Coyotes in Arizona

Time to Explore . . . A Visit to Arizona

    So, who would believe that coyotes could be so fascinating?
   A 'den' of babies on the golf 
       course? - and protection by 
       golfers?
   But. . . beware!  They are 
       carnivores  - and attack 
       small dogs.
    Prey include: rodents (which 
        is good, right?), rabbits,  
        birds, lizards, snakes - and 
        even sheep or deer.
    They are sly - and one story has it that a dog was attacked
        from behind when being walked by its owner.
    A coyote looks a little like a scrawny 'shepard' mix, so   
        people sometimes put food out for the 'poor skinny things.'        
       
      The coyote has many roles in Native American myths.  It can be a hero that battles supernatural beasts or. . . a trickster, outsmarting people and animals.  
       Coyote stories are meant to entertain or educate in Native American culture. 
       In contemporary literature, the coyote 
often comes across as a 'buffoon.'   

Odyssey Educational Games www.odysseylearning.com  

New Games for 2013!

  Kulami   ($29.95) Ages 10 and up; 2 player

     Players form a random field using 10 wooden tiles of various sizes.  Each player moves horizontally or vertically, dictated by the placement of the last marble.   Play ends when a marble can not be placed.  The player who claims the most tiles dominated by his color wins.

Sturdy Birdy - The Game of Perfect Balance  ($19.99) 

     Ages 5 & up; 2 - 4 players (Good for families!)
Choose 1 of 12 strength/balance cards and hold the pose as determined by the dice.

You've Been Sentenced ($24.99)  Ages 8 & up; 3 - 10 players   Each player takes 10 cards from the center.  More difficult choices of words earn more points. Players take turns reading sentences.  When there is agreement on whether the sentences are real, each player adds up his points. (The sillier the better.)  First to reach 200 wins. 

Book Reviews for Kid's Books

      I'm obsessed with puppy books and the clever illustrations caught my attention.

Otis and the Puppy by Loren Long      

A picture book for ages 3 - 6    

    This is the 3rd 'Otis' book by this best selling illustrator. Transport yourself to a farm where Otis, a cute little red tractor, plays games with his barnyard friends.  

In a rousing game of hide-and-seek, the new rambunctious puppy gets lost in the woods while trying to hide.  As night time comes, Otis remembers that his new friend is afraid of the dark.

       Check out: Lizards,  A National geographic reader  (level 1)  by Laura Marsh.  This is a nonfiction book with wonderful photos and neat facts. Lizards are fascinating with unique characteristics, such as: suction pads on their feet and the ability to change color.  

    (Side note) When visiting Dennie’s cousin in Lake Havasu, she pointed out two lizards climbing steep rocks across the road from their house.  She said that they have a routine and travel the same way each day.

     For Kindle users, check out: Incredible Lizards by Mark Smith (easy reader) - Animal Books for Kids With Facts & Incredible Photos (Exploring Our Incredible World Children's Books). The facts and photos are captivating as promised.  

Finally, for my two 'horse-loving' grand daughters, there is the Timber Ridge Riders series by Maggie Dana.  The fifth in the series, Chasing Dreams, features a rescue in the snow, where a trick by Kate's horse, Tapestry, proves invaluable. This series has family drama, conflicts with female rivalry, and other middle reader issues presented in fresh, new ways.

In My Backyard

    What is in my backyard these days, besides pond life and numerous bird feeders is our adorable puppy, Jasmine (see last blog).  She is a ball of energy - fortunately our daughter, Carrie - and family - took care of her while we were visiting Arizona.  
   No problems with training so far - but then 'puppy' classes don't begin until Saturday.     

   I want to close with a poem by a Earth Day Poetry Contest First Place Winner, 2012.

The Sonoran Desert      

                                              By Ellenor Van Cleve

I spy a furry, brown coyote


Surrounded by cactus in a humongous
canyon 

Howling at the big, silvery
moon.

Fuzzy, funny javelinas eating
prickly pear.

Orange and black Gila monsters
quiet like the air.


My ears hear slithery rattlesnakes

shaking the rattles on their tails.


Red, juicy cactus fruit falling to
the floor.

The scent of the desert can be unique.


Dry, dusty monsoons rain warm and clear.


Fresh cactus fruit, crystal clear
water, fresh and blue.


The hot rays of the sun boiling
my skin.


Feeling of excitement and a smile
upon my face.

Signing off until next time.

Be creative,

Inspire others,

Enjoy life!

                                                     Joan Bock                          

A New Puppy!

Time to Explore . . . . 

         How would I decide what type of dog I wanted to join our 
            family?  That is the question I asked this month.
                  Did I want a big or small dog?
                  Did I want a puppy or one from an animal shelter?
                  What about friendliness?   barking?  potty training?
                  Grooming is a biggy.  Female or male?
            There are sooooo many dogs out there to choose from.
                   I like to walk - and I wanted a dog to walk with me. . .
                           not be carried.
                   I wanted a smart dog.
                       (It remains to be seen whether it will outsmart me.)
            After a lot of research on line; newspaper inquiries, and   
            talking to others, I decided on. . .a standard poodle puppy. 
      (Actually, it is black and one, so it is called a party poodle and it's name is Jasmine.)
       
      In honor of my new puppy,  
      here are some sayings you may have heard.

            A dog is a man's best friend.
            Dog spelled backwards is God.
            He's in the 'doghouse' for what he did.
            She worked like a 'dog'.
            It's raining 'cats and dogs'.
            You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
            It's the 'dog days' of summer.
            I'm as sick as a dog.
            This place is 'going to the dogs'.
            Just let 'sleeping dogs lie'.
            They treated him 'like a dog'.
            It's a dog's life.
            That was 'doggone' good.
            It's a 'dog eat dog' world.

    Know any others?  You can always post comments on this blog!

The Odyssey Learning Games Connection odysseylearning.com

     It's that time of year again. . . The New York Toy Fair is next month and our family will be checking out new educational games on the market - from around the world.  It's exciting to see what's out there - that is NOT electronic and has great educational AND entertainment value!  We will be looking particularly for games geared toward math, verbal (reading, speaking, spelling, and writing), strategy, cooperation, and the very young.
    I'll report back in the next blog how successful we were.

Book Reviews for Kid's Books

Bulu, African Wonder Dog by Dick Houston (2011) for readers 8 - 12.

   The author captures a true realistic spirit in this  story of a 'wild' African dog that finds its calling as

a 'foster parent' caring for baby orphaned animals,

such as warthogs and monkeys.  It all begins when

a couple who were English police officers retire to

Africa  and adopt this unwanted terrier pup, Bulu.  

Bulu's terrifying encounters with danger will leave you looking for more books by this engaging author.  Check him out on his blog to learn about more his African safari adventures "@" //buluafricanwonderdog.com

Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog by Barbara Techel (2008) for all ages. "a" linkedin.com/in/barbaratechel

   Frankie is a 'teeny, weeny' dachshund who has an accident and is unable to walk ever again.  He is fitted with a 'doggie wheelchair' and learns to be a therapy dog.   Also, see:  Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House (2010).  It is an inspirational story that sends a positive message to children: if a dog can overcome obstacles in life, we all can.  Barbara has a new book for adults coming out this year (2013): Through Frankie's Eyes: One Woman's Journey to Her Authentic Self and the Dog on Wheels Who Led the Way. 

The Buddy Files by Dori Hillestad Butler (2010 - 2012) 1st grade and up. 

   This new chapter book (mystery) series is a welcome addition to any young reader's book choices.  Stories are told from the Buddy's point of view (a smart, brave dog) and titles range from The Case of the Missing Boy (#1) to the latest: The Case of the School Ghost (#6). 

In My Backyard

     In my last blog, I talked about bird feeders - and what I was going to try.  Well, I am still working on it - and welcome any suggestions.  I did not try the suet recipe; instead, I purchased suet - and hung out a wire feeder.  (so far, not successful - but maybe the birds aren't hungry) I saw a goldfinch the other day so I put out a thistle seed hanging feeder.  There is mild weather here, but it is early for finches.  

     My research on training puppies has brought up several books featuring different breeds, so. . .  if you plan to train a puppy, there is lots of help available.

     I created a poem in honor of the new puppy in our home.

The New Puppy in Our Home

So why have a dog, you may ask?         

Just think of the number of tasks!   

Lots of work, but lots of love.    

The answers are found up above.    

All of earth’s creatures, gigantic or small -

Our God in heaven created them all.          

Each has a purpose in life while it lives.

Each one has something unique that it gives.   

A dog gives out love with each wag of its tail.

When forgiveness is needed, a dog doesn’t fail.  

A dog may be sad when we leave it alone,      

But when we return, only love will be shown.

A dog is a speck in God’s grand scheme of things,    

We delight in the joy that it brings.     

So, why have a dog was the question

- The reasons to countless to mention.

By Joan Bock

Signing off until next time.

Be creative,

Inspire others,

Enjoy life!

      

FEED THE BIRDS!

Time to Explore

                            Clever Sayings. . .

     What are your favorites?

                It's a piece of cake.

                He hightailed it out of there.

                You can catch more flies with
                         honey than vinegar.

                 Soups on.

Bird Riddles

         Since I am featuring bird feeders - and chickadees 'In My Backyard,' I thought it would be fun to include some riddles with bird names as answers.  The answers are at the end of the blog.

                       

                 1. A bird named one letter.

             2.  It means 'easily fooled.'

             3.  Construction equipment with a projected arm.

             4.  There is a color in its name.

             5.  Its bill would be useful for eating soup.

             6.  The name of a small island.

The Odyssey Learning Game Connection

      Odyssey Learning Games was featured in three events this past week in Cincinnati.  It was great fun to watch parents and kids playing games and solving puzzles.
     Rive up your creative juices for the December contest - 'creating your 'best looking' gingerbread man in any media.
Two favorite strategy games:
              Cubulus for ages 8 and up (2 - 3 players)                               
Players take turns placing their colored balls in a
'flexible' cube.  The balls shift locations with each 
move.  The challenge is to make a square or a diamond 
of 4 to win  - continuous 3-dimensional tic tac toe.   ($24.95)




              Four in a Square is a 2 player game for
ages 7 and up. As the name suggests, you want to be 
the first player to form a square with four balls of your 
color. On your turn, place a ball of your color in an 
empty spot; then slide a tile (except the last one 
played) to try to get four of your color in a square.  
Play continues until there is a winner.   ($19.95)

Book Reviews for Kid's Books

             I'm on a mission to find great reads for 2nd - 4th grade readers - girls and boys!  I am pleased to find two to report on this month.  If you have a favorite - or want to write a review,  please help out!

       The Secret Agent Jack Stalwart series by Elizabeth Singer Hunt is a real find for boys - and girls, so if you aren't familiar with it, please seek it out.  There are 14 in the series with each featuring a different foreign country.  Jack is nine years old and works for the (GPF) Global Protection Force.  The mission is to battle evil villains and protect world treasures.  His brother, Max, is missing so he tries to collect clues in each country to find him.  I would recommend reading book one first, and then the others in no particular order. 
       In 2013, you will be able to download the 'Jack Stalwart App' and solve mysteries around the world using an Apple product.  

Secret Agent Jack Stalwart Book 1: The Escape of the Deadly Dinosaur

                                 by Elizabeth Singer Hunt

 

         Jack is led to New York City to solve the mystery of the

 missing Allosaurus toe in the Natural History Museum.  He 

discovers a science fair project in which a student crosses his 

own dog with DNA from the bone of a dangerous carnivorous

dinosaur.  The animals in Central Park zoo are in danger! 

 

     The Just Grace Series by Charise Mericle Harper features a 
curious, quirky 3rd grade girl responding to familiar school and 
family settings.  She is stuck with the name 'Just Grace' since 
there are three other Graces in her class.  Her amusing lists and
'teeny, tiny superpowers' will have you smiling.  There are nine
books in the series with a new one scheduled for 2013.

Just Grace, Star on Stage by Charise Mericle Harper  (2012)

Grace is determined to be a star in the school play.  Things don't 
work outas planned, and Marta gets the role.  She is jealous at first,
but eventuallydiscovers there is more than one way to shine on stage. 
It is a 'fun' readwith realistic, vibrant characters. 

In My Backyard

I'm going to try a new kind of bird feeder this winter.  I have been reading about how birds need more protein in the winter months.  You can find suet in blocks in stores that have bird food. This is one recipe I plan to try:

Snip holy berries and place in freezer bag; freeze, thaw, and refreeze, thaw; 
Break suet block into chunks – zap until most is melted; 
Pour holly berries in bowl, with suet – thicken in refrigerator. 
Stir; place on cookie sheet;  remove with spatula, 
Break into pieces;  place in freezer bag one layer thick. 
Store until you are ready to serve. 
A tray feeder will work best - away from squirrels.

I love watching the chickadees.  Did you know there are black capped chickadees in the northern part of USA and Carolina chickadees in the southern states? The bottom one is the black capped chickadee.

Ode to the Chickadee

A cute little bird with a perfect black 
          cap,

Sports a white bib and a gray body 
          wrap.

Its inquisitive nature compels it to lead,

Its reward is discovering sunflower seed.

It's singing, oh, so cheerily,

Chickadee-dee!  Chickadee-dee!

When the skies are cold and gray,

His musical trills make a happier day.

As he flies through clouds, he seems 
          to see, 

Secret things hidden from you and me.

It's singing, oh, so cheerily,

Chickadee-dee!  Chickadee-dee!

                                              By Joan Bock, November, 2012

Answers to bird riddles:  1. Jay  2.  gull   3.  crane    4.  bluebird   5.  spoonbill   6.  Canary

Signing off until next time.

Be creative,

Inspire others,

Enjoy Life

Canadian Geese, Kid's book reviews, Odyssey news, and more

Time to Explore

Here are more clever sayings - 

And. . . . I invite you to e-mail your own favorites.

Have you heard. . . Don't let the cat out of the bag.

     Or. . . .                It's like pulling a rabbit out of

                                     a hat.

     Or. . . .                He's as 'fit as a fiddle.'

     Or. . . .                A picture is worth a thousand  

                                     words.

And finally. . . .       Wakey, wakey, eggs, and 

                                     bakey. 

Books, Books, and more books. . . . .

        Have you read one you want to share?   I welcome 'kid' reviews as well as those I find.

        This week I discovered Stella Batts. stella batts This one is for the girls!  It is a new series featuring a 3rd grade girl in a typical elementary school classroom.  If you like Junie B Jones, this one if for you.  I will preview the newest in the series next month.  If you have read one of the two out there, please let me know what you think.

My love of animals - and true stories, brought me to . . . 
        Unlikely Friendships for Kids:  The Monkey and the Dove; And Four Other Stories of Animal Friendships
            by Jennifer Holland Jennifer Holland
       A chapter book for kids 7 and up, 
these charming stories focus on friendship, 
love, and the unusual ways that animals 
help one another.  
       2 others in the series are: The Dog and the Piglet; The Leopard and the Cow - and Four Other Stories of Animal Friendships.  Let me know what you think.

http://www.odysseylearning.com

The Latest from Odyssey learning Games

Mark your calendars for . . . . 

Haunted Refrigerator Day

Send in your  'haunted refrigerator' picture or photo.

The winner will be chosen on October 30th.  

Click on the link to go to Odyssey and enter.

The winner receives Line Up - reviewed below. 

Line up is for 2-6 players.  

Find the suspect at 6 different crime scenes. 

Test your memory - pick the correct suspect

in your line up to win the card - they are very 

similar! A 'lucky break' could trip you up! The 

object is to collect 4 suspect cards.

In My Backyard

     It is the time of year for Canadian Geese to be on the move.  Although more geese are making permanent residences where they find plentiful food and don't feel threatened by predators - such as hunters, we still find ourselves looking overhead to watch for the 'v' formation when we hearing honking near by.  
     And so it is in my backyard pond.  I am watching four geese relaxing at the side as I write this.  I have not seen them eating grasses or berries as the literature indicates, but they do bob their heads down to eat off the bottom of the pond - could be seaweed or something in the silt.  

      Geese have particular designated areas where they stop as they migrate.  Fortunately, our pond is one of them.
      
      A book that will provide more insights
 on how geese live and their behaviors is: 
The Geese of Beaver Bog by Bernd Heinrich.
      After a lost gosling adopts him, Heinrich
becomes intrigued and gives a fascinating 
account of triumphs, battles, and surprises from
the point of view of biologist and 
award-winning author.   

     I would like to close with a poem I wrote in honor of Canadian Geese everywhere.

 A Tribute to Canadian Geese           

Ah, the mystic of Canadian geese.     

Each lifts high and flies in peace.

The leader seems to know the way       

Some may waver but do not stray.         

We hear their honking squawk,

Long before the ‘v’ shaped flock.

They swoop down on a rippling pond.        

To rest and find grasses of which they are fond.    

Rested and fed, with barely a sound,

They lift from the pond and then circle around.

The geese form their new ‘v’ with ease,

and glide out of sight on a breeze.

                                                    By Joan Bock

Signing off until next time.

Be creative,

Inspire others,

Enjoy life.