Category Archives: Giving

Pocket Bear

Posted on September 28, 2026 by Jennie

Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate  Katherine Applegate has written another winner.  Big time!  If you think this looks like a cosy little book, think again.  Her stories are always nail biters, adventurous, and have an underlying message of doing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Community, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, history, Inspiration, Kindness, Learning About the World, military, museums, reading | Tagged , , , , , | 36 Comments

Dolly Parton – R.I.P.

Posted on August 26, 2026 by Jennie

I grew up in West Virginia, and Dolly Parton grew up not far away in Tennessee.  Country music was big for both of us where we grew up.  Dolly’s songs and voice will forever make me smile. But there is … Continue reading →

Posted in books, children's books, Community, Early Education, Giving, Imagination, Inspiration, Library, literacy, picture books, reading | Tagged , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Milly’s Farewell

Posted on July 27, 2026 by Jennie

This card was passed out at the memorial service. It’s an odd thing to say that a eulogy was inspirational.  Yet for Milly, how could it be anything less?  And, it’s unusual to laugh out loud at the words the … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Community, Death and dying, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Love, Peace, quilting, The Arts | Tagged , , | 61 Comments

Milly the Quilter – Part 10

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 9, Milly continued her visits to school.  The children and Gloria were always thrilled when it was a ‘Milly day’.  At last, after years of quilts that went away to places of honor, Milly made a quilt, “Our Towns” … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Heart, Inspiration, Peace, preschool, quilting, School | Tagged , , , | 59 Comments

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 8

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 7, the God Bless America quilt was delivered to the Massachusetts Fisher House in Boston.  The plan was to have a grand event and send-off, but the Director asked if Boston could have the quilt.  Headquarters not only agreed, … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Community, Giving, Giving thanks, Heart, Inspiration, military, patriotism, Singing, Teaching young children, The Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 45 Comments

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 7

Posted on July 13, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 6, the quilt, Milly, and the children were VIPs aboard the Intrepid Museum in NYC.  What an event!  The museum’s Curator called me to say the quilt was too large to hang at the museum.  Their Executive Board unanimously … Continue reading →

Posted in America, art, Community, Giving, Inspiration, military, patriotism, quilting, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 37 Comments

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 6

Posted on July 9, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 5, the children were over the moon singing “God Bless America” at every opportunity.  We sang for soldiers, and made our own God Bless America book for families, writing and illustrating all the words to the song.  Children still … Continue reading →

Posted in America, art, Community, Giving, Giving thanks, history, Inspiration, military, museums, patriotism, quilting, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , | 55 Comments

My Valentines

Posted on February 14, 2026 by Jennie

What could be better than valentinesfrom my school children?Nothing.I hit the jackpot of love.Happy Valentine’s Day. Jennie

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Heart, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, School | Tagged , | 68 Comments

Giving – the New Amos McGee Book

Posted on January 1, 2026 by Jennie

The  Amos McGee books are wonderful. The first in the series, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, won the coveted Caldecott Medal. I love the newest book, A Snow Day for Amos McGee. Amos works at the zoo.  His best friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, literacy, picture books, preschool, Quotes, reading, reading aloud | Tagged , , , | 68 Comments

A Bad Day, and a Remarkable Turnaround.

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Jennie

I believe.  This is the season of believing, and what happened yesterday is proof. Yesterday was a bad day.  Period.  School was difficult, and nothing I was doing with children made an ounce of difference.  When I got home, Hubby … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Giving thanks, Heart, Inspiration, Kindness | Tagged , , , , | 101 Comments