The Waving Wheat Can Sure Smell Sweet

Technology has enabled us to participate from our living room in remarkable and grand events.  Walks on the Moon.  Safe landings of disabled air crafts.  People rescued off bridges, plucked from raging rivers, and saved from burning buildings.  We're invited guests at royal weddings and as a deaf child hears his Mother's voice for the first time. We smile through our tears as children are surprised by parents, returning home from war.

Sometimes what we see is horrific and life-changing.  Can anyone forget seeing the second plane come flying toward the World Trade Center?  Remember regular morning programming interrupted and the cut to what had been the Murrah Building?  Or yesterday, as we watched the funnel gather and grow stronger. The sky darkened and the radar screen in the corner of our television charted the course of the twister.  The weathermen calmly telling those in its path to take shelter, and behind them, the staccato storm alerts blasting the air. We watched in horror, because we knew what was about to happen.  We knew and we were helpless to change the course of events that would be the result of the tornado.

We watched the horror, but we were also allowed to experience the joy.  The joy as a frantically searching parent finally locates their young child.  A lost family emerges from a storm cellar.  The heroism of teachers with their young charges. An elderly woman survives the loss of her home, but mourns only the loss of her dog.  As we all watched, the reporter notices a small head peeking from the wreckage.  The woman breaks into a huge smile as they pull the pup from what once was her living room. She shares through her tears. "God answered both my prayers. "I am alive and so is my dog."

Over and over again, we hear the same refrain.  "It's only stuff. We'll rebuild. We have our family.  God is good.  We are alive."

And so it begins.  The rebuilding of lives.  Maybe, just maybe, because so many have participated in the event, rebuilding will be a little easier.  We all were there with our Oklahoma sisters and brothers as the world turned dark and threatening.  We will be there with time and money, and prayers. 

I want to share something that came through a social media site.  The author is Rana Gilpin.

And on the 9th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need someone to live where the red dirt is settled." So God made Oklahomans. He said "I need someone who can handle the blistering summers and the freezing winters." So God made Oklahomans. "I need someone who can wake up in the morning, drink black coffee, head out to the fields, cut the wheat, bale the hay, and stay in those fields till long after dark" so God made Oklahomans. "I need people tough enough to stand the heat as they work day in and out on drilling rigs and pumping units." So God made Oklahomans. "I need people to wear Orange & Black, Crimson & Cream and though those schools are rivals, all can rise together to support the Orange & Blue." So God made Oklahomans. "I need people who believe in me and the power of goodness. People who aren't afraid to say 'Hello!' to one another and welcome in visitors to their land with open arms." So God made Oklahomans. "I need people who are strong enough to stand thru the strongest storms and the most devastating heartbreaks" So God made Oklahomans. And amidst the destruction, turn to me for comfort and come together as a state and rise above it all. So God, made Oklahomans.

I want to share another site-  http://www.buzzfeed.com/bennyjohnson/best-things-about-living-in-oklahoma

It is self-explanatory if you are an Oklahoman. born and bred or transplanted. We are one people from the best state in this grand country. We are Okies.

We Know we belong to the land

And the land we belong to is grand

 You're Doing Fine Oklahoma

Oklahoma. O.K.

The More You Know....

As our children get closer to their teenage years, reading can often take a backseat to other enticing social activities. Face it, even though they know intellectually the important role that reading plays in their academic success, they can always find something better to do than crack open a new novel. But, there might just be something parents can do about that.

There appears to be a decreased interest in reading for many children at or around the age of 9, even in those who loved reading prior to that. Experts attribute this to the child's ever-increasing busy schedule as they become more involved in extracurricular activities.
Children that are 9 to 10 years old enter the 'world of distractions. With after-school activities, team sports, dances, television, video games, computer time, etc., this leads to less time for reading.
This is the time that parents need to try to make reading fun again so their children will make time for it.
Make it fun and interesting again.If your preteen saw the Harry Potter movie, have her read the book. If he is interested in baseball, have him read a sports biography.
Reading Is Fundamental, a national motivating force for literacy founded in 1966, offers great tips for parents who are trying to rekindle their child's love for reading.

• Help fit reading into their schedule. Kids say they would read more if they had the time.
• Set an example. Let your kids see you reading for pleasure.
• Give them an opportunity to choose their own material. When you and your child are out together, browse in a bookstore or library. A gift certificate or subscription is a nice way of saying, "You choose."
• Build on your child's interests. Look for books and articles that feature their favorite sports, hobbies or music.
• View pleasure reading as a value. Almost anything your child reads helps build his reading skills.
• Make reading aloud a natural part of family life. Share a newspaper article or a passage from the book you are currently reading – without turning it into a lesson.
• Surf the Internet for the hottest titles, and encourage your child to do the same.

"I teach an enrichment class for creative writing, and my students are from 11 to 13," says Deanna Luke, a Fort Worth, Texas children's book writer. "All of the parents but one signed their student up because they have some learning issues. By the end they were so empowered that they could imagine a situation and write it down and validate it. That allowed each one of them to become better readers and editors so they could refine their own work."
Luke says it is important to encourage your child to read about what they like. "The more they read about what they like, the more they can read about the things they need to know," she says. "It is the old adage, 'Practice makes perfect' that applies here."

With all the choices available to children these days, reading is just another thing to do. Children need to remember the importance of reading, and it's up to us as parents to keep the spark flickering when so many other things seem to be in the way. Set time aside for reading.  Turn off the television. Put away the cell phones.  Make video games disappear for the allotted time.  Everyone read.
Parents need to show the importance of reading for pleasure. They can do this by demonstrating that they read for pleasure themselves. Children learn by example: good and bad. To cultivate a love of reading in your child that lasts a lifetime, you must provide the example through your own actions.

Besides the old standbys that are on every school reading list, there are excellent contemporary authors writing for the teen genre.  Below are several newer books that are highly recommended for teen reading.  
This is also great  link that offers an extensive list of choices for your teen's summer reading.

 http://www.justreadflorida.com/recommend/PublicDisplay.asp

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth

© Katherine Tegen Books

Divergent is a thrilling story about a dystopia society set in Chicago which is split into five fractions, each of which place a particular virtue over all others. For instance, the Dauntless fraction believes in bravery above all other virtues, so to succeed there you must be brave. The main character of the story has to choose where she should live by figuring out who she is, what she wants out of life and which friends she can trust.
This book has placed debut author, Veronica Roth, on the New York Times bestsellers list and has been called 'a brainy thrill-ride of a novel' by BookPage.com. It is the start of a series in which book 2, Insurgent, was released in May 2012. Teens who like thrillers with lots of twists and strong characters will really go for this book.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

© Dutton Juvenile

Another love story but it is seeped in the reality that there are teens who are fighting cancer and their lives are going to be cut short. Sometimes these teens are lucky enough to fall in love and have a partner to help them while they are dealing with the questions one asks themselves when facing the end of one's life, like 'Did my life matter?' or 'How will I be remembered?' The teen couple in this book gets that lucky.
This book is sad, touching, thought-provoking and worthwhile. I highly recommend it for your teen and for you!

Feed by M.T. Anderson

© Candlewick

This is a great book for teens who are into computers, social networking and video games - which is pretty much all teens, right? A futuristic story about a group of teenagers who decide to go to the moon for spring break. While there, their feed - an information feed placed in their brains at birth - breaks. So, they end up in the hospital 'empty headed'.
Feed, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, is witty and entertaining. Most importantly, your teen will need to use their brain to get the message, as the characters learn to use their own brains as well.

Hallmark Greetings

High School Graduation Poems

High school graduation poems are designed to inspire graduates as well as commemorate a milestone. Whether you're about to graduate yourself, or you're just looking for a poem to express your sentiments to a special graduate, below are some options I happened upon.  No citations- no credit.  They

 were just floating out there on the internet..

Poems for the High School Graduate

Inspirational poems are often read at high school commencement ceremonies or included in graduation programs and greeting cards. Some are touching, while others contain a bit of humor most graduates can appreciate. Perhaps one of the graduation poems below will appeal to you.

Take a Moment

As Pomp and Circumstance serenades you down the aisle,
Take a moment to contemplate how you arrived at this moment.
Remember the help your parents gave and the sacrifices they made.
Spare a thought of gratitude for the teachers who were willing to explain things one more time...

Be thankful for the friendships you've made, the life lessons you've learned, and all the experiences you had - the good as well as the bad.
They've shaped who you are today.
As the strains of Pomp and Circumstance guide you down the aisle towards that stage,
Realize you're not just heading towards your high school graduation, you're stepping into your future.

Your Day Has Arrived

Graduation day is finally here,
And so now ends your high school career.
Always remember the friends you hold dear,
And look toward your future without any fear.

This is the day you've been preparing for
Since the day you walked through that first classroom door.
Now it is time to say good-bye,
And spread your wings - you're ready to fly.

So shed a tear and share a smile,
And be sure to remember all the while,
That although it may now be time to move on,
Today's memories will last your whole life long.

Now Is the Time to Dare

Dare to jump into your future with enthusiasm.
Dare to place no limits on what you hope to accomplish.
Dare to dream big and realize it's not just a cliché.
Dare to bring excellence to everything you do. 

High School Memories

Class room bells and noisy halls,
Watching the clock as last period crawls,
Getting a demerit for talking in class,
Trying to remember where you left your hall pass.

Rooting for your team at a big football game,
Hoping the teacher would not call your name,
Studying for tests trying to get higher scores,
The echoing slams of the hall locker doors.

Pep rallies, homecoming and class elections,
Trying to decide next year's course selections,
Pondering the source of the lunch room's mystery meat,
Choosing lab partners and changing your seats.

Some of these moments may seem rather small,
But it's the little things that you'll remember most of all.
So put on your cap and your gown and stand tall,
It's graduation day, so savor it all.

Graduation

A time for good-byes
A time for fresh beginnings
A time for remembering the past
A time for looking forward with hope
A time for taking stock of life so far
A time for celebration

A time of infinite possibilities... 

 

And then, a few tips if you have a speech looming or just want to compose your own poem to commemorate the big day.

Writing Your Own Poems

While you can use graduation verses already written by someone else, they are also good to use as inspiration in writing your own. In addition to catering perfectly to the feelings you are looking to describe, writing your own sentiments for graduation can personalize the experience.
When writing graduation poems:

• Think of personal experiences you'd like to focus on. For example, if using the verse for a close friend, think of a time the two of you spent together and use the verse to honor that.
• Remember that if you're using the verse for an invite or announcement, it is perfectly acceptable to tell the date and time of the event and a little more. Some graduation verses cleverly state the date and time of the party.
• Don't be afraid to write something to see what it sounds or looks like; you may be surprised how something you don't think will be good actually ends up being perfect. 

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Helping an adolescent become a caring, independent and responsible adult is no,small task.  It's arguably our most important job as a parent.  The experts at The Mayo Clinic offer some simple tips to improve our skills o guide our teens to a successful life. 

#1Show your Love.    Adolescence can be a confusing time of change for teens and parents alike. But while these years can be difficult, there's plenty you can do to nurture your teen and encourage responsible behavior. Use these parenting skills to deal with the challenges of raising a teen.

#2. Positive Attention.  Spend time with your teen to remind him or her that you care. Listen to your teen when he or she talks, and respect your teen's feelings. Also, keep in mind that only reprimanding your teen and never giving him or her any justified praise can prove demoralizing. For every time you discipline or correct your teen, try to compliment him or her twice. If your teen doesn't seem interested in bonding, keep trying. Regularly eating meals together may be a good way to stay connected to your teen. Better yet, invite your teen to prepare the meal with you. On days when you're having trouble connecting with your teen, how about doing your own thing in the same space. Being near each other could lead to the start of a conversation. You might also encourage your teen to talk to other supportive adults, such as a coach, another family member or a family friend. 

#3. Don't Pressure.  No mini-me expectations.  Don't expect your teen to be like you were or wish you had been at his or her age. Give your teen some leeway when it comes to clothing and hairstyles. It's natural for teens to rebel and express themselves in ways that differ from their parents.  Remember your own fashion statements when you were 15.   Note: If your teen shows an interest in body art — such as tattoos and piercings — make sure he or she understands the health risks, such as skin infections, allergic reactions, and hepatitis B and C. Also talk about potential permanence or scarring.

As you allow your teen some degree of self-expression, remember that you can still maintain high expectations for your teen and the kind of person he or she will become.

#4.  Encourage Cyber Safety.  Get to know the technology your teen is using and the websites he or she visits. If possible, keep the computer in a common area in your home. Remind your teen to practice these basic safety rules:

• Don't share personal information online.
• Don't share passwords.
• Don't get together with someone you meet online.
• Don't send anything in a message you wouldn't say face to face.
• Don't text or chat on the phone while driving.
• Don't plagiarize.
• Talk to a parent or trusted adult if feeling threatened or uneasy

Some great tips from the folks at Mayo Clinic.  Thanks Minnesota.

Altruism Begins At Home

When I was teaching, I sponsored several clubs and organizations.  To name a few, Human Relations Council, Peer Mediation, Teens Against Tobacco Use, Class Adviser and Journalism Club.  Many of  the activities associated with the clubs were centered on the interests of the students, others to serve the school and still others, emphasized service and volunteering.  National Honor Society requires them all.  It is an invitation only organization that requires scholarship, leadership and service.  To be invited, a prospective initiate must not only have a certain GPA, they must also have a specific number of activity and community service hours.  As a sponsor and application reader, I must say that some of the volunteer hours listed were a stretch. 

Savvy college bound students know a well-rounded application includes not only good grades, but a impressive list of community service. This is important for not only admission but for scholarships and grants.  Creative and constructive volunteering is what colleges are looking for.  This means time and energy invested into something important. Something that makes a difference.  A car wash in bathing suits on a sunny Saturday to offset spring trip expenses is not such an activity.  Neither is picking up trash to fulfill court decreed community service.  Blowing up balloons for the prom does not a philanthropic project make.

It is easier for teens to grasp true service if it has been modeled at home.  What follows are some excellent suggestions from Good Morning America Parenting contributor, Anne Pleshette Murphy. She offers tips on raising a compassionate and caring teen.

You hear a lot of grumbling these days about how kids think only of themselves. It doesn’t have to be that way. Several studies show that altruism can start as early as 18 months of age, and kids who volunteer have better grades, fewer discipline problems and are less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes than their more self-centered peers. Here’s how you can help them get started.
Charity begins at home. Early on, reward your child’s impulses to aid other people. Kids as young as 3 can sort silverware or help you with the laundry. Older children can support their siblings by attending their activities, tutoring or coaching, including in activities,  Let them learn to be the hero.
Know thy neighbors. Reach out to neighbors; work together to clean up a park or organize a giant yard sale to raise money for a charity. Adopt a grandparent in the area who may need assistance with grocery shopping or an occasional visit. Volunteer at a soup kitchen as a family, recycle together, plant trees, pick up trash, help Habitat for Humanity. Find something to do together.
Pick a passion. Many adolescents have strong feelings about the environment, racial inequality or other issues that inspire social action. Their internet savvy makes it easy to find ways to make a difference. DoSomething.org lists opportunities for teens, and Serve.gov finds dozens of volunteer opportunities by zip code. 

Making a difference is great for the recipient, but even better for the giver.  Help your child experience the satisfaction of truly giving back.  Not for recognition or scholarships, but because he should.  Because she learned about those thousand points of light, at home. Chrissie

Blow Out the Candles

My grand-daughter is turning nine-years- old Thursday.  It does not seem possible. Wasn't it yesterday she was having princess birthdays with fluffy costumes, abundant glitter and bejeweled tiaras?

This year, Annebelle asked for a Puppy Party.  A family friend is very active in the Tahlequah Humane Society.  He brought crates full of adoptable puppies and the girls followed clues to find the dogs.  It was great fun, the pups got some hands on TLC and the shelter got lots of great donations. The birthday girl asked for gifts and money for the SPCA, in lieu of birthday presents. She is growing up to be a compassionate and thoughtful young girl.  I am very proud of her.

If you are struggling with ways to celebrate your tweens and teens birthdays, here are a few suggestions from kids themselves.  Everyone likes to celebrate birthdays but pony rides and Pin the Tail on the Donkey just don't do it after a certain age.

The party planning, theme, and activity ideas here are adapted and paraphrased from posted comments by teen readers party articles by Suite 101 Blogger, Janienne Jennrich.

The real expert on party ideas is the teen having a birthday! If you are party planning for someone, get that teen involved (unless it is a surprise party, of course). If you are the birthday person, have fun looking over these suggestions and then plan your birthday your way!
Backyard Music and Dance Party Ideas
One teen wanted a "party in the backyard with music and dancing." Theme suggestions: Tiki party, BBQ party, or any outdoors theme, or no theme at all. Invites say, "Hey - Come Hang Out in My Backyard and Dance!" Provide great music.
A Kidnap Party Theme
One reader told us about how to have a surprise kidnap party. "The parents are in on it, but you go with your child at say 3 or 4 o'clock and knock on the door to grab your birthday guest out of bed just the way they are." (Yep - in their pajamas!)
Once everyone has been kidnapped, everyone goes out to breakfast to eat and open gifts. Parents of the guests should know about the kidnapping and party far in advance, so they could be asked to give any gifts to the birthday teen when their child is being kidnapped. This party idea sounds fun, especially for the teen years.
A 13th Birthday Sleepover
One teen turning 13 decided to have a sleepover party in a tent outside. Before that, she planned to turn her garage into a party place with balloons, streamers and music. In her own words, "We will do makeovers, and then I am hiring a professional photographer to take photos for us!" She also planned on watching scary movies and eating loads of chocolate. Sounds fun!
A Tween Slumber Party
A tween turning 12 wanted to throw a slumber party, but do something else before that, too. Cost was an issue for one idea: "I wanted to see a movie, but I have a lot of friends that I want to invite." Budget is sometimes quite a barrier. Perhaps guests could be asked to pay their own way instead of bringing a gift? Many people have pretty amazing home theaters today. Asking around might be an option.
More Tween Party Activities
One reader thought that tie-dying shirts could be fun. Great idea! This could be part of a '60s party theme, a rainbow theme, or a crafty theme.
Other activity ideas suggested by readers:

• Have a karaoke competition
• Have a Throwback Super Mario video game marathon!
• Lip sync to music with close friends
• Make a group music video and post it on YouTube
• Throw mud at each other (I don't suggest this one!) and then take funny photos (Author's note - maybe a whipped cream fight?). File this one under 'outdoor activities.'
• Have a Silly String fight. Silly String comes in spray canisters. Look at a toy store or party shop.
• Hire a DJ, rent a party tent or a hall for dancing. Add mylar balloons or balloon bouquets.
• For a laugh, rent a bounce house or bouncy castle (Try an online search for Party Rentals)
• Set up a back yard carnival with homemade games and party favor prizes
• In warmer weather, go camping, have a BBQ and a Nature Scavenger Hunt. Think bird nest, pinecone, blue jay feather......
• Have piles of newspapers and divide girls into groups.  Each group designs and constructs a haute couture fashion out of paper, duct tape and fun trims.  When completed, have a fashion show and vote for the best design.
• Supply disposable cameras! "When you develop the pictures after the party, you are sure to get a good laugh," says one teen. As an alternative, guests could bring their digital cameras.
• Spray each others hair with colored hair sprays. Make crazy hairstyles with colored hair gel.
• Try some face painting, then go shopping as a group
• Have something for guests to sign or decorate as a gift for the birthday teen. A big party banner, a party tablecloth or a poster board sign could all work. One teen said, "I got a pair of white Converse [shoes] and had my guests all sign my shoes. They look stellar and I always get compliments."

Sometimes Tweens Want to Go Crazy!!!
I love many of the suggestions that teens just want to be wild and have fun.
One 12 year-old, frustrated with 'boring' party ideas, commented that teens today are "outgoing and looking for excitement...we like truth or dare, gossiping, doing crazy things and being with boys!!" Someone else suggested that "dancing like idiots always works and gets everyone laughing." Another said "Just getting a laugh is the best. You don't have to spend any money. Go Bonkers!" One girl said "Do your hair, makeup, and go really crazy!!!!!!"
I am beginning to think that the way to make teen birthday parties really exciting is to use a lot of exclamation points!!!!!
Of course, I'm just kidding around; but just in case I am right, how about adding some to the party invitations!!!!!

Lots of good ideas. And you don't have 12 party guests all wanting to bring home the entertainment! chrissie

Proud of You.

It really happens.  The time comes.  Your children leave home.  About.com contributor, Denise Wimmer, offers some practical tips to help you raise an independent and self-reliant teen, aka young adult.

If your parenting goes as normally planned, your teen or young adult will at some point leave home and live independently. Life Skills will help your teen be independent and able to live on their own, which is the goal of a successful young adult and their parents. But it isn't easy. Older teens often feel they can take the big step towards independent living without possessing all of the life skills they will need to succeed in the world at large. Therefore, they start out at an disadvantage by not getting the confidence a person gains by learning an independent living skill and not having the ability to do the life skill. This makes the transition from a teen at home to their life as a young adult harder. Sometimes it's so hard, they come back home. If you are raising foster teens or teens in a children's home - as I have - coming back home isn't an option. With my own children, it is an option, but not one I want them to take.
You can help your teen be independent by encouraging good habits and helping them learn the life skills it takes to be independent. Here I have listed fifteen life skills your teen will need to learn in order to be successful at living independently the first time they are on their own:

1. The Ability to Cope with Loneliness
   Coping with loneliness is a very important skill on my list of needed independent living skills for teens because every teen I've ever known has needed it. Teens who know how to recognize loneliness as the temporary feeling it is, use their support system and work through their loneliness do just fine.
2. Finding and Keeping a Job Skills
   In order to live independently, your teen will need to have a job. The job will need to make enough money to cover their living expenses, at minimum. Today's happy young adult has a job that contributes to a high quality of life and not just monetarily. Here are the skills your teen will need to have in order to find and keep jobs that contribute to a high quality of life.
3. The Ability to Procure and Cook Food
4. Health and Hygiene Skills
   In order for your teen to be happy while they live independently, they will need to be successful at keeping their bodies healthy and clean. These life skills are taught throughout your teen's childhood and adolescence by encouraging good hygiene routines and healthy habits.
5. Transportation Skills Or The Ability to Get from One Place to Another
   One life skill that teens need to learn to become independent but generally leave to their parents or caregivers, is transportation or getting from Point A to Point B. Here is a list of transportation lessons - and experiences if you can swing it - that your teen will benefit from learning now, while you are still able to help.
6. General Housekeeping Skills
7. Money Skills
8. Interpersonal Skills
9. Goal Setting and Obtaining Skills
   Defining what it is you want is called setting a goal. Figuring out and taking the actions you need to get your goal is how you obtain that goal. Both of these are important life skills. Learning how to set and obtain a goal are necessary life skills your teen will need to be a happy and successful adult.
10. Ability to Find Housing
11. Time Management Skills
    When teens learn how to use their time wisely, they not only get more tasks accomplished, they feel good about themselves and their abilities. Learn how to teach your teen personal time management skills.
12. The Ability to Find What You Need in Your Community
13. The Ability to Deal with Emergencies
    When your team has to deal with an emergency, there will be no time for them to think. Therefore, it is imperative parents take the time to teach their teens how to deal with emergencies while they are at home– and I'm talking more than just knowing how to dial 911. Here is some advice on how to do just that.
14. Stress Management Skills
15. Personal Safety Skills

Does your teen need to know all of ins and outs of each skill well? No. Your teen may even get by not having to know one particular skill at all. For instance, a young man who has no idea how to do laundry may have a girlfriend who does. This young man may be able to get his interpersonal skills to help with his household skills by convincing his girlfriend to help with his laundry. But, do your best at teaching your teen each skill as if they will need it. This will give them the greatest chance of being successful at living independently the first time they live on their own.

And that's a good thing. chrissie