Steps and Mortar Boards

Granddaughter Ali has a certain swagger today. She graduated from Miss Karen's Preschool. It was a lovely morning, complete with caps and gowns. Max cried because his hat wouldn't stay on and boycotted the proceedings by sitting down, but other than some other hats coming off, everything went without a hitch.

The Alphabet Song was probably sung with most gusto, but "I Love to Eat, Eat, Eat Apples and Bananas" was close. Maybe ten or twelve songs in all, sung with waxing and waning heart. Then there was the parade of grads and a diploma, complete with a hug from Miss Karen. Cookies and water followed as the grads and their parents exchanged well-wishes for the summer.

Steps in life generally increase in difficulty, but along with that comes increased competency, it is hoped. With cherished teachers like Miss Karen, how could we go wrong? But then we sometimes do. Maybe it does have to do with the hugs and cookies. Maybe also a mother who drives you to school both figuratively and literally?

Nothing Like Picking Up a Good Book and ...

Sophia has learned to read. "No job too big or too small", she suddenly read on a sign just outside an auto repair shop. I was surprised and impressed.

It's hard to say when she learned to read. One day she was learning sight words in kindergarten, and the next she was reading.

I don't remember learning to read either though I did so in Mrs. Turner's First Grade class. One day we were assigned reading groups and we got together and read. The groups were called something like the "Frogs" or the "Bears" or the "Lions" though we all quickly figured out which one was the fast, the medium and the slow group. I think all of us in the class could read, though. It was just a matter of how speedy we were. We did like to learn in those days.

Brad thought he'd learn to read on the first day of First Grade. He was a little disappointed, but it wasn't long after that that he did learn. He doesn't remember actually learning to read and neither does Ben nor Carl. It was just one of those amazing things that comes along and we get it. Things that great don't happen often in life, but when they do, they are stunning.

Book Report -- A Debut of Sorts

Well, I really made a great impression, I'm sure, on my brand-new book club when I panned the book we read.

The book was Jodi Picoult's Vanishing Acts. The truth be known, I didn't like one of the characters in the whole book -- well maybe the four-year-old, but her part wasn't that big. I'd elaborate, but I'd spoil it for those who plan to read the book (unless I've all ready done that), and those who don't have such plans would be simply bored.

The word used by the group leader for me was "enthusiastic". Perhaps this is good, but maybe it's really a word that actually means, "You talked too much for a newbie at Book Club." I'll let you know later.

Our next book is Isaac Bashevis Singer's "Enemies, A Love Story." No doubt a much better book. I can say this without even opening the first page. If you have to ask me how I know this, don't even ask. Just Google the author's name. I'm just saying.

The Addition of Ads

I'm certain some of you have noticed the ads beside my blog for sexy wallpaper and tattoos here in the Salt Lake area. Rest assured that I'm not promoting either. I simply clicked the adsense icon and said "yes" and that's what I got. I'm also sure that if I earn a quarter off the whole deal, I'll be lucky, but give me some time to figure this out. Who knows? Maybe it'll be enough to share with all of you? Actually, I've noticed that the ads sort of coincide with my topics. For example, my blog on insomnia had about five sleep clinics listed at the side. I'm thinking that there must be some odd little program in some great computer in the sky that scans for words in the blog. Perhaps if I mention that I might kill someone for some reason, ads for gun stores or at best, pawn shops will appear. Maybe today? Check. I'll report how much I make.