Go Where SOMEBODY Knows Your Name...(a breakfast at 3Dogz)

When the phone rings at 4:30 in the morning... and it's not bad news...and it means you're awake...it means you get up. And when it's 5:30, you wonder... "What's open?"

So you pack up your laptop, your grocery list and your wifi and you get rolling, because it's 3.5 hr before you're expected "at work." Where do you go? You go where SOMEBODY knows your name. In this case, I went to Three Dogz Diner. I figured, hey, I can enjoy a great breakfast and write and think.

3Dogz...in its closed state

Sheila Bonfiglio

But I got to Three Dogz and realized...they don't open at 6...they open at 6:30. But hey, the door's open. I walk in and ask Sheila..."Can I sit and work while I wait?"

"Sure." ("Wait for what?"  Breakfast, says I.)---

So, now ensconced at my favorite table (though I rarely get to eat in here...always pushing the envelope on 9am and usually picking up a piece of quiche to go). While not a stellar view, it's still a view that means something to me. My river, my falls, my city. Hate it. Love it. Lawrence is still home.

                                               So what's driven me to write today. Lots.

3 Dogz in it's OPEN state!

Yesterday I sent out our annual 4th of July e-card...something I enjoy doing. Yeah, some don't feel it's as personal...as thoughtful... as going to the store and picking out a Hallmark and mailing it. But I do spend time choosing and writing...and sending...and I love knowing that many of those I send them to find them delightful. (You decide.)--Anyway. Got a lovely reply back from an old (well, not really "old" but former) colleague...perhaps I could even call him a friend (of sorts)...who moved on to another company (much to my dismay) a few years back...and who I still miss working for and with. This gentleman is perhaps the most intelligent, personable, funny, educated person I've ever met (next to my husband of course!). His learning and wisdom about the science of cognitive research and learning and practice are "sit at his feet and listen" kind of quality. And for all his brilliance, he never made you feel like you were "less than smart" or "less useful" or "less than" him. (Don't think I'll ever have that feeling again at work.) (Sorry...enjoying Eggs Benedict here)

I know a few of the folks who read here will be interested in this, so wanted to make the connection for them.

This blast from the past fit perfectly with my view of the river. Time flows on. And in this link to his blog you hear about struggle and time and work. Enjoy. Sub to his blog...I have. He tells stories that I have heard him tell...often...and never tired of hearing. He makes points that are imperative to learning.

(Snippet of conversation overheard at the next booth... "We always learned more when our Mom took us OUT of school than we ever learned IN school." Yep. We know that. Don't we? Yep! We do!)

Ben, Celebrating National Wear an Apron 

as a Cape Day!

So, what else. The youngest did something that I knew he would eventually. He turned...gasp...13...this month. He's taller and older and smarter and he did something that only HE could do. He gave me a house of ONLY teens. He's a sharp cookie. And he has a sense of humor that our friend Paul called "Hambone"...ALL over! He'll make our last years with kids at home fun. When he turned 13, I did the mental subtraction. 5 years until our youngest is 18. 5 years that we need to make count...for him and the other 2 that are still home. One  has 1 more year of High School left...and son #2  has 2 years.

As I watch my younger colleagues with little children throw themselves into work and give it place #1 in their priorities, I worry for them. They can't get these years back. It seems like there's this greater drive to climb that ladder...and I think of their little ones. The ladder will be there after the kids are not. Priorities. Work needs to rank about #5 on the list. Placing it higher is a mistake. Honestly.

Oh My Gosh!

It may seem like a survival imperative, but that needs to be (Oh my gosh. Sheila just brought me a cold Strawberry Soup to try. Wow, mmmmmm! Amazing!) tempered with what is important. As they get older, they need you less in the nitty gritty and more in the big picture...but while the nitty gritty exists, it needs to come first. Really.

And finally, and CERTAINLY not least today...I leave my booth at Three Dogz to do a few groceries before work...because we'll have an Army of folks in our backyard on Saturday...because, God willing, our Soldier will be with us for 48 hours this weekend! (I'm excited, but trying not to get too excited...it is the Army after all. You never know. -Right, Katie?) He hasn't been home in 6 months, so we'll be packing as much as we can into 2 days.--- Cookout with friends. Church. Steak. Fireworks. Hugs...and seeing all 4 of my kids in one place again. Blessings abound! So...on with the day! :) More to come. Pictures certainly!

Happy 4th of July, folks! Remember what we're celebrating this weekend. Far more than cookouts and fireworks and an extra day off.

Thanks for keeping me company during breakfast at 3 Dogz.
(And thanks, Sheila and George for letting me come in a little early! It was kinda special to go somewhere where someone DOES know my name.)

Books for the Summer!

It's time to get books into the hands of your kids! Today! Right this minute!

K12 has just begun the K12 Week Summer Reading Challenge...and even if you're not part of K12 and not interested in THIS challenge, this is the time to challenge yourself and your kids to get reading!

Hit the library!  Hit the bookstores!
                 Hit Amazon! Hit the used bookstores!
                                   Hit the yard sales! Swap books with friends!
                                                   Books don't have to cost much or even at all!

Here's a great link to 10 Tips to Choosing Books for Children of All Ages from Common Sense Media.

Get Rolling! I've got my first book done! Caleb's Crossing... good read! What's yours? What are your kids reading! Lisa finished The Great Divorce. Sam is working on the Pickwick Papers...and Ben on Watership Down.
Post what you and your kids are reading so that everyone can share ideas.
The very best way to get your kids reading is for them to see you reading. Don't hesitate to read everywhere you can, as much as you can, in as many formats as you can. You are the very best role model for your kids, and it doesn't matter how young or old they are. They need to see you reading. So...hop to it~! And who knows, the kids might enjoy it...right along with you!

Post away!