Use Of Your Time

I'd like to start out with a couple of quotes pertaining to time:

"You will never "find" time for anything.  If you want time, you must make it."

~ Charles Bruxton

"Don't say you don't have enough time.  You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein."

~ H. Jackson Brown

 

Although we all have the same number of days in a week, the same number of hours in a day and the same number of minutes in an hour, we don't all use them the same.  Some people are able to use their time wisely, making every minute work for them.  They seem to successfully balance family life and all that work entails.  Others struggle with their time, not accomplishing all they set out to do.  Sadly, I admit, I fall into the latter category.

My goal is to find a balance between my family life and my writing life.  Perhaps in my trying to find more balance for myself and my family, I can help someone else who is dealing with similar challenges.

I'm reaching out to all fellow writers and readers.  How do you balance family life and work?  Do you wing it like I do or do you have a schedule you stick to?  How flexible is your schedule?

How do you make time work for you?

Birthday Wishes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Louis Slobodkin

Louis Slobodkin was born on February 19, 1903 in Albany, New York.  He was a sculptor, illustrator and author.  At the age of 15 Louis attended the Beaux Arts Institute of Design.  In 1927 Louis married Florence Gersh, who was a poet and author of children's books.  The couple had two children.  Louis Slobodkin died in May 1975.

Louis illustrated more than 80 books, many of which he also wrote.  A few of the books he wrote and illustrated were; Thank You You're Welcome, A Good Place to Hide, The Adventures of Arab and Excuse Me! Certainly.  Louis and Florence collaborated on five books.  Those titles were; Too Many Mittens, The Cowboy Twins, Io Sono (I Am), Mr. Papadilly and Willy, and Sarah Somebody.  The last book that Louis had published was Wilbur the Warrior.  It was published in 1972.

There is a website, http://www.slobodkin.org, that has many of the book covers and excerpts from books that Louis Slobodkin worked on.  If you get a chance, check it out.

Happy Hearts Day!

Today is Valentine's Day.  This is the day we give cards, flowers, chocolates and/or presents to our loved ones to show we care.  For me it is just another day, because I try to do special little things for my loved ones throughout the year.  It may just be making a favorite meal they haven't had in awhile, a love note tucked in a packed lunch, a card or letter sent in the mail, or just telling someone how much they are appreciated.

Today I'd like to share a couple of poems.  The first poem was written for my high school spring anthology in 1982.

FEELINGS

I write because of confusion

and wish to understand.

I talk for fear of loneliness

please let me take your hand.

I wonder because of curiosity

I need to know the why.

I love because of emptiness

that often makes me cry.

I laugh because I'm joyful

and wish to make you too.

I pray to God you love me

for that's what I need from you.

For all these things 

I live each day.

They tell me what to do

and say.

To talk, to love,

to laugh and cry.

I'll live all these feelings 

until the day I die.

This second poem was written sometime in February of 1987.  

Love ...

Love is like a flower

if nurtured and cared for,

it will grow and blossom.

If neglected and forgotten,

it will wither and die.

I hope you enjoyed the poems.  Please leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of them.  If you'd like, you could share a poem of your own or maybe share something special you do for a loved one.   Happy Hearts Day!

Birthday Wishes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Jane Yolen 

Jane Yolen was born in New York City on February 11, 1939.  She attended Smith College, receiving her bachelor's degree in 1960.  She also attended the University of Massachusetts, receiving her master's degree in education in 1976.  In 1962 Jane married David Stemple and they had three children; Heidi, Adam and Jason.  Jane and David were married 44 years when he died from cancer in 2006.

Jane has written more than 280 books, many of which have won awards.  Some of the books she has written are; Owl Moon, Briar Rose, How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?, Baby Bear's Books, Sleeping Ugly and Letting Swift River Go.

Did you know that Jane has been refered to as the Aesop of the twentieth century?  Or that she has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America?  If you'd like to learn more about Jane Yolen, I suggest you check out her website http://janeyolen.com/

 

Favorite Children's Books

Earlier today I decided that I need to tackle the clutter that has taken over my office.  I've gotten tired of stepping over piles of books and papers, but the final straw was when I had no idea where some things I needed were.  The first task was to put away the stacks of books I had sitting on the floor.  I didn't realize just how many children's books I had accumulated until I tried finding spots for them in the bookcases.  This was no easy task.  

As I picked up each book, special memories would come to mind of how each book was acquired.  Several were from when we met the author at a book signing.  Several were from relatives as Christmas gifts.  One was from when we took a family vacation to California.  Then there were the special memories of the times I'd sit with my son and read the books to him, then with him as he learned to read and then finally he'd read them to me when he mastered reading.  My son is now 17, so those memories are now somewhat precious.

Anyways, as I was looking at the books, I was wondering what children's books were considered favorites by other people.  I'll share a few of mine:

1. LOVE YOU FOREVER  written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Sheila McGraw

2. THE GIVING TREE  by Shel Silverstein

3. CHRISTMAS TROLLS by Jan Brett

4. A LITTLE BIT OF NONSENSE by Denise Rodgers and illustrated by Julie Martin

5. BUZZY THE BUMBLEBEE by Denise Brennan-Nelson and illustrated by Michael Glenn Monroe

6. DESIGNED BY GOD SO I MUST BE SPECIAL written by Bonnie Sose and illustrated by Bonnie and Holly Sose

What are some of your favorite children's books?  Please take a few minutes to share what they are and if you'd like, share any special memories associated with the books.

Birthday Wishes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

  Russell Hoban

Russell Hoban was born in Lansdale, Pennsylvania on February 4, 1925.  He began drawing and writing at a young age.  After graduating from high school at age 16, he briefly attended Temple University.  At age 18 he enlisted in the US Army, serving during WWII.  In 1944 he married his first wife Lillian (Aberman) and they had four children.  The Hoban family went to London in 1969 for a brief stay, but after the ending of the marriage, Russell remained in London where he resides today with his second wife Gundula Ahl who he married in 1975.  They have three children.

Russell Hoban, an American writer, has written over fifty children's books.  The book, What Does It Do and How Does It Work? was written because of an interest in machinery.  Russell also writes books for adults in the science fiction and fantasy genre.

Some of my favorite Russell Hoban children's books were Bedtime For Frances, A Birthday For Frances, and Bread And Jam For Frances.  These books are about a young badger and the lessons learned about giving and trying new things.

Would you like to learn about the interesting way that Russell Hoban fans will be celebrating his birthday today?  Then be sure to check out The Slickman A4 Quotation Event blog at http://sa4qe.blogspot.com