I grew up in a great neighborhood in a time when we enjoyed a freedom that today’s kids will never experience. Occasionally, the flicker of lightning bugs, clatter of cicadas or unmistakable smell of honeysuckle transports me back to those early years. It happened recently, inspiring me to try to capture such a day in verse.
Summertime Moments
Shifting shadows and a cicada chorus stir
Up recollections of early years before
Mom worked and being out of school
Meant sleeping late and
Eating buttered toast at the end of the kitchen, then
Rocketing outside barefoot to play
‘Til Noon when we’d straggle back
In for bacon and tomato sandwiches on white bread, slathered with
Miracle Whip, not mayonnaise, because Daddy liked it better.
Even now I can taste that juicy-tangy-savory staple.
Mostly we ran in a pack, that is, until the
Orneryboys sped off on their bikes, leaving Judy and
Me to hunt for 4-leaf clovers, or play jacks—all the while, steeping in
Envy of their freedom because they were bigger, but
Not too big to later play Mama, May I? and Swing the Statue until
Twilight when we chased fireflies across the lawn.
Such are the thoughts that drift in on honeysuckle breezes.
Courtesy of Debbie Hoofman
This is my last post as Miss July. Being featured in this spot has been the highlight of my summer. I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to read my posts. I also want to say thank you to the women who connect us with one another and new writing opportunities. Thank you for all the time you devote to the Arkansas Women Bloggers’ website and for the way you continually coach and encourage us. You Are Awesome!
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the AWB University in September!
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Everything Old is New Again
Written by Laurie Marshall, Miss June 2014
I was chatting with a friend recently and we started listing movies that we loved as kids that we could introduce our own children to. We were fortunate in the 1980s (and 90s… in the case of my friend), that Hollywood started cranking out movies specifically for kids that were really good films, not just extended versions of cartoons or cheesy fluff. Now that my kids are adults, there are even more films that I would recommend to them… classics like The Godfather trilogy and favorite little movies like Crossing Delancey. Of course, I’m a bit of a movie nut…
So, knowing that days are going to get long and kids will get bored this summer, I’ve put together a list of movies you can look for on Netflix or maybe even pick up at thrift stores or cheaply on Amazon to add to your viewing pleasure. Hopefully, there are some here that are new to you as well!
Please note that I am probably more forgiving of ratings when it comes to my kids… I have included the rating info and IMDB link for all of these suggestions so that you can decide for yourself if they are suitable for your kiddos.
I remember loving this film for more than just the story, it was one of the first movies I watched that moved with its cinematography. It’s the classic story of a boy who is stranded alone with a wild stallion when the ship they are riding on sinks in a storm. Just a beautiful movie.
This movie came out when my girls were small, and we watched it over and over again. Thank goodness it is fun for parents as well as kids! Babe is a pig raised by sheepdogs, and he becomes a hero when a pack of wild dogs is harassing the sheep and he takes the time to talk to the sheep to find out what is going on. Includes important themes about trust, belief in oneself, and not judging a book by its cover. Also, the performance of veteran character actor, James Cromwell, is perfection.
It seems they made a million of these movies, but this was the first one that started it all. Little Foot is an orphaned young Brontosaurus who sets off to find a mythical valley he’s heard about. Along the way he meets some other young dinosaurs, and there is ensuing mischief and adventure. The story includes some lessons about friendship and teamwork.
This animated movie is chock-full of themes about the power of friendship, overcoming fear and believing in oneself and trusting others, and the characters are a lot of fun as well. It’s an animated film that stands the test of time.
This movie charmed and enchanted everyone when it was released. I was nine, and my younger brothers and I loved it. The story has Benji, a little mutt of a dog, saving two kidnapped children. This plot line may be uncomfortable for some of you, but it never bothered us. Since the release date is the early 70s, there is a great amount of entertainment to be gleaned from the clothing and scenery as well.
One of my oldest daughters’ favorites. A troubled boy goes to work in a local aquarium for the summer and becomes fascinated with an Orca whale. When he finds out that the whale has been labeled as a troublemaker and is going to be killed, he convinces his supervisor to help him free the whale instead. It’s a sweet story with the familiar theme of a child connecting with an animal more than with the humans around him.
I love me some classic Muppet Movies, but this film is really Jim Henson’s masterpiece. The story is classic good vs. evil and the sets and costumes are a feast for the eyes. The “Gelflings” are brought together to save their world by repairing a shard that has kept their world divided for generations.
This is a cute film about a robot that develops a conscience and self-awareness when he is struck by lightning. It’s kind of like Free Willy for robots, as there are folks who want to disable “Number 5”, and the humans close to him work to change their mind and save him. The film is a lot of fun, but there are deeper themes about the value of “life” and what constitutes sentient thought that can also be explored with older kids.
There have been a lot of adaptations of this story, but this one, starring Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters and Tim Curry, is my all-time favorite. You probably know the story – sweet orphaned girl is temporarily “adopted” by a millionaire as a public relations scheme. Evil orphanage manager tries to get her back along with some cash from Daddy Warbucks, but the plot fails and Annie and all the rest of the orphaned girls live happily ever after with her new Daddy and his assistant-turned-wife. The story was written to include a lot of references to the politics of the era (1930s) but the musical can easily be watched as just a fun story full of great music.
If you haven’t watched this with your kids yet I might think you’re a terrible parent. But you can fix that! Steven Spielberg is known for the amazing characters he created in his early films, and E.T. is no exception. Drew Barrymore is adorable, and the visual of the kids flying on their bikes is one of my favorite movie moments. The pre-teen boys in the story do use some rough language, so take that into consideration.
Alex is living in a trailer park with his mom where he beats all the levels of a stand-up video game called Starfighter. He faces some personal challenges, then meets a man who makes fantasy become reality as he takes him on a real-life space adventure. This is a fun story for your kids who love their game consoles. Like many movies of the 1980s, it may not be the best production value or writing, but it’s fun and imaginative.
This is one of my personal favorites. A sweet little baby is found and it’s determined by the elders of the village that it should be returned immediately to its people. Willow, a kind-hearted and soft-spoken character, is chosen to take the trip. It’s full of adventure, kingdoms and lessons about good and evil and doing what’s right over what’s personally beneficial, and Warwick Davis is a hero.
Another film with crazy characters and fantasy and good and evil… and it throws in some pirates and princesses to boot. Wesley and Buttercup have the perfect love story, and Mandy Patinkin is the perfect swashbuckler. So much awesome. It’s another one that’s probably better for pre-teens to teens.
Drew Barrymore is all grown up and playing the classic role as the step-daughter who is forced to be a maid when her father dies. She has a really terrible accent, but after a while you don’t notice. There are lovely costumes, a great performance by Angelica Huston as the not-to-be-trusted stepmother, and handsome Dougray Scott as the prince. It’s a fun re-telling of the story.
What movies are you watching this summer? Do you have any favorites from your childhood that aren’t on this list? Please share!
Taking Back My Crayons
Written by Miss May 2014, Talya Boerner
As a creative kid, I was always coloring, doodling, or crafting something in the middle of the kitchen table while Momma cooked supper. I loved words and usually had my nose stuck in a book. The thought of writing a school paper made me downright giddy. I wrote my first autobiography at age nine. (A little boring but hey, I hadn’t done anything yet.)
At some point like most kids, I put away my crayons in favor of more “practical” endeavors like algebra and basketball. And when I headed for college Daddy said, “If I’m paying, you’ll get a business degree.”
So I did.
An economics degree wasn’t a stretch for me, after all, I grew up processing farm payroll EveryFridayNight for as long back as I can remember. To be clear, Momma was the one actually typing up checks and paying the farm hands. My little sister and I “helped” using old deposit slips and Monopoly money. Each week we took turns being the farmer and the banker. Both jobs were incredibly stressful.
Since I wanted to escape the farm, I chose the only other path clear to me. Banking. And I’m not knocking it. Banking offered a multitude of opportunities, yet after twenty plus years, I walked away.
To write.
I took back my crayons. And guess what? They still have that same sweet smell.
A month or so ago, I attended the Delta Symposium at Arkansas State University, a truly unique event encompassing the Arkansas Delta. My Delta. As I listened to discussions on William Faulkner and southern humor I thought about how my life had evolved in the two three (I’ve lost count) years since I left the bank. Not only the change in my day-to-day routine from making loans to writing stories, but in my new community.
Talk about growing your garden…stick with me for a moment while I get a bit abstract. My garden is now filled with people and experiences that never existed to me as a banker. Doing what I was truly meant to do has been life-altering. I have pushed myself, spread stronger roots, blossomed. Instead of working with black and white and debits and credits, I have 64 brilliant colors for drawing and blending and shading and creating. And there’s a sharpener in the back to keep everything fresh.
Arkansas Women Bloggers has been a key part in building new relationships and opening doors for me. So have the friends I’ve made at Hemingway-Pfeiffer and The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow where I attend retreats as often as possible. Writing is solitary work—most days it’s just me, my dogs and my MacBook. Having a community of like-minded friends has kept me motivated and focused, helped me tap back into my creative side.
Are you still reading? If so, I thank you and count you among my community. Now it’s back to creating and tending to my garden.
Written by Miss April 2014 Keisha Pittman of BigPittstop
Last Tuesday Northwest Arkansas experienced some crazy weather. As I was leaving town traveling to another part of the state I hit the crazy weather in waves. It was just beginning to rain as I left Rogers. By the time I got to Springdale, the clouds were gone and the sun was shining and in a matter of moments as I passed the Garland Ave exit coming in to Fayetteville, a series of dark clouds blew in and settled low.
With our topic this month on my mind and the wide open road of 540-S in front of me, I began to really think about life over the past 10 years. Somehow, the picture of my morning really seemed to play out. I’ve heard it said before of life that you are either in a valley, coming out of a valley, or about to head into one. Valleys, storms, sometimes they just kinda feel the same.
As a kid I can remember any time it rained, and the sun was out, I started looking for a rainbow. My dad is the one who helped me understand rainbows. Well, at least that when there was rain and sun, there had to be a rainbow somewhere. I’ve seen a full rainbow. One that stretches the horizon and makes you wonder if the pot of gold exists. And, I’ve seen the barely there rainbow; the one you have to get just in the right place to see.
You’re right; you know exactly where I’m going with this.
Life has a way of doing something very similar. We’ve all had the storm; a tough diagnosis, a change in family status, a big move or a trying day. Thunder, lighting, the big dark clouds. They all seem to roll in.
I’ve never been one much for a rainy day. Clouds make me tired, rain makes me wanna sleep and a combination of the 2 can just about put me in the sourest of moods. But, sunshine. I love sunshine. Vitamin D and I completely agree and I’m almost certain to have a big fat smile on my face when the sunny day rolls around.
But, life can’t be all sunshine and rainbows. Whether it’s to appreciate them when they come or to somehow know to distinguish the difference, we have to have to storms. We’ve gotta have the tough days, the trials, the hard times. For, it’s in those places that we discover the best of ourselves. We find out what we are made of and who will journey with us. We are refined.
April in Arkansas always tends to be a little treacherous. We spend a few more nights gathered close to the 10 o’clock news and loose a few good night of DVR space to recorded storm coverage. My life in April tends to feel something similar. Seasons change, life picks up and I somehow always go on record for declaring I’m going to cut something out that I never do.
I found it rather ironic last Tuesday, about 35 minutes into my drive Laura Story’s Blessingscame on the radio. If you are not familiar with the lyrics, the chorus says this:
What if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you’re here?
What if trials of this life, are your mercies in disguise?
Not one much for being a fan of lemons or lemonade, I think I’m operate from here on our under the mantra – When life brews up a storm, start looking for the rainbow!
Just to start off, for clarification, I’m not the girl who uses a “$” in her name! But, I am a truth seeking, cancer fighting, Texas tune singing, grocery store shopping, Etsy store owning, scrap sewing, downtown alley photo taking, recipe redesigning, curious little rock star.
I see the power in repurposing.
The promise in college freshmen.
The refreshing nature of a Chick-Fil-A sweet tea.
The impact of an afternoon chat over a latte.
The progress of a downtown square.
I believe in Jesus Christ, a great playlist, sleeping late, drinking from a straw (you know, so you don’t stain your teeth) and the power of the human spirit.
I resist change but know it’s good. Feel my best when I’m giving. Revel in coffee dates, especially when the beans have a story. Think social entrepreneurialism and a 9:00AM start will be the fully changed face of the business world as the Baby Boomers all graduate to retirement (or being consultants while they get their nest egg back up). I’m convinced Zappos and Buzzfeed have figured out something genius about the work environment and think ecard billboards should be the wave of the future (I’m a fan of the cheeky comment!)
I’m random and eclectic. Planned and personable. I usually write half my blogs pecking one letter at a time on my iphone and edit them later (it’s 11:33PM and my phone is 3 inches from my face because I took my glasses off….I’m not even kidding). I get my nails and eyebrows done once a month and have worked a Massage Envy membership into my monthly budget. I pay my property tax with my previous year tax return and save the rest for a sunny day or mystery donations to my favorite causes.
I’m on the go, survive with a series of gadgets and think the greatest invention next to indoor plumbing was the Keurig and the iron skillet.
I blog about cancer because I kicked it in the tail. I tell stories about the single life because I can’t make this stuff up. I share recipes that I develop from the stuff on my pantry shelves. The other thoughts are just by-products of the journey.
So basically, I write when I can in my over programmed life. I fight cancer on all fronts. I have a goal to give away more than I keep (time, resources, and memories). I LOVE to make people laugh, like belly laugh and I’m super stoked to be Miss April and be among the awesome other chicks that I admire in so many ways.
April is the month of my birth. The month of my all-clear cancer-versary and the motto “no rainbows, no sunshine” is pretty much my version of “lemonade”. And, in case you are wondering, here’s my pin up photo!
If all that intrigues you, you can find me on my real day job – just bein’ me!
I promise to not always ramble about myself…actually this is pretty hard for me to do. So, stop by several times this month and see all the cool things these chicks have planned and I have a couple other posts coming up that I want your insights on!
Courtesy of Debbie Hoofman
