Years ago, I spent a morning babysitting my two-and-a-half-year-old grandson, Walker. His mother had suggested plenty of possible activities. We could use play-dough. We could read books or draw. We could go outside. I opted to let Walker decide. I would have no plan. I would go with what he chose, and then stay with… Continue Reading
Years ago, my four-year-old granddaughter picked a 10-inch by 10-inch colorful book from her overflowing bookshelf. She jumped with it, cuddled up to me and we snuggled together. We studied the smiling boy on the cover of If I Built a House by Maine author and illustrator, Chris Van Dusen. I asked, “See the face of the… Continue Reading
On my daily walk along Portland’s Eastern Promenade, I see people running with their dogs on East End Beach, throwing sticks in the water or across the sand which the frisky pups chase and retrieve. I pass other walkers, runners, bikers, photographers, men, women and children enjoying the wide-open view, each other and the panoramic… Continue Reading
Assuming the African ethic of ubuntu, “I am because you are,” bears adopting, how do we live it? Ubuntu comes from a Zulu phrase meaning that a person is a person through other people. Assuming, then, that caring for others matters, how do we teach it? I tried with my four-year-old son and six-year-old daughter.… Continue Reading
My granddaughter exclaimed, “It’s February, my birthday month. I’ll be seven! I can’t WAIT to be older!” Me? “March, ugh, my birthday month!” What a difference! I notice more gray sprouts at the temples, more wrinkles, more age spots on my hands. The effect of long-time living in gravity takes its toll; my flesh sags… Continue Reading
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Photoloni