Christmas Break and Christmas Greetings

     I will be taking a break from writing and illustrating the blog for a while because I need to take time to write something to send to a publisher.  Thank you! and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

A Christmas Story For You (Part Two) by Joanne Morris Okano

 Brigham, Paul, and Somerset.

     One of the highlights of Christmas this year was when some members of the family took us to  a drive-through Nativity with several scenes from the story of Jesus Christ's birth with live actors.  I did my visiting teaching, made or bought gifts for family members, attended a family get-together for Christmas, two Christmas parties and watched a Christmas movie.   But with the days passing lickety-spit till Christmas Day, I thought I wouldn't have time to attend the temple this month or I'd have to cancel Christmas.  The reason: cookies.

     I'm usually a lousy cookie baker, scorching my cookies, but I found that with parchment paper between the cookies and the baking sheet the cookies didn't burn.  So I went from thinking cookies were a pain in the neck and something I'd skip doing at Christmas, to an overdose almost of cookie baking, once I learned this trick.

     Finally I realized that if I didn't bake cookies a third time this Christmas I'd have time to attend the temple.  Christ is the reason for the temple.  Even the crows sing hallelujah.  So why couldn't I worship Jesus Christ at the temple?  I planned a trip there the next night.  I am grateful that Jesus Christ is my Saviour.  I even wrote a list of all the things I am grateful for...at 6 o'clock in the morning! 

The End

A Christmas Story For You by Joanne Morris Okano

     I have four children, for whom I am grateful: Shoshana,

To Be Continued...

Stages Of Growth (Stage Three) by Joanne Morris Okano

Stages Of Growth (Stage Two) by Joanne Morris Okano

Stages Of Growth (Stage One) by Joanne Morris Okano

Dutch Dancing by Joanne Morris Okano

Kaatje And Arnold by Joanne Morris Okano

Friend by Joanne Morris Okano

Here is my friend about whom I am writing a song.

The Fox by Joanne Morris Okano

As a girl in England I used to go home on a bus called "Number 146 Keston Fox."

One day I looked out of my window at my 

house to see my puppy, playing in the backyard, with a red fox.

Dancers (Third Stage) by Joanne Morris Okano

Dancers (Stage Two) by Joanne Morris Okano

Dancers (Unfinished Work) by Joanne Morris Okano

This Is What God Looks Like

The boy-prophet Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  They appeared to him in a vision in a grove of trees when he went there to ask God which church to join.

Boy Kissing Dog by Joanne Morris Okano

The Secret Valley

The man from whom the people with the last name Harrison are descended was treated very badly by his enemies.  God was so angry , he sent a blast of wind and blew them all away.  You can read about it in a book called The Secret Valley.  There are 3 books I know of called The Secret Valley.  One is about the pioneers, one is by Enid Blyton, and one is the one this picture is about.

Don't Assume by Joanne Morris Okano

Don't Assume Everything Is The Way It Seems To Be, Children

Storytime In The Sky by Joanne Morris Okano

Still Life by Joanne Morris Okano

Adam And Eve by Joanne Morris Okano

     Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden for eating the forbidden fruit.

M. Holst And His Family Going On An Adventure by Joanne Morris Okano

They are going to buy icecream and survey a canyon where they are going to live in a house they moved on a truck from another village.

Teddy In A Deckchair by Joanne Morris Okano

My teacher, when I was seven or eight, had the class knit teddybears and weave seats for deckchairs for them.  What a delightful project that was!  Her father very kindly made the wood part of the deckchairs. I still enjoy knitting, to this day, and have weaved since then, too.

Somerset Okano by Joanne Morris Okano

Expanding Peace drawn by Joanne Morris Okano

Photo permission of Somerset Okano

The Bear-Like One by Joanne Morris Okano

Rose Child by Joanne Morris Okano

She Looked Down In Wonder And Amazement -

As Her Feet Turned Into Duck's Feet by Okano

Ideas Fly Into My Head by Joanne Morris Okano

     Here I am with two birds on my head, symbolizing ideas that come to me.  I am wearing my Dutch (orange) scarf given to me by my aunt (my father is from the Netherlands originally).  Above my head is a sun, red/white/and blue (the colours of the Union Jack symbolizing the British Isles where my mother is from) and a red maple leaf symbolizing Canada, because I am Canadian.

Thraxie Inside One Of His Mother's Cups by Joanne Morris Okano

(There is nothing else inside the cup but the pixie).

Gabriela's Mission - XIII

     Several fish saw this and came to her for advice. 
      "You have good ideas,"  they said.  "You should start a column in the Fish Times.  We have all kinds of problems we can't solve, but you seem to have, maybe not an answer for everything, but some answers to life's great questions such as What do I have for dinner?  Popsicles!"
      So she became an instant celebrity what with her trumpet playing, her advice column in the newspaper and most of all her kindness. 

THE END

     That's all my writing  for the next decade, children.  From now on I'll concentrate on art.

La Mision De Gabriela - XIII

     Varios peces lo vio y se acerco a ella para pedirle consejo.
     "Usted tiene buenas ideas," dijeron.  "Usted debe comenzar a una columna en el Times De Pescado.  Tenemos todo tipo de problemas que no podemos resolver, pero parece que tienes, tal vez no una respuesta para todo, pero algunas respuestas a grandes interrogantes de la vida, tales como Que tengo para la cena?  Paletas de hielo!"
     Asi que se convirtio en una celebridad instantanea lo que con su trompeta de juego, su columna de consejos en el periodico y sobre todo su amabilidad.

EL FINAL

     Eso es todo mi escrito para los ninos proxima decada.  A partir de ahora, nos concentraremos en arte.

Gabriela's Mission - XII

     She made the rules into a chart and stuck it on her clump of seaweed.

UNTIL LATER

La Mision De Gabriela - XII

     Ella hizo las reglas en una tabla y se lo metio en su grupo de algas marinas.

HASTA LUEGO

Gabriela's Mission - XI

1.  No answering back rudely.
2.  Never pop popsicles into your mouth while reading, because they might drip on the book.
3.  Always be polite.
4.  Never sit on a seat that's wet.
5. "Give the soft answer." (The Bible)
6.  Always wear your apron at the front, not the back.
     "That's all,"  she said.
                                                                UNTIL LATER

La Mision De Gabriela - XI

1.  No contestar de mala manera grosera.
2.  Nunca paletas estallar en la boca durante la lectura, y que podrian gotear sobre el libro.
3.  Sea siempre educado.
4.  Nunca se siente en un asiento que esta mojado.
5.  "Dar una respuesta suave." (La Biblia)
6.  Siempre use su plataforma en la parte delantera, no la espalda.
     "Eso es todo," dijo.
                                                              HASTA LUEGO

Gabriela's Mission - X

     She went off with a hop, skip and a jump and made a list of rules for herself.
                                                                    MORE LATER

La Mision De Gabriela - X

     Se fue con un salto, salto y un salto e hizo una lista de reglas para si misma.
                                                                       MAS TARDE

Gabriela's Mission - IX

     One day, Gabriela's Dad came back from the Yukon.  When he found out she had been playing in a band, he congratulated her with the words:
     "Why do you do that?  Don't you know anything better to do with your time?  Your mother would never approve if she knew you were doing this!"
     Do you know what Gabriela's mission was?  To show kindness, of course!
                                                                SEE YOU TOMORROW

La Mision De Gabriela - IX

     Un dia, papa de Gabriela regreso de la Yukon.  Cuando se entero de que ella habia estado tocando en una banda, le felicito con estas palabras:
      "Por que haces eso?  No sabe usted nada mejor que hacer con su tiempo?  Su madre no lo aprobaria si sabia que estaba haciendo esto!"
     Sabes cual la mision de Gabriela era?  Se trataba de mostrar bondad, por supuesto!
                                                                       A MANANA

Gabriela's Mission - VIII

     They played on television and around the nation of undersea critters.  The other folks in the band were Carmela, Pedro, David and, of course, Gerbil Latino, the vocalist.

TO BE CONTINUED

La Mision De Gabriela - VIII

      Jugaron en la television y en todo el pais de criaturas submarinas.  La gente de otras en la banda fueron Carmela, Pedro, David y, por supuessto, Latino Jerbo, el vocalista.

DEBE CONTINUAR

Gabriela's Mission - VII

     They played the top hits.

TO BE CONTINUED

La Mision De Gabriela - VII

     Jugaron los grandes exitos.

DEBE CONTINUAR

Thoughts For The Future

     I am thinking about a recipe book I would like to write :-)

Gabriela's Mission - VI

     "What shall I do with myself while my Dad is away?"  asked Gabriela of herself when she had become proficient in playing the trumpet.  "I think I'll start a band."

TO BE CONTINUED, CHILDREN, DON'T YOU WORRY

La Mision De Gabriela - VI

     "Que voy a hacer conmigo mientras me padre esta ausente?" pidio a Gabriela a si misma cuando se habia convertido en experto en tocar la trompeta.  "Creo que voy a empezar una banda."

QUE CONTINUE, LOS NINOS, NO TE PREOCUPES

The Weather This Morning

     The view of the frost-covered fields this morning was magical in the mist.  Then the mist cleared and the sunlight sparkled on the clouds behind the glorious mountains.  It was so cold that all the horses in the field were wearing blankets.

Gabriela's Mission - V

     She scraped together enough algae to put on a plate for supper.  Gerbil Latino, Gabriela's friend, fed her fish off the edge of the quay.
     She wanted to be somebody in life, so she played the trumpet every day.

TO BE CONTINUED

La Mision De Gabriela - V

     Ella junto las algas suficiente para poner en un plato para la cena.  Latino Jerbo, su amiga, le daba de comer pescado en el borde del muelle.
     Ella queria ser alguien en la vida, por lo que tocaba la trompeta todos los dias.

DEBE CONTINUAR

The Temple by Okano

Inspired by Van Gogh

Gabriela's Mission - IV

     Well, she woke up next morning with the sun shining through the water, but something was terribly wrong.  Mother wasn't home - or was she?  Gabriela searched for her and found her lifeless body at the foot of the stairs.  She must have died! 
      When she told her father, he looked at Gabriela with his big eyes and said,
     "I'm so sad this happened.  How are you?"
     She told him she couldn't believe it had happened and was very sad.  They hugged each other and shed tears.
     Poor Gabriela!  He went away to the Yukon to pan for gold and left Gabriela stranded, all by herself.

TO BE CONTINUED

La Mision De Gabriela - IV

     Bueno, ella se desperto a la manana siguiente con el sol brillando a traves del agua, pero algo estaba terriblemente mal.  La madre no estaba en casa - o fue ella?  Gabriela buscado por ella y encontro su cuerpo sin vida al pie de las escaleras.  Ella debe haber muerto!  Cuando le conto a su padre, miro a Gabriela con sus grandes ojos y dijo:
       "Me da mucha tristeza que esto occurriera.  Como estas?"
      Ella le dijo que no podia creer lo que habia sucedido y estaba muy triste.   Se abrazaron y derramaron lagrimas.
      Pobre Gabriela!  El se fue a la Yukon para buscar oro y dejo varados Gabriela, ella sola.

CONTINUARA

Gabriela's Mission - III

     Gabriela's home that was - at all the other homes the parents told their fishy offspring they were glad to see them home in one piece.
     "Why are my parents always so strict?" wondered Gabriela sadly as she lay in bed.  "I wonder if I'll ever be able to do anything right by them."

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, CHILDREN at the blackberet

La Mision De Gabriela - III

     Casa de Gabriela, que fue - a todas las otras casas de los padres dijeron a sus hijos a pescado que estaban contentos de verlos en casa de una sola pieza.
     "Por que mis padres siempre tan estricta?"  Gabriela pregunto tristemente mientras yacia en la cama.  "Me pregunto si alguna vez sera capaz de hacer nada bien por ellos."

ESO ES TODO POR AHORA, LOS NINOS, en el blackberet

Gabriela's Mission - II

     "You're driving too slowly," said the shark when he spat them out.  "Now go home now and stop driving so slowly!"
     They reached home and they were late, because they had driven so slowly but at least they were in one piece.
      When they told their parents, they were most understanding.
      "Was that old shark after you again?  Well, he should be, you were holding up the road!  And going in the wrong direction.  However did you find your way home?  Oh, never mind.  Go to bed," they said after family prayer and scripture study at one home.

THAT'S ALL CHILDREN, till next time on the blackberet

La Mision De Gabriela - II

     "Estas manejando demasiado despacio," dijo el tiburon cuando les escupio.  "Ahora volver a casa y dejar de conducir tan despacio!"
     Llegaron a casa y se habian retrasado debido a que habia conducido tan lento, pero al menos eran en una sola pieza.
      Cuando le dijeron a sus padres, que eran la mayoria de la comprension.
     "Eso fue despues de tiburon otra viz?  Bueno, el debe ser, que mantenian en la carretera!  Y va en la direccion equivocada.  Oh, no importa.   Ir a la cama," dijo que despues de la oracion familiar y estudio de las Escrituras en una casa.

ESO ES TODO LOS NINOS, hasta la proxima viz en el blackberet

Gabriela's Mission

     Once upon a time there were four fish who lived in the Mediterranean Sea.  Their names were Carmela, Gabriela, Pedro and David.  They had a double-date.  They went to a shoal of fish for a party, but it wasn't a good party, so they left and went to a diner instead.
     Pedro held Gabriela's hand and David held Carmela's hand.  They ordered algae milkshakes.  They talked about their mothers and fathers wanting them to be home on time.  Finally, they decided to go.
     However, they took a wrong turning and ended up getting swallowed by a shark.  Oh, no!

MORE NEXT TIME ON theblackberet

La Mision De Gabriela

     Habia una vez habia cuatro peces que vivian en el mar Mediteraneo.  Sus nombres eran Carmela, Gabriela, Pedro y David.  Tenian una cita doble.  Fueron a un banco de peces para una fiesta, pero no fue una buena fiesta, por lo que dejo y se fue a un restaurante en su lugar. 
     Pedro tomo la mano de Gabriela, y David tomo la mano de Carmela.  Ordenaron a los batidos de algas.
      Hablaron de sus madres y sus padres que desean que estar en casa a tiempo.  Finalmente, decidieron ir.
     Sin embargo, tomo un camino equivocado y termino siendo tragado por un tiburon.  Oh, no!

MAS PROXIMA VEZ EN el blackberet

Portrait of a Girl by Okano 2011

Long Live The Pebbles - Part Four - Conclusion

     "Oh, if only they'd stop talking about me," bewailed Charmaine one day when she could stand it no more.  She didn't say anything mean about Charles.  That wouldn't have been the right thing to do.
     If Charles had stopped spreading rumours and been sorry for what he'd done, he would have been a good pebble again, but he didn't.  He then started rumours about other kind pebbles.
     Charmaine just kept being kind and good and singing her song and gradually the rumours went away.  The wind sang his song, and the pebbles listened, in a pebbley sort of way. 
     Charles wasn't too popular for a while and went away to a dark place in the middle of the lake.
     Everyone loved Charmaine again and the story ended happily with everyone singing in harmony as the lake lapped onto the shore.

THE END

Turkey

     I am very sorry to hear about the earthquake in Turkey.  Here is a painting I did in my teens of Turkey.

Herbie Planet

     My art professor at college was called Herbie Planet (that wasn't his real name).  He was sometimes seen on campus wearing an anti-radiation suit and handing out peace flyers.
     One day one of the students in the class completed a project.  It was a wind installation.  Herbie had us dance through this moving sculpture.  I shall remember this as one of my happiest days at college.
     Happy days, Herbie!

Long Live The Pebbles - Part Three

     You see, Charles the Pebble was insane.  He thought that he could do anything he wanted.  That's insanity.  There are consequences to what you do.  But he didn't think about that.

TO BE CONTINUED

Long Live The Pebbles - Part Two

     "Just keep doing the right thing, making beautiful music with the waves like God wants you to.  Eventually all the pebbles will be in agreement that you are a good pebble, just like you think they will, because you'll help them listen to the wind," said the kindly wind.

TO BE CONTINUED

Long Live The Pebbles

     Once upon a time there was a pebbley beach on a lakeshore.  The pebbles were there to make music together with the waves, lapping on the shore.
     One day Charles the Pebble started a rumour.  The other pebbles all heard it.  It was about one of the other pebbles, Charmaine Pebble.  Charmaine was shocked but took no notice.  It will all blow over, she said to herself.  But all the other pebbles believed it, except those who were listening to the wind.

TO BE CONTINUED

Thought For The Day

     Recently I had the privilege of hearing two of my sons play in a high school jazz band at an awards ceremony, one of them playing a solo.  It made the pain of childbirth all worth it!

Higgledy-Piggledy Me by Joanne Morris Okano

I come from a culturally
Higgledy-piggledy family.
I think that must be
Because I like to be
With people of different cultures
That God made me
This way, you see.

The Street Person Who Became An Artist by Joanne Morris Okano

     There was a street person who lived from day to day not knowing what life would bring.  It was a struggle just to get his meals.  Life had  dealt him some hard blows and he hurt too much to know what to do with his time other than sit at the side of the road and beg.  No one believed in him it seemed and no, even he himself didn't believe in him, not that that made any difference it seemed, life just went on around him.  People with important looking errands rushed by him all day long.  Sometimes someone kind would stop for a chat and those who could donated him a dollar.  But what he liked best were the turkey dinners at Christmas and Thanksgiving when he would go the the soup kitchen with the other street people and line up to get a meal.  He enjoyed the meals so much.  He talked to his friends and enjoyed the kindness and joy he felt at feeling loved.

  Now, there is an English game I like to play called "Pass The Parcel".  It is played at children's parties.  The mother buys several small gifts and some wrapping paper and wraps the gifts up in layers in one big parcel before the party.  The children pass the parcel around the circle to music and the mother stops the music occasionally.  Whoever is holding the parcel at the moment the music stops gets to open a layer of the parcel and receive a gift!  When the music resumes playing, the parcel is passed on to the next person and so on.

     I used to think that "Pass The Parcel" is not much like life, but now that I have lived longer and I see the unexpected blessings that life brings, I think that "Pass The Parcel" is actually, on the contrary, quite like life.

     Back to the story, someone kind had donated money for apartments to be built for the homeless.  The apartments were finished and the homelss moved in, including this man we have been discussing.  He couldn't believe how wonderful his life was all of a sudden.   It was like "Pass The Parcel".

     "I'd better have a real job," he decided.  He had always admired the art in the window of the art gallery on the corner and so he decided he would become an artist.  He felt so excited. 
     "I will believe in myself and I will be good at art and people will buy my art," he said to himself with wonder.
    
     And can you guess what happened?  It was like a prayer and God heard his prayer and He made it come true.  And the man lived happily ever after.

THE END

The Mountain In The Desert by Joanne Morris Okano

     Dedicated to the people of Segovia, Spain and to my daughter

     Once upon a time, there was a town in Spain where people lived in the desert, in a city on a mountain.  The people were all very friendly and went for walks every evening in the warmer weather, where they greeted their friends and neighbours.  In the winter, it was very cold and the people stayed home.
   
     One winter's night, in a home above a dance school, a little girl was playing with her toys after supper when she found two loose floorboards.  She thereupon decided to write to the fairies.  Now what, you may ask, does finding two loose floorboards have to do with writing to fairies?  Why, everything!  The fairies must live under the floorboards, she said to herself, and I will write to them and make my living by writing fairy stories.

     Now, people in this town ate a lot of pork.  In fact, you would see cartloads of pigs going through town.  If you went to a restaurant, they would serve you pork.  And if you asked for a combination plate, they would serve you three kinds of pork.

     But the little girl's family had no food in the house one day.  No pork, no nothing.  Oh, no.  Her father was a carpenter, but there was a recession on and nobody was buying furniture.  So she scribbled a hasty letter to the fairies on a scrap of cardboard.

Dear Friends,
     My family and I are poor and can afford no food.  Would you please be kind enough to send us some?
     Love,
     Your friend, the little girl who lives in the house

     She pushed the folded-up cardboard note into the gap in the floor, replaced the floorboards and waited.  To her surprise, there came a rapping at the inside of the floor.  What could that be?  she thought.  Surely they have not replied so soon.
     What she found was a note written on paper that seemed to be made out of cobwebs.

Dear One,
     Here are the things you need!  Enjoy!
     Love,
     The fairies that live under the floorboards

     Well, you can imagine the joy in the house when she received the news.  She called to her mother and father to come look.  They read the gossamer note and together all three looked to see what was in the opening.
     Out jumped an eggplant with arms and legs and danced about the room.  It did a fandango, reaching its arms up in the air, making flourishing movements with its hands and stamping.  The family held up their hands in amazement.
     Then followed a bag of flour, an onion, and three pork chops.  They swirled about the room doing a flamenco zambra.  The flour danced out a riddle with the rhythm of its feet, and the onion and the pork chops danced out the answer.
     A lettuce and three radishes, an assortment of mushrooms, some olives and a tomato came after.  The lettuce glided along the floor with its train of leaves trailing after, and complex rhythms of staccato stamping followed as it danced tientos.  The other groceries stood around and clapped counter-rhythms.  What a wonder!
     "Mother, make the supper!"  requested the man, quickly stoking up the stove to cook it with and hardly believing his good fortune.
     "I can hardly believe this," laughed the woman as she put on her apron and set to work preparing the food.
     "I can believe this," said the little girl and set the table for supper.

     The second night, the fairies had more - more juicy, delicious dinner ingredients.  This time, salt pork jumped out of the hole, along with artichokes, spinach, oranges and chickpeas, green beans and a green pepper who danced happy sevillanas in twos.  Again the family rejoiced.   They ate like kings!
     The third night, pork meat balls came out and danced a jota.  The male meat ball twirled the female meat ball around.  They held up their arms and played castanets while they did jumps and touched their heels and then their toes to the ground.
     Next came potatoes and eggs, fantastic salad greens, olives and anchovies.  All danced a circle around the family, in a Catalan sardana.  The mother quickly gathered them up and made a meal out of them.

     Night after night, during the recession, the food jumped up out of the hole in the floorboards and soon the daughter had an idea.
     "Why don't we try and sell some of the beautiful food for money?"
     "Yes," said her mother, "but where would we sell it?"
     "We could set up a stall inside my carpenter's shop," suggested her father.

     She presented this idea to the fairies, and this is the reply she received.

Dear One,
     We would like to help you but we're only little.  Perhaps we can help you start a farm, for that amount of groceries would be very hard for us to produce.
      Your friends,
     The fairies

      The houses on the mountain were built very close together several hundred years ago.
      "Well, there's no room to grow much at the back of the house.  There's no space," said the man.  "But some people in the town have window boxes.. and we could start a farm.  Yes, I think that would work."
      The little girl clapped her hands cheerfully and spun around.
      First they had to haul the earth and manure, the seeds and several garden tools.  (The fairies faithfully supplied these.)  They grew herbs in the window boxes and they started a farm outside of town.  It was hard work but they did it.
      The father even went to the Alcazar, the castle on top of the mountain, to get special permission to have water from the aqueduct, which brought water to the desert town.
      The family dug irrigation ditches and tilled the earth, mixing in compost and manure.  It was very hot work.  They planted all kinds of seeds.
      The fairies gave them pigs and chickens.  (Spaniards love eggs.  They are crazy about them.)
      The family weeded assiduously, and the plants grew.  They fed the chickens scraps and fed the pigs a mixture of grains and beans.
      Soon it was time to begin harvesting the produce.
      In the mornings the mother gave her daughter lessons.  In the afternoons the little girl sold vegetables and fruit, three kinds of pork, eggs, flour and cornmeal and sat on her perch and scribbled stories between customers.  (Then she took a siesta.)

      Meanwhile, the recession ended and her father decided to become a farmer permanently, because, as he said to his family, "The world needs more farmers".  The family had the fairies up for dinner every night.  The girl finished writing her fairy story collection after many rewrites and sent it to a very busy publisher, snowed under with mail, who published it.

THE END

The Society Of Harpsichord Builders - Part Three

      People chatted and the highland dancers came in.  Somy passed around hors d'oeuvres, (Note:  these are appetizers) and while the piper was taking a few minutes well-earned rest, Somy sat down at the harpsichord and began picking out the right hand part of Loch Lomond, (a favourite of mine) all the while humming along to himself.  The Baron sat beside him and played along for fun in a sort of duet.
     Then Somy stood on the seat, cleared his throat and said, "No more alcohol, folks!  I don't believe in it and neither does Jesus!"
     "He used to," said the guests.
     "Well, he doesn't now, I think" said Somy hesitantly and sat down.  He played Hopscotch on the floor and then it was the end of the evening.  Grandma and Grandpa helped clean up and they all went to bed, Somy being left with a slice of toast and marmalade under his bed from the Baron in case he got snackish, he said, said the Baron.
     Next day, the Baron and Somy went outside to play golf on the grounds.  They came in, had lunch and continued reading stories about some of Somy's ancestors.  (I imagine the Baron would have a fabulous library of rare volumes says the author.) Somy nodded off.
     King Somerled, Somy's ancestor, stood in the sky over the Baron's castle.  The King led little Somerled across the sky back to Canada.  They talked about the golf game he'd just had.
     Somy awoke in his own bed after his night of slumbers.  He said his prayers, washed and did his homework with his brothers.  They had a blissful day together as a family telling them about his adventure, he says!
     "I want to be together as a family forever.  Can we get sealed together as a family in the Temple?"  asked Somy joyfully.
     They went to the Temple and were sealed together as a family and lived happily ever after and you can too children, if you tell your parents about this story.

THE END

The Society Of Harpsichord Builders - Part Two

     Next, a huge tidal wave pulled him under as his bedcovers swam over his head.  He battled his way out.
     "I'm out of control, teacher!"  said Somy when he remembered this in school.  She soothed him with a pat on the head.  His canoe got back in control as the waves calmed, he said.  He did his sums and paid attention for the rest of the day.  Later that night, he got back into the dream.  He was sick.  His dreams came true, and he had to call Mum.
     "All that water going down my throat in the dream did it," he said.  He wiped his face dry on a towel and went back to bed.  "Mummy, Daddy, tuck me in," he cried.  They did and he went back to sleep.  And back to the dream.   He and his canoe washed up on the beach in Scotland, on the Isle of Skye.   He was happy and so sang in his head the word "Hallelujah" and was pleasantly surprised to hear that he was joined in the background to his solo by a Heavenly choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus.  With difficulty, he climbed up to the top of the cliff where he went to visit the Baron.
     Rat-a-tat-tat.  He knocked on the door with great ease.
     The Baron was a little surprised to see a small boy on his doorstep.  Somy was even more surprised.
     "You're not my ancestor," said Somy gruffly until he recovered his cool and said, "Who are you?"
     "I'm Lord Macdonald and I live here now," said the Baron.
     "Hello Lord Macdonald, I'm a Macdonald too.  May I come in, please," said Somerled politely.
     The Baron explained that that night he would be having an 'at home' for his family and friends and that there was work to do to get ready, but if he would like to come to that, he would tell Somy about his ancestors later, since that was what Somy said he wanted to learn about.  Somy's Grandfather and Grandmother came to the door and helped Somy wash a big stack of dishes in the kitchen and do other chores around the place.  They scrubbed the floors, oceans of them.  Somy had to stand on a chair to wash the dishes as he was not tall enough to reach the sink, you know.  The Baron cleaned the silverware, of course, with Hungarian Gypsy music playing in the background.  (I believe in equality, so I liked the idea of the Baron doing the silverware.  The Baron is a nice person and would do it anyway as he doesn't like leaving all the work to everyone else, he says.)  They worked all day and when night came they were bustling along still.  Everyone was taken off guard when the first guest arrived at the door.  They politely answered and the guests politely came in.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Society Of Harpsichord Builders by Joanne Morris Okano

     To Shoshana, Brigham, Paul and Somerset

     (Author's Note:  My son Somerset was born on a summer's evening, just as the sun was setting.  That's how he got his name.  I wanted to write a story about him, so I changed his name to Somerled in the story and wrote about him going to Scotland to the Isle of Skye.  The reason I picked the Isle of Skye as his destination was because I wanted to go back to Scotland and buy the castle on the Isle of Skye, where King Somerled once lived...)
     Somerled Macdonald was a little dreamy someone.  He was always dreaming away in school.  One day, the teacher caught him dreaming and asked him what he was dreaming about.  (I used to stare out of the window a lot in school, says the author. I was so starry-eyed about my future, that daydreaming took up most of my time, some days.  That got me up to university though, so don't you give up! )
     "I was dreaming about my ancestors," said Somerled.
     We had Family Home Evening a lot in those days and Somerled was just taking a day out of his school day to think about it.  With moist eyes he reminisced.
     "I love Family Home Evening," he said.  "You get to do what you want.  One night we went on an adventure to Scotland in our heads.  We followed the readings of our ancestor Reginald to Scotland and then over to Canada in a boat with a flea, his pet flea," he said politely.  "He was scratching all the way."
     The teacher was wise and didn't ask any more, but got on with the lesson.
     When he'd finished home room time, Somerled went home.  He joined arm in arm with his sister Kathy, slung his books over his back (they were in a backpack, he wasn't just holding them loosely in his hand) and connected with the Saviour in his head.
     "Is there anything I've forgotten?  Oh, yes, milk!  We'll buy milk and then we'll go home.  Then Mother will be ready for Family Home Evening.  I like it when she makes tarts, but milk pudding will be even better.  I wonder what she'll make tonight?  I like milk on my cereal.  I like wheat porridge."
     Kathy said, "Wheat porridge is my best, too."  
     Family Home Evening is when you have fun.  I remember one night when my uncle used to live in Kerrisdale, or was it somewhere else?  Oh well, we'll say Kerrisdale.  We went round there one night and had a meal and had a jolly time playing tiddly winks.  That was a kind of Family Home Evening.  We build harpsichords on our Family Home Evenings sometimes, although we do other things too.  Mother calls us the Society Of Harpsichord Builders because we're so good at it.  We want to be a family, but Somerled won't pay his tithing, although we all do.  So one night we had him teach a gospel oriented lesson on tithing so he'd understand why he should pay it.  Before the lesson we all paid our tithing, but he said it's his pocket money and he's not paying it.  Now he says he'll pay it.  That's good, because that way we can be sealed in the Temple.  He needs to pay his way too.
     My name is Mary and I'm his fourth sister.  Now you know he has four sisters, I'll tell you their names:  Kathy, me Mary, and Elizabeth and Flora, of course.  Every family needs a Flora.  They're all grown up now.  And then there's the boys:  Somy, Reginald or Regie as we call him for short, and Godfrey.  They all play the harpsichord like Mozart, except Somy.  He's just learning.  We all love him and he's learning just as fast as he can.  He can play Loch Lomond now.  On one finger.  He's not the Osmonds either.  He's very shy and doesn't sing or play any other musical instruments.  He dances though.  On one foot.  Hopscotch!
I'm fat and shy, and he's thin and shy.
     I'm having a baby that's why.  I got married last year and my husband said, "Let's go right ahead and get started."
     We were building the harpsichord one night (we all live in the same house because of lack of room in our own places which are non-existent) when Father saw an important mention in the newspaper:  "Castle on the Isle of Skye up for sale."  Well, we said, wouldn't we like to buy that.
     "I have some pennies," said Somy, racing for his piggy bank.
     Father said, "No dear, we'll stay here," and folded over the newspaper.  So we carried on building the harpsichord.  (Author's Note:  When I was in my twenties I was a bit of a fan of Early Music.  The Vancouver Early Music Society issued a very good magazine which featured among other things, an advertisement for kits you could buy to build your own harpsichord.  I thought this sounded like the ultimate pastime and wanted to do it myself and that is the reason for this story, in part.)
     "I want to visit Scotland, the land of my ancestors," said Somerled.  "But I can't afford it.  Only got 50 cents or less. Not even the price of a postage stamp.   And that won't get me as far as Granville Island, let alone the Isle of Skye."  So he dreamed about it a little bit.  He dreamed about it quite a little bit.
     In the dream he built a canoe out of paper.  Next he embarked in his canoe and soon met with an octopus.
     "Wow!  That was frightening!"  said Somy, when the teacher asked him why he looked so frightened all of a sudden at school.  Back at home, in his dreams, this happened right about the time he got tangled up in his bedsheet.  The octopus gripped Somy in its tentacles.  He bit it and it loosened its suckers, and he got away safely.

TO BE CONTINUED

Song Of The Geraniums by Joanne Okano

In the winter we wilt
But now we're bright.
Love us and take us inside if you will,
But we're better outside
Where the sunlight can touch us!

The Twelve Pixies - Part Fifty by Joanne Morris Okano

     Mr. Pixie starred in a show on Drury Lane called "Mr. Pixie And His Talking Lion".  No longer did Papa have to brush out swimming pools. 
     And the twelve pixies were all happy with their short-enough wives.
                                                                                  THE END

Jesus' "Parable Of The Ten Virgins"

     Jesus told a story, or parable, comparing the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom at a wedding. 
     Five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  These were oil lamps they used.  The five foolish virgins took their lamps, but took no oil for them.  But the wise ones took oil with their lamps.
     When the bridegroom took a long time, and all the virgins fell asleep.  At midnight, there was a cry that the bridegroom was coming and that they should go out to meet him.  Then all those virgins arose and trimmed the wick on their lamps. 
     The foolish ones said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, as our lamps have gone out.
     The wise ones answered, No:  incase there isn't enough oil for us and you.  Instead go and buy some more oil.
     And while they went to buy more, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went into the wedding with him, and the door was shut.
     Afterwards the five foolish virgins arrived and said, Lord, open the door and let us in.
     But he said, Truly, I don't know you.
     Jesus finished his parable by saying that we should watch because we don't know the day or the hour when Jesus will come.

The Twelve Pixies - Part Forty-Nine by Joanne Morris Okano

     Madagascar married Bebe, and his brothers married her cousins, after a long courtship.  The dragons liked each other's company so much, they decided not to go back to guarding castles, but instead started an artists' colony.  The poor lady who had no money coming in for herself and her children, found a job as a writer of stories for a ladies' magazine.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Forty-Eight by Joanne Morris Okano

     Madagascar was so mesmerized he didn't realize he lived in town!  Winton politely pointed this fact out to him, and Madagascar muttered, "Oh, yes.  Fancy that."
     "I have eleven cousins," said Bebe, "all in different parts of the kingdom.  All with fierce dragons guarding their castles.  They're trapped and can't get out."
     The pixies, of course, decoyed all the dragons away to a dragons' picnic (sort of like a teddy bears' picnic).  Once all the dragons were gone, the pixies rescued all the cousins of Bebe.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Forty-Seven by Joanne Morris Okano

     "I'll come and visit you when I'm in town," he said.
     "That would be fine," she said.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Forty-Six by Joanne Morris Okano

     Suddenly a young woman named Bebe came driving by on the road at the edge of the meadow.  She slowed down, looking unsure.  She stopped.  One of her tires had gone caput.
     She called up to the pixies.
     "Can you help me, please?  I'm stranded.  My tire needs changing and I don't know how to do such a thing."
      "Certainly, Madam," said Madagascar, and set to work.  The other pixies all stood around and told him what to do, or what they thought he should do.  Soon the work was finished.  Bebe thanked the handsome Madagascar.
     "I just live around the corner," she smiled.  He noticed she was short.

TO BE CONTINUED   

The Twelve Pixies - Part Forty-Five by J.M.Okano

     The pixies were just about to jump over the wishing stream when they heard crying.  Some children were crying because they had nothing to eat.
     "We are poor and we have no father and our mother has no job, so can you please help us?"  said the poor children.
     "Of course," said Onton and he led all the pixies back to the smallholding where his family lived.  There they had a yard wherein lived two turkeys.  "Could we spare one of the turkeys for a poor hungry family, Mother?" he asked her.
     "Yes," she said right away.  And they took the turkey and some brussel sprouts and potatoes and some cranberries and buns and went to the poor people's hut in the field where the wishing stream was and left the food with them.  Oh, how happy they were!

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Forty-Four by Joanne Morris Okano

     The pixie juniors ran down to the wishing stream to make their getaway, but alas!  there was a fire in the field.
     "Help me, please!"  cried the wishing stream fairy, in haste.
     They all picked up buckets and filled them with water from the stream.  They threw the water at the base of the fire and the fire went out.

TO BE CONTINUED

Jesus' "Parable Of The Sheep And The Goats"

     Jesus told a parable about what would happen when he would come in his glory and separate those who had helped others, the sheep, from those who had not, the goats. 
     He will say to those who have helped others, the sheep, on his right hand,
     "Come, you blessed ones of my Heavenly Father, inherit the kingdom which has been prepared for you:  because I was hungry and you fed me;  I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink;  I was a stranger and you took me in;  I had no clothes and you clothed me;  I was sick and you visited me;  I was in prison and you came to see me."
     The righteous will reply, "Lord, when did we do these things to thee?"
      And Jesus will reply, "Truly, as much as you did these things for one of the least of my brothers, you have done this for me."
     He will then say to those who did not help others, the goats, on his left hand,
     "Go away from me, you cursed ones, into everlasting fire, made for the devil and his angels:  because I was hungry and you did not feed me;  I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink;  I was a stranger and you did not take me in;  sick and in prison and you did not visit me."
     They will also answer him," Lord, when did we see you like this and not look after you?"
     And he will answer them, "Truly, as much as you did not do this for one of the least of my brothers, you did not do it to me."
     And they will go to be punished forever: but the righteous will have eternal life.

The Twelve Pixies - Part Forty-Three by Joanne Morris Okano

     The pixies in that family were all boys and all served missions for the Church.  When they returned home though, they were down because they couldn't find wives who were short enough.
     They went to see the wise old horse who had helped them at the beginning of the story.  He knew all kinds of things.
     "Go to a hilltown and you may find wives who are short enough there," he said.
     The pixies looked at him enquiringly, for they did not know why he said that.
     He continued:  "People who live in mountainous areas, like Japan and Switzerland, tend to be short, whereas people who live on flat land, like the Netherlands, tend to be taller, or so I'm told".

TO BE CONTINUED

Book Review of Ann Rachlin's and Susan Hellard's "Handel"

      This is another good book in the Famous Children series.
     Handel, like the rest of us, had so much opposition in life.  But his life story shows the hand of God.  I'll show you what I mean.
     His father wanted him to read books, not study music, and so, as a little boy, Handel wasn't allowed to have a musical instrument in the house!  But his kind Aunt Anna smuggled a clavier into the attic for him to play when his father was out.  She purchased it for him as a birthday present.
     Handel's father had a good job as a doctor and barber.  He worked for a Duke whose orchestra players Handel wanted to meet.  His father said no and left Handel at home.  While his father was out, Handel played so much on the clavier that he became a good musician without any lessons.  One day, he ran after his father's coach and eventually his father let him ride in the coach on the way to work.
     Handel, still a little boy, played the organ each morning in the chapel where the Duke lived.  The organist let Handel play for the Duke.  The Duke gave him some gold coins for lessons and the boy grew up to compose such great music as The Water Music, The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba, Music For The Royal Fireworks, and The Messiah, all of which can be listened to on Youtube.  I attended a school for girls in England for part of my schooling where we listened to Handel's music after prayers in the morning and it has stayed with me all this time and then some.
  

Here's a book you might like -"Handel"

What do the instruments of the orchestra look like?

Here is Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra.

The Twelve Pixies - Part Forty-Two by Joanne Morris Okano

     Dixie played the French horn.  Wixie played percussion.  Flixie played the trombone.  Madagascar played the violin.  Onton played the marimba.  Onton played the viola.  Linton played the cello.  Winton was the conductor.  Flaxie played the violin.  Waxie played the saxophone.  Traxie played the triangle.  Daxie played the bassoon, and Thraxie played the piccolo.
     Mother and Papa Pixie came to hear them and the baby played on the floor (the baby had been born).

TO BE CONTINUED

Jesus' "Parable Of The Talents"

     When Jesus Christ was on the earth, he often taught through stories known as parables.  One of these parables was the Parable Of The Talents.
     He said that the kingdom of heaven is like a man travelling abroad who called his servants and gave them each talents.  To one servant, he gave five talents, to another servant, two talents, and to another servant, one talent, according to their abilities; and he left on his journey.
     The servant to whom he had given five talents traded his talents for an additional five more.
     The servant to whom he had given two talents gained two additional talents.
     But the servant to whom he had given one talent hid his talent in the ground.
     When the man returned from his journey, he called his servants together to ask what they had done with their talents.
     The first servant told him how he had given him five talents and he had gained five more talents.  His lord said he was pleased with him for being so faithful and invited him to enter into his joy.
     The second servant told his lord how he had given him two talents and he had gained two more.
His lord was also pleased with him for being so faithful and invited him also to enter into his joy.
     The third servant admitted he was afraid and had hidden his talent.  He brought his one talent to the lord.  His lord was displeased.  He took away his one talent and gave it to the servant who had ten talents.
     If you want to read this story in its original form, you can read it in the Bible.
     I learned from this story that I must develop my talents to be pleasing to God.  So I decided to write children's stories on a blog, when I was unable to find a full-time job.
     Bye!

The Twelve Pixies - Part Forty-One by Joanne Morris Okano

     Back at Pixie School - you might be wondering what goes on at Pixie School, I surmise, so I'll tell you - the children played happily in a pixie orchestra.

TO BE CONTINUED

"Are You A Russian Refugee?"

     One day I walked into the Greater Vancouver Jewish Community Centre and asked them very shyly if they had any volunteer jobs.  I thought, "They'll probably throw me out on the street once they find out I'm not Jewish."  The receptionist said they had two  kinds of volunteer jobs.  One was working with the children in Summer Day Camp and the other was working with the old folks.
     "Well, I'm no good with old folks," I said.  "So could I work with the children?  And does it matter that I'm not Jewish?"  To my surprise, they didn't throw me out on the street.

     At Summer Day Camp, I learned Jewish songs and games and worked with the children and had an educational and uplifting experience.  Later, the JCC phoned me and asked if I'd like to volunteer for Winter Camp.  I said yes.  They paid the volunteers an honorarium each.

     Later I needed a job and I told this to a friend, she told the JCC, and the next day I received a phone call from them asking me if I wanted to come in for an interview.
     "What can you do for the JCC?"  the head of the Child/Youth Department asked me.
     "I can do puppetry and tell stories," I replied.
     The end result of this was I got hired in four different part-time jobs.

     One day I arrived at the JCC for work with all my craft materials in several plastic grocery bags to instruct the children with.   I was wearing a big old coat.  At this time, there were Russian refugees arriving every week at the JCC.  A receptionist came up to me and caringly asked me,
     "Are...you...a...Russian...refugee?"

     Shalom!

Kabocha Squash

     Today I made kabocha squash for my children, like their grandmother makes, except I made it with honey instead of brown sugar.  Yum!

The Twelve Pixies - Part Forty by Joanne Morris Okano

     They folded the clothes, and put them away nicely. 
     Papa Pixie took the little pixies out grocery shopping, so Mother Pixie could rest, and bought them all ice cream as a reward for being so good.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Thirty-Nine by Joanne Morris Okano

     They washed the gossamer pixie-clothes and hung them out to dry in the sun.

TO BE CONTINUED

God Answers Prayers

     I prayed for a torrential downpour...isn't it great?

The Twelve Pixies - Part Thirty-Eight by Joanne Morris Okano

     And with that, the twelve pixies skipped off to help their mother with the laundry, as she was sick.  She was expecting another baby, and was throwing up a lot.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Thirty-Seven by Joanne Morris Okano

    Ah, for the life of a lion.

TO BE CONTINUED

Today

     The weather was muggy today.  I went to a Corn Roast at church.  I took a chilli I had made and entered the chilli contest.  There was also a pie contest. 
     Bye!

Book Review of Ann Rachlin's and Susan Hellard's "Beethoven"

     Famous Children: Beethoven by Ann Rachlin and Susan Hellard is a enchanting picture book for younger children about the composer Ludwig von Beethoven.  It tells how, in text and humourous illustrations, Beethoven used to get into trouble as a youngster, stealing chicken's eggs, and how he didn't do well in school in anything but music.  Fancy that!
     It tells about his early musical training by his strict father, who made him play at night, rather than letting him sleep.  His father became angry with him for not sticking to the notes of the pieces.  Beethoven learned to play the clavier, the viola and organ and did really well.  Ludwig played for the public at a young age, and at eleven years of age composed for the Archbishop.   Beethoven later met Mozart who was not particularly impressed with him at first.
     I like the story of how Beethoven played a concert for his mother's birthday.  It is, in my opinion, the loveliest part of the book, because it is kind.  I also appreciated the detailed description of how Beethoven dressed. 
     The list of his accomplishments is inspiring.
     I like to go to Youtube and listen to some of Beethoven's work such as Fur Elise (Moonlight Sonata), and his Fifth Symphony, Seventh Symphony and Ninth Symphony.
     Although he grew up to have a temper, I think Beethoven was a good person.
    

Here's a book you might enjoy - "Beethoven"

The Twelve Pixies - Part Thirty-Six by Joanne Morris Okano

     For supper, the pixies ate antelope in the field with the lion.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Thirty-Five by Joanne Morris Okano

     There have to be some perks for having a father who cleans swimming pools and tames a lion.
     Other things they did in their spare time were trips to the country with Mother.  She studied Herbalism in her spare time after the children were in bed, so she often knew what to do if you were sick.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Thirty-Four by Joanne Morris Okano

     Papa Pixie and Mother took the pixies swimming.  The lion paddled in the pool.

TO BE CONTINUED 

The Twelve Pixies - Part Thirty-Three by Joanne Morris Okano

     The ant quickly fetched several of his friends and they carried the pickles home.  They were very grateful and sent the lion a little note, saying, "Thank you".
     Papa Pixie told the little pixies about this when he reached home and they all drew pictures of the event.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Thirty-Two by Joanne Morris Okano

     "Pickles are my favourite," said the ant.
     "Oh, no, pickles are your favourite?"  asked the lion in a growly voice.  "I'll give you some."

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Thirty-One by Joanne Morris Okano

     "ROAR!" said the lion in a pleased way, and Mr. Pixie just about fell over with fright, he was so taken by surprise.
     They went out together on a picnic and ate peanut butter sandwiches and pickles, fruit salad and orange juice.  Out of the grass came an ant, and the lion sat on it.
     "Hey!"  said the ant, stomping his foot.  "Get out of here, this is my spot."
     The lion carefully moved and looked down to see where the very small voice was coming from.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Thirty by Joanne Morris Okano

     The next day, Mr. Pixie and the lion were practicing their routine, when the lion licked the spit off its jowls (after chewing on the bone) and said, "Mmm, dat was good!"
     "What?  You can talk?  You're not supposed to talk," said Mr. Pixie, flabbergasted.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Daddy-Long-Legs Outside The Window - Poem by J.M. Okano

     It's a rainy day
     And there's a bug
     Outside the window.
     I wonder what he's thinking
     (Or she, as the case may be).
      "I have a hard time wondering
      Why you want to know my thoughts,
     'Coz I'm a bug,
     But if you must know,
     I'm cold and I wish I were inside!"  says he.
     "My mother and my father are inside,
     I think,
      And that's all I can think about,
     As I shiver outside.
     Oh, woe is me!"

The Twelve Pixies - Part Twenty-Nine by Joanne Morris Okano

     "Thank you, Somerset," said Mr. Pixie.
     Next, after several tries, Mr. Pixie had the lion dance on its hind legs to bite on a stick which he held up in the air.
     He set a table with a tablecloth and place settings.  The lion's place setting had a plate with a giant beef bone on it.  He tied a table napkin around the lion's neck and the lion sat at the table and gnawed on the bone.  Mr. Pixie sat opposite him and ate a meal of a cheese sandwich.
      "You're a winner," said the employer and hired him.
     When Mr. Pixie arrived home that night, he was good-exhausted, not I-don't-know-how-I'm-going-to-go-on-exhausted.
                                                                      TO BE CONTINUED
          

Photo of Spiderweb

My father, Hendrik Verwest gave me permission to show you his lovely photo.

Here is a video I found on Youtube about Hardworking Spiders..

The Twelve-Pixies - Part Twenty-Eight by Joanne Morris Okano

     Somerset brought Arnold Pixie a tissue to dry his tears.  It hurts, being bitten by a lion!
                                                               TO BE CONTINUED

Book Review for Megan McDonald's book, "Judy Moody Gets Famous"

     "Judy Moody Gets Famous" starts off with a Spelling Bee Queen Bee, Jessica Finch.  Well, if Jessica can be famous so can she, thinks Judy.  She tries to get her picture in the Moody Hall of Fame on the refridgerator but can't find anything newsworthy to tape up there.
     Her teacher, Mr. Todd, suggests Judy could become famous for getting along with him, if she'd just be a better student, after she gets in trouble again.
     She does well in Science class when the very-interesting-to-her mealworms are passed out for study, until she accidentally lets one fly from the eraser on her pencil onto Jessica Finch.  Oh oh.  This gets Jessica into trouble initially but Judy is honest and owns up...and learns what "infamous" means.
     The book is very good on providing humourous opposition to her plan for achieving fame and the suspense builds.
     This book is number two in the series written by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds about Judy.  I liked this one as much as the first book in the series and enjoyed the way it wittily ties in with the first book, "Judy Moody".
     I read "Judy Moody Gets Famous" in two sittings.  It is an easy read and also very funny, like the first book.
    

Here's a book you might like - "Judy Moody Gets Famous"

The Twelve Pixies - Part Twenty-Seven by Joanne Morris Okano

     "May we try that again?"  he asked.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Twenty-Six by Joanne Morris Okano

     Next day, Mr. Pixie tried out as a lion tamer.  The lion bit him.  Mr. Pixie said, Ouch!

TO BE CONTINUED

My Son Told Jokes All Day Long

     None of my children had autism or ADD or ADHD as far as I know and I did preschool with them at home.  I ate the meals listed in Gail Sforza Brewer's book for pregnant mums for my last two babies.  With my third though, I do remember eating a lot of chocolate pudding.  After he was born he was fat and he told jokes all day long as soon as he could talk.  I don't know if that had anything to do with the chocolate pudding.

New Hair Colour

     Today I dyed my hair light brown.

The Twelve Pixies - Part Twenty-Five by Joanne Morris Okano

     "So what did you do all day, Daddy?"  asked Thraxie, when his Dad was lying on the sofa, resting his back after a hard day's work.
     "I brushed swimming pools out, dear," said Daddy.  "Now, tomorrow morning, I have to go and look for another job to do along with this one, because this job is only part-time."
     "What kind of job do you think you'll try for, Daddy?"  asked Wixie.
     "Oh, a Lion Taming job, maybe.  I've always wanted to be a Lion Tamer," replied Daddy nonchalantly.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Twelve Pixies - Part Twenty-Four by Joanne Morris Okano

     "I don't like the looks of this," said Mr. Arnold Pixie to himself.
     He found part-time work as a swimming-pool-cleaner-outer.  It was hard work getting all those algae, insects and leaves out.  By the time he returned home, he was exhausted.

TO BE CONTINUED

Book Review of Megan McDonald's book Judy Moody

     I like Peter Reynolds' illustrations, especially the Table of Contents and the delightful illustration of Judy Moody in a bad mood descending the stairs on her first day of school, which made me chuckle.  This book made me laugh when she ate a shark.  Did you laugh too?
     My favourite part of the book is where Judy sings to her Venus Flytrap.  In case you don't know what a Venus Flytrap is, it is not an animal, it is a plant which eats flies.  Yes, I know.  I also liked the doctor doll Judy received.  It sounded adorable and I chortled with laughter.  I found this book easy to get into.
     This is the sort of book you might like if you like pets. Judy goes to the pet store quite a bit.
     Judy gets invited to the birthday party of a boy she detests, Frank Pearl who eats paste (not a recommended activity, children - paste-eating, that is.)  She puts off going but somehow she gets there.  The paste-eater's party sounds hilarious and made me laugh and laugh.  Frank Pearl shows a side of himself Judy hadn't expected.  Very interesting.
     The book goes on being funny and very original.
     If Share and Tell is your favourite thing, you'll get a kick out of this book.   I love this part.  It even made me want to do Share and Tell and I'm an adult.  This book is a winner.