Matrix logic or logic grid puzzles challenge you to figure out the characteristics of several people, using a series of clues, marking "yes" answers with an O and "no" answers with an X in a grid of boxes. You can see an example grid in this Wikipedia article. My 12-year-old Nicholas enjoys matrix logic almost … Continue reading Matrix Logic: The New Baby’s Relatives
Think!
How to make it from scratch instead of a package: Chipotle Simmer Sauce
My son Nicholas is 12 years old and often tells us about meals and snacks he enjoyed in his friends' homes. Last month, when we were shopping at Target, he pointed out a package of sauce that was the exact type his friend's mother had used on the delicious fajitas. I told him I wasn't … Continue reading How to make it from scratch instead of a package: Chipotle Simmer Sauce
Book Reviews: Good, Bad, and Coincidental
Imagine my surprise when one of the paperback mysteries I'd picked up at a used-book sale turned out to reference one of the others! In Harm Done, which I reviewed last month, a girl claims she was kidnapped by two women who forced her to do housework, and an irritated Inspector Wexford demands to know … Continue reading Book Reviews: Good, Bad, and Coincidental
America is SAFER now than it used to be.
The United States experienced about half as much violent crime in 2014 as at the peak in 1992. Media and politics exaggerate the dangers we face.
Some Old and Some New: September Book Reviews
This month I read two books that were new to me and two I'd read before but didn't remember well. 36 Children by Herbert Kohl Mr. Kohl was a white, Jewish graduate of Harvard and Columbia who agreed to teach sixth grade in a public school in Harlem in 1962. The school was only 29 … Continue reading Some Old and Some New: September Book Reviews
Wallflowers and Oranges Unbound! (book reviews)
I've been catching up on my magazines this month, but I've also read three books... The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Charlie is a friendless teenager beginning his freshman year at a high school in the affluent southern suburbs of Pittsburgh. The book is a series of "Dear friend," letters he's writing … Continue reading Wallflowers and Oranges Unbound! (book reviews)
What I’ve Been Reading Lately
Having finished all the books I got for Christmas, I acquired a bunch more for my birthday! Not only did I receive some books as gifts, but I found lots of low-priced books at the Regent Square Yard Sale, I bought a few books at Balticon, and after reading one of the titles below I … Continue reading What I’ve Been Reading Lately
Bulk Food in Reused Containers in the Microwave: A Cautionary Tale
I've explained how we buy many of our groceries from bulk bins in the food co-op store, dispensing the amount we want to buy into containers we got by buying (and using) foods that came in them. Usually, when a jar has a label that can be removed, we soak it off so that … Continue reading Bulk Food in Reused Containers in the Microwave: A Cautionary Tale
4 Great Poetry Books for Young Children
Our two-year-old Lydia loves poetry! Most young children enjoy hearing rhyming, rhythmic words, but Lydia is particularly fascinated. We have many picture books with rhyming text--like the wonderful works of Dr. Seuss--but we've also found several longer poetry books that she enjoys and so do we. Poetry is very helpful in getting children interested in … Continue reading 4 Great Poetry Books for Young Children
Secrets to a Happy Road Trip with a Two-year-old
When our son Nicholas was 2 years old, we drove from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma, stayed a while, and drove back. In each direction, we spent 3 days in a row on the road for about 8 hours a day of actual driving time, plus rest stops. My cousin who has older children gave me two … Continue reading Secrets to a Happy Road Trip with a Two-year-old
What I’ve Learned By Reading Too Much (and 4 other books!)
In addition to finishing the books I got for Christmas in time for my birthday, I've read a few other new-to-me books recently, including one that actually has the alternate title What I've Learned By Reading Too Much! I learned something from each of these books. The Dance of Anger by Harriet G. Lerner This … Continue reading What I’ve Learned By Reading Too Much (and 4 other books!)
Did you find Jesus anything to eat?
Eleven days ago, I launched a challenge to my readers to prevent food waste in some way, big or small, and report back after Easter. Now it's the Tuesday after Easter, and I haven't heard from anyone yet. Did you accept my challenge? Tell me about it in the comments, or link to your own … Continue reading Did you find Jesus anything to eat?
Have you anything to eat? a food-waste prevention challenge!
According to the Gospel of Luke, when Jesus was resurrected from the dead and appeared to his disciples, he said, "Have you anything here to eat?" He must have been really hungry after being dead for three days! In that spirit, as Easter approaches, I'm challenging all of you--Christians and everybody else--to do what you … Continue reading Have you anything to eat? a food-waste prevention challenge!
Books from Other Cultures: Japan, Sweden, Louisiana…
I didn't specifically plan to read about foreign cultures in 2016, but the books I got for Christmas happened to include three translated from Swedish, one translated from Japanese, one set in rural Louisiana, and one about houses around the world--so these are what I've been reading! I reviewed the other two Swedish books last … Continue reading Books from Other Cultures: Japan, Sweden, Louisiana…
What I’ve Been Reading Lately
It's been a difficult year for me so far, but you know what I can do when I'm sick, when I'm hanging around the hospital waiting for things to happen, and when I'm recovering from surgery and have to rest a lot? I can read! And it happens that I received a lovely stack of … Continue reading What I’ve Been Reading Lately
Book reviews coming in 2016
I've been very busy this year so far, but I've been reading anyway! Here is a hasty iPad photo of the wonderful stack of books I received for Christmas, all of which I expect to read and review over the next few months. [UPDATE: I added links to the reviews when I posted them.] Totto-Chan: … Continue reading Book reviews coming in 2016
Books for Adults, Preteens, and Toddlers
I'm starting a new "preteen" tag with this post because my son Nicholas, as he approaches his eleventh birthday, has started to ask for "more young-adult-type books" and has been appreciating most of what we've been finding for him, including a book I picked up used and read aloud to him without having read it … Continue reading Books for Adults, Preteens, and Toddlers
Book Reviews and Giveaway!
The silver lining of being mildly disabled for months after a car accident is that I've had lots of time for reading! I'm grateful that I had the type of concussion that makes computer work difficult but isn't hampered by reading on paper. Here are some of the books I've read. I'm giving away my … Continue reading Book Reviews and Giveaway!
Book Reviews by a 10-and-11/12-year-old
This is a guest post by Nicholas Efran. Key: ☆=1 star ⭐︎=1/2 star The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo This is a book about a mouse who gets sent to the dungeon for being different. He is in love with the princess in the castle he lives in. Then he discovers that a … Continue reading Book Reviews by a 10-and-11/12-year-old
Why My Toddler Doesn’t Watch Sesame Street
I remember, when I was 3 or 4 years old, sitting in front of the television watching the test pattern waiting for my local public television station to begin its broadcast day. I liked the pretty colored stripes. Finally they would disappear, the station information would be displayed along with a drawing of a scissor-tailed … Continue reading Why My Toddler Doesn’t Watch Sesame Street
The Earthling's Handbook 