May~Day

What do you think when you hear the words, "May~Day"?

I think of a plane going down, sending out a distress signal and I picture Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron.

I also have a faint memory of dancing around the May-pole, braiding a rainbow of ribbons around a giant flagpole at a Nursing Home. And afterwards, passing out little hand-made gifts to the residents- never once thinking that I'd grow older. After all, in that moment, my childhood seemed to drag on forever.

I didn't really know "why" today is called May Day or why that phrase is used as a distress signal. So, I decided to do some research...

May Day -the holiday- has several points of historical significance. Most notably, as I have found via my limited scope and google searches, it is a celebration of Spring and all the lovely things that go along with the season. Love, flowers, new birth, and HOPE.

It is a day for honoring martyrs, a Celtic Festival Day based on Irish mythology, and in Germany it holds reference to Bloody Mary.

I also found it interesting that February 1 was honored as the first day of Spring and May 1 as the first day of Summer. And was thus, a day of Summer celebration in pagan European culture.

The scope ranges across Europe from Great Britain to Germany, Ireland, Finland, France, Sweden and beyond. But let's skip to the good ole U.S. of A.
Early American settlers brought the tradition over with them and started the first version of "ding-dong, ditch" that I've ever seen on record. A giver leaves a small gift basket on a receiver's doorstep, knocks, and runs away. The receiver then tries to catch the giver, and if the receiver is successful, the giver receives a kiss. Knowing this, I'm sure the givers slow their gate a little. ;)

~

My next quest led me to figure out why in the world "May-Day" is a distress signal.
May-Day comes from the French word, "m'aider" meaning, "Come Help Me!"

Aviators aren't the only ones to use the distress signal, Mariners do as well. Word to wise- it is a federal crime to make a FALSE May-Day call in the United States. And it is a costly mistake, up to a quarter million dollars and half a dozen years behind bars- yikes!
But not to worry, if you say "Matey" with a thick accent and you fear it being confused with "May-Day" - chances are you'll be safe. Just like "Beetlejuice" - you must call out "May-Day!" three times in a row to be considered a distress call.

~

May 1, 2013 ~ I am looking at today as a day of HOPE and standing in the gap, pleading for a miracle to be granted to someone that God sees in the clutches of distress.   

Smile :) donnamusing

The Castle Project

Our projects usually come about something like this: I have this grand idea and tell my hubby about it. I think it'll take a day and he wants to do it big, really BIG. And well, that takes more than a day.

This project took us four full days. Needless to say, we are tired. But the payoff was worth it. Our kids love it!

My idea was to turn our kids' bunk beds into castles and the underneath part into a sitting area and toy storage. Matt didn't jump right on it but he did start thinking about it and planning. Before long, we found ourselves scouring the aisles of Lowe's and carrying home some very heavy MDF. 

Our kids knew we were working on "something" they weren't allowed to see until we finished, but they had no idea "what" it could be. 

Over these past few days, I believe I've learned enough life lessons to write an entire book called "The Castle Project"... maybe I will. 

Without further ado, here are the finals:

Sir Alec's castle:

Princess Lora's castle: 

                                                               

Love the underneath lighting: 

The look on their faces was priceless! Even better was Alec's expression when he realized that he actually got to sleep in the castle, not just play in it.

In the end, it was worth the blood, sweat, and tears! Love my kids!

Until the next project, 

Smile :) donnamusing

#ThankAWriter- Mo Willems

#ThankAWriter No.1 goes out to Mo Willems.

Dear Mo Willems,

This is a small thank-you.

I first heard of you on a library field trip, with my then-preschool foster daughter. The dragon lady at our local library read  "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus". I took delight in watching the story come alive for my wide-eyed daughter. But this thank-you reaches much deeper than that incident.

Last year, I came across a darling book at our local bookstore. "Amanda & Her Alligator" has become a family favorite. I overflowed with emotion the first time I read Alligator's words, "Why was I in the sale bucket?" and "Why did no one want to buy me?"

You see, both of my children are adopted from foster care and they have asked similar questions. "Why did I move fourteen times?" "Why did it take so long for me to be adopted?"

The first time I read your story to my children, they hung on pins and needles for Amanda's response.  Her answer echoed my own to Alec and Lora.
They can relate to Alligator's fear and sadness at being passed over in the "sale bucket" but know the value of family is found when you are meant to be together.

Thank you for writing this story, especially chapter four. It has blessed my family.

Smile, Donna Marie Tyree



Smile :) donnamusing

Bamboozle...

"Spell the word, Bamboozle."

A big smile spread across my face as adrenaline pumped through my veins. Bamboozle was highlighted in my little book covered with yellow and black bees. I knew the word! My long hours of practice were about to pay off.

"Bamboozle. B-A-M-B-O-Z--- NO! I mean..."

Too late. The rules of the spelling bee sent me back to my chair. Crying. No, bawling- hysterically.
My little face rested in the crook of my elbow as giant sobs dripped pools of tears into my glasses. Even worse, snot flooded the top of my desk.

I told myself that it didn't matter what my classmates thought. I was going to die right there in that spot. They'd remember me as the girl who lost the spelling bee and cried herself to death.

I berated myself to a pulp. After all, I did know the word. I was just too excited and spit it out all wrong.

Life lessons kind of happen like that. You just know... And then, like a bug smacking into the windshield, life gets messy.

Mrs. Kelly let me cry. I needed to mourn, to grieve, to let it all out.

I'll never forget her. Her salt and pepper hair. Her permanent limp. Her classroom right next to the library. Her kindness.

Mrs. Kelly encouraged me to write. She encouraged me to write how I felt. "Just put it all in words," she had said. And so I did. And so I continue.

Years after this event, I worked as a waitress at Shoney's.
I greeted the aging couple in my section and quickly recognized her sweet face. "Mrs. Kelly!"
I cherish the grateful moment.

My age has doubled since thanking her for the impact she breathed into my life. I don't know if she really remembered me that day in the restaurant but I'll never forget her.

If I knew where she was, this is what I would write to her:

Dear Mrs. Kelly,
Thank you for your kindness to this snot-nose fifth-grader. Thank you for taking the time to encourage me, to speak words of blessing into my life. Thank you for helping me to realize that it is okay to cry and that losing the spelling bee was not the end of my world. Thank you for encouraging me to write.
Thank you for caring. You will always have a place in my heart.

Smile :) donnamusing

P.S. Bamboozle. B-A-M-B-O-O-Z-L-E. Bamboozle.

Coming Soon... Tarradiddles of the King

My husband's aunt, Caroline M. Reichard is chipping away at her new series, "Tarradiddles of the King" -a collection of charming stories based on her father's embellished stories.

We are all excited to read these long-awaited adventures.
You can read about the books and meet the author, here.

Might I humbly add that the creator of the cover art, is none other than the fabulous illustrator, Matt Tyree.

For more on Caroline M. Reichard: http://www.tarradiddlesoftheking.com/

For more on Matt Tyree: www.tyreeonline.com


If you are working on a beloved project, remember this:
"Continuous effort - not strength or intellegence - is the key to unlocking our potential."   ~ Winston Churchill

Keep working. Keep trudging. Keep dreaming.

Smile :) donnamusing

#ThankAWriter

Who doesn't love to curl up with a good book and nice hot cup of tea? Or disappear into another world while falling asleep?

I certainly do.
Although, I've learned that falling asleep while reading a traditional book is slightly less painful than with my kindle. Ouch.

Recently, thanks to the fortuitous happenstance of google, I have found my way to Nathan Bransford's blog. It's all his fault that I learned the painful lesson of kindle to chin...

Without further ado, I must point you to his blog today. I love "thank you" projects and here is a new one that I'm looking forward to taking part in. It's the #ThankAWriter project!

Here is the link to his blog where you can find all of the details:
#ThankAWriter Project

I may have to thank an English teacher, as well.

Go grab a pen and get to it! It's good to be thankful!

Smile :) donnamusing



"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

St. Patrick's Day... Did you know?

Did you know that the traditional color of St. Patrick was actually blue? We "put on our green" to remember the shamrock that St. Patrick used to teach the Irish of the Holy Trinity. And, of course, Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle.

Did you know that the Chicago River is dyed green on St. Patrick's Day?  Hmmmm... I wonder what the fish think about that! Maybe they are Irish fish and don't mind.

Did you know that apparently everyone is Irish when St. Patrick's Day rolls around? Have you seen the merchandise based on, "Kiss Me, I'm Irish!"
Well, I really am Irish.
No, really, I am.
I am Irish and Indian, and a whole bunch of other stuff. ;)

Did you know that the first Irish Parade happened in America? Yep, in Boston- must've been all of us Irish-wanna-be-folks!

Did you know that each leaf on a clover stands for something? Faith, Hope, Love, and the fourth is Luck.
Interesting, my son found a five-leaf clover, and of course, I researched it. Irish legend says that anyone who finds a five-leaf clover will have abundant luck and financial success!

Did you know your odds of finding a four-leaf clover? 10,000:1 Pretty crazy, for every four-leaf clover, there are 10,000 three-leaf clovers.

AND...
Do you know how St. Patrick's day got started? It all started with a young fellow named Maewyn...
Here, enjoy this video, it's simple and fun. :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Smile :) donnamusing