Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
What are you doing this summer? The school holidays started in our part of Germany this week and my normally scheduled-to-the-hilt calendar is sadly empty. My 6 year old has been in weekly summer camps since mid-June, when her American school went on summer break. Until last week, she had regular German activities that still kept her busy twice a week, but now they are also on “Urlaub” (holiday). Now? I’m at a loss. Thankfully, we have a child who inhales a couple of books every few days, having recently graduated to chapter books while in Kindergarten (her dad & I were early readers, and still always have a book or e-book nearby). Her reading hobby makes things like bus trips and long car rides tolerable. I’d rather have her nose in a book than in a videogame or watching a movie. (Don’t misunderstand me; she has a couple of video games on an old iPhone, but we don’t own a videogame player and don’t plan to. Ever.) Instead, we offer lots of reading material. I hope she grows to love the written word, in nearly any format. Childrens readers like Little House on the Prairie and the Magic Treehouse. The back of the cereal boxes. Reading my emails and text messages over my shoulder… well, you get the picture (thankfully, my texts are “clean”). To keep her focused, I got her a blank book so she could track what she’s read this summer. That’s her summer goal before 1st grade. This weekly post, my written word mash-up, with a closing music video (or 2), is my summer reading “log”. I’m a couple days later than intended with this post, but I think I’ll move it to Wednesdays in the future. I hope you’re enjoying it so far! And I hope you’ll be a regular visitor, too.
For the writers who need free photos…
Clik here to view.
Image taken from page 19 of ‘Songs for Little People. [With illustrations by H. Stratton.]’ Copyright – Public Domain, from the British Library
The British Library, Flickr, & some of the most fantastic and rare photos in mankind’s history
As a blogger, I sometimes (ok, often) hit the mental wall of silence. Writer’s Block. Procrastination. Or I just run out of ideas and steam. At the same moment. As a visual creative, thought-provoking images and words help get the mental juices running. Check out the free photos from as far back as the 17th century, some which still needs to be tagged properly, but with this sort of stockpile, you can add a bit of quirk, flair, and historical reference to your own work.
Tip: How to properly attribute Creative Commons Zero Public Domain
For the blogger with writer’s block…
Blog Title Generator
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
I initially jotted down “writers block hangover cure” when I found this link and knew I wanted to eventually share it with you. ‘Nuf said. (You still have a bit of work to do and plug in a few words here or there, but it’s a nice little prompter if you’re stuck on a title.)
For the Parents/Grandparents out there… or folks who love children’s books…
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
This is one of my favorite children’s books. It means a lot to me personally but I can’t help but think of my own parents as I listen to author Robert Munsch reading aloud on his own site. I suggest you have your own copy (& child nearby if you wish) while he reads you a story, or 2 or 3. Drop him a note too (he responds pretty darn quick).
For the authors waiting to publish…
The Best Writing Advice for New Childrens Authors from Top Editors
And while you’re at it, check out The Times’ Childrens fiction competition for this year.
The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2015 terms and conditions
18 countries, 18 publication opportunities
If you’ve got an idea for a manuscript or you have a completed one, waiting for the chance at publication. Maybe you’ve toyed with self-publishing or releasing it online, chapter by chapter. Have you tried overseas publishing companies? Aerogrammestudio‘s list can get you started.
Meg Wollitzer – Summer Camp
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Storytelling at it’s best from The Moth. If you’re a fan of audiobooks or poetry slams, you’ll love this storytelling site. Meg Wollitzer’s coming of age tale highlights summer camp from the eyes of a young girl trying to keep up with her more sophisticated fellow campers. Ah, I don’t miss the tween/teen years. At. All.
The Power of Roller Derby Skate Names
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
A young woman I worked with years ago is on a roller derby skate team. Knowing how quiet she could be around me when I first met her, seeing photos of her in her roller derby gear at first caught me by surprise. This article gives me a bit more insight into the world of roller derby…I’m intrigued. I can imagine what kind of alter ego names I like. Maybe something from the Potter world. Definitely not Disneyana. What about you?
Skate names are like alter egos.-Regina Lampert @frogmouth_inc
Click To Tweet
Musical break…
We’re Irish Dance fans in our home by default, although hubby saw Riverdance nearly 20 years ago. Our 6 year old took it up a year ago and has really taken to it. She dances a jig instead of walking most places now. These last 2 videos are for her.
The Try Guys try Irish Step Dancing
The fearless four known as the Try Guys do their best (worst?) attempt with Irish dancing.
Freedom
A friend of mine shared this story and video earlier this week by Joe.ie’s columnist Tony Cuddihy: These 3 Irish Dancers are going to be absolute superstars. The Facebook video prompted a couple of things for me: (1) look further into Facebook video vice YouTube video and (2) research the Chaplin archives for the 1940 speech from The Great Dictator film. Click on the black screen below to start the Freedom video.
Photo credits:
Blog featured image: On location in the vineyards near our home in Germany; Britney Brown Designs
Free stock photos via Morguefile and Gratisography
Thanks for reading! Comments are always appreciated (unless they’re totally snarky and rude or you’re a spammer, then you’ll get the big D).
Cheers,
Melody AKA Nymphadora Taunts
(Kidding! I can’t even skate backwards)
The post ChitChat Pack 1.3 – Humpday edition, The Written Word and a bit of Irish Dancing appeared first on Global Family Treks.