Trees are blooming again

I think this is where I started about a year ago-writing about the lovely blooming spring trees. I started writing because I really hate writing and need to get better at it. I'm not much better but I don't avoid it like I did before.
Lately I have been absorbed by technology. New desktop computer AND new Nook Color E-reader. I just downloaded 100 classics and an anthology of children's fairy tales. I'm trying to learn how to navigate the interweb on a tiny screen. Most frustrating. But like I tell kids-can't give up just because it's hard to learn new stuff.
Oh, and on to what I'm reading-the best article on teaching reading is in the March Ed Leadership. Very sensible and well-researched. If only we could follow the suggestions Richard Allington wrote about, we could have most kids reading by the end of first grade! What an idea!

Crochet Obsession

I'm in the midst of an obsession with yarn and scarves. Emily showed me how to do a basket weave stitch and I have been busily working on a scarf with the blue varigated yarn I bought for Martin. He said he wanted to learn to crochet after his sister Anne told him about how much she was enjoying crocheting. That doesn't look right but crochetting doesn't look right either. Anyway, Martin gave up after learning how to do the chain stitch. It wasn't as easy as it looks.
So I'm using the yarn to practice the stitch and I think I'll get something softer to work up next. Got to get back to it. May finish the scarf tonight.

Brian Jacques Died

I just heard on the radio that Brian Jacques died. He wrote the Redwall series of books. Joey and I read all of the Redwall books we could find at the library. I probably kept on reading them after Joey had outgrown them. They are really good books about medieval animals in a mythical animal kingdom fighting against evil and winning in every book. I met Jacques and his wife at an IRA convention in Atlanta. I had a couple of his paperback books and he signed them for Joey. I wasn't sure how to pronounce his name-it looks French so I tried pronouncing that way. His wife quickly informed me that it was pronounced Jakes. He didn't pronounce it the 'froggy' way. I loved it!
The announcer on the radio said there was one more book to be published. I hope lots of kids and parents read it. He was a great writer.