Thank you, Rudyard Kipling

I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.

I let them rest from nine till five,
For I am busy then,
As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,
For they are hungry men:
But different folk have different views;
I know a person small -
She sends 'em abroad on her own affairs,
From the second she opens her eyes -
One million Hows, two million Wheres,
And seven million Whys!

-from Just So Stories, The Elephant's Child, by Rudyard Kipling

I'm not too good at this...

I finally finished my post about books read in 2011, but it's posted according to the date I originally began writing it. Don't know how to change that, but you can look in my archives (ha!), or go here if you want to read it. It's real short.

I have realized how illiterate I am with computers in coming back to the cyberworld. Sigh. It's just one more thing I don't have time for. Sigh. I am not giving up.

In other news, I have decided to rename the blog. Look for changes soon. I am taking inspiration from a Christmas card a year or two back from one of the dearest of friends. This card remains on my refrigerator to remind me every day. I have never loved the name of my blog anyway, but I love this.

For Joel's Birthday

This blog post is for those wondering what Joel needs/wants for his birthday. You know who you are. Invitations are going out next week, but just so you know the party's on the 17th.

Clothes/Shoes
Jeans (size 8 reg)
Khakis, or dress pants
Longhorns t-shirt
Flip flops (size 2)

Books
Anything unabridged by Howard Pyle, such as The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, Men of Iron, Otto of the Silver Hand. Also illustrated by Pyle is a plus. Hardback. Used is a plus.
George MacDonald books; We already have The Princess and the Goblin, but there are plenty more.
Abraham Lincoln by Edgar & Ingri D'aulaire
Any of the Little House books, especially Farmer Boy

Other
Pocket knife
He loves gift cards
Art supplies and books as seen here (having trouble with the link, here it is: http://www.squidoo.com/artsuppliesforkids), especially the Drawing with Children book, and You Can Paint Pastels book.
Anything to do with bugs, animals and birds. He loves bug farms, i.e. growing ladybugs, raising butterflies, etc.
A large magnifying glass
Critter keeper, preferably not plastic

He really doesn't need a lot. No toys, please. We have too many toys.