Coloring books

Do kids still color in coloring books? I know I loved them. If I had to be home from school because I was sick, my mom always picked up one at the drug store when she collected my prescription. And even in healthy times, I could often be found coloring away. Maybe they do curb artistic expression in some, but I credit them with giving me a chance to experiment with color. Anyway, I went on to do my own thing eventually.

Dover Publications puts out some of the nicest coloring books these days and they are a fairly inexpensive way to introduce kids to art. This designer likes and uses Dover Publications often for inspiration. If you sign up for the Dover Sampler, they’ll even E-mail you free designs to download each week such as this floral sample.

Looking at the sample almost makes me want to round up the Crayolas. Speaking of which, check out this link to Crayola.com for online coloring fun. You can choose from colored pencils, markers and of course, Crayolas.

Do you remember how exciting it was when school started and you got that huge box of crayons? There seemed to be infinite possibilities then. I charge you to explore your creativity. And don’t tell me you aren’t creative, because I will just think you aren’t trying.

Note: the sample is from Color Your Own Great Flower Prints

Older and Wiser--Maybe, Maybe Not

Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.

Today I’m celebrating a couple of things. First, I’ve evaded AARP successfully for five years now although they have pursued me like a lobbyist after a politician, and since the move, they haven’t located me yet. Let’s just say I prefer to have it that way.

And the second occasion, is that it was a year ago that I started the blog. Many thanks to those who have visited, at times enduring long rambling vents and soapbox stances on a huge variety of issues ranging from why I don’t like Hillary Clinton to my worry about a Rip Van Winkle son and his quest to wake up. It’s been fun and just as I thought, I haven’t run out of things to say.

Hope to make many new blogging friends in the new year. Cheers.

Boys Gone Natural

The boys are somewhere up in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Well, I assume they are there. I did get one phone call from Scotty that he and his two buddies had arrived. I don’t think they are partying with the Girls Gone Wild tour. They are probably trying to keep Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo from stealing their picanick basket. They are camping.

I remember how much fun spring break was when I was a kid. We didn’t go on any fancy trips like some kids do now to Cancun or New York City. We just hung around the house playing board games and pestering our parents for some excitement while the teachers went to their annual statewide meeting. That didn’t seem fair that they were busy learning new ways to make our lives more difficult when we returned to school.

Taking off is highly underappreciated with Americans vacationing far less than those enlightened Europeans who take the whole month of August off. I don’t see much benefit in all of our industriousness. The “Man” is still sending our jobs off to India, China and Dubai.

So, here’s to goofing off, taking off, road trips, vacationing and playing hooky.