When I was growing up, we children heard stories of the “Blizzard of ‘88″ and my grandparents’ experience.  In the eastern part of the United States, the storm began on March 11 and paralyzed cities, towns, and the countryside.  My grandfather told of shoveling snow from the house to the barn that was above his head.  Others tales related how people got lost in it and froze to death.

An earlier blizzard occurred in the western part of the United States in January of 1888.  In those days before weather forecasting and communications like we have today, the day went from warmth to blizzard conditions in a matter of hours.  To hear some tell, it was a matter of minutes.

For further reading about this phenomenal winter of 1888:

City of Snow: The Great Blizzard of 1888 by Linda Oatman High.

In All Its Fury: A History of the Blizzard of January 12, 1888 by W. H. O’Gara.

Blizzard! The 1888 Whiteout by Jacqueline A. Ball.

Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America by Jim Murphy.

Blizzards and snowstorms of other years:

One to Remember: The Relentless Blizzard of March 1966 by Douglas Ramsey

Northeast Snowstorms by Louis W. Uccellini

Fiction:

Lost in the Blinded Blizzard (Hank the Cowdog) by John R. Erickson

(For information about the sources for the above “blizzard books,” check out my page, Books About the Blizzards of 1888 and More.

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Snow, Snow Go Away…We’re Ready for Spring…Not the Blizzard of ‘88

Tonight we turn our clocks ahead

However, until the year approaches its longest day, in June, our mornings remain darker.  If we’re earlier risers, we’ll find it dark or dawn.  But…we may have the glorious adventure of watching the sunrise rather than having it fully daylight when we get up.

Do you find Daylight Savings Time affecting your schedule, lifestyle and the youngsters?  Or do you look upon it as an adventure, a time to get more done and to enjoy the out-of-doors more?

For further information about Daylight Saving Time…it’s history and facts and figures:

About Daylight Saving Time (a web site)

Books:

Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time by David Prerau

Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time by Michael Downing

Time for Change: Setting Clocks Forward by One Hour Throughout the Year by Mayer Hillman

Crafting Springtime Gifts: 25 Adorable Projects Featuring Bunnies, Chicke, Lambs & Other Springtome Favorites by Tone Finnanger

The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle

For information on obtaining these books, check out my pages, Books About Spring & Daylight Saving Time.

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Turn Your Clocks Ahead for Daylight Saving Time

For more unformation and updates on the topic, you may want to read these articles.  They’re only a few of those circulating in print and online publications.

Congress Orders Up a Beatrix Potter Bonfire

The Death of Vintage Kids’ Books

Toxic Chemical Law Takes Effect

Law Jeopardizes Libraries’ Children’s Books

Going Too Far in Banning Books

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Banning Children’s Books Somewhat in Limbo

*Barack Obama chose to go by train, over Mr. Lincoln’s route, as he made his way to Washington for the weekend of celebrations and the Inauguration.

*He also chose Mr. Lincoln’s Bible to use for taking his oath of office during the Inauguration.

Many youngsters may not have heard of Abraham Lincoln or are aware of his significance and relationship to black people in America.  Mr. Lincoln was President during the Civil War years and issued the Emancipation Proclamation giving the slaves freedom.

For more Lincoln information:

Lincoln by David Herbert Donald

A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln (Picture Book Biography) by David A. Adler

A. Lincoln and Me by Louise Borden

Abraham Lincoln and his Family Paper Dolls by Tom Tierney

You Are There: Abraham Lincoln’s Greatest Moments: The Emancipation Proclamation/The Gettysburg Address (DVD) starring Walte Cronkite and Paul Birch

Abraham Lincoln for Kids: His Life & Times with 21 Activities (For Kids series) by Janis Herbert

Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America by Allen C. GuelzoLincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America by Garry Wills

Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln (The Story of the Gettysburg Address) by Jean Fritz

Lincoln on Leadership by Donald T. Phillips (One of my favorite books about Lincoln)

Emancipation Proclamation Silk Necktie (produced for the NY Historical Society from Lincoln’s handwritten original)

(For detailed information about these books refer to my page, Resources About Abraham Lincoln.)

(Adam Hersh Posters image at Amazon)

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Obama & Abraham Lincoln

As youngsters study Obama and the Presidency, you may want to acquire books, too, for your own library or home study program.

A few suggestions:

Barack Obama, President for a New Era (Gateway Biographies) by Marlene Targ Brill

Barack Obama: Our 44th President by Beatrice Gormley

Barack Obama: Out of Many, One (Step Into Reading) by Shana Corey

Michelle Obama: Meet the First Lady by David Bergen Brophy

The U. S. Presidency (Our Government) by Muriel L. Dubois

The American Journey of Barack Obama by the Editors of Life Magazine

The Story of Abraham Lincoln by Patricia A. Pingry

Time Line Presidents

Presidents Learning Placemat

Presidents of the USA Floor Puzzle

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(For more information about these items, check out my Obama & the Presidency Books Page)

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Children’s Books about Obama & the Presidency

I was impressed when I talked with a teen yesterday and listened to her reaction to President Obama’s Inaugural speech.  (Many schools provided TV coverage of the Inauguration for students, teachers, and support staff to watch.  If it were lunch time, students took their trays back to the classroom or central area with TV.)  This teen’s reaction showed she is learning to think for herself and isn’t totally swayed by the emotion of the moment.  She’s beginning to see beyond the ”smoke and mirrors” of a situation.

I’ve also seen her act responsibly concerning her personal life, making decisions after considering pros and cons and consequences. 

Are there ways to encourage youngsters to be “thinking” people who look beneath the surface?  Have you encountered books that help?  How do you encourage the youngsters in your life?

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A Thinking Teen & Obama’s Inaugural Speech

What about more control of the Internet and thus what is available there for kids, as well as adults?  When is control/governmental restrictions a good idea, and when does it infringe upon individual control and parents’ responsibility for raising their children?

Aaron Brazell, at Tchnosailor, has an interesting post, UK Plans to Keep Kids Safe on the Web, Ignores Hisory, that gives insight into a UK proposal for more Internet control and the hope of the British Cultural Secretary for US cooperation once Barack Obama becomes President.  While we want to have safe surfing for our youngsters, when is there too much control that results in less parental responsibility and decision making about their children?

Does this fall into the same category as too much outside control over what our children will read?

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Government Control of Books and Internet – Do You Agree?

After a long line of celebrities that offer young girls examples of drugs, drunkenness and jail time, Sarah Palin comes through as a breath of fresh air, providing them with a vision of accomplishment, goals achieved and patriotism.

Has she made mistakes – Yes. 

Is she perfect – No  

Are all celebrities poor role models – No

However, Sarah Palin offers a vision for girls (and their moms and grandmothers), that they can be all round youngsters and teens, can believe in themselves and their ideals….and go on to achieve what they set their mind on that is good and right.

What do you want to be in your life?  Give it some thought and set some goals. Then set a plan into action for achieving it. 

 Let me know how you’re making out.

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Sarah Palin Offers Vision for Girls

Children also encounter Alzheimer’s when a family member becomes stricken.  They can learn to accept it as part of life and still enjoy that person or become fearful, depending on how you approach it.

Today, September 21, has been designated at World Alzheimer’s Day, when activities focus on world awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.  Various events, such as walkathons, workshops, get-togethers have as their goal…creating more awareness of this disease and the people who have been stricken with it. 

My grandchildren never knew my mom (their great grandmother) without Alzheimer’s, so they accepted Grandma DeeDee as the person they visited in the nursing home.  We had tea parties.  They played on the floor around her.  They chatted with her in their own languages. 

“Grandma understand me,” my grandson commented.  “She talk to me.  But she doesn’t talk to you.”  That was their special time.

When someone asked my granddaughter why she visited a lady who didn’t know her, Kara replied, “Because it makes Grandma DeeDee happy.”

Ultimately this awareness of Alzheimer’s throughout the world, emphasized by World Alzheimer’s Day, should result in more research and recognition as an increasing number of people reach the “Alzheimer’s age.”

Here are some sites/blogs that give recognition to World Alzheimer’s Day.  Help spread the word yourself.

• At Minding Our Elders, Carol Bradley Bursack discusses World Alzheimer’s Day: Truly a Global Issue.
• Today is World Alzheimer’s Day at Healthy Aging
• Everyday Health has an Alzheimer’s Disease Center

Are you doing something special today with your Alzheimer’s family member?  Share with us your thoughts and feelings.

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Creating Awareness of Alzheimer’s for Children on World Alzheimer’s Day

Remembering 9/11 occurred across the country today. 

 At the school where I was substitute teaching, the students and faculty gathered at the flag pole in front of the building.  Police and firemen from the community, along with other citizens joined them for a short talk, pledge of allegiance, and to sing “This Land is Your Land.”

On 9/11/01, I also was substitute teaching, in first grade that day, when the principal stopped by my room and handed me a note, mentioning what was happening and that the television in the teacher’s room was on.  Until we knew more, we weren’t to alarm the students.

Since than we have comforted, found comfort, remembered, reminisced, and wondered “Why?”  Friends and relatives have gone abroad to defend our country and to keep terrorism at bay.

What do we say to our children, when they ask, like my grandson did tonight at the supper table, “What was 9/11?  Why did we have the ceremony at school today?”

Then we realize that he was too young to grasp the what was going on as we watched the television for more than a week, waited for names of people we knew and loved, wondered if there would be another attack soon.

It was a day that changed much in our country…and the world.

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(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Remembering 9/11 at School & Home