Two Volcanic Explosions

     When I was in Kindergarten (I sort of hate that word.  It just always feels wrong, somehow, ya' know?), I lived in Alaska, before Alaska was a state.  While I was there, we were blessed with a middle-of-the-day volcano, prompting those in charge to hustle everyone home as quickly as possible.

     There we were, just before noon, and the sky was as black as midnight.  Everywhere, mama's hung out of doors, calling for their offspring.  And children of all sizes ran from this new and frightening terror which we had no previous experience with and no emotion which we could reference for recall.

     After a year or so, we moved away from Alaska, the proud owners of a full jar of volcanic ash.  That was my personal badge of honor; my shining star.  No matter where I lived after that, I was the only person in my next class who had lived in Alaska.  And as my crowning jewel, I had experienced something that no one else in any of my classes could even comprehend; a volcano.

     Its amazing how much mileage I got out of that little jar of Proof.  Volcanic Ash, carried in a jar, creates the most remarkable sense of prestige.  At least, it did in my mind.  I was oh, so important, when I told my story of unbelievable fear and danger.  As far as I was concerned, no one else was as important as I was.

     Then came the day when my bubble burst.  Fifth grade and I was the new kid.  Being the new kid was something of a way of life for me.  Ours was a military family and that's the way things were; transfers.  Since I was almost always the new kid, I had grown rather accustomed to the notoriety of my position.  That is, until that awful day when it all started to come down around my ears.

     Just two days earlier, wearing my brother's hand-me-down blue jeans, I had given a report which included the horrors of surviving a volcano, as told by a very creative fifth-grader.  I was in my element.  Other students still viewed me as the new kid and I had the added benefit of being very nearly as famous and brave as Superman, himself.  Yep!  My very active imagination had created a real super-hero.

     Then came a knock at the classroom door and the school principal walked in.  With him was one of the prettiest, prissiest, blonde-haired girls I had ever seen.  She wore many crinolines under her showcase skirt and the way she held her arms, bent at the elbows, with her hands hanging limp, told me she wouldn't know what to do if someone handed her a bucket and told her to play in the dirt.

     Did I mention that I had blonde hair at that age?  Yeah, that was previous to the red hair that started showing up about a year later.  And as if that wasn't enough, she was being introduced as the new girl.  But the nightmare didn't end there.  Nope!  It just kept getting better all the time.
     My traitorous teacher, whom I had adored only moments earlier, was introducing this intruder with MY NAME.  My WHOLE name.  How dare she!  And wouldn't you know it?  She was coming to us from that beautiful land up north... Alaska.

     What I found interesting was that the teacher kept looking at me and smiling, as though she thought this was wonderful news.  She seemed to feel that I should be charmed by this total intrusion into my world.  What was she... NUTS?!?

     Just as the volcano had erupted, years earlier, so began my temper.  By recess, there was a full-blown explosion.

     You'll be proud to learn that in my entire school career, I was never in a fight with anyone.  Well, except for that one time when a very pretty, prissy girl moved into MY school, using MY name and stealing MY personal Land of Fame.  I don't think I have ever gotten over that treacherous act.  I wonder what ever became of that girl?

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

Yay! Tax Day Is Over And We Have A Winner!

     Did'ja' ever think this day would finally arrive?  April 16th; the day after Tax Day.  We should have some kind of celebration to mark this time, each year.  You know, sort of a We Survived Tax Day celebration.  I mean, think about it; every year, there are thousands of people who are thankful that the US Post Office keeps some of its stations open until midnight.  At least, that's how it seems to me.  Otherwise, why would there be so many who stand in line at the Post Office so late, right?

     I imagine there will be some who, due to the stress of Tax Day, will also find it necessary to miss work or school; college students, children of taxpayers, you get the idea.  All in all, I believe that most American adults dread this particular day in the year.  On the other hand, there are some who have been looking forward with a great deal of anticipation to Tax Day, 2010.

     That's right; anxiously awaiting Tax Day to learn the results of our drawing.  Well, the final outcome has been decided and I am happy to say that we do, indeed, have a winner.  Thank you all for sharing in the fun.  I have contacted the winner for her mailing address and these wonderful books will be mailed out by the author, Donna N. Aviles, soon.

     Congratulations goes to Sharon Mayhew for winning the drawing.  I know you are gonna' enjoy these books very much, Sharon.  I'm into my third time reading them, myself.  It is remarkable what some of these children who traveled on the Orphan Trains had to endure.  Donna's books, 'FLY LITTLE BIRD, FLY,' 'BEYOND THE ORPHAN TRAIN' and 'PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES' can be found at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and many other book stores.  Or, you can order them directily from Donna, here.  Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page.

     Since I didn't want anyone to feel left out of the celebration, I will be posting a word puzzle, using some of the information from the books, tomorrow.  I do hope you will all be here to enjoy it.  I certainly enjoy creating these puzzles and I hope you have as much fun as I do.

     Again, I want to thank everyone who participated and invite you back tomorrow for the game.  Until then, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

How Orphan Trains Affect Our Lives, Today

     Have you ever read about Orphan Train Children?  Who knew that little children were scattered over a nation, by way of train, to provide homes?  If you've never heard of this system of placing children with families, you really should pick up some books about it and start reading.
     Charles Loring Brace, a young minister, had moved to New York City to continue his Seminary training.  Coming from a prominent Connecticutt family, he was completely shocked at what he discovered.  Thousands of homeless children roamed the streets, orphaned, abandoned, forgotten.

     Wanting to help, Charles formed the Children's Aid Society in 1853, in an effort to unite desperate, needy children with loving parents.  Farming families to the west, he felt, would provide the love and nurture that these children so desperately needed.  Eventually, through his efforts, more than 100,000 children were placed into homes by sending them on what became known as Orphan Trains.

     There are arguments for and against the system that was used for placing so many children.  Naturally, there were those who abused such a plan, taking into their homes only those whom they felt would work hard and provide free labor.  Having read a great deal on the subject, I'm also aware that there were cases of physical and sexual abuse.  However, there can be found many stories of loving, caring families who took their responsibilities to train a child and show love as the sacred position it should be.

     Depending on the account I am reading at the moment, I have mixed feelings.  On the one hand, there were actually vagrant children as young as five years old who were thrown into prison with adult criminals because they had nowhere to go, before the Orphan Train was established.  I cannot imagine the horrors that such a child would experience.  Charles Loring Brace knew there would be abuses, I'm sure.  Overall, though, I believe that he felt Good would prevail and the world, particularly for the forgotten children, would be a better place.

     As I understand it, the Orphan Train became the forerunner to the Fostering system we have, today.  Sadly, in both worlds, there are some who abuse the system.  But I hope I am correct in believing that many children do find loving and caring adults, with whom lasting relationships are developed.  No one should be without love and anyone who has or does abuse a child is, in my opinion, lower than the dirt and deserves every bit of punishment they receive, here and in the hereafter.

     Are you or do you know someone whose life was changed by the Orphan Trains?  I would so much like to meet and visit with you.  Perhaps you know someone and don't even realize it?  I think we would all be surprised to know our neighbors a little better.  Don't you?  Until the next time, keep a hug on.

Yaya

Is there no limit to the joy?

     Last night, I promised to share my good news with you.  Lookie!  Lookie!  Mommy Tantrums has given me a pretty award... with CUPCAKES!  I loove cupcakes.  It is a Happy 101 Award.  And all I gotta' do is tell you ten things that make me happy and then, share my award with ten others.  Don't you just loooove Bloggie World?

     Now, let me think.  Is there anything in this entire world that makes me happy?  hmmmm.  This could really tax my brain.  haha.  Actually, lots and lots of things make me happy.  Like, for instance, bubbles.  Don't you just adooore bubbles?  How could anyone not be happy with bubbles around?

     I also get a particular thrill over air.  I find it so much easier to make it through my day when I have air.  Don't you?

     When there are children around, I often break into giggles, so I guess that would classify as something that makes me happy.  And when its my grandies, well, we all giggle.

     Water, for sure!  I am so happy that I can have water.  'Else, how could I wash my hands?  And I would have to eat my food with icky hands.  Eeeeeeewww!  So, water for clean hands.

     Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.  Oh, and Pecan Praline, too.  Did I mention that Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream REALLY brings a smile to my face?  Yeah, pretty-much any kind of ice cream.  Well, not licorice.  And not mint.  But I like all the others, pro'lly.

     Getting published, so if any of you are agents, don't hesitate to interrupt me here.  I'm more than happy to share my work with you.  :-)

     Getting my own home would really make me happy, so if any of you happen to know where my home is... you know.  I'm just sayin'.

     Knowing that you are here, reading my words.  Ain't it great having Bloggy Friends?

     Knowing that tomorrow I will prob'ly know more than I know today 'cause I love learning new things.

     And the ultimate happiness in my world is all of my family and friends together, watching some great kids' movies that have been created from books I wrote, having my grandies snuggling close and all of us eating all the ice cream and cookies we want.

     Now, I am so thrilled to be able to share this award with these wunnerful people:

Katrina from the Sevin Family

The Original Homeschool Toolbar

Kathy's Kampground Kapers

Ranch Girl Ramblings

Lori Wells Photography

Picture Perfect Embossing

Ancestor Soup

PJ's Prayer Line

King of the Castle... During Naptime!

Developing Turtleface

     I hope you have had as much fun as I have with my award.  Please go and check out all these great sites, including Mommy Tantrums, whom I sooooo appreciate for giving me such a pretty award.  There is fun to be found.  'Til tomorrow's fun, keep a hug on.

Yaya

Flying and writing and dancing

     ::Yaya dances merrily, 'round and 'round, finding it difficult to sit still with so much excitement in her life::

     I LOVE being a writer!  Don't you just LOVE being a writer?  You can be who you want to be {I enjoy being short people, under four feet tall, myself}, do what you want to do {do you have any idea how much candy can be consumed without ever gaining an ounce?} and go where you want to go {I'm working on three different novels, at the moment and each one has allowed me freedom like you would not BELIEVE!}.  Yup!  This whole writing world is just FILLED with Wonder and Awe.

     Wanna' know what I did today?  C'mon!  I'll show you...

     Please, everyone, take a seat in the Little Red Wagon and make yourselves comfy.  There's plenty of room, so be sure to introduce yourself to your neighbor and let's all get better acquainted.  Now, is everybody ready?  By the way, don't you just adoooore my Little Red Wagon?  I borrowed it from my other blog, Red Wagon Flights, so no one would be left behind.

     Oh, hello, there.  I see you brought your little furry children.  I'm so glad.  There are seats so they can also look out the windows while we fly.  And don't forget the snacks.  This is a very magical Little Red Wagon.  It expands to hold as many people as would like to come along and the snacks just magically appear when you want them; hot or cold, it makes no difference.

     Now, since this is already becoming rather a long post, I'm going to schedule the rest of the trip for tomorrow.  You are gonna' LOVE the flight, believe me.  We will be doing Whirly-Floops and Back-Sassy Bounces, among other things, so I truly hope you'll stay in the Little Red Wagon for tomorrow's flight, too.

     Until we are airborne tomorrow, keep a hug on.

Yaya