The Wizard of Oz

Seventy-two years ago today, The Wizard of Oz premiered at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin's Strand Theatre.  Need proof?  I know I did.

A fan of children's books, I can't say I loved L. Frank Baum's original work.  I've been told it's an allegory, but I prefer contemplating it as fantasy/fairy tale/adventure.  


I do, however, love the movie (it's definitely one of my favorites).  I've seen it countless times.  True confession, regardless of the number of times I watch it, I'm still a little afraid of those flying monkeys.  

This photo, however, warms my heart.  

And I can't help but imagine that would make the Tin Man very happy.  

National Joke Day

This is serious.  Well, not really.  But today really is  National Joke Day.  So without further ado (and because I love a blonde joke):

There was a competition to swim from Santa Monica to Catalina doing only the breaststroke, and the three women who entered the race were a brunette, a redhead and a blonde.

After approximately 14 hours, the brunette staggered up on the shore and was declared the fastest breaststroker.

About 40 minutes later, the redhead crawled on shore and was declared the second place finisher.

Nearly 4 hours after that, the blonde finally came ashore and promptly collapsed in front of the worried onlookers. When the reporters asked why it took her so long to complete the race, she replied,

"I don't want to sound like a sore loser, but I think those two other girls were using their arms."

Hope you laugh a lot today!

Play in the Sand Day

When my children were young, it didn't take too much encouragement from me to entice them to play in the sand. They never really needed an official Play in the Sand Day, although that's exactly what today celebrates.    

In fact, from age 2 to about 5, my son's love of the backyard sandbox was legendary.  A few plastic spoons, a toy dump truck and some miniature dinosaurs to excavate and he could spend hours outside in his green plastic turtle sandbox.

  

My husband and I both have a love for the ocean and the beach so I guess it's not surprising that there are lots of photos of the kids enjoying their sandy escapades.  Small wonder, they are some of my most favorite photos of their childhood.  

One of two swim suits she referred to as "magical"

She loved it so much, she gave it a kiss!

At this age, still undecided about sandy feet

I love how completely engaged he is and how adorable she is.

National S'mores Day

Today we celebrate the most famous of finger-licking campfire treats - the s'more.  That's right it's National S'more Day so I thought I'd share one fun idea for the great teachers in your life (just in time for back to school).  Here's a shout out to domesticatedlady for this fun printable.  Visit her site for this and other great creative ideas.   


In May, I created these end-of-school year favors for the teachers at my son's school, so I can personally attest to their adorableness.  (I used the extra large campfire marshmallows for an added measure of fun).  Trust me when I say they were a hit.  

Twins Days

(L to R) My sister and me in 1964

August 5th, 6th and 7th is the official "Twins Days" celebration in Twinsburg, Ohio.  Though not attending, I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed that it's a 3-day festival.  Doesn't it seems like 2 days would have been sufficient (and a little more apropos)?  

With our mom and dad at my grandmother's house.

For the record, I'm a twin - born before fertility drugs and the trend of older women having babies (apparently higher maternal age increases your chance of having twins).  I don't have any other sisters so I can't really speak to the uniqueness of the twin relationship, though at times it's definitely had its benefits.

My sister and me on my wedding day, June 1990.

If you made the rounds of the Twins Days festival, I'm sure you'd find countless multiples who would gladly share their own experiences. But I thought today would be a good day to share the questions I am most often asked about being a twin (though with less and less frequency as I get older):


1)  Did you dress alike as children?


Yes and no.  As you can see in several of the photos, when we were babies we were often dressed alike.  In particular, our grandmothers and parents' friends were most likely to buy us matching outfits, but sometimes in different colors. When we started school, my mother encouraged us to chose our own shoes and sometimes that was the only distinction in the way we dressed - though we sometimes chose identical pairs - hello red patent Mary Janes!  Because we were never in class together (except a lone math class in high school) it never posed a problem for our teachers.   As we got older (later elementary school on) however, definitely not.  


2) Did you have a secret language?


No.


3) When you are sick is she sick and vice versa?


No, again.  


4) Do you have mental telepathy?  


Sorry to disappoint, but again, no.  Although, one year (while living in different states) we did purchase and mail our mom the same birthday card.  And, we did once both (unknowingly) mail order the same pair of  pants.


5) Did you ever try to trick anyone?


Only once, on April Fool's Day in the 5th grade.  In truth, our classmates found the whole thing so humorous, they practically gave it away with their laughter.  


 6) Which one of you is smarter?  


I never really knew how to answer this one.  In many ways, I find this question most insensitive.  But I have been asked it enough to know that I had to include it.  The truth is, I think we're smart in our own unique ways.  Like any individuals, we have our distinct likes and dislikes as well as certain abilities and gifts that we've worked to strengthen and develop on our own.  


I guess my final thought on the subject of twins, and what I'd most like people to know, is that twins are independent and separate souls, who happen to have a unique bond (and in the case of identical twins like me and my sister, almost the same DNA).  But for whatever part nature has played in who we are, our environment and life experience have shaped us too.  We may look-alike but we're not exactly alike.  

National Cell Phone Courtesy Month

I have a love/hate relationship with my cell phone.  How about you?  A modern convenience or incessant intruder?  I can't decide.  


July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month and I was thinking it's a good time to focus on a few important rules of phone etiquette.  I've culled the following from a couple of good cellphone sites.  For the most part, I've resisted the urge to editorialize since on occasion I have been known to engage in a few of these phone faux pas myself.  But on a few, I couldn't resist. 

1. Don't talk too loudly.

2. Don't hold inappropriate conversations in public.

In the last few years I have been witness to at least 3 or 4 separate one-sided conversations about weight loss goals and methods of birth control and their effectiveness.  Seriously.  

3. Don't interrupt face-to-face conversations to answer your cell phone.

4. Don't check your phone at the movies (or a Broadway show, a high school play or your daughter's piano recital, for that matter) even if you are just using your phone as a watch.  (see also #9)

Believe it or not, that little screen lighting up in a darkened theatre is a real distraction to a lot of us.  

5. Don't text while driving.

6. Don't text while talking.

7. Turn off your phone so you won't disturb live performances.

I was in church one Sunday when several pews in front of me a cell phone began to ring during the sermon.  The parishioner chose to ignore the incessant ringing until finally (and I kid not) the pastor said from the pulpit, "Why don't you answer?  We'll wait."

8. Consider your location before you answer your phone.

Number one on my list:  never answer your phone while you are in a stall in a public bathroom.  Seriously.

National Day of the Cowboy

Because we live in Texas now, we're celebrating the cowboy today.