Kate Collins's Blog, page 195
May 10, 2014
My Take On Mother's Day
by Leann
Not everyone wins the "mom lottery." My brother and sister and I did not. So, I tried my best to be the mother to my kids that I never had. If their success as adults is any reflection of the job I hoped to do, then I succeeded. For me, Mother's Day is about feeling good about the responsible, kind and generous people they are--and the two other kids I gained when they both married. I am celebrating them today with a picture album blog of the East Coast kids (NYC) and the West Coast kids (Seattle)!
My son is a wonderful dad and here he is leaving for his first father-daughter dance with the eldest granddaughter.
My daughter just gave two performances this week and here she is working her craft as a dancer and performance artist. She's on the right.
My daughter-in-law gave birth to 3 beautiful girls and I hope she is having an awesome Mother's Day herself. Love those beautiful grandkids!
My son-in-law can make me laugh in a heartbeat and here he is with the fur-grandbaby Simone. Adore them both!
And here's pictures of just how much they care for each other in their relationships. I am a proud Mom today.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!
Not everyone wins the "mom lottery." My brother and sister and I did not. So, I tried my best to be the mother to my kids that I never had. If their success as adults is any reflection of the job I hoped to do, then I succeeded. For me, Mother's Day is about feeling good about the responsible, kind and generous people they are--and the two other kids I gained when they both married. I am celebrating them today with a picture album blog of the East Coast kids (NYC) and the West Coast kids (Seattle)!
My son is a wonderful dad and here he is leaving for his first father-daughter dance with the eldest granddaughter.
My daughter just gave two performances this week and here she is working her craft as a dancer and performance artist. She's on the right.
My daughter-in-law gave birth to 3 beautiful girls and I hope she is having an awesome Mother's Day herself. Love those beautiful grandkids!
.jpg)
My son-in-law can make me laugh in a heartbeat and here he is with the fur-grandbaby Simone. Adore them both!
And here's pictures of just how much they care for each other in their relationships. I am a proud Mom today.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!
May 9, 2014
MAYBE IT'S NOT A TANTRUM
by Mary Kennedy
I saw something so disturbing in the post office today that I feel compelled to write about it. A toddler threw a major tantrum, lying on the floor kicking and screaming while people stepped over him to reach the counter.
Meanwhile his stressed-out mother stood by helplessly. After a few half-hearted attempts to encourage him to stand up, she left him lying on the floor and went to buy stamps from the machine. A couple of people offered to help, but she shook her head, tight-lipped. I had the feeling this had happened many times before. How does she stand it, I wondered.
We've all seen toddlers having meltdowns--throwing themselves face down on the floor, crying, wailing, screaming and behaving in a way that's embarrassing to their parents and irritating to by-standers. Is this a natural and normal part of child development or is it something else?
New research suggests that a lack of emotional regulation (or self-control) in childhood can predict psychological problems in adolescence and adulthood. The study included 1,000 children from birth to age 32, and revealed that kids who were prone to tantrums and emotional upsets in childhood were more likely to have serious psychiatric issues in later life.
One of the main issues in emotional regulation is something known as "delayed gratification." We all know that when a toddle wants something, she wants it right this moment. While this might be overlooked in "the terrible twos," it can lead to problems down the road if not properly addressed.
Children who don't learn emotional control are three times more likely to suffer from health problems and addictions as adults, will probably earn less than $20,000 a year, will be poorly educated, will tend to become single parents and will be more likely to commit a crime.
Discouraging statistics, but here's the good news. Emotional control--both for children and adults--is a skill that can be learned. If you think your child is out of control, for your child's sake (and your own sanity), please do something about it. You can seek professional help, take a parenting class, talk to a friend or do some reading. Help is out there, all you have to do is ask!
by Mary Kennedy
I saw something so disturbing in the post office today that I feel compelled to write about it. A toddler threw a major tantrum, lying on the floor kicking and screaming while people stepped over him to reach the counter.Meanwhile his stressed-out mother stood by helplessly. After a few half-hearted attempts to encourage him to stand up, she left him lying on the floor and went to buy stamps from the machine. A couple of people offered to help, but she shook her head, tight-lipped. I had the feeling this had happened many times before. How does she stand it, I wondered.
We've all seen toddlers having meltdowns--throwing themselves face down on the floor, crying, wailing, screaming and behaving in a way that's embarrassing to their parents and irritating to by-standers. Is this a natural and normal part of child development or is it something else?
New research suggests that a lack of emotional regulation (or self-control) in childhood can predict psychological problems in adolescence and adulthood. The study included 1,000 children from birth to age 32, and revealed that kids who were prone to tantrums and emotional upsets in childhood were more likely to have serious psychiatric issues in later life.
One of the main issues in emotional regulation is something known as "delayed gratification." We all know that when a toddle wants something, she wants it right this moment. While this might be overlooked in "the terrible twos," it can lead to problems down the road if not properly addressed.
Children who don't learn emotional control are three times more likely to suffer from health problems and addictions as adults, will probably earn less than $20,000 a year, will be poorly educated, will tend to become single parents and will be more likely to commit a crime.
Discouraging statistics, but here's the good news. Emotional control--both for children and adults--is a skill that can be learned. If you think your child is out of control, for your child's sake (and your own sanity), please do something about it. You can seek professional help, take a parenting class, talk to a friend or do some reading. Help is out there, all you have to do is ask!
by Mary Kennedy
May 8, 2014
Far TOO Many Magazines
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
I love to get my favorite magazines in the mail. (Victoria, Teatime, Cottage Journal, Celebrate, Romantic Homes, English Homes, Discover Britain, Country Living, This Old House, Midwest Living, HGTV Magazine, Food Network Magazine...there may be more. That's all I came up with off the top of my head.)
I look forward to reading them. Some I've kept for years. (I love the old editions of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion before it became just another ho-hum style magazine and I let my subscription go.) I probably have at least 100 Christmas editions of various magazines that I start hauling out in November to enjoy once again. But lately the piles have gotten out of hand. It's time to purge.
I hate throwing away useful things, but luckily I've found a way to rehome (at least for a while) my magazines. My sister-in-law isn't a big reader but she has friends who are. So she not only recycles my magazines by taking them into work to share with her friends, but takes any books (and so far not many) I can bear to part with.
I estimate she's taken more than 100 of my outdated magazines into work to share during the past few weeks, but the piles don't seem to have gone down much. My goal is to go through all of them before the end of the summer and tear out stuff that appeals to me and let the rest go to new (and probably temporary) homes. I'm rather surprised that most of them go without me tearing out a single page. So, by the end of the summer, I hope I'll be cured of my magazine hoarding (except for those Christmas issues). There are still many hours of pleasure to be derived from them before they go.
Is there anything you've found hard to part with?
I love to get my favorite magazines in the mail. (Victoria, Teatime, Cottage Journal, Celebrate, Romantic Homes, English Homes, Discover Britain, Country Living, This Old House, Midwest Living, HGTV Magazine, Food Network Magazine...there may be more. That's all I came up with off the top of my head.)I look forward to reading them. Some I've kept for years. (I love the old editions of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion before it became just another ho-hum style magazine and I let my subscription go.) I probably have at least 100 Christmas editions of various magazines that I start hauling out in November to enjoy once again. But lately the piles have gotten out of hand. It's time to purge.
I hate throwing away useful things, but luckily I've found a way to rehome (at least for a while) my magazines. My sister-in-law isn't a big reader but she has friends who are. So she not only recycles my magazines by taking them into work to share with her friends, but takes any books (and so far not many) I can bear to part with.I estimate she's taken more than 100 of my outdated magazines into work to share during the past few weeks, but the piles don't seem to have gone down much. My goal is to go through all of them before the end of the summer and tear out stuff that appeals to me and let the rest go to new (and probably temporary) homes. I'm rather surprised that most of them go without me tearing out a single page. So, by the end of the summer, I hope I'll be cured of my magazine hoarding (except for those Christmas issues). There are still many hours of pleasure to be derived from them before they go.
Is there anything you've found hard to part with?
May 7, 2014
Brave little flowers get my vote
From Mary Jane Maffini aka Victoria Abbott
Happy Thursday, everyone. Glad to see you here. Make sure you check the bottom of the post for a reminder from the Chicks!
I enjoyed Maggie’s pictures taken at Malice Domestic with the wonderful flowering trees and plants in the area around Washington. Certainly that’s one of the bonuses of the Malice Domestic Conference. In April, I’m jealous. After our brutal Ontario winter, spring comes slowly. Then in early May we start to get some action. It’s still cold in the nights and any flowers we get are brave and hardly little souls. I’d like to salute them today. They've been poking their heads out of the cold dark earth, seeking a little sun. Hmmm. Much like a writer after a rough deadline.
They are like a visit from a friend!
Surely the bravest are the little pansies we buy in the grocery store and place outside. I was still wearing my jacket, boots and gloves when I stuck them in that pot, so they bring hope as well as color. The little violets arrive all on their own. Some people think of them as weeds, but they're dear to my heart.
Ontario's official flower is the trillium. It hides in shady woods. I found clumps like these behind the trees in the back yard.
These are called squill or scilla. I've never met anyone who planted them, yet every year in May, there they are, giving a dash of bright blue in my front and back yard.
The daffs are cheering up everyone. I tried to capture this little bumblebee having a snack inside one. He seemed to find me annoying so I left him and them in peace.
Finally a couple of early tulips. We are crazy about tulips around here. Ottawa has an amazing Tulip Festival. I hope to have some shots for you.
Come on over and tell me what's happening in your garden or park or flower boxes. Speaking of lovely things! How about this below?
May 6, 2014
GET READY FOR A FUN WEEK!
Next week, the Cozy Chicks will be having a blast that involves all of you. We start on Monday, May 12th and we will be giving away some cool Cozy Chicks' swag to celebrate the NEW edition of our Cozy Chicks Kitchen cookbook.
Eight days of fun trivia, fascinating surveys, startling news, engaging new releases, adorable pets, and amazing prizes.
Get to know the Cozy Chicks as you've never seen us before.
For now, please accept our invitation as a reminder to join the fun.
Everyone's invited and there will be lots of chances to win, share, laugh, and add to your TBR pile.
Eight days of fun trivia, fascinating surveys, startling news, engaging new releases, adorable pets, and amazing prizes.
Get to know the Cozy Chicks as you've never seen us before.
For now, please accept our invitation as a reminder to join the fun.
Everyone's invited and there will be lots of chances to win, share, laugh, and add to your TBR pile.
May 5, 2014
Malice Domestic 2014
by Maggie SeftonI attended the mystery conference Malice Domestic last week, Friday thru Sunday, in
the Washington, DC area (actually, Bethesda, MD). I always enjoy this conference which is held every spring in late April or early May. It's a great opportunity to meet readers and re-connect with fellow mystery writers. I stayed with dear friends in Vienna, VA, which is an easy commute around the Washington DC beltway to the conference hotel along Wisconsin Avenue.
It's also a great chance to meet new readers and writers and hear about some of the new mystery novels that appear on the scene every year. The above photo is one of the interesting---and very entertaining---panels that were presented during those three days. This one was "Grits and Graveyards: Southern Mysteries." :)
I was on the panel "It Takes a Village: Theme Town Mysteries" where we each spoke on how important Setting was to our individual mysteries. In that case I referred to POISONED POLITICS, the 2nd in the Molly Malone Political Suspense novels. Washington, DC is the "theme" town which is an actual "character" in those novels. The story could not take place anywhere else.
Naturally, while there and visiting with my friends, I could not resist taking some more flower photos. Wisteria hanging over an arbor at my friend's
home in Vienna, VA. And a white dogwood along the lane.
May 4, 2014
Happy 100th Anniversary!
by Kate CollinsHappy Anniversary, Mothers Day!
One hundred years ago this coming Sunday, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation that officially established the first national Mother's Day holiday to celebrate America's mothers.
It wasn’t his idea, however. Credit two women for that: Julia Ward Howe (1872) and Anna Jarvis (1907), who both suggested a holiday dedicated to a day of peace. But actually, the earliest history of Mothers Day dates back to the ancient annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to maternal goddesses. The Greeks used the occasion to honor Rhea, wife of Cronus and the mother of many deities of Greek mythology. (Oh, those crazy Greeks!)
The idea of an official US celebration however was first suggested by Julia Ward Howe in 1872. An activist and writer, Julia is best known for her famous Civil War song, "Battle Hymn of the Republic". She suggested that June 2nd be celebrated as Mothers Day and should be dedicated to peace. Her idea went unnoticed, however, until Anna Jarvis came along.
Anna is recognized as the true founder of Mothers Day because she worked tirelessly for it, rallying supporters and lobbying people in power for the official declaration of a Mothers Day holiday until she drew enough attention to it that by 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state in the Union. Finally on May 8, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
In his first Mother's Day proclamation, Wilson stated that the holiday offered a chance to "[publicly express] our love and reverence for the mothers of our country."
Isn't it telling that it took two women to get mothers some recognition.
In my family, when my mother was alive, we would all gather at the restaurant of her choosing, children, grandchildren, and spouses of children, to honor her. Now, with our own children grown and scattered, my siblings and I celebrate separately. Sometimes we cook out, with my children doing the food prep and grilling; sometimes we go out to eat. This year, I’ll let them surprise me.
What are your plans for Sunday? Do you make a big deal of it or keep it low-keyed? Is it a big family gathering or small and intimate? Or maybe you and your family of friends get together to celebrate.
However it works out, I wish you a very happy Mother's Day.
And P.S. Happy Cinco de Mayo, too!
Sources: www.mothersdaycelebration.com; www.history.com
May 3, 2014
Marlowe Update!
by Leann
I haven't written too much about my darling boy, Ragdoll kitty Marlowe, in a long time. Why? Because I am afraid to jinx the progress he's made. Marlowe has epilepsy caused by a neurological infection. What kind of infection, we do not know. I brought him home a year ago this past January when he was 3 months old. He was small for 3 months but I was told he was the runt. He was so gentle and sweet and I felt an instant bond, so I settled on the runt explanation. Here he is when he first joined our family.
As many of you know who have followed his story, he wasn't just a 2.2 pound runt. He was sick. Very sick. He had his first seizure (that I recognized as a seizure) when I'd had him for about a week. Things got a lot worse before they got better. My Facebook friends offered the most amazing positive energy and I believe this had a lot to do with stabilizing him. Here's a few pictures of how he looked through 2013. One is with his best buddy Wexford, who weighs 12 pounds--so you can see how small the poor baby was.
Today, Marlowe weighs over 9 pounds and he seems to be on the right amount of anti-seizure medicine. (As far as I can tell. He's a cat, he doesn't exactly like people handling him for stuff like getting on a scale!) I know from three attempts to get him off antibiotics that it is the wrong call. I reduce the dose just a tiny bit and he has problems. My last and final attempt was two weeks ago. Within two days he had his first seizure in over 6 months. Is he healthy? No. Is he wonderful? YES!
So here's my boy as he looks today. Isn't he gorgeous? He wouldn't be around if not for a lot of love--and not only from me, and the Facebook community, but from Wexford as well.
I haven't written too much about my darling boy, Ragdoll kitty Marlowe, in a long time. Why? Because I am afraid to jinx the progress he's made. Marlowe has epilepsy caused by a neurological infection. What kind of infection, we do not know. I brought him home a year ago this past January when he was 3 months old. He was small for 3 months but I was told he was the runt. He was so gentle and sweet and I felt an instant bond, so I settled on the runt explanation. Here he is when he first joined our family.
As many of you know who have followed his story, he wasn't just a 2.2 pound runt. He was sick. Very sick. He had his first seizure (that I recognized as a seizure) when I'd had him for about a week. Things got a lot worse before they got better. My Facebook friends offered the most amazing positive energy and I believe this had a lot to do with stabilizing him. Here's a few pictures of how he looked through 2013. One is with his best buddy Wexford, who weighs 12 pounds--so you can see how small the poor baby was.
Today, Marlowe weighs over 9 pounds and he seems to be on the right amount of anti-seizure medicine. (As far as I can tell. He's a cat, he doesn't exactly like people handling him for stuff like getting on a scale!) I know from three attempts to get him off antibiotics that it is the wrong call. I reduce the dose just a tiny bit and he has problems. My last and final attempt was two weeks ago. Within two days he had his first seizure in over 6 months. Is he healthy? No. Is he wonderful? YES!
So here's my boy as he looks today. Isn't he gorgeous? He wouldn't be around if not for a lot of love--and not only from me, and the Facebook community, but from Wexford as well.
May 2, 2014
Snack Attack!
by Mary Kennedy
Writers are notorious snackers (maybe you are too.) There's something about spending long hours at the computer that makes you want to reach out for a carrot stick. (Just kidding!). Most writers (and other folks) admit that their favorite snacks tend to be high in sugar and fat, or insanely salty and crispy.
Why do you suppose that is? One explanation is that fat and sugar release dopamine (a feel-good chemical) into the brain. That's why it's so easy to binge on sugar cookies. When's the last time you saw someone binge-eating brussel sprouts? Never? That's what I thought. And salty, crunchy foods pose their own special problem. That advertising slogan, "Bet you can't eat just one," is oh-so-true.
But what if you could prepare some healthy snacks, keep them crisp and fresh in the refrigerator and pull them out as needed? Would they be as satisfying as the sugary and salty treats you tend to crave? Most people can find delicious substitutes, even though it takes a little more effort than opening a bag. A little plate of fruit and cheese is a good choice because it has both fiber and protein.
Or hummus and veggies. Another filling food! And very tasty. You can always add some herbs to plain Greek yogurt and make a fabulous dip, if you're not a fan of hummus. Or add a little powdered salad dressing into Greek yogurt. Just remember that presentation is important. Veggies wilting in the back of the refrigerator are not attractive, veggies sliced and arranged on a plate are!
And if you absolutely must have "bread-type" carbs, whole wheat pita, topped with veggies and just a sprinkle of low-fat cheese, makes an excellent snack. Just run it under the broiler and you can pretend it's pizza, without the fat and calories. Flat bread is a great choice too, only 150 calories and you can buy the high-fiber variety.
All it takes is a little planning and you can beat those snack attacks. What's your favorite snack? And is it related to your mood? Mary Kennedy
Writers are notorious snackers (maybe you are too.) There's something about spending long hours at the computer that makes you want to reach out for a carrot stick. (Just kidding!). Most writers (and other folks) admit that their favorite snacks tend to be high in sugar and fat, or insanely salty and crispy.
Why do you suppose that is? One explanation is that fat and sugar release dopamine (a feel-good chemical) into the brain. That's why it's so easy to binge on sugar cookies. When's the last time you saw someone binge-eating brussel sprouts? Never? That's what I thought. And salty, crunchy foods pose their own special problem. That advertising slogan, "Bet you can't eat just one," is oh-so-true.
But what if you could prepare some healthy snacks, keep them crisp and fresh in the refrigerator and pull them out as needed? Would they be as satisfying as the sugary and salty treats you tend to crave? Most people can find delicious substitutes, even though it takes a little more effort than opening a bag. A little plate of fruit and cheese is a good choice because it has both fiber and protein.
Or hummus and veggies. Another filling food! And very tasty. You can always add some herbs to plain Greek yogurt and make a fabulous dip, if you're not a fan of hummus. Or add a little powdered salad dressing into Greek yogurt. Just remember that presentation is important. Veggies wilting in the back of the refrigerator are not attractive, veggies sliced and arranged on a plate are!
And if you absolutely must have "bread-type" carbs, whole wheat pita, topped with veggies and just a sprinkle of low-fat cheese, makes an excellent snack. Just run it under the broiler and you can pretend it's pizza, without the fat and calories. Flat bread is a great choice too, only 150 calories and you can buy the high-fiber variety.
All it takes is a little planning and you can beat those snack attacks. What's your favorite snack? And is it related to your mood? Mary Kennedy
To Market, To Market
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
The local farmer's markets won't be starting up for another month--even more in my suburb, but here in Rha-cha-cha we have the Public Market, which is open all year. Last weekend, I went there with my brother and sister-in-law.
Eggs, tomatoes, onions, and even watermelons -- this vendor was hoping to appeal to various taste buds.
These tomatoes and grapes weren't grown locally. You'd think it was fall ... in maybe Napa valley?
Of course food comes in many forms, although I worry that instead of being used as breeding stock or roasting, these guys might have been destined for fighting.
Isn't this little guy adorable? Unfortunately, by now he may have been the main event at someone's family table.
We arrived at the market late in the day (around 1:30 and they close at 2) so the Zweigles wagon (Zweigles are local hot dogs--the BEST in the world) was selling off its wares for half price, so my sister-in-law scored a hot dog for a buck.
One of the local wineries (Arbor Hill) was well represented. They make a fantastic champagne mustard, too.
You want fish? They got that, too. Plus all kinds of places to eat. Our last stop was at a bakery. My sister-in-law and I hopped out of the car to buy some cookies, and when we got back, my brother said someone had thumped on the driver's side window to ask if he wanted to sell the van.
Crazy and fun! I can't wait to go back. Do you have a place like the Public Market where you live?
The local farmer's markets won't be starting up for another month--even more in my suburb, but here in Rha-cha-cha we have the Public Market, which is open all year. Last weekend, I went there with my brother and sister-in-law.
Eggs, tomatoes, onions, and even watermelons -- this vendor was hoping to appeal to various taste buds.
These tomatoes and grapes weren't grown locally. You'd think it was fall ... in maybe Napa valley?
Of course food comes in many forms, although I worry that instead of being used as breeding stock or roasting, these guys might have been destined for fighting.
Isn't this little guy adorable? Unfortunately, by now he may have been the main event at someone's family table.
We arrived at the market late in the day (around 1:30 and they close at 2) so the Zweigles wagon (Zweigles are local hot dogs--the BEST in the world) was selling off its wares for half price, so my sister-in-law scored a hot dog for a buck.
One of the local wineries (Arbor Hill) was well represented. They make a fantastic champagne mustard, too.
You want fish? They got that, too. Plus all kinds of places to eat. Our last stop was at a bakery. My sister-in-law and I hopped out of the car to buy some cookies, and when we got back, my brother said someone had thumped on the driver's side window to ask if he wanted to sell the van.
Crazy and fun! I can't wait to go back. Do you have a place like the Public Market where you live?
