... And the rest of him, hungry.

     Do you like to read?  I loooooove to read; kids' books, westerns, Christian Romance, history, science... you name it.  Years ago, I was a Librarian and my favorite job was when I could spend time in the childrens' section of the library.  I always enjoyed checking the books in and out for people, kids in particular, because I could kind of keep up with what everyone was reading.

     I don't recall if I've told you about this before, but one of my favorite authors, back then, was a man by the name of Jack kent.  Among other books, he wrote one called Round Robin.  There was a constant waiting list of about thirty people who wanted to read this book.  I kept thinking that I would have my chance to check the book out, if I was just willing to wait long enough.

     Well, lemme' tell you something about books and kids.  When kids find one that they like, its right next to impossible to squeeze into the waiting line to have a look.  Finally, I had to add my name to the waiting list so I would eventually have a chance to read the book, myself.

     This book is out of print, but you just might be able to find it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, if you want to read it.  There's also the slimmest chance that you might find a copy to read, by checking into Inter-Library Loan.

     Just to give you an idea as to why Round Robin was so popular, here's the first sentence:  "In the beginning, Round Robin was just like all the other baby robins; most of him Head and the rest of him, Hungry."

     See what I mean?  Now, I ask you, could you resist reading a book that starts out like that?  I do hope you will do some research and find this book.  I truly believe it's something you might enjoy.  Happy reading and happy blogging.  And 'til the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

Hooky Day or Crook-ey Day?

     Well, were you able to figure out the coded message?  After a long trail of knock-down, drag-out fights with my oh, so cooperative scanner, I was finally able to post the answer.  Did you come close to figuring it out?  I had been away from it for a couple of days and it took me awhile to recall what the sentence was.

     Now, here's my question for you;  Have you had your Hooky Day?  Did you enjoy it or did you have life-long consequences, something like Oliver experienced as a result of his Hooky Day?

     To be really honest, it was at this point in the story that my heart completely embraced Oliver and his little brother, Edward.  After all, Oliver was not a Crook.  I felt that his punishment far exceeded the crime, in this instance.  Especially when you take into account the innocence with which Hooky Day was originally approached. 

     Nope!  That was one Hooky Day that poor Oliver must have regretted for the rest of his life.  I can only hope that teachers are more understanding, today than Oliver's teacher was with him.  I know that some of you are teachers and I am happy to report that I have only heard good things about you.  On behalf of every person who ever learned from a teacher... Thank you.  Keep up the good work.  We do appreciate all that you do.

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

It MIGHT Have Worked...

     I'm here!  I'm here!  Let's see if I can remember the basics of blogging.  I can't believe how incredibly busy a person can be.  I did create a game and I truly hope that you will enjoy it.  I love making these games, but my greatest joy comes when others actually play and enjoy the final results.

     So, I'm gonna' make a wild stab at posting this game and see if I can remember how its done.  Now, don't you sit on the other side of this blog and laugh at my efforts, y'hear?  You be sure and tell me if what I post really does look something like a word game.  I'm gonna' feel mighty funny if I'm on this side of my blog, thinking that I have posted a game when, in fact, there is nothing more than a scramble of letters to confuse the eye.  So, help me out, k?

     And finally, here's the game... I hope:

     Yay!    I think.  Did it work?  Did it work?  Are you able to see the game?  Did I remember how to upload a picture so you can see it?  I can't believe it!  I've been so busy and MIA from my blog so much that I wasn't sure if I would remember how things were done.

     Now, remember; you can't sit on the other side of the bloggy world and laugh on accounta' I did it funny.  You gotta' tell me if I messed up, k?  K?  So, go ahead and play the game and lemme' know what you think.  And don't keep it a secret if it looks like something that's not uuuuhhhnmnm, playable.

     And 'til the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!

     I'm so sorry for the delay in posting a game.  I have been working all night and just haven't had a chance to post a game, but again, I will try later today.  I do hope you are haven't a most pleasant day.  I look forward to squeezing in some time to visit your blog and reading your most recent post.

     Although I don't always get to post, you can be sure you are on my mind.  I've come to consider my blogging home as just another room in my home, where I can relax, kick-back and enjoy good times with good friends.  I do hope to see you again, soon.  Until the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

No game,after all

     I'm afraid I have to apologize, tonight.  I said I would post a game, but then, we wound up going out of town two times, in opposite directions.  So, I have been away most of the day and I just haven't been able to create a game.  Tomorrow, I will try, try, try my best to find enough time to make a game and post it.

     For now, though, since I haven't had more than a few minutes worth of sleep, all day, I'm gonna' take my tired little self off to catch some shut-eye.  I'm sure that's what I see in the distance, trying to escape; a bucket of shut-eye.  I do hope you all understand.  Sometimes, burning the candle at both ends and in the middle tends to leave a whole lot to the imagination.

     Hopefully, I'll see you tomorrow.  'Til 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

LAST CHANCE!

     My, how time flies when you're having fun.  Can you believe that its already the fifteenth of April and the day that someone will win all three books written by Donna Aviles?  These are some great books.  Donna's grampa' and some 150,000 to 200,000 more children silently hid away in a seventy-five-year block of history, keeping their secret from almost all of us.

     Can you imagine what it must have been like to lose your parents, your home and everything familiar to you?  Can you further imagine being told that you would be going to live with strangers, to be picked out in a line-up of children and, basically, hope for the best?

     That's exactly what happened to Oliver and Edward Nordmark and thousands of other children, as well.  To win the books that tell how one family's lives were changed by a trip on an Orphan Train, be sure to go to Donna's blog and Become A Follower.  Of course, I'll want you to follow on my site, too.  Then, comment on my March 18th post so I can be sure and include you in the drawing.

     These are the books by Donna Nordmark Aviles:

          1)  FLY LITTLE BIRD, FLY!
          2)  BEYOND THE ORPHAN TRAIN
          3)  PEANUT BUTTER FOR CUPCAKES

     One lucky winner will soon own all three of these outstanding books.  They are very well written and both my good hubby-buddy and I were excited with each turn of the page.  I hope you will be among those trying for this prize.  The deadline is midnight, tonight.

     Good luck and good reading.  And 'til the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya