You know how Martha Stewart always talks about "a good thing"? Well, today I decided to blog about two very good but unrelated things!
The first is that on Thursday I saw in my backyard the first crocus of spring - cheerful yellow, and sturdy enough to endure the cold days that are sure to follow! Yeah!! That means the rest of the flowers won't be far behind. In fact, when I was in Knoxville on Friday at my daughter's house, she actually had lots of daffodils in bloom. Ours are "up" but it will be awhile yet before we have any blossoms.
Still, it's hopeful to know that warm spring breezes are in the near future!
And now for my second good thing... when we were in DC last week, we had time to sneak in a trip to the old Patent Building... it now houses the Portrait Gallery and the Museum of American Art. These are not on the mall with most of the other Smithsonian Museums, so you have to go a bit out of your way, but they are definitely worth it! We spent a couple of hours there and loved every minute of it.
I took some photos of my favorites, but this one picture caught my interest in a special way. It reminds me of how much we all love to read. Moms and Dads reading to their children is one of the best ways to ensure future success in school and to create a lifelong love of books. My dh and I loved to read to our girls as they were growing up...
In addition to my parents reading to me, I had a great aunt who would take me to the Bookmobile and who would also buy me books and let me read books off of her shelves. (Not all of which were appropriate!!) But I grew up absolutely adoring books and reading, and I can't imagine my life without either.
So, this painting is a nice reminder of one of life's simple but most profound joys...
Tell me ladies - were you reading at an early age, or like some people - did you become a pleasure reader later in life?
Tell us your story. :)
Janice Maynard
(off to read a good book...)
16 comments:
Ok I am trying this again...grrr.
Hi Janice. I blame my mom for my reading addiction. She always loved to read to us or we would find her reading. She got us into the summer reading programs at the library etc. I come buy it all naturally.
I have always bought books for my nieces and nephew. Its fun to read to them. You can never start them on a love of reading too early.
Grrr, I am with Judy. Sometimes blogger is evil. Other times it's really, really evil.
I read at a young age, way before school. My mom was a reader and got me started. My brothers weren't into it, but I read everything - kleenex boxes (there were stories at the bottom of the box), cereal boxes, junk mail, you name it.
I love buying books for other people, too. At Christmas I always participate in the book-buying angel trees. Such a valuable gift to give.
I remember my mom reading "Little Women" to me. I was old enough to read on my own but it was our time together.
I became a readaholic when we moved up to VT and my allergies were a mess so I had to stay inside most of the summer. That summer I remember reading over 50 books or more. I would say 100 but that may be on the high side.
And I married a guy who is also a book addict. Which makes it worse!! We have books everywhere!!!
Janice :)
My mom was always a voracious reader, and she taught me my love of books and reading at a very young age, and that was the greatest gift she could have given me. I'm extremely grateful since books have been one of the biggest joys of my life.
My parents read to me when I was smaller, and I in turn read to my kids, and grandchildren. My Mom tells an funny story about how I used to sit on the floor and "read" my nursery rhyme book to her word for word. She was so excited, and told everyone I could read I was three at the time - but my Dad told her I was not reading but reciting what I had heard and when I saw the picture I did the association.......she was crushed with the explaination but at the same time very proud..........lol
So my love of reading comes from a very young age.
I don't remember when I first started reading, but I've loved it for as long as I can remember. In third grade or so, instead of going to sleep, sometimes I'd read in the dark for a bit. Don't know if that contributed to my nearsightedness at all.
early.....very early...
I love hearing these stories! I remember reading under the bedcovers with a flashlight... which is probably why I have bad eyes. Ha!
Janice
My mom always read to us growing up. Every summer we participated in the readathon at the library. Now, my hubby and I always read to our daughters. They love it. I love watching them "read" the books and listen to what they come up with.
I have always loved to read! I can remember going to the library when I was very young, my grandmother worked in the water department which was in the same building. I still love to read and married a man who loves to read also. We love to purchase books for our niece, and when our newphew is born we will be buying for him as well.
I always hated reading! Then, when my dh and I took my oldest to his meet-the-teacher night to drop off supplies and get acquainted he said something that mortified me! (1st grade.) Justin told the teacher, before any introductions of any kind (he was a bit nervous), that "I hate to read." I was so embarassed (sp)! He said it so matter-of-fact, like everyday conversation! Over the next few weeks I began reading out loud to him and encouraging him to form pictures in his mind of what I was reading to him and I explained that what he saw in his mind - someone else will see something different. Well, that intrigued him and he kept asking me to read to him. So I did. That was the Harry Potter series. Once he started reading on his own later that year I realized I missed the reading. So, my mom hooked me up with some Janet Evanovich. Now, you'll be hard pressed to find me without a book - of any genre. That was three years ago and I can't even begin to think how many books I've read since then. So, my reading hobby began later in life - to answer your question. I now find that a book is my security blanket.
Wow, Stacie! Your post almost made me cry! How wonderful that you and your son both fell in love with books by reading Harry Potter together.
It's a great addiction to have!! :)
Janice
Wow, Stacie! Your post almost made me cry! How wonderful that you and your son both fell in love with books by reading Harry Potter together.
It's a great addiction to have!! :)
Janice
My parents were voracious readers, and both read to me when I was young. I was hooked quickly and devoured books when I got old enough to read. Books became good friends to me, and it's sometimes painful to part with them. But wow, I have so many now that are keepers and not enough room.
I can't remember seeing my parents read novels. Mom always had a cookbook and dad read fishing, hunting, or piloting magazines. We have pictures of my two brothers and me sitting in our rocking chairs with books on our laps. Mom says we always loved getting books as small children.
I can remember in 7th grade reading Harlequins in class. I would put the Harlequin inside my textbook during class, then hold it up so it would look like I was doing my work.
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