Free printable pagan and Wicca sabbat and holiday crafts

 Much is known about religious and national holidays. But the least known holidays--and ironically some of the oldest--are pagan or Wiccan. Here are free printable Wicca crafts, coloring pages and resources for pagan holidays (sabbats). Free printable pagan and Wicca sabbat holiday crafts 

Don't be a simpleton, dolt, nincompoop: learn something new for Dunce Day

Don't be a dunce! Today is November 8 is Dunce Day. I did not realize being a dummy was something to celebrate. And it's not, says Holiday Insights. Quite the opposite. November 8, 1308 marked the death of Duns Scotus of Dun, Scotland. Kind of repetitively eponymous name, but I digress...  Don't be a simpleton, dolt, nincompoop: learn something new for Dunce Day - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Free Printable Star Wars and Clone Wars Coloring Pages

Are you a Star Wars geek? Did you know that before there were Star Wars movies, there was a book series? I have a copy of the original "Splinter in the Mind's Eye" a title in the series off which George Lucas bases his uber-popular trilogies. Are you looking forward to the long-anticipated Star Wars Episode VII coming out December, 2015? Many of the original cast returns including Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca--and my favorite Star Wars character) and Anthony Daniels (C3PO).



The movie series began in 1977 with episodes IV--Star Wars, A New Hope, V--The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 and VI--Return of the Jedi in 1982 (I think). In the late 1990s, the series restarted with the next three episodes, which were actually the first three in the story series: I--The Phantom Menace, II-- Attack of the Clones and III--Revenge of the Sith. The Clone Wars brings the Star Wars series to a new genre: animated cartoons. Star Wars characters return in The Clone Wars, plus some new folks.  Free Printable Star Wars Coloring Pages

Joseph Wambaugh Writes 43 Years of Crime Fiction

U.S. college students of the 70s and 80s will remember in Political Science classes, author Joseph Wambaugh's best-selling books topped required reading lists.

The New Centurions, The Onion Fields and The Choirboys were on every bookshelf. 43 years later, Wambaugh's LAPD Hollywood Station stories continue his crime (fiction writing) spree.

A veteran Los Angeles Police Department 'copper' (his term) Wambaugh's first story The New Centurions was published in 1971. That puts him at nearly a half-centurion, himself!

Lest readers think (like I did) that Wambaugh books are pulp fiction, time to rethink. His time behind the badge give him an edge. But it's not just first-hand experience that put Wambaugh oh-so-much-beyond the penny dreadful.

When I took Poli-Sci my freshman year, 1982, the last thing I wanted to read was modern cop fiction. I looked it as book trash--Harlequin Romances for men. But Wambaugh defined inner-city beat cop life in ways I could respect. No romanticizing, but neither gratuitous violence or obscenity--beyond that which, sadly, is part and parcel of cop experience.

He doesn't frost over seediness or bleakness. Wambaugh's cops aren't super-heroes or martyrs, just folks trying to do their jobs (Bumper Morgan being my favorite) I would call the stories anthems, written not to extol, but to define and perhaps defend the modern police force.

Wambaugh's books have been used to create such high profile television cop shows as Police Story and the multi award winning Hill Street Blues (which continues to be a favorite television show of mine, despite dislike of cop shows). Wambaugh's books have also been made into movies and television shows, themselves.

And they excessive cop-drama schmaltziness
(something I abhor almost more than graphic). When officers die in the line of fire, it seems tacky and irreverent to melodramatize. Wambaugh explores that occupational hazard so we're left with take-aways, not just horrific sadness we can't do anything about.

I think these books should be used in high school law classes and certainly college. For more on books, visit me at kidzliterature.blogspot.com.

Mother's Day Gifts for Reader and Book-Worm Moms

Does Mother's Day find you wondering what gifts your mother might like most? You're in good company. Many people find it easier to grab flowers or chocolates than to shop around. But this year--no worries. No more brain-racking. The secret to selecting perfect gifts for mom is to know her interests. What are your mother's hobbies? What does she read? Here'a guide tailored to gardener, reader or writer moms.Inexpensive, Creative Gifts for Mom on Valentine's Day or Mother's Day 

Free Printable Poetry Frames and Poem Templates for Budding Writers

Poetry is a satisfying art form for many of us. For others, writing poems can be intimidating. So use these poetry guides. Frame poems provide helpful structure. For young children just learning to write, the frame poem may resemble a fill-in-the-blank activity. For seasoned readers and writers, the poem template simply provides a springboard from which to launch poems. Reluctant or diffident creative writing students will gain confidence in their writing skill using these free printable poetry frames and poem templates.  Free Printable Poetry Frames and Poem Templates

LaLeche League Whole Foods for the Whole Family Cookbook For Breastfeeding Moms and Everyone

It's been a long time since I nursed a baby. But I still use the LaLeche League cookbook "Whole Foods for the Whole Family." It's my go-to source for vegetarian, lowfat, natural, family friendly, healthy recipes. I've been pulling it out a lot more making meatless foods for Lent. It's been a great resource for my 100 pound weight loss journey. It helps me create vegetarian and vegan meals for Lent. Read on  LaLeche League Whole Foods for the Whole Family Cookbook Not Just for Breastfeeding Moms

Free Printable Poetry Frames, Writing Prompts, Poem Templates

April in National Poetry Month. Poetry is one of the best forms of creative writing for unlocking emotions. But writing it can be daunting for beginners. As a teacher, I'm all about empowering the inner poet. Here are free printable poetry frames and poem templates to break the creative ice. What are poetry frames and poem templates? They're patterns to guide their writing. Frame poems provide more or less structure, depending on needs and age of writer. For emergent reader/ writers, frame poems may resemble a fill-in-the-blank activity. For seasoned writers, poem templates simply provides a springboard from which to launch poems. Reluctant or diffident students gain confidence in their writing skills using these templates.

Free Printable Poetry Frames and Poem Templates

Epic of Gilgamesh, the Oldest Book in the World

If we could see time as river, beginning to end, we'd see that now is a little droplet in a vast body. So much has gone before, kingdoms have risen, flourished and fallen. Countless peoples have trod this place we call earth. Not gone--the influence is everywhere. But largely forgotten. We're content with trivial, never thinking of what went before. For example, I'll be most of us didn't know the oldest book in the world was   Gilgamesh. It's not a history lesson. It is history.

Avoid Burnout, Quit While You Still Feel Ahead

I did it again. Worked past personal stop time I'd set. I meant to get to the store in the window of time while it was nice. A teeny-weeny porthole window in Michigan. You'd think I would know better. I've been doing this online writer work at home thing for nine years. Please, do yourself a favor Prevent Burnout, Quit While You Still Feel Ahead. Take breaks to wander through the bamboo. As I am here.

Tips for Making Bubblews Online Content Site Work

I've said before how different Bubblews is, with the in-house interaction. Most sites frown on users giving each other page views. Bubblews encourages it. I read a lot of back and forth on what's best here: interacting or posting. I say both. And at the risk of flying in the face of convention wisdom, I pick posting over interacting. I proved it pays betterr. Here's how. Interact on Bubblews--Good, But Keep Posting

 

Writing Web Content-- Branded Helpful Information Vs. Fluff

I've written a lot about freelancing and blogging Bubblews posts. But I need to make a caveat. If you plan to write for the internet at large, and not just Bubblews, write posts with substance, not just fluff.



Now before anyone gets his back up, let me qualify. I'm not hating on short, personal posts. I'm not casting aspersions on writing what you had for dinner or "good morning" posts. I'm a little less inclined to read or interact, but that's just me. I want to read informative posts with a point that are unique and fresh.  Read on Writing for the Web 101 Write Branded Helpful Information Not Fluff 

Online Articles: Write for SEO or Readers? Both

I've been writing online earning sustainable income since 2005. In that time I've made a lot of mistakes and learned a lot about SEO (search engine optimization). A frequent question from those looking to write for pay is: do you write for SEO or to readers?



That's a rhetorical, somewhat presumptuous, question. The implication is that content written to attract search engines also lacks personality. That it's nobler to write to one's "passion" (an overused word I'm getting a little tired of) and mercenary to write so content can actually be found online. Because that's what it boils down to--findability.  Read on Writing for the Web 101 Write for SEO or Readers? Both

Got a Secret, Can You Keep It? Swear This One You Will Save...

I have a secret. No need to lock it in your pocket, nor take it to the grave (Pretty Little Liars reference). I can't tell anyone, pinky promise, hope to die. But I'm about to bust. So I thought, why not take it to Bubblews and tantalize them? If I have to sit on it, might as well keep others in the agony of suspense. Husband is at work, so I can't tell him. Why I put this on my reader's garden blog is part of the secret. Have I enticed you yet?    Got a Secret, Can You Keep It? Swear This One You Will Save... 

Chinese New Year 2014 Books and Literature Based Activities

Chinese New Year 2014 begins January 31. It celebrates the year of the Rat. Here is a list of books and literature based activities. You'll find social studies, history, poetry, geography, writing, art, music, craft and food lessons.  Chinese New Year Lesson Planner and Unit