The return of my Muse

Last night I was up until around 3 am writing a flurry of words in my journal. I'm not much of a journaling person, but words and phrases and sentences kept bombarding my thoughts so much so that I had to write them down. It seems that my writing muse has returned with a vengeance. I can only attribute her return to one thing - I opened up a book and started reading.

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I was so out of balance that I hadn't even opened a book since before Christmas. Now I realize that reading not only transports me to new places but also ambushes me with new ideas. It seems that no matter what the book, from Chick Lit to Proust, Winnie the Pooh to the Little Prince I am left with something to ponder, something that sticks with me, seemingly forever. And I don't even have to Like the book (although I gave up the idea that I hac to finish books that I didn't like a long time ago), they still fill me to the brim.

And now I am bursting at the seams.

It's no wonder we all long to put words to paper. What an amazing legacy to leave behind! I had not realized until this week how often an idea from some long ago read novel creeps into my thoughts, and again, even form books that I dreaded reading (The Red Badge of Courage pops to mind - fine book, but for me was like bamboo under the nails torture). Yes, I want to leave something like this behind.

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So now I am in a full fledged book orgy. Reading everything I can get my hands on - 600 page thrillers getting read in 3 days, meatier tomes causing me to stop an reflect and dog ear pages that I want to return to later on. So tell me, as I'm not up on what has been recently published, what should I read? I'll read a little bit of everything (except for scary, gratuitous violence). Give me some suggestions and a reason to pay off the fine on my library card!

The Magic of Readeez

Will (my three-year-old computer geek) is sitting at the Dell eating Fiery Tortilla Chips (the boy likes anything savory or hot), downing the water, and watching Readeez clips on YouTube. Wait - you haven't heard of Readeez?! Well, you must!!! It is only the coolest reading tool to pop out of the blog-o-sphere since, well, I guess since ever!

Readeez was conceived by an uber-cool dad who wanted to find a way to teach his daughter, Isabelle, to read phonetic syllables. So he came up with these short, cool clips that remind me of the glory days of Sesame Street - you know, when Mr. Hooper was still alive and The Pointer Sisters sang "The Pinball Song" and Prairie Dawn sang songs about friendship that made my mom cry.

So I've included the three Readeez clips that get played the most in this household. They are loved by mommy, toddler, and the 12-year-old too cool for his britches boy. They are all under 2:30 minutes. You will thank yourself for watching them. Then you will head to YouTube and watch the rest of them, cuz they are that good.

Cool Sesame Street feel. And I think at this point, Will has watched this one 15 times tonight. Really. And I don't mind at all.

Catchy, can't get it out of your head song

The absolute favorite. Your one-year-old can sing it with you, as well as your 16-year-old. Will breaks out in this one at Wal-Mart All.The.Time!

Ten Little Isabels, Sandy Beach, Boomba Boom (the one with the Disoriented Zebra, which cracks Will up to no end), Love's Enough (mommy's favorite), and Tonight and Every Night (the one that makes the parents cry) are other faves. Oh, and Readeez has Bible and Math offerings, too.

So check it out, and I dare you not to become hooked!

p.s. happiness is a rockstar

Mary Jane's Farm

Have you read the magazine "Mary Jane's Farm?" If not, you must! I think it is my new favorite magazine. I read somewhere (although I'm not sure who said it, so I can't quote) that Mary Jane's Farm is like Martha Stewart Living with dirt under its fingernails and a clean criminal record. This great magazine touts the benefits of organic living, growing your own food, cooking, making your own things, and finding the joy in every day living. It's fun to look at, and this issue made me wish that my neighbors wouldn't hate it if I put a chicken coop in my backyard (I live in a neighborhood where the neighbors are pretty close. Chickens would not be smiled at).

On the website, you get the opportunity to read various blogs (geared toward country, city, suburban, and rancher Farmer Girls), and most compellingly you can join the Mary Jane's Farmgirl Sisterhood, in which you can earn merit badges and meet other women of similar mentalities with great info, tidbits, and stories to tell.

Barnes and Noble carries "Mary Jane's Farm." Check it out. I can almost guarantee that you will be happy that you did!