Feeding the Birds: Favorite #7

Posted on September 2, 2012 by Dicy McCullough
Feeding the Birds
Feeding the Birds

 

            One of my favorite things to do is feed the birds. This photo was taken in my front yard and if you look closely, you’ll see a bird feeder, but no birds. My husband said, “Where are the birds?” I told him, they flew away when I opened the front door.

            I often sit in my living room in the mornings, looking out the window as the birds fly back and forth between the bird feeder and the big oak tree. If a truck comes down the road or a train goes by, the birds fly to the safety of the tree.

            My mom also enjoys feeding the birds at her house, but in the last few years it’s been difficult for her to go outside. She’s 92 and afraid of falling.  I told her I’d be glad to fill the feeder each week for her, but she said, “No.” It made me sad when she told me to take it down.

             Even though she doesn’t have a bird feeder, she figured out a way to still feed the birds. She stands at her back door and throw bits of food like crackers or bread to them.

             The older I get the more like Mom I become, enjoying the simple things of life like friends and family and feeding the birds.

            I’d like to know what simple pleasures of life you enjoy, so leave a comment.

             If you can’t leave a comment, send an email to dicysm@yahoo.com.

            Thanks,

            Dicy

            http://www.dicymcculloughbooks.com

            http://www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog

 

 

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First Baseball Game: Favorite Thing #6

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Dicy McCullough
Grandpa and Grandson: Atlanta Braves, 2012
Grandpa and Grandson: Atlanta Braves, 2012

 

            As I look at this picture, if you’re like me, I can’t help but think how cute is that. My husband loves spending time with his grandson and this picture was taken at their first baseball game together. It just so happened to be an Atlanta Braves’ game.

            I know my grandson won’t remember this experience, but it doesn’t matter because his grandpa will. As my grandson gets older, his grandpa will tell him about going to Atlanta the summer of July 2012 to see Chipper Jones play in one of his last games. How cool is that?

            He’ll also tell him how much fun they had and how he almost caught a ball as it came into the stands along the third base line. Grandpa, it’s okay if you didn’t catch a baseball because there are other things more important. Those things are  memories made between just you and your grandson. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into those special moments.

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Band: Favorite Thing #5

Posted on August 18, 2012 by Dicy McCullough
Daniel Conducting at Band Camp
Daniel Conducting at Band Camp

     

              Most of us have been to a high school football game at one time or another. The energy in the stadium is electrifying because everyone’s excited not only about the game, but also about hanging out with friends and having fun. One of the highlights usually is the halftime show.

            Have you ever thought about how much time, money and effort it takes for a band to perform at halftime? One of my friends knows because she’s married to a  high school band director.  It’s not unusual for her husband to work late nights not only during the school year, but also the summer because of meetings, rehearsals, band camp, football games, concerts, competitions and driving the bus to away events. When Daniel drives to away football games, he sometimes doesn’t get home until 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. This is in addition to teaching a full day at school.

            Although Daniel knew band directors worked long hours, he didn’t realize how long until he actually became one. Statistics show that often band directors last only a few years choosing another profession due to depression or burn-out. Daniel says he loves his job and doesn’t want to become a statistic.

            I stopped by to visit Michelle and Daniel the last week in July and found Michelle by herself except for their two sweet dogs, Molly and Goldie. Can you guess where Daniel was? You’re right, at band camp.  Since the school was on my way home, I stopped by for a minute.

            It was about 6:00 when I arrived and hot. The band was practicing on the pavement of the parking lot and as the students marched, Daniel walked alongside them giving words of encouragement. After the song, they waited for instructions with no complaining, only total respect. Having been at school since 2:00, they knew it was well worth the sacrifice to be ready for the first game.

          One way to show appreciation for the middle and high school bands is to dig deeper the next time you’re asked for a contribution. Not only will this gesture take some of the burden off the shoulders of a band director,  but it also may pave the way for a student to afford band.

            If it’s true as one of the band students told me that band makes you a better person and teaches respect,  I think everyone should have to take band as a requirement for graduation. Just kidding, Daniel. Then again, maybe that’s not such a bad idea.

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Braves’ Game: Favorite Thing #4

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Dicy McCullough
Braves' Fan, Carson, Eating a Cracker
Braves’ Fan, Carson, Eating a Cracker

 

            What’s more fun than a baseball game? Baseball lovers would probably say, nothing, except seeing their favorite team play in person. My dad loved the Yankees, so growing up as a kid in the sixties, I watched them on our one and only black and white television set, learning names like Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford.   

            Over the years I’ve been to many baseball games, but never a professional one until this past July. The opportunity came as a result of my daughter, Kristin, giving her husband, Brian, a special father’s day present. Knowing he had never seen a major league team in person, she began making plans in May for a trip to Atlanta to see the Braves play the Phillies. Kristin called and asked if her dad and I would like to go too. We jumped at the chance because not only did it mean seeing the Braves, but it also meant creating special memories with our eighteen-month-old grandson, Carson.

               Anticipation and excitement grew over the next two months until finally game night. I had my Atlanta Braves’ shirt on and my game face. Walking into the stadium sounds of laughter, people talking and drum rolls could be heard, with smells of hot dogs, pizza, popcorn and peanuts at every turn. There were lots to do, especially for children, such as batting cages, pitching practice, face painting, games for prizes and a museum.  I took a million pictures because I didn’t want to forget a thing.

            At game time, I was amazed at how small the players looked on the field.  I missed an out or two because of watching people in the stands dancing and singing and having fun. It was especially funny to see their reaction when caught on camera and shown on the big screen for everyone to see.

           Baseball was and still is America’s favorite pastime because it’s not just  the game, it’s the whole experience.  By the way, the Braves won the three-game series sweep against the Phillies. It can’t get better than that. Like the song says, “…for it’s 1, 2, 3 strikes you’re out at the old ballgame.”

http://www.dicymcculloughbooks.com

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Photography Workshop: Roger May

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Dicy McCullough

The photography workshop at the Farm at Weathers Creek was not only fun, but it was educational as well. I am not a photographer, but I thought learning to tell stories through photographs would enhance my writing.  Roger May was the presenter for the workshop and is known worldwide for his photographs. He has won awards for his work including some for his documentary on life in Appalachia.

 One of Roger’s main points was that a photographer needs to be passionate about his subject in order to produce a photo that tells a story.That is good advice not only for a photographer, but for a writer too. If you would like to learn more about Roger and his work check out his website, http://walkyourcamera.com/about/

The Farm at Weatherscreek workshops take place in an old farmhouse that sits in the middle of an open field. It’s a perfect place for art and writing to come together. Just ask the dog, he’s been to all of the workshops. I included his picture because we all should be so lucky as to find peace and quiet on a front porch of a country home.

http://www.dicymcculloughbooks.com

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Sweet Frog Yogurt

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Dicy McCullough
Bailie at Sweet Frog Yogurt
Bailie at Sweet Frog Yogurt

 

            The last couple of weeks my theme for my blog has been my favorite things. I’m going to keep that theme because I found another new favorite thing today.

            I don’t like yogurt, but I’m always hopeful the new brand or flavor that I bring home from the grocery store will be the one that changes my mind.  I know the benefits of yogurt and so that’s why I’m always hopeful. I have to admit, though, I just about had given up….until today.

            A new yogurt shop came into town and because they were offering a percentage of earnings back to a local high school band, I thought what’s the harm, I’ll try it.   

            A young lady behind the counter cheerily came up to me and asked if I needed help. Being my first experience at Sweet Frog, I said, “Yes, I need help.” She then showed me the different flavors and explained how everything was self-serve.

            I decided on the mango/raspberry combination and covered it with kiwi, blueberries and a few blackberries. After paying, I sat down to give it a try. Man was I in for a shock. That was the best “thing” I’ve tasted in FOREVER! It was totally DELICIOUS! I can say for sure I WILL be back and I can’t WAIT.

            By the way, this past week I took a photography class and our assignment was to take a picture of a stranger. The young lady who waited on me readily agreed to be my stranger. Her name is Bailie. Thanks Bailie for being a good sport and thanks Sweet Frog for being my new favorite thing. YUM!!

Following is the link to photographer Roger May’s blog.  He was also the presenter for the workshop at the Farm at Weatherscreek. Check out his photos. They are awesome.

http://walkyourcamera.com/about/

http://www.dicymcculloughbooks.com

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Making a Basket

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Dicy McCullough

 

            A couple of weeks ago,  I wrote about my new favorite thing,  Pinterest. Today I’m writing about something I made from a discovery on Pinterest. I love crafts and I love recycling, so making a basket from strips of newspaper seemed like a winner.

            The idea is to cut newspaper strips and weave them in and out. The size of the basket is determined by the length of the strips.  Mine turned out OK, but not perfect because one corner was more rounded than the other three.  

            I found the instructions for the project on the website http://www.craftstylish.com. Jeffrey Rudell, the contributor of the idea, said he remembered as a little boy his mother using newspapers for various projects, such as cleaning windows. With newspapers stacking up in his office,  he thought it was time for him to do something. That something turned into a beautiful, unique basket. 

            He put finishing touches on his basket by adding a ribbon around the top edge. I took that idea a step further by gluing strips together to make a handle and then stapling them to the sides to give even more texture and durability.

            Corresponding with Jeffrey through email, I told him I planned to write about his idea. He thanked me and was appreciative that I let him know. More information and details for making Jeffrey Rudell’s basket out of newspaper can be found at the following link:

 http://www.craftstylish.com/item/47658/the-times-they-are-a-changing-how-to-make-a-basket-from-a-newspaper/page/all/

          Do you have any tips for recycling newspapers? If so,  I’d like to hear from you. In order to leave a comment, choose a user name and password. If you still can’t leave a comment, then message me on facebook.

Facebook/DicyMcCullough

            Thanks,

            Dicy

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Friends and Writers

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Dicy McCullough

             I met author, Jenny Milchman, last year through a connection on LinkedIn.com.  After joining LinkedIn, it wasn’t long before I became a member of several writers’ groups and began following the threads. For those not familiar with the term, a “thread,” is a conversation on a common interest or topic. It was obvious from following Jenny’s threads, that she had an understanding of the “tools” of writing.

            Jenny is a suspense writer who has expertise in both writing and publishing because of experiences and knowledge gained as a teacher and author. Realizing her expertise, I began asking questions relevant to the topic. She was always patient, answering in detail what I needed to know.

            I see Jenny not only as a friend, but also a caring person who willingly shares her knowledge without asking anything in return. In this day and age, that kind of personality is hard to find. Jenny regularly updates several blogs, including Suspense Your Disbelief,  a blog that gives authors the opportunity to share their Made It Moment and showcase their dreams.

            It’s an understatement to say I was happy and thrilled when Jenny gave me the opportunity to share my “Made It Moment”  on her blog.  I hope you’ll check out my story because it may surprise you. While there, look at Jenny’s post, Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day. She’s the founder of this wonderful endeavor to help promote bookstores for future generations by encouraging appreciation in young readers today. Last year bookstores in all 50 states participated. The designated day this year is December 1st, 2012. Spread the word.

            If you would like to leave a comment, please register with a user name and password. The links to Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day and Suspense Your Disbelief are at the bottom of this page.

http://www.takeyourchildtoabookstore.org/

 http://www.jennymilchman.com/blog

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Pinterest

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Dicy McCullough

 

            One of my favorite new things is Pinterest.  At first I was skeptical, but then I realized how much fun pinning and repinning could be .

            Even though I’m retired from teaching, I substitute and still want to keep up with current educational trends. Through Pinterest, I’ve discovered wonderful educational blogs, such as Lil’ Country Kindergarten and thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com. Both of these keep current with educational trends for young children.

            Pinterest is a great way not only for finding blogs, but also for marketing products and ideas. Since I’m a children’s author, I created one board for my books and another for my website and blog. I have twelve boards in all with titles such as Fun for Kids, Educational Ideas, Ideas and More, Writing Tools, and Books Worth Reading. I’m sure over time I’ll add even more.   

            There are similarities to Facebook and Twitter, such as following and being followed, but you don’t have to do either to repin an item from someone’s board. If you haven’t checked out Pinterest yet, I hope you will because it is a lot of fun.

            Before you leave my blog today, take a look at Katrena Allison’s guest-blogs posted during the month of June on the subject of the Music-Writing Connection. The next guest-blogger could be you. I’m especially looking for thoughts and ideas on education. If interested, leave a comment or send me a message on Facebook.

 https://www.facebook.com/#!/dicy.mccullough

Check out my children’s books on my website: http://www.dicymcculloughbooks.com or Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble:

Tired of My Bath    Tired of School     Tired of Being Different

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Writing-Music Connection: Success

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Dicy McCullough
Katrena Playing the PIano
Katrena Playing the PIano

This is the fourth post in Katrena Allison’s guest blog with the theme, the Writing-Music Connection. Katrena, a former piano student of mine, is an accomplished writer submitting articles to various magazines, as well as regularly updating her blogs. In this post, she addresses the journey of following one’s passion and what defines success.

 Making Music on the Screen

 Perhaps you are just beginning on a journey toward becoming a writer, or maybe you are an accomplished author. How do you know that you are a true writer? For me, I have discovered that it is that pushing and prodding to place my fingers on the letters. Those moments when I am almost asleep and suddenly get a story idea and must jot it down before I forget. The times when I look up from behind the screen to discover that it is 2:00 in the morning.

 Does writing really matter? Writers often never know if they have touched a chord with readers, but over time you can discover which topics seem to resonate. There are those special times when a reader takes the time to click on the comment button and share a piece of his or her personal experience with the writer. I don’t measure success by the numbers. Whenever a musician plays for a charity, at the bedside of someone who is suffering, or even at a bus terminal, they may not make money, but the music may be more valuable in those moments. When I click publish, I hope that I am leaving a lasting legacy, one that will play in the thoughts of readers for many years to come!

 I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Katrena as not only a writer, but also as someone who is knowledgeable about many things. She especially enjoys writing for children and regularly visits places of interest in NC with her daughters writing about their experiences on her travel blog.  Katrena often posts educational games and articles on her wildflower bouquet blog. You can check these out at the following links:

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