Category: This & That

A little bit of this and a tad bit of that

Secret Subject Swap — My Nobel Prize

Secret Subject Swap — My Nobel Prize

Welcome to a Secret Subject Swap. This week, 14 brave bloggers picked a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts.

My Secret Subject is:
You’ve won a Nobel Prize. Which? Why? What did you do to deserve the honor?

It was submitted by: http://berghamchronicles.blogspot.com

Hmm. . . this is a toughy. I guess I’ve never dreamed of winning a Nobel Prize. Why would I? I have too many other fish to fry just trying to raise a family, keep up with the laundry and keeping food in the fridge. Whew, just makes me tired thinking about it. But that being said, I do have dreams; and so why not go with me to the land of farfetched ambitions for a couple of minutes and let’s just see what this Nobel Prize might be all about.

On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace – the Nobel Prizes. http://www.nobelprize.org/

Since we’re dreaming here, let’s pretend I was just awarded a Nobel Prize in the literature category; because well let’s face it, I’m probably not nearly humble enough to win the peace prize and the other categories are way out of reach. As described in Nobel’s will, the literature prize is intended for the person who, in the literary field, had produced “the most outstanding work in an ideal direction.” So let’s see what I’ve done. . .

For my literature prize (and I mean no disrespect to actual Nobel Laureates), I’ve created the most outstanding work of literature in the children’s book category (remember – dreaming). It’s titled: Sammy and Guinevere Take a Very Long Vacation. It’s a book with simple, but smart animal characters that travel the world and explore time changes to unravel the real history of the world and all its civilizations. It’s a cross between, The Secret of Nimh, Animal Farm and Pete the Cat, and the kids are just wild about it. It’s a book that teaches the real truth about people, governments and injustices throughout time without being judgmental or condescending.

Sammy, one of the main characters, is an elderly little white terrier rescued from the pound by a kind family (yes, that happened); and Guinevere is a little green parakeet (also true). They accidentally discover a time traveling portal to the world among the mess under the bed of the little girl who loves them, and the two companions and countless side-kicks travel to and fro on countless adventures. Each time they return home, they recount their stories to Betty, a sweet old white cat, and a young artistic ferret named Picasso. Together the cat and ferret write and illustrate the lessons learned and keep all the knowledge safe from the neighbor’s evil German shepherd (no reference to certain evils, but our neighbor’s dog was really mean).

So what do you think? Sounds great, right? Well, I’ll let you know when I’ve completed my masterpiece and you can nominate me for the prize.

*****

If you want to read more of the fun, here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts.  Sit back, grab a cup, and check them all out. See you there:

A Huge Helping of Family Friendly Christmas Games

A Huge Helping of Family Friendly Christmas Games

Disclosure: I received this product as part of an advertorial.

elves-with-reindeer-274x300The kind folks at Python Printable Games gave me an opportunity to review their holiday games just in time for Christmas, and I’m so excited to pass along this great resource to all of you. With over 50 printable holiday games, this is a great place to download family friendly entertainment for home or holiday parties. Games include mad libs, game exchange stories, scavenger hunts, trivia and more. There is literally something for every age group, interest and occasion.

A few of my favorites include:

  • Shop-A-Thon Christian Gift Exchange – you purchase gifts for your Secret Santa based on a Bible verse
  • Bible Trivia – the hard and basic versions are both a bit challenging and fun
  • Christmas Music Trivia – this one is fun and educational
  • Spot the Difference – a good one for the kid
  • The Newlywed Game – a fun time for couples, and there is even a teen version of this one
  • Reindeer Games, Right-Left – a great way to exchange gifts for a large group
  • Super Star Christmas Trivia – match up the stars with their Christmas classic

Christmas_Hero_redIf you visit the Python Printable Games site, you can purchase the huge set of Christmas games for about $20.00 or just pay for the individual games you want. When you order your games, you receive them via an encrypted email link. They are in PDF format and may be printed in the home, office, or a copy shop. Also, there is no time limit for the purchased games. They are yours to keep; so if you don’t use them all in the first Christmas season (which is pretty likely, given the quantity of games here), then you have the games to use or reuse in future years.

May your Christmas be a bit merrier!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

A Trip Down Musical Memory Lane

A Trip Down Musical Memory Lane

Okay, so I am suppose to be finding “harmony” for today’s Even Day Challenge by listing some of my top favorite albums of all time, complete with excerpts. (Our host actually called them CDs, but since I was listening to music before CDs were invented I will simply call them albums. . . yes, I know this seriously dates me.)

Back to the harmony part. I guess I’m a bit out of sync (no pun intended), because I thought I needed to list ten of my favorites, but I just discovered it was only my top five. Well then, I guess you’re in luck! I present to you ten of my favorite albums of my entire lifetime, in no specific order. By the way, this was tough, and already additional artists have popped into my head. So enjoy the songs. . . and let me know what I missed

Rattle and Hum by U2

Favorite Track (very difficult decision): Hawkmoom 269

Hawkmoon 269 by U2 on Grooveshark

This album was very popular in college, and who doesn’t love some good U2. I was introduced to them by a bunch of boys from Europe studying at the University of Arkansas. Go Hogs!

 

Janet by Janet Jackson

Favorite Track:  This Time

This Time by Janet Jackson on Grooveshark

This is one of the few CDs I own of a more mainstream artist. It was a great workout album and I absolutely love the vocals at the end of “This Time.”

 

Garbage by Garbage

Favorite Track;  Dog New Tricks

Dog New Tricks by Garbage on Grooveshark

It was the mid-90s and I was a young woman on her own in the big, not-so-bad world when I first heard Garbage. I’ve always had a thing for alternative music; so when “Only Happy When It Rains” hit the radio, I was hooked.

 

Haunted by Poe

Favorite Track:  Haunted

Haunted by Poe on Grooveshark

I’m not sure where I first heard Poe, but I immediately fell in love with her haunting lyrics and folky, jazzy alternative sound. Although Haunted was not the first of her albums I put in my CD collection, it’s still one of my favorites (okay, so she only has two and both are great).

 

Hysteria by Def Leppard

Favorite Track:  Animal

Animal by Def Leppard on Grooveshark

Yes, it had to be done. Let me just say junior high and high school would not have been the same without Def Leppard blasting on the airways and in our portable CD players.

 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Favorite Track: Carol of the Bells

Carol of the Bells by Trans-Siberian Orchestra on Grooveshark

This may seem like an odd choice but let me tell you, nothing gets me in the Christmas spirit faster than this song. I finally got to see them in concert and it was an amazing experience for both the ears and eyes.

 

All Fired Up: The Very Best of Pat Benatar by Pat Benatar

Favorite Track:  Promises In the Dark

Promises in the Dark by Pat Benatar on Grooveshark

Another oldie (sorry Pat) but a good one. I think I could sing her songs all day long, and did you know that she first started out with plans to be a classical and theatrical singer?

 

Shepherd Moons by Enya

Favorite Track:  Caribbean Blue

Caribbean Blue by Enya on Grooveshark

I latched onto Enya during my college years. I guess I just needed something a bit more calming at times and let me tell ya, her fabulous Irish vocals can calm a person’s blood pressure right down to nothing.

 

Swamp Ophelia by Indigo Girls

Favorite Track:  Touch Me Fall

Touch Me Fall by Indigo Girls on Grooveshark

I began listening to Indigo Girls during my late college years and found their folky, alternative sound and interesting lyrics to be a nice change of pace to the techno dance music that was all over the place.

 

Footloose Soundtrack (the original) by Various Artists

Favorite Track:  Holding Out for a Hero

Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler on Grooveshark

The year was 1984 and I was in junior high — the perfect age to be forever affected by this movie and its soundtrack. It’s full of great hits, but Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero” is still definitely one of my favorites. With that being said, I think I better cut, Footloose.

 
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