*Proposal to SAVE THE CATSBURG STORE in Durham, NC*
I first saw the Catsburg Country Store on February 24, 2019, when I was on my way to Eno Valley Elementary School, shortly after we adopted a beautiful and intelligent black cat named Kale from the Durham APS. I pulled over, took a picture of the place, and made it my cover photo on Facebook with the following accompanying text: “At Hamlin and Old Oxford Roads. Someone must open a cat-prioritized local pet store and cat cafe here.”
Voice in My Head Today (re Facebook)
The voice in my head as I sit down with my computer to (finally) catch up on my emails… Feel free to play it every time you reconnect to Facebook or Instagram ;-) .
Trump's Rallies and Then Some: Open Your Eyes, Complacent White *Christ*ians.
I don't care what party you belong to, if you can't see the similarities between Trump's most recent rally and Hitler's rallies leading up to WWII, then you are purposefully not looking. Anti Semitic!? The guy doesn't even know the meaning of the words. And if you call yourself a CHRISTian and you have no problem with the way these nonwhite American Citizens and likely fellow Christians are being treated because they disagree with the establishment, then you, my friend, are a hypocrite and a heathen…
Keeping it Cool in Durham
… Given the positive feedback I received regarding my previous article on family-friendly outdoor activities for Durhamites and the record temperatures we’ve already encountered this summer, I submit part two of this series: Indoor Kid-Friendly Activities for Budget-Strapped Durhamites .…
Root the Hate out of the System
Despite a multi-million-dollar budget surplus this year, NC Senate Republicans have eliminated funding for three of the six staffers who work for the state’s top judge. If this happens, she would be the only appellate judge in the state with just one law clerk, according to Floyd McKissick (D, Durham). Meanwhile, the budget funds six new federal prosecutors around the state…
Taxes provide Practical High School Math and Sociology Assignment
An incredibly practical high-school math (and social studies) assignment would be to do the current year’s taxes based on an income of $150,000 for a family of four with a child in college. Talk about a STEM spin on Hasbro’s game of LIFE! Perhaps the resulting discussion will result in a simpler and more equitable tax system in which the rich cannot avoid paying their intended %age, though it may not happen in my lifetime ;-) …
Fun Places for Kids
… After my last column, several people requested information about places and programs for young kids in the Triangle. I could write a book on this, but given the great spring weather I’ll concentrate on outdoors..…
My Video Game Addiction (Part 2)
… I ask these questions because I have begun to rationalize my PvZ (Plants versus Zombies) game playing even farther. I call it my “Sunflower Theory”…
Durham Arts Council's Portraits of Durham Exhibit: A (Free) Multimedia Feast
It’s been too long since I last perused the free exhibits at the DAC, and I looked forward to seeing Marthanna’s work and the work of other local artists in the natural light of the windows that stretched from floor to ceiling past the second floor of the 113-year-old building. Today was the day, and I was not disappointed. Drawings, paintings, and multimedia artwork displayed well-known as well as little-known Durham people and landmarks in thought-provoking strokes, stitches, and colors…
Durham Teacher Authors Children's Book Featuring a Family of Color
I just read EK Powe Elementary School counselor Therese Daye’s newly released children’s picture book, “Daddy’s Little Girl”, and it melted my heart and teared up my eyes. "Daddy's Little Girl" tells the story of an African American elementary student whose father often stands her up, how she gets up the nerve to tell him how she feels, and how the results reaffirm his love and improve their relationship.
My Video Game Addiction (Part 1)
Do you or anyone in your family play Plants versus Zombies on Xbox? If not, keep reading. If so, I have a couple questions for ya: Do you prefer to play as Plants or as Zombies? And which character is your favorite? Why am I asking you these questions? Because I am a PvZ addict…
Cleaning and Meditation
If you feel like you have a million things to do but don’t know what to do with yourself…
Real Good and For Free
… Over the last ten years, I have attended many wonderful and free children’s programs, including story-times, craft and drawing programs, and music and theatre performances, many occurring through Durham County Library.…
Voice in My Head Today
Most times, people aren't thinking about you the way you think they're thinking about you.
Rana Hablar (en Espanol)
¡Feliz año nuevo! Pensé que publicaría aquí el primer borrador de mi libro para niños de lectores tempranos / desafiados. El libro demuestra la diversidad cotidiana y la cortesía entre múltiples especies de ranas que habitan en el mismo espacio de manera pacífica. Si las ranas pueden hacerlo, ¿podemos nosotros?
Frog Talk: A Free Online Book for Early or Challenged Readers
Thought I'd post the first draft of my early/challenged-reader children's book here. The book demonstrates the day-to-day diversity and politeness among multiple species of frogs inhabiting the same space peacefully. If frogs can do it, so can we!? The educational/curriculum components of the book are discussed herein.
Hands-On STEM Curricula: Make a Portable, Indoor Water Garden for $0-10
Plan B has been to make water gardens at home with whatever big, clear plastic containers I can accumulate and give these to teachers at the elementary school. Two more teachers requested water gardens for their classrooms this week. I thought I'd take photos while I make them, so teachers, homeschoolers (aren't we all?), and kids of all ages can see how easy (and inexpensive) it is to do.
SCBWI BookStop: Educational and Inspirational Holiday Shopping
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators has posted their Holiday BookStop, and it features The Fate Of The Frog, which reinforces concepts (rhyme and meter, alliteration, camouflage, life-cycles) that your kids are learning in school, while also giving them the hands-on opportunity (and an easy one for their parents) to experience solar power and a "best stormwater management practice" (a tiny pond) right in their own backyard.
My Quote of the Day (well worth reading again)
…from Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman), Intro to Ozark, Season 1: Sugarwood.