Easy Memory Makers

     All parents want their children to grow up with happy childhood memories.  While Big trips, Big gifts, and Big events are impressive and certainly memorable, it can be the little everyday moments that kids will remember and cherish most.
     Here are ten easy everyday ways to fill your child's life with special moments so you'll be remembered as an extra special parent.

1.   SKY WATCH
      Try to catch special events like eclipses, meteor showers and comets.  Or just plain star gaze and moon watch.  A telescope is great fun but not necessary. By day, look at cloud formations and sun position. 
2.   EARTH WATCH
      Short nature walks lead to long memories.  Point out flowers, trees, animals and insects.  Look for bird nests, cocoons, etc.
3    USE PET NAMES
     Nicknames work anywhere but personal only-at-home pet names are fun and make kids feel special.
4.  WRITE NOTES
     Children love notes.  Leave a simple "See you later," "Have fun," or "Love you" on the pillow or fridge when you leave the house.  Tuck notes into backpacks and lunch bags, too.  Messages on cell phones, e-mail and answering machines are a nice surprise. 
5.   HUG
     Hug hello, good-bye, good night, good morning, or for no reason at all.  It's so easy!
6.   USE FOOD COLOR
     And use it often for instant celebrations.  Kids are so impressed!  Pink milk for Happy Spring, red for Valentine's Day.  Trust me.  Green mashed potatoes will not be forgotten!
7.   PARTY
     The team wins a game - have a party.  Celebrate half-birthdays (no presents - but cake or a special dessert is a must); the first day of school; the last day of school; good report cards and more.  Use your imagination.  Any occasion can turn into a party.  Keep a roll of crepe paper at hand and decorate in seconds!
8.   SAY YES
     Try to say YES more than NO.  Kids will love you for your "That's a great idea" or "Sure, let's give it a try."  It also raises their self esteem and opens creative minds.
9.   LEARN ABOUT THEIR WORLD
     Keep up on the kids' TV, music, movies and fashion.  Don't aim for hip and cool, aim for knowledgable.
10.  ONE BIG DON'T
     Don't try to be your child's best friend.  Try to be you child's best parent!
     
    

Coming Soon

      Stay tuned for "Easy Memory Makers."  Tips on creating memories your kids will "cherish."  Ahhhhhh

AI Blues

   I punched in the numbers hoping to talk to a human.  But for years, humans had been replaced progressively by artificial intelligence.  The voice I heard was that of a robot and my hope for human contact was denied again.  I tried my best for 16 minutes to convey my simple request but the electronic, patronizing female voice offered no help. It could only repeat in a saccharine voice that made my stomach churn and my frustration mount: "I don't understand you, main menu."
   Sounds like the beginning of a science fiction story?  A futuristic Big Brother scenario?  No, just a modern nightmare in broad daylight reality - very now.  Last week I had a question for Big Brother, er, the U. S. government and I had to deal with their automated "smart" phone system.  In the best of all scenarios, this can work.  If you need EXACTLY what's on their menu.  For it is in the choosing of "other" that gets you emerging from a simple phone call in a helluva mess and needing tranquilizers. 
   But, as it turned out, after  my fourth "other" request, I got through to a human, a very helpful human, I might add, who solved my problem and answered my question in less than 90 seconds.  I needed a form.  (You always need a form.)  And thank god forms solve everything.
   Then, while celebrating just a little too much about my success at requesting a government form, I suddenly realized my mistake and ended up, after having been driven to tears, laughing out loud. LOLing after a phone call to the government?  Had I gone mad? Now I know, though, that when you talk to a "robot" you must only respond to its questions. The rest of the time you must keep your mouth shut.
   The AI lady cannot understand "my god, I can't stand another minute of this," or "for god's sake, didn't you hear me, I said THREE."  She just needs you to say "three."  And say it with conviction, dammit.  And don't have emotions or opinions or tantrums.  I get it now.  We all have to learn to act like robots.  Uh Oh. (Cue the Twilight Zone music...)
   My form hasn't come yet.  I'm bracing myself for another call. But this time I will know how to talk to the "lady."
  

Split Personality

     I am my own shrink.  It saves a lot of money and the necessary introspection usually produces insight and answers.  At a recent check-up, the nurse asked are you bi-polar or schizophrenic?  What?  I said I don't think so.  You tell me!  Since half of America lives in a state of mild depression and/or anxiety, wouldn't do you have any depression or anxiety problems be a better question? If I had said yes I am schizophrenic, would I have walked out with a big gun prescription?  Would they have helped me? Seems like they are crazy not me.
     Anyway, I know I have some problems, some quirks, so I decided to look inward at one in particular. When people ask me where are you from I always answer I live in Minnesota but I'm really from New Jersey, somehow implying that thirty-seven years in Minnesota has been an illusion. What am I really saying here?
     My inner analyst tells me I am actually saying I am not a Midwesterner so don't expect me to act like one. Don't expect "Minnesota nice" all the time and don't expect one word answers. Don't expect me to run out and catch an autumn leaf as it falls from the tree so it doesn't land on the neighbor's yard. Also,deal with the fact that I use a naughty word every now and then and that I don't read Christian fiction. 
     In other words, just like I said.  I live in Minnesota but I'm really from New Jersey. I'm not schizophrenic but I definitely have a split personality.
   

Halloween Heaven

   Pumpkin patches pop out all over Minnesota every October.  And intricate mazes carved out of cornfields entertain with the scary prospect of getting lost forever in a quarter mile square that makes you feel like you are roaming around a whole county. The rusty ashes and elms, though, are only so-so pretty compared to knock-out New England foliage. Even with a "Haunted Places in Minnesota" book in hand the state comes no where close to the flavor of , say, a Salem, Massachusetts and its witch lore.
   But while deciding that Halloween is whatever you make of it, all of a sudden it occurred to me that I actually used to live in THE perfect Halloween place.  I was only one year old and wish I could remember more of my Halloween in Tarrytown, NY where I lived for a year or so..
   Tarrytown, of course, is the setting for the 1820 short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving.  Irving lived in Tarrytown in a wonderful Dutch mansion called Sunnyside perched high above the gorgeous Hudson River and was inspired by a part of town called Sleepy Hollow and all the witch tales of the nearby Catskill Mountain region.
   Tarrytown, now in view of the Tappan Zee Bridge, is all about Sleepy Hollow every day of the year.  There is Washington Irving High School and Sleepy Hollow Middle School, Van Tassle this and Brom Bones that.  It is a delight any time of year but especially at Halloween.  Some day, I vow, I will  spend another Halloween in Tarrytown. Until then I can't wait to savor the spooky opportunity to get back to these  nearly forgotten roots and a chance to cringe at the conjured up vision of Ichabod Crane in hysterical flight from the headless horseman.  Oh what a delicious Halloween that will be!
  

Top 5 Scenes I've Seen (so far)

1.  The Grand Canyon

2.  The Alps

3.  The Headwaters of the Mississippi River - (really!)

4.  Icebergs in the North Atlantic

5.  Niagara Falls

More Soon!

     I miss blogging - a lot!  So many activities recently and then there is SUMMER. So many excuses. I promise to get down to business and soon produce a gem. ( I would like to say "another gem" but...)