A Book Recommendation from Joanne

While we are celebrating women this month, I had to share this book I enjoyed so much. It's a collection of Anna Quindlen's stories about being a woman, her women friends, their times together and the changes they've experienced. The title includes "Lots of Candles," but there are also lots of laughs, along with many "that's what we did" and "that's how I felt" moments. The awareness and thoughts would be important guide for younger women, but the book can probably be slowly savored best by those of us who remember the '60s and onward.

Looking to the Future

Is there a little girl in your life? Do most of her toys come from a store that has a pink aisle and a blue aisle? Is she overloaded with princess paraphernalia? While that can be fun, for most of us being a princess is not a viable path to gainful employment or to making a contribution to our world. On the other hand . . . meet GoldieBlox! Debbie Sterling, a Stanford graduate and engineer-turned-entrepreneur, has started a small company with a big message – “Engineering isn’t just for boys!” With its higher pay and almost-limitless opportunities for creation, engineering is one of the areas of STEM that is still very much dominated by men – 87% male, by recent studies. To find out more about early influences on girls and about Sterling’s new toys, go to her website, and be sure to watch the video – www.goldieblox.com. Once you start looking for ways to give young girls experience and positive reinforcement in science, you’ll see free opportunities everywhere – mindfully choosing their books, toys and activities, doing “chemistry” in the kitchen, letting them be a part of using equipment at home, seeing how it works and thinking of ideas for what to do when it doesn’t, making “inventions” on paper or with old pieces of other objects. After Women’s History Month 2013 and its emphasis on STEM, we’re hoping the future holds more science for young women than just the occasional pink hammer around the house.

A Treasure for Mom and Dad

Encourage your girls AND your boys to use journals to record their views of their world, whether it’s from the eyes of their 4-year-old selves or their 14-year-old selves. Someday, when they are off making their own lives, you’ll have that treasure to hold close to your heart. 

George was given the Dad journal from Tootie on Fathers Day. He turns 80 in April, and he is just loving filling in each page. The day will come(not too soon I pray.) that it will be given back to her. A treasure of who her Dad is from his own words, guided by the thoughtful questions from these sweet authors. Thank you.

Kathy Lashier Sylvia, thank you for your enthusiastic response to our journals. I will look forward to hearing more stories from you and George when you begin to fill out YOUR Mom journals ! Blessings.....Kathy

 

It's Still Women's History Month

Here's to all you ladies out there who were hoping for a day like this............