Source: 13 Truths About Being a Writer
Source: Picture Book Love
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The window |
By Angie Quantrell Angie Quantrell
I had just finished reading two separate blog posts.
The first post was about clean windows and how they look great – until the sun streams through and we can still see the smudges and streaks left despite our efforts. You can read this Lynn Austin post here. A Clear View
The second post asked the question “Just How Big is God?” The author encouraged readers to consider how God knows every little detail, even down to when a sparrow falls to earth. Every sparrow! Read this post by Leslie A. here. Just How Big is God?
A few mere moments after completing these readings, I heard a loud thunk.
In our house, a thunk usually means a bird has flown into our large picture window.
This window, speaking of clean windows, streaks, and smudges, defies my every attempt to make it clean and sparkling.
I raced towards the front window, glancing down into the flower bed beneath the brick ledge.
Sure enough, a stunned sparrow twitched on the bark. I went out and saw that it barely breathed. I gently picked it up and stroked its back, watching for signs of being stunned or on the edge of death. Some birds survive our window. After a few moments of being knocked out, they flip over and fly away.
This little guy did not. He didn’t take more than 2 or 3 breaths as I held him cupped in my hand. I watched the still breast, hoping that I just couldn’t see the ribs move. But the glass wall was too much for his tiny body.
And there I was. Crying for a tiny sparrow who died from smashing into my window. Even though I could see the dirt and smudges on it, it looked clear and invisible for my feathered friend. There was nothing I could do.
But God knew. He knew the exact moment the sparrow crashed into the window and the second it took its last breath. And He cared that it happened.
God knows all things. He cares about everything in our lives, down to the tiniest detail. Though He is the God of the Universe, He knows and cares.
About us. About that poor sparrow. About me crying when the sparrow died. About my frustrations with daily life or big events or fears that seem silly. He cares.
God cares.
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No one is going to eat his baby! |
By Angie Quantrell Angie Quantrell
Don’t Eat the Baby!
By Amy Young
(Viking, 2013)
Don’t Eat the Baby! is a funny story about new babies, big brothers, and misunderstandings.
Tom is not sure he wants a new baby. In fact, he names the baby The Blob. At first he is jealous of all of the attention being placed on baby Blob. But soon, Tom hears people saying they want to eat the baby because it is so adorable.
What? They can’t eat his baby. Tom decides he has to save the baby. His baby.
Families with new babies will love reading this as they merge the new family member with older siblings. This book also provides humor as discussions take place about silly things adults say.
KID KANDY:
Baby Doll Play
Materials: baby doll, doll clothes and accessories, doll bed or toys
Do you have a new baby sister or brother? They are noisy, tiny, cute, and here to stay. While mom and dad are busy taking care of the new family member, this is your time to play and take care of your own baby.
Pretend the baby is your baby. Feed, rock, burp, and put the baby doll to bed. You can even give your baby a name. It’s fun to pretend, isn’t it?
You can also ask mom or dad how you can help with your new sibling. Maybe you can go get a diaper for mom or hand dad the blankie. Snuggle in close while baby is sleeping. You used to be that tiny!
Congratulations on being the big brother (or sister)!
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This is my daddy and I’m keeping him. |
By Angie Quantrell Angie Quantrell
startled gasp for breath
mama’s trimphant labor
wrapping up daddy
Haiku by Angie Quantrell
Welcome, Autumn Nahara.
Born April 26 at 10:08 AM.
Another piece of Nana’s heart…
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My idea of a perfectly-formed plank. |
No. Not that kind. The exercise kind. Planks are hard to do.
I don’t like them.
Does anyone really like them? This is what it looks like when I try to do a plank.
1. Gear up. Avoid doing planks following a recent meal.
2. Collapse to floor level.
3. Set timer. Otherwise, I will be positive that 15 seconds is a full complete minute.
4. Start timer.
5. Assume position. Elbows and forearms on floor. Toes on floor. Nothing else on floor.
6. Tighten stomach, back, and buttock muscles.
7. Immediately begin to breathe harder. At 5 seconds in, notice trembling limbs.
8. Sweat.
9. Fight the feeling of giving up or falling on my face.
10. At 30 seconds, convince self to keep going. Or pause for a rest (I like that one better).
1 minute? DONE.
What a workout!
I’m sure I’m not the only one who experiences these physical manifestations of pain when doing a plank. I mean really, shouldn’t a 53 year-old be able to handle this?
True, I haven’t even done a sit-up since, well, I don’t know when. Maybe shortly after my last baby was born. She’s 25. Years-old. Wanna know an embarassing fact? When I started this new build-core-strength-workout-program I could NOT do one sit-up. Not one, folks.
But I digress.
Planks are not fun, easy, or pleasant. But I have to admit to a certain joy in knowing that I can hang in there and do a minute. On most days.
Care to join me? On to sit-ups.
What is your most hated, feared, or dreaded exercise? Let’s commiserate.
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Planks AND flowers. |
Photo post by @SCVincent.
Source: Everywhere #midnighthaiku
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Blossoms in the spring |
By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell
Happy Earth Day, Earth!
What a wonderful world we live in – beautiful, fascinating, safe, peaceful, dangerous, harsh, mysterious, vast, surprising, and awe-inspiring.
I’m glad I live here.
In honor of Earth Day, I think it appropriate to give a gift.
So I will do something good for the Earth today. Maybe several somethings.
My gifts shall be:
– picking up any trash I see
– making sure I water only what needs water, not the sidewalk, gutter, or driveway
– turning off electrical devices I am not actually using
– planting something pretty (or tasty)
– giving thanks to God for such an amazing place to live
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Tulips opened to catch the sun |
Earth Day Haiku
Earth home, designed gift
fashioned by God’s mighty hand
habitat for us
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Fruit trees in bloom |
What will your gift be?
Do people visit your blog? Are they not visiting because you didn’t link your username??? Step 1 – Everyone click your actual username in a comment section on WordPress. Did you appear…
Source: Every Blogger READ THIS POST!
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A garden that is curious? |
By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell
The Curious Garden
By Peter Brown
(Little, Brown and Company; 2009)
The Curious Garden is a picture book that was inspired by the Manhattan Highline Railway.
I’ve read articles about the Highline that tell how the lonely stretch of railway has been transformed into beautiful public gardens. But this is the first picture book I’ve found on the topic.
The Curious Garden tells the tale of Liam, a young boy who explores the empty spaces to find railways breaking down and nature taking over. Liam decides to help. Together, Liam and the garden grow and explore the empty spaces.
“The garden was especially curious about old, forgotten things.”
I love that sentence. The garden is not just a thing in this book, but one of the main characters!
The Curious Garden (doesn’t the title take on a new personna after you’ve read the above sentence?) will delight explorers and nature lovers.
KID KANDY:
Nature Walk
I walk almost every day through my neighborhood. When I walk tomorrow, I am going to look for places that nature is acting curious and spreading in unexpected places.
How about you?
Ask a parent or sibling to walk with you.
Look for:
– weeds growing in sidewalk cracks
– flowers springing up in odd spots
– old rusted things covered in grasses or vines
– moss creeping along damp, shady areas
– nature that is being mysterious and curious as it expands to new areas
What did you see?
Love, Laughter, and Life 