Time for the treats! Time for the winners!!
The first Blogaversary contest was easy. I numbered the comments in the order that they appeared. The Mr. drew the number 4, so that makes Gayle at Planet M the winner! How ironic is it that Gayle also happens to be my very first blogland friend?!
Gayle is the mother of three kids who are Middle School through High School age, and she is a crochet whiz. I am sending her a framed copy of one of my favorite photographs, and a copy of a book that I hope she likes. This book, actually this series, reminds me a bit of Gayle. I'm hoping that it is a new book for her. If not, she will have to pass it on. And that's all I'm saying... she'll just have to be surprised.
The Blogaversary essay contest was a little (OK, a lot!) more difficult. I didn't even want to choose a winner. In my class I would have given all A's. Even those that didn't follow directions were wonderful. (I even have an idea for a new writing assignment.) After much thought and gnashing of teeth I finally chose...
drum roll please...
Katie at Can't Get There
Katie is also getting a framed favorite photograph. I chose a nonfiction book for Katie that I read a few years ago when the high school librarian recommended it. I couldn't think of a better book to sum up the people of Tiny Town and the Midwest. It isn't about my town, but it could have been. After the tornado, our town has been blessed by the kindness of strangers. This book, set in a different era, shows me that what we have experienced is nothing new; this has been going on in the Midwest for years. And that's all I'm saying...
Gayle and Katie, please send me your address on email, so I can send your prizes. My email is on my profile.
Thanks to all of you who check in on Easy Street from time to time. Thanks for your comments; those posted and those delivered in person. You've given me a place to vent, share, complain, cry, and laugh--sometimes all at the same time! I am humbled that some of you are so faithful. I thank you for sharing my life on Easy Street.
Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Kenny Chesney and Homework
Here is a sample of the assignment I gave on my October 20th post. You will need to go back there to use Mr. Linky to link your own version of this writing to Easy Street. (The link to my Oct. 20 blog is at the end of this post.)
The Good Stuff *** 2009 Edition
The smell of wood smoke in the morning* crisp apples* fluffy white clouds*dimples* a blank sheet of paper or a new journal* old movies* flannel sheets* beards with a bit of gray* the way the downstairs smells when the girls are home* big brown eyes* Dad’s hands* a full moon* the smell after it rains* cheese pizza* snow days* movie afternoons* good piano music* the back of a baby’s neck* waking up on Thanksgiving and Christmas morning* riding down a big hill on a bike* a hot cup of coffee* brushing long hair* skipping rocks* a hot bath* a good sneeze* faded blue jeans* old family photographs* morning walks with the Mr.* the smell of cookies baking * wading* champagne bubbles* little kids giggling* going barefoot* fireflies* a ring of candlelight at Christmas Eve services* my mom’s hugs* sledding* a starry sky...
***Thank you Kenny Chesney for your song; I "borrowed" your title.
Create your own list and link it by Sunday, October 25th.
The Good Stuff *** 2009 Edition
The smell of wood smoke in the morning* crisp apples* fluffy white clouds*dimples* a blank sheet of paper or a new journal* old movies* flannel sheets* beards with a bit of gray* the way the downstairs smells when the girls are home* big brown eyes* Dad’s hands* a full moon* the smell after it rains* cheese pizza* snow days* movie afternoons* good piano music* the back of a baby’s neck* waking up on Thanksgiving and Christmas morning* riding down a big hill on a bike* a hot cup of coffee* brushing long hair* skipping rocks* a hot bath* a good sneeze* faded blue jeans* old family photographs* morning walks with the Mr.* the smell of cookies baking * wading* champagne bubbles* little kids giggling* going barefoot* fireflies* a ring of candlelight at Christmas Eve services* my mom’s hugs* sledding* a starry sky...
***Thank you Kenny Chesney for your song; I "borrowed" your title.
Create your own list and link it by Sunday, October 25th.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Day #2 Celebration: The Homework Assignment
"Our Town" by Thornton Wilder has been my favorite play for a long time. Every year at the end of the unit, I have the students turn in a creative writing based on the final scene of the play.
Emily, the main character, died and has been given a chance to go back to earth for a moment. Her return doesn't last long. Before she goes back to her grave, she wants one last look.
"Take me back -- up the hill -- to my grave. But first: Wait! One more look. Good-bye, Good-bye world. Good-bye, Grover's Corners....Mama and Papa. Good-bye to clocks ticking....and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new ironed dresses and hot baths....and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you are too wonderful for anybody to realize you."
I can't argue with Emily. There are a lot of wonderful little things that we take for granted. I point out that what she is saying farewell to are not the expensive luxuries of life. It's the little things that she is going to miss.
Your assignment:
Create a list of simple things that you love and take for granted; things that don't cost much money. You are limited to 150 words, which is why listing allows you to include a few more things. Give your list an appropriate title. (I'll see if you can match the sophomores on this one. They have given me some great titles through the years!)
That's it. You can post the assignment on your blog until Sunday, October 25th. Link it back to Easy Street. Then use Mr. Linky at the end of this blog, to post a link that others and your "teacher" can follow to your "assignment."
I will choose the winning entry and post the winner on my Halloween blog.
Emily, the main character, died and has been given a chance to go back to earth for a moment. Her return doesn't last long. Before she goes back to her grave, she wants one last look.
"Take me back -- up the hill -- to my grave. But first: Wait! One more look. Good-bye, Good-bye world. Good-bye, Grover's Corners....Mama and Papa. Good-bye to clocks ticking....and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new ironed dresses and hot baths....and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you are too wonderful for anybody to realize you."
I can't argue with Emily. There are a lot of wonderful little things that we take for granted. I point out that what she is saying farewell to are not the expensive luxuries of life. It's the little things that she is going to miss.
Your assignment:
Create a list of simple things that you love and take for granted; things that don't cost much money. You are limited to 150 words, which is why listing allows you to include a few more things. Give your list an appropriate title. (I'll see if you can match the sophomores on this one. They have given me some great titles through the years!)
That's it. You can post the assignment on your blog until Sunday, October 25th. Link it back to Easy Street. Then use Mr. Linky at the end of this blog, to post a link that others and your "teacher" can follow to your "assignment."
I will choose the winning entry and post the winner on my Halloween blog.
Monday, October 19, 2009
One Year--Time Flies
Today is the one year anniversary of this blog. I wasn't sure what the focus of the blog was going to be a year ago, and now I know that lack of focus is the focus on Easy Street. Looking back on the past year, this blog has been mainly about:
the family and homelife
school and teaching
surviving the tornado that wiped out 65% of our town
rebuilding
books, movies, modern culture
day to day life in the Midwest
Some people have blogs that focus on one thing: their faith, cooking, motherhood, frugality, photography, etc. I think the lack of focus on this blog is symbolic of my undiagnosed ADHD. I can hardly keep my conversation on the same subject, let alone my writing. (For those who know me: if you think I talk fast, I wish you could see how quickly my mind jumps from subject to subject. It scares me!)
What should I do to celebrate my "blog-aversary" day? I came up with the following options:
1. Take a week off from blogging and give you all a break from the mundane. (Nah!)
2. Host a give-away. (Very popular in the blog world--and it might bring out some of the lurkyloos) But what to give?
a book, a poem, a photograph, some clutter I want to get rid of??
3. Make all of you sophomores for a day and give you an assignment.
So, I decided on a combination blog-aversary celebration. That gives you two chances (count 'em folks!) to win.
Chance #1-
Post a comment on today's post. That's it. One comment--only one. (There aren't that many of you out there, so that ups your odds considerably.) You don't have to be a blogger to post a comment. You have until Friday, Oct. 23rd to comment, but remember your comment has to be on today's post. Your comments will be numbered in the order they appear, the Mr. will draw a number, and that commenter will win a gift. (Commenter will have to be willing to send me an email with a mailing address.)
Chance #2-
This is a creative writing assignment that I give to my sophomores. You will have to stop by my blog tomorrow for the particulars. It will require writing and posting your assignment. I am going to try Mr. Linky so you can link your posts. Having never done this before, I hope it is easy to use. You will have until Sunday Oct. 25th to post your "homework." (If I can't get Mr. Linky working, we will go to Plan B.) Anyway, stop in tomorrow for the background on this assignment and what is required. I guarantee it will be one of the easiest writing assignments you have ever had. Then I will be stopping by to "grade" your assignments. I am going to be choosing one winner in this writing contest. (Why do I set myself up for the impossible?)
The Gifts-
Winners will receive photography and writings--my favorites! Yes, it is still my world and you're just living in it. (Not really, but the Mr. gives me static about that once in awhile. I've worked hard to earn my title, "The Little Princess" or "LP" for short. Unfortunately, the Mr. brings me back to my position of "commoner" once in awhile.)
The Kicker-
I will be gone next weekend: Girls Weekend at the Lake with High School Friends. (I am loving that random capitalization!) Winners and the prizes they receive will not be posted until Halloween Day. No tricks, only treats!
It has been a fun year. I like the people I have met in the blogging world. Blogging has challenged me to write daily, or nearly daily. I have also dusted off the camera and used it for something other than holidays and special events; something I haven't done in years. I've only had one controversial post: the dead deer. (I think I heard from a PETA person!) Amazingly, that has been my only negative comment, too. The rest of you may think it, but are too kind to write it!
Thank you for joining me on Easy Street. You've reminded me why I named the blog this to begin with:
Do we really live on Easy Street? In this economy, does anyone? A year ago last summer our town, school, and church were destroyed by a tornado. A little over three years ago, at age 48, I had a stroke. No, life isn't Easy, but the companions who travel this street--this road with me, make life seem that way. We've had our share of bumps and potholes. In spite of it all, I've always had people to hold my hand and make me laugh. Most of the time I feel like the sun is shining down on me--and that it has been most of my life. Easy Street--maybe it's an attitude. At any rate, it's my street.
the family and homelife
school and teaching
surviving the tornado that wiped out 65% of our town
rebuilding
books, movies, modern culture
day to day life in the Midwest
Some people have blogs that focus on one thing: their faith, cooking, motherhood, frugality, photography, etc. I think the lack of focus on this blog is symbolic of my undiagnosed ADHD. I can hardly keep my conversation on the same subject, let alone my writing. (For those who know me: if you think I talk fast, I wish you could see how quickly my mind jumps from subject to subject. It scares me!)
What should I do to celebrate my "blog-aversary" day? I came up with the following options:
1. Take a week off from blogging and give you all a break from the mundane. (Nah!)
2. Host a give-away. (Very popular in the blog world--and it might bring out some of the lurkyloos) But what to give?
a book, a poem, a photograph, some clutter I want to get rid of??
3. Make all of you sophomores for a day and give you an assignment.
So, I decided on a combination blog-aversary celebration. That gives you two chances (count 'em folks!) to win.
Chance #1-
Post a comment on today's post. That's it. One comment--only one. (There aren't that many of you out there, so that ups your odds considerably.) You don't have to be a blogger to post a comment. You have until Friday, Oct. 23rd to comment, but remember your comment has to be on today's post. Your comments will be numbered in the order they appear, the Mr. will draw a number, and that commenter will win a gift. (Commenter will have to be willing to send me an email with a mailing address.)
Chance #2-
This is a creative writing assignment that I give to my sophomores. You will have to stop by my blog tomorrow for the particulars. It will require writing and posting your assignment. I am going to try Mr. Linky so you can link your posts. Having never done this before, I hope it is easy to use. You will have until Sunday Oct. 25th to post your "homework." (If I can't get Mr. Linky working, we will go to Plan B.) Anyway, stop in tomorrow for the background on this assignment and what is required. I guarantee it will be one of the easiest writing assignments you have ever had. Then I will be stopping by to "grade" your assignments. I am going to be choosing one winner in this writing contest. (Why do I set myself up for the impossible?)
The Gifts-
Winners will receive photography and writings--my favorites! Yes, it is still my world and you're just living in it. (Not really, but the Mr. gives me static about that once in awhile. I've worked hard to earn my title, "The Little Princess" or "LP" for short. Unfortunately, the Mr. brings me back to my position of "commoner" once in awhile.)
The Kicker-
I will be gone next weekend: Girls Weekend at the Lake with High School Friends. (I am loving that random capitalization!) Winners and the prizes they receive will not be posted until Halloween Day. No tricks, only treats!
It has been a fun year. I like the people I have met in the blogging world. Blogging has challenged me to write daily, or nearly daily. I have also dusted off the camera and used it for something other than holidays and special events; something I haven't done in years. I've only had one controversial post: the dead deer. (I think I heard from a PETA person!) Amazingly, that has been my only negative comment, too. The rest of you may think it, but are too kind to write it!
Thank you for joining me on Easy Street. You've reminded me why I named the blog this to begin with:
Do we really live on Easy Street? In this economy, does anyone? A year ago last summer our town, school, and church were destroyed by a tornado. A little over three years ago, at age 48, I had a stroke. No, life isn't Easy, but the companions who travel this street--this road with me, make life seem that way. We've had our share of bumps and potholes. In spite of it all, I've always had people to hold my hand and make me laugh. Most of the time I feel like the sun is shining down on me--and that it has been most of my life. Easy Street--maybe it's an attitude. At any rate, it's my street.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)