The Duck Can't Sleep

 

The Duck Can't Sleep by E. B. White with art by Melissa Sweet is a book I would encourage anyone with or without children to look for at the library. Originally published as the poem Natura in Urbe in The New Yorker almost 100 years ago, I enjoyed this poem with illustrations added. It describes a man's night observations of a duck in an urban park. I appreciated White's word choice with words like preposterous, mettle and reservoir, but also some fun rhymes like silly and willy nilly and a-wobble and a-bobble. 

Stubby

 

Stubby by Sydra Mallery and illustrated by John Hare is a creative story about how pencils are made. Told from the perspective of a pencil named Stubby, this story begins in a forest. He narrates what happens to change him from part of a tree to a pencil that is sold at the store and used by a person. This allows children a glimpse into the world of manufacturing in an entertaining way.  

The Vincent Van Gogh Atlas

 

The Vincent Van Gogh Atlas by Nienke Denekamp and René van Blerk is for people who like history, geography or biographies. Although the word atlas is in the title, this book is a biography of the painter Vincent Van Gogh. It is organized by the places Van Gogh lived during his brief, turbulent life. The ample illustrations and graphics in the book make it a short read despite the 150 pages it contains. With an intended audience for older children, the book includes explanations of things that were common in that time period like travel and mail delivery to put things into perspective. Both students and adults interested in Van Gogh’s life would find it engaging. Art teachers could use it as a resource when students are learning about the painter’s life.

summer highlights

Teachers started school last Monday where I work, and the students begin tomorrow. A few things that I will remember about this summer...

• Scrabble. I played over thirty games with my dad, and I win more than I used to.  Dad is a strategic player so watching what he did helped me improve my own game.
• Family. This year was the 19^th Camp Clair. There are less campers than there used to be because people keep getting older. I helped celebrate a high school graduation and my great niece’s baptism. August included a trip to the Richmond, Virginia area to see my nephew and his wife. My niece was there part of the time, too.
• Gardening. Sometimes it was my garden, other times I did things at the farm garden.
• Travel. I ended up going to some state parks that I do not get to very often. I also went to Bogotá, Colombia with the youth from church on a mission trip.

Two weeks ago, I visited Richmond for the weekend.  Five things I recommend are the state capitol,

the Maggie Walker House, 

the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Maymont, and the fast-food chain Cookout.

• Reading. This summer I read three novels, seven non-fiction books, the Psalms and countless picture books.  The novel I liked best was The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat. Not sure how to choose a favorite from the non-fiction books. Six of them are worth reading a second time.

garden

The zinnias in my garden have been blooming for a while already. So have the sunflowers and nasturtiums. I noticed the cosmos finally joined them. In the morning and afternoon I often spot butterflies and bees enjoying them.

 

It is also zucchini season. I have been eating it in a variety of ways. Today I made a spice cake and zucchini bread. One plant is enough and I usually check it every day, but I still had a few monster ones that ended up in the compost pile.

A couple of weeks ago, I made two one-gallon jars of refrigerated dill pickles. 

And most days there is a bowl of fresh tomatoes to eat and share. I want to make and can some salsa-I think with as many tomato plants that are in my garden, it should be possible.

I have also been using basil, kale, onions, and peppers, too. One row of green beans has been pulled out already, the string beans should be ready soon.  I am grateful that I do not have to grow and preserve all my own food, but it sure is nice to have fresh garden produce.

red, white and blue quilt

My latest big project. This quilt was my nephew's high school graduation gift.