Who Knew? I HAD NO IDEA!

My sole motivation for writing 'Preschool Friends A-Z Around The World (Together In Peace And Harmony, Book 1)' was to expose young children to diversity in an environment that was both inviting and safe. What else could fit those criteria more appropriately if not a preschool classroom? In my new release, children of different ethnicity, culture, and race are viewed doing everyday activities that your little ones perform all the time. One child is playing with a dolly, two are enjoying a snack, two boys are dressing up as 'dads', and one girl is on the playground swinging to the sky. When children witness others playing the way they do, strong bonds are formed, and differences are totally ignored.

By teaching preschoolers to embrace rather than fear diversity, we are actually putting them on the path to reaching world peace in their lifetime. You may think this is a huge overreach, but I adamantly believe that this seemingly impossible task will only be achieved one relationship at a time. And when youngsters learn that difference is beautiful,they will be more drawn to it. I truly hope that the children of tomorrow will live in peace and harmony, and that perhaps I helped contribute to their phenomenal future in some small way. I could then leave this world a very happy lady!

But something unexpectedly happened with the writing of this book, something I had no idea that it could effect. Since I dedicated it to my youngest grandson, Gabe, and to all the children of the world, I sent the first copy to him for his third birthday. My daughter said he carried it around all day asking her to read it at least 712 times! Now I know she was exaggerating, but Gabe is one of my biggest fans, so she probably wasn't that far off the mark!

That evening while all the kids on the street were riding bikes, catching ball, and pretending to be woodsmen, my daughter presented 'Preschool Friends' to the neighborhood moms. After leafing through the pages, they started a serious discussion on how little if any diversity was present in their own elementary and high school experiences. Most stated there might have been one or two African-
Americans in their classes when they were teens, but none when they were in grade school. Forget about any kids of Spanish, Indian, or Russian descent, they simply were a non-entity.

The ladies talked about how unfortunate they felt not having the opportunities to make friends with folks of different ethnicity, culture, and race. They speculated on how much they could have learned and how much more enriched their lives could have been if only diversity were a part of their growing up years.

After we finished our phone conversation,  I thought about what I'd just heard. My little children's book wasn't just for kids as I'd originally believed. 'Preschool Friends' is a must read for parents as well. The adults have just as much to learn about diversity as do their children simply because as children they, too, were never exposed to diversity in an inviting and safe environment. By reading it over and over again with their youngsters, they'll come to the conclusion that it is their responsibility to connect with others of diverse backgrounds for the sake of everyone involved. They will realize that they have the duty to educate their sons and daughters to embrace diversity rather than fear it. By doing so, the parents as well as their children can feel good about being forerunners in the quest for living together in peace and harmony!

Who knew? I HAD NO IDEA!


                                                                                                    http://tinyurl.com/gldu7mw

HAPPY NATIONAL PET DAY, SHADOW!

On December 10, 2002, we hit the lottery big time! We went out into the country and rescued a mixed lab-terrier from an unscrupulous woman who cared nothing about dogs and everything about money. After paying her $60. I placed the furry, black speck of a pup in the palm of my hand and we drove home with her shaking all the way. When we arrived, I carried her into the kitchen and put her down on the floor. She waddled over to the carpet by the sink and peed. Right then and there we were absolutely convinced we won the pet lottery which meant more to us than if we had the winning ticket for millions!.

Fast-forward thirteen years and Shadow has been our constant companion every single day. She has been there for the birth of our seven grandchildren. She has been there during the loss of many dear family members and friends. She has celebrated every holiday with us, been on almost every vacation, and been part of every get-together we've ever had in our backyard.

Shadow guards us and our property with loud and long barking, sniffs everybody who enters our home, and protects every family member as if each was one of the puppies she never had.

Her face is getting whiter, and her step, a little more tenuous. Yet the vet says she's very healthy for her age, has very little arthritis, and could live many more years.

Although Shadow is our pet, and on this National Pet Day, we wish her all the best, she has been and will forever be more than a pet to us. She is our baby, daughter, sister, aunt, neighbor, and friend to everybody that has ever had the good fortune to come into contact with her. She is gentle, loving, and tolerate. The kids can roll on her, pull her tail, or poke her eye. She has never retaliated except to move away when they rough house, only to return to them seconds later for a soft word and a tender pat.

Shadow will show her displeasure when anybody, including myself, tries to take her treat or mess with her dinner. I don't blame her since I pretty much get irritated when someone tries to take my treat or mess with my dinner, too!

I could go on and on about our dear, sweet, Shadow, but as they say, ' a picture is worth more than a thousand words,' so her she is, SHADOW LINDY STAR! ISN'T SHE LOVELY?

Blog, Blog, Blog, Blog, Blog!

Usually I enter a post on Mondays, but I got so caught up in revamping this blog that I lost track of time. Now I've got to do a million other things and don't have time to jot down some insightful or inane musings depending on my mood and mental capacities.

However, I do think I've added pertinent info. that was either missing or confusing to my
loyal readers. My profile was non-existent, so I spilled my guts and told you everything about my career and what I've been doing since I retired.ee

I inserted the image of Book 1 for all three of my series which by clicking on it you'll be able to access my author's page. Additionally I made a list of all the books contained in each series.

I also added a gadget whereby you can email me easily and vent your frustrations or accolades regarding any of my posts. I look forward to your comments no matter the tone or word selection.

I think I've covered everything I've done over the past two hours and although it might seem trivial to you, I really don't care. I'm not a page designer or techie, so what may take others minutes, takes me an excruciatingly long time and a myriad of foul expletives!

I better quit now before I start using those @#7&$+*{?> again. You might just be able to interpret what I've just typed!

Blog. blog, blog, blog, blog!