A Big Ball of String

Good Wednesday to you! 

Life has a way of changing our plans, doesn't it? We think we are on a certain path, heading toward a certain destination, and then change happens. Sometimes, it is due to decisions we make and sometimes it is to just plain circumstances out of our control. We have encountered some life changing events in the recent month, which has caused me to step away from the blog momentarily. We were unprepared and thrown off guard by the avalanche of spiraling circumstances. I am sure we have all experienced a situation like this in our lives.

But, such life changing situations causes us to re-evaluate our lives. What is truly important? What can we live without and what must we live with? We have looked at every aspect of our family situation and shook things up a bit. If I was told six months ago of our current situation, I wouldn't have believed it. But, that is life, isn't it? We only have one thing to do when life throws us a curve ball. Modify, and move on. 

So...... here we are modifying and moving on. 

What in the world could this have to do with a reading blog? Actually, quite a bit. I have a book which I have read to the children when they were younger. As their reading abilities grew, they would read it on their own. I have even had some fun sharing this story with other children in a reading class. It is called "A Big Ball of String." 

                                                                          

"I had a little string.

It was no good at all. 

I went to look for more string 

To make a big ball. 

I got more string

From a box in the hall. 

I made it all up 

In a little string ball."

Our young friend searches around the house, garage, and even to the dump, in search of string to make a big ball. There were so many things he was able to do with the string when the flu overcame him. We had fun in our reading class with our balls of string creating ideas and exploring things to do. Who knew string could be so much fun?

So what exactly does a big ball of string have to do with the chaos in our lives? It may seem all wound up and possibly a big mess. But...... when you take a step at a time, one hand over the other, holding tight to that string, it all unravels and we make progress. Pretty soon, the mess clears up and becomes organized. Right before our eyes, it becomes an organized ball of life events that, in the end, just makes sense. It may not have been as disorganized as we thought, when looking back. 

So, teach your kids and loved ones that life events will happen when unexpected. That big ball of string may seem like a mess, but it can always be cleaned up and organized. 

You may even find some fun along the way! Take the time...

Just five minutes,
Dawn

Wordy Wednesday - consternation

 

This picture is the USS Arizona burning after the Japanese attacked on Pearl Harbor. My family and I watched an interesting documentary on the findings of this ship. Explorers and scientists are retrieving and viewing some amazing finds. The ship that once carried many men, serving their beloved country, leaving their spouses and children behind, prepared to protect many unknown fellow countrymen soon breathed their last during this attack 75 years ago today. The Japanese launched a surprise air attack on the U.S. Naval Base which, within a short two hour time span, killed more than 2,400 Americans, damaged 21 ships and destroyed more than 188 U.S. aircraft, including the USS Arizona. This attack created a new dimension to World War II. America was now involved.  (Picture courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration)

I felt it is quite fitting today to share the word "consternation". This event definitely fits the word.
  

[kon-ster-ney-shuh n]

 

noun; a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay.

 

 Synonyms for this word are: bewilderment, alarm, terror, fear, panic, fright, horror, anxiety

 

I am sure this emotion filled many homes considering the current world events and the uncertainty of the future back on that December morning. Many family members lost their friends and loved ones. May those left behind be strengthened today knowing their soldiers gave it their all. 

 

Just five minutes,

Dawn

 

A mathematical folktale

    

I love, love, love the book for today! I have read it to my kids several times, and had the pleasure of reading it to a group of young students at a school. I have not come across any child that is not fascinated with this wonderful book. 

There are a few different variations of this story, but my favorite is this one: 

     

When a humble farmer named Pong Lo asks for the hand of the Emperor's beautiful daughter, the Emperor is enraged. Who ever heard of a peasant marrying a princess? But Pong Lo is wiser than the Emperor knows. And when he concocts a potion that saves the Princess's life, the Emperor gladly offers him any reward he chooses--except the Princess. Pong Lo makes a surprising request. He asks for a single grain of rice, doubled every day for one hundred days. The baffled Emperor obliges--only to discover that if you're as clever as Pong Lo, you can turn a single grain of rice into all the wealth and happiness in the world!

Kids love trying to start this mathematical calculation on their own, but when Day 9 arrives, with a total of 256 grains of rice, they quickly decide against calculating and counting. 

During a trip to the library yesterday, Bobadob and I noticed this version:

 

This story is slightly different. A village girl outsmarts a selfish king by asking him to double a portion of rice every day for 30 days in order to feed the hungry.

Adorable, adorable stories! Fabulous conversation starters for your elementary students. 

Just five minutes

Dawn

 

Wordy Wednesday

    

The word chosen for today may be greatly needed in the upcoming months. We had a few snow flakes through the air last night and it is apparent more is on the way. The salt and sand will start paving the roads to aid in protecting our many drivers from the multiple scary ice patches. It is important, though, to keep our vehicles clean of the salt on regular basis. 

The word for today is 

simonize

verb (SAHY-muh-nayz)

to shine or polish to a high sheen, especially with wax.   

"Let's go wash and simonize the van before we leave for vacation."

I am sure this word could also be used when needing to clean and shine shoes or silver. This probably isn't a common word, but you can certainly find a way to use this word today. 

It won't take long to expand your vocabulary,

Just five minutes. 

Dawn