Mayday! Mayday! Part 1

It’s been some time since I’ve done a month of weird/interesting things to note or celebrate. The last time I did it, I posted a pic a day on Facebook. That’s a bit more dedication than I want to commit to right now, so I will do a week at a time here on my blog. That way, you will be informed ahead of time and can get your party stuff ready…

 

 

May 1 – Mother Goose Day. I actually have a VERY old copy of this book. I loved the illustrations when I was a child and memorized most of the verses.

May 2 – Fire Day. Since we’re heading into fire season around these parts, I thought it would be wise to choose a pic of a nice friendly camp fire. Roast a few marshmallows, but be sure that fire is OUT before you leave…

May 3 – Lumpy Rug Day. I couldn’t find ANYTHING regarding this one. Hence the pic with the cat. Just be sure you check before trying to flatten that rug. There might be a cat in there…

May 4 – Candied Orange Peel Day. I LOVE marmalade and the little bits of peel in it. Just like Paddington.

May 5 – Hoagie Day. What’s not to like? Yum! Except: no onions, mayo, tomato, avocado. Just meat, cheese, lettuce, pickle, a tad of mustard and some butter. And chips on the side.

May 6 – Beverage Day. Choose your favorite! Keep hydrated! And don’t drive.

May 7 – International Tuba Day. OK. Listen to a few Souza marches. Maybe watch The Music Man again. Great movie!

Wanna Come Play?

The Internet is my playground. I love looking stuff up on Wikipedia. I love finding odd websites. And when it comes to blogs I look for the strange, the mundane, whatever. One thing I enjoy doing is after taking care of my own blog, I will click on “next blog” in the upper left corner and see where it takes me. I spent an entire afternoon once happily learning all about a certain pre-school in New Zealand from a blog one of the teachers has. Sometimes I will come across a blog in another language with no translate function, but if there are a lot of pictures, I’ll look around anyway. Here are a few of my favorites that I’ve bookmarked and like to revisit.

French Manhole Covers

http://manhole-covers.net/galerie/slide.php3?f=0

I love art in almost any form and, especially when it’s art for art’s sake. A manhole cover does not need to be attractive. It needs to be functional. These French ones are works of art.

Japanese Manhole Covers

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/03/the-beauty-of-japans-artistic-manhole-covers/

I first learned of these from a friend who lives in Japan. I found this site and was amazed at the intricate beauty of these. There is also a link to the official site of the Japan Society of Manhole Covers where there are a TON more pictures. That site is in Japanese, so just start clicking on stuff and you will find pictures.

Bored Panda

http://www.boredpanda.com/

Wonderful place to stroll around in. Always something different. I’m always on the lookout for inspiration for my artwork in a lot of the sites I go to. This has it. It will also take you all over the place.

Things to be Happy About

http://www.thingstobehappyabout.com/

If nothing else, you can go here and find at least one thing to be happy about in your life. If you can’t, then you need to call someone to come over for company.

Marc Johns

http://www.marcjohns.com/blog/

This guy is so talented I can’t stand it. While I would never be able to imitate his art style, I do get inspiration from his work. Great stuff!

I hope you check some of these places out.

Book Report April 2016

The Copper Kettle (1939) by Annette Turngren

This was a cute older kids book from a library sale. It takes place in the 1800s in a small Swedish village. Mari is a typical tomboy who manages to get herself into trouble more often than not. Her father is the local pastor. Mari hears about the new singing sensation Jenny Lind and it’s all she wants in life to be able to hear this “Swedish Nightingale.” She finally gets the chance.

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Opal The Journal of an Understanding Heart (1984) adapted by Jane Boulton

This is supposed to be part of the diary of Opal Whiteley, age 5 or 6. The veracity of the diary has been questioned and debated. Opal died in 1992 in her 90s and had been in a mental institution for many years. Whether this is a true account or not, it’s written in a very charming manner and is worth the read.

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Lights! Camera! Action! (2014) by Emily Thomas

A Blue Hills Library book. The local theater is heavily damaged by a fire and while it’s being remodeled someone keeps breaking in and vandalizing the work. Ben and Ryan decide to build a tree house and get to design and raise the money to do it themselves with a little supervision.

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Carry On, Mr. Bowditch (1955) by Jean Lee Latham

Good YA biography about Nathaniel Bowditch. He was an early American mathematician. He couldn’t afford schooling, so taught himself and became the foremost maritime navigator in America. His book is still used by the Navy.

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Nobody Nowhere (1992) by Donna Williams

An amazing autobiography! I find it hard to describe this book. Donna Williams was apparently born very autistic, but was never diagnosed as such until she pretty much discovered it herself in her 20s. The struggles she went through I find hard to imagine. I have a lot of respect for her. This book is the first of 4 that chronicle her journey.