nearly impossible of wearing the same LBJ from an outside run to grandchildrens’ swim meets & YMCA basketball games to lunch/dinner with my family/friends/husband.

And this LBJ has to travel easy and well, wash like a dream, stay true black and look gorgeous.

(Oh, did I mention that this perfect LBJ cannot be a casual pull-over style.  It must, must be a full-zip front for style and on-off ease.)

Phew.

Big expectations.

Well, I found the perfect LBJ when I least expected it while shopping for on-sale workout gear at my local Sears.

The brand… ?

What?  Isn’t EVERLAST all about boxing?

Think again!

EVERLAST may carry the TM’s “Choice of Champions” & “Greatness is Within”… but I think EVERLAST can add “Home of the Knock-Out LBJ”, too.

(Just to be clear here… I am not being compensated for anything I’m saying here.  I discovered this brand on my own!)

So.

I’m going to take photos of me in my new Everlast LBJ in all its detail, comfort, knock-out style & versatility and post them here.

My first look is my basic heading to the Y for a run (I love running outside, but today’s snow/slush mix put the stops on that).

I’m training with my husband for a March 5K, a May Half Marathon and possibly a 70.3 Half Ironman in June. I need wicking technology, extreme comfort, and yes, I want to look good, too…

Note the high collar for warmth when needed, the super-comfortable body fit and style details.  Love it.

(It’s really, really difficult taking photos of oneself, by the way…)

Also note my lovely Sparkly Soul headband, my go-to accessory for comfort, hair-back and a touch of glam!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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