A loving heart is the beginning of knowledge.
The greatest university is a collection of books.
Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) was a Scottish-born essayist, historian, and philosopher. He was a leading writer of the Victorian era.
Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.com
Watching a curious child
Witnessing sparkles of joy
Blessing us with innocence
Seeing how life will deploy
Finding daily adventure
Lighting up another room
Reaching out with innocence
Moving with a speedy vroom
Revealing wonders of life
Surviving each bump and bruise
Shining through with innocence
Napping now, let’s take a snooze
Playing through daily lessons
Sharing love with extra zest
Teaching us with innocence
Enjoying life with each quest
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Originally published April, 2020.
Kids do say the darndest things.
Diplomacy–the act of jumping into trouble without making a splash.
Art Linkletter (1912-2010) was an Canadian-born American radio and television personality.
Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.
No book ever ends, when it’s full of your friends. (From Dahl’s book, “The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me.”)
Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was a British author, poet, and screenwriter. He was a prolific storyteller and writer of children’s books.
Children are the most wonderful audience.
I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them.
Emma Thompson (born 1959) is a British actress who has received countless honors for her film work. She has been honored with two Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and one Primetime Emmy Award.
Children are very nice observers, and they will often perceive our slightest defects.
It is not enough to like good books. You must be a good book yourself.
Francois Fenelon (1651-1715) was a French theologian, poet, and writer. He has been widely remembered as the author of THE ADVENTURES OF TELEMACHUS.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Sportscaster Joe Buck has been sidelined with the postponement of the Major League Baseball season. The legendary play-by-play announcer has been looking for opportunities to stay in the game. Let’s join Joe Buck, live on the air.
Good afternoon baseball fans! Coming from the home of Billy and Tony Bennett is today’s Backyard Home Run Derby.
This amazing duo will be challenging each other as pitcher and batter with a whiffle ball and bat. While most of the sporting world has been silent with their contests, these two brothers have definitely discovered their niche.
Billy has been assigned as the pitcher in today’s contest. His assignment will be to prevent any and all home runs. His brother, Tony . . . yes, he’s named after the famous crooner . . . will be stepping into the batter’s box to crush one of Billy’s fastballs out of the park.
Let’s set the scene. The Bennett’s backyard is a formidable challenge for both pitcher and batter. Home plate is located in the corner of the yard up next to the house. The pitcher’s mound is tucked behind Mom’s favorite rose bushes. The outfield fence is lined with a forest of Lombardy poplar trees . . . the wall looks quite reminiscent of Fenway Park’s “Green Monster.”
Billy stands ready on the mound to face Tony. Freddie, their neighbor friend, has volunteered to be both the catcher and the umpire.
Tony steps into the batter’s box. He looks all set.
From behind the roses, Billy winds up with his first pitch. “Strike One!”
Tony watches the fleeting fastball cross the plate without even taking a swing. I guess he’s sorting out the speed of Tony’s stuff.
Billy receives his sign from Freddie. The pitch is on its way.
Swing and a miss. “Strike Two!”
Tony steps out of the batter’s box. What’s this?
Defiantly, he points his bat toward the massive outfield wall. Yes folks, Tony is calling his shot just like the Babe did at Wrigley Field in the 1932 World Series between the powerful Yankees and the upset-minded Cubs.
Tony steps back into the batter’s box, digging both feet into the plush, green grass.
Billy takes the sign from Freddie. It looks like another fastball will be on its way.
Here’s comes the pitch.
[Crack of the bat crushing the ball]
Deep to center field. Is it enough? Gone!!
Easily clearing the majestic center field wall . . . a tape measure shot into the next yard . . . splashing into the Snyder’s backyard swimming pool. Mickey Mantle would be proud!
There you have it baseball fans. Tony is one up in today’s Backyard Home Run Derby.
We will pause for a commercial break while the game ball is retrieved from its watery splashdown. We’ll be right back with more of this backyard classic.
Originally published May, 2020.
Experiencing lifetime of first steps
Beginning with toddler’s curious try
Tumbling down to earth from frequent missteps
Inquiring mind looking skyward to fly
Growing up quickly, ready for life’s prep
Entering grade school doors, stepping right in
Navigating each year, planting more steps
Looking always forward, career begins
Living life, one year follows another
Challenging new steps arriving each day
Recalling advice from caring mother
Stepping out, traveling each new highway
Remembering this life’s countless missteps
Smiling at grandchildren’s beginning steps
Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.
Things change . . . things happen . . . things you can’t imagine when you’re young and full of hope.
Judy Blume (born 1938) is an American writer who is best known for her children’s books and young adult novels.
Tireless hands working
Never, ever complaining—
Around every clock
Well worth morning’s wait
Brewing up coffee’s first cup—
Joy fills every sip
Racing’s Triple Crown
Post time at Merry-Go-Round—
And they’re off. . . again!
Big Sky Buckeye 