Authors 76 & 77: Rockwell and Balian Mother's Day Books

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May eighth! This post is just a little thank you for all the wonderful things all the mothers in our lives do for us including mothering that comes in the form of grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, and friends. And most especially for mom! Thank you for all you do for us!

Mother's Mother's Day by Lorna Balian

Mother's Day by Anne Rockwell with illustrations by her daughter, Lizzy Rockwell. See more of Lizzy's art and more mother/daughter collaborative books at: http://www.lizzyrockwell.com/

Spring Chalk Art 2

The sidewalk art has taken a different look as tests loom on the horizon:


The above is from note cards for AP Art History.


These next two (top and bottom pictures) (including the views of women) are from AP Euro.


Finally we have a contribution about the water cycle, cloud types and rocks.
They are all preparing for testing in the weeks to come.

Food Co-op for April

1 head of cauliflower, three zucchini, 1 box grape tomatoes, 1 head romaine lettuce, five oranges, five jonagold apples, 1 cantaloupe, and 2 avocados for produce share $10.

I have to admit that some of the food you have to use more rapidly in the winter-early spring. The oranges had to be eaten the first few days as well as the zucchini, cantaloupe and avocados. The apples and cauliflower are still good a couple of weeks later as is the romaine lettuce. The tomatoes went mushy after a couple of days and we never got to use them. Winter months are just hard for the co-op. It's hit and miss with the way things ripen. Sometimes things last a couple of weeks and other things only last a couple of days before spoiling.

Spring chalk art

Who are the chalk artists in your life? Now's the perfect time to have them show off their craft!

First up is a medley of musical notes from Daisy:



Second we have a happy hippo in blue by Hedgehog:

So get some chalk, find an available sidewalk, and locate a patch of sun to get started on your own concrete creativity!

Update of Colm Meaney in "The Race"

We re-watched the movie, The Race, for St. Patrick's Day and it's still a great film!

E wanted me to add that they speak with a real Irish accent as opposed to the feigned Irish accent that one occasionally hears in movies. This is a professionally made movie and does not appear to be a low budget special.

Irish Children's movie: The Race w/ Colm Meaney

In celebration of St. Patricks Day we share this little sweet-hearted gem of a movie--The Race. Starring Colm Meaney of NG and DS9 Star Trek fame, the movie takes place in a rural section of Ireland (enjoy the Irish Brogue!)

The storyline centers around an 11-year-old girl's desire to someday be a race car driver. She builds a go-kart and competes against the wishes of the boys who don't want a girl in the race. Along the way we learn of the financial plight of the family farm (but not told in a cheesy way) and her father's fierce struggle to save the farm and how his relationship with his daughter changes when he sees his same stubbornness and determination reflected in her.


The movie has a satisfying conclusion if not necessarily a happily ever after ending.

Available now at some local libraries! Take it home today for a St.Patrick's day treat of Irish ingenuity and family pride of determination, patience, practice, perseverance and love.

Click on the picture to read the cover information. (The movie is not rated being an Irish/German co-production, but would most likely have received a PG rating in the U.S. for some bullying, parental arguing and some swearing.)