Curious Wee goes to the Library

From the moment I saw that second line, I wanted to take my child to the library. While pregnant, I dreamed about going to the library: Story hour, playing with the puzzles, looking through the picture books.

My hometown has a great library system with 17 branches serving the metro-area. They are on Library Journal’s All Star library list, having received 5 stars in 2009 and 2010 and 4 stars in 2011 and 2012. (An interesting note, at 34 stars the state of Ohio ranks #2 in total stars on the list, just behind New York.)

Yesterday we had our first opportunity.

Wee’s idea of a physical library is straight out of “Curious George goes to the library”. He understands that we sometimes get kindle books from the library that go away after some time has passed. He’s actually pretty cool with that notion.

So, I was really excited when he started talking about reading a library book that had expired on the kindle. I asked him if he’d like to go to the library to get some more books.

:::record scratch:::

GO to the LIBRARY? Um, yes, mother.

After grabbing his new Mike Wazowski backpack from the sub-shop, we got on our shoes and headed out to the car. On the way he informed me that he wanted a book about a dinosaur, a train book, and a book about a bunny - three of the books that George picks out during his visit to the library. Once unbuckled from the car seat, I reminded him that we needed to use an inside voice and be very quiet in the library. He nodded then placed a finger over his lips and whispered, “shhh”.

Our neighborhood branch has a fun children’s section. In addition to half-a-dozen computer terminals there are toys like puzzles and a dollhouse to keep younger kids entertained. Wee gravitated right to a child-sized grocery stand and began playing with the toy food (“Broccoli! Ice Cream! Orange!”) before helping me pick out his books.

Once we had found his bunny, dino and train books, I asked if he was ready to go home. He gave me his sage nod and replied, “Go home, now.”

We checked out, reverently placed the books in his backpack and returned home to read them. Repeatedly.

Parenting bliss!

Lyric stuck in my head: Check it out! Don't we need a little understanding?

Not sure that California actually exists, but...

Another piece I wrote about one of my favorite actors for the HomeHunter and is posted over at Homes.Ohio.com - 

Drew Barrymore’s secluded estate on the market
By Mary Falconer-Williams, advertising writer 

Nestled in the coastal beauty of California’s Santa Barbara County is the area known as Montecito. A lush area, Montecito is known for its cool Mediterranean climate, ocean views and natural beauty. Since the filmmaking boon in the 1910s, it has been home to many artists and media tycoons. Now there will be one. Actor, producer and beauty maven Drew Barrymore has listed her historic Montecito estate for sale.

The site of her 2012 outdoor wedding to Will Kopelman, Barrymore’s home was built in 1937. The gorgeous estate includes approximately 2 acres of secluded gardens, mountain views, expansive lawn and citrus and avocado trees. The back porch and connected stone patio tempt visitors to sit a while and take in the stunning surroundings.

The 6,000 square-foot home is decorated with Barrymore’s famously quirky, flower child sense of style. (Her production company, Flower Films, and Walmart exclusive makeup line, Flower Cosmetics, further reveal her devotion to all things flowery.)

The estate includes a gorgeous library with hardwood floors, built-in bookshelves and a cozy fireplace. The sunny kitchen is decorated with yellow checkerboard tiles and an icy blue, retro refrigerator. This home is built to play host to large functions with an expansive formal dining room and two ranges, two refrigerators and an extra large island in the kitchen.

Each of the six gorgeous bedrooms includes access to the lush outdoor landscaping. Many of the rooms are painted in cool neutral colors creating an inviting atmosphere for sleep, contemplation or to simply admire some of the best outdoor views that Santa Barbara has to offer. The nursery is a shady olive color with large windows and French doors.

In true California-girl style, the garage is roomy enough to host a rec-room with spaces for your vehicles, bicycles and surfboards.

The estate has a separate guest apartment and ample parking. It is listed at $7.5 million dollars.

Do you know of a celebrity home that is currently for sale? Keep me posted! Email me at homehunter@thebeaconjournal.com.




Lyric currently stuck in my head: All your clothes are on the floor and all your records are smashed.

Spring is in full swing...

Sweet Valley, O High O

When we first bought the Kindle Fire we downloaded a bunch of classic works:  Dracula, Frankenstein, Moby Dick and various Fairy Tale books. (Also known as the FREE BOOKS.) Then I discovered that you could read a sample for various books. I’m a sucker for a sample reading. Even if I didn’t like a bound book, I will read the included sample of a new book.

So I downloaded the sample file for the Francine Pascal book, Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years later. I figured, eh! If it’s only ten pages, I can stop after ten pages. No big deal!

I forgot that the world of Sweet Valley is literary crack.

When I was younger, I read through the canon of Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield: Sweet Valley Kids, Sweet Valley Twins, The Unicorn Club, Sweet Valley High. I even tried to read Sweet Valley University and the Elizabeth Series, but Enid made me so mad I couldn’t go on. (That reminds me, Amy, just in case I damaged your SVU spine - I’m really sorry that I threw your book across the room.) I love the Sweet Valley High serial that starts with A Night to Remember and culminates with book 100: The Evil Twin. Those books still reside on my bookshelf along with The Wakefields of Sweet Valley, one and two.

Ok. Fine. The Sweet Valley game is there, too. And I can still sing the song from the commercial. Are you happy now that you’ve pulled that information out of me?

My first Kindle book purchase was Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years later. It hurts me to say it.

I bring this all up because I recently realized that my whole concept of California is based on several flawed images.

1)      Sweet Valley books

2)      L.A. Story

3)      Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion

4)      Saved by the Bell

5)      Charmed

6)      Three’s Company

7)      Lyrics from Beach Boys music

Taken individually, there is no harm. There are good and bad qualities for each example that can be debated in a later forum.

Taken together and you have visions of balmy 72 degree days on the palm lined beach. Blondes with lovely surfer tans and roller skates. Guys with too much hair gel, convertibles and large cell phones.

That can’t be reality, right?

Oh, but if it is? Sign me up! And pass me my Kindle Fire. I need to download the next installment, Sweet Valley: The Sweet Life.


Lyric stuck in my head: I just want to see some palm trees.

Artsy Marnie, Girl Reporter

I've been writing at my day job. (I'm so psyched out of my mind!) 

Check out my articles below:

F. Scott Fitzgerald's Balitmore home sells in just 61 days

Reese Witherspoon drops price by $2.5 million on her home in Ojai, Calif.

Childhood home of Ramona series author, Beverly Cleary, in Portland, Ore. 
 
Ronald Reagan’s pre-presidential home in Pacific Palisades, Calif., sells for more than $5 million 

 

Lyric stuck in my head: Well I don't think I can handle this, a cloudy day in Metropolis.

New Baby News Article

Good Afternoon~


Check out my article about being a mommy in Sunday's Akron Beacon Journal New Baby News or online here.



Lyric stuck in my head: Baby, baby, I'm taken with the notion to love you with the sweetest of devotion.

In the beginning ...

Kevin (Andrew McCarthy) and Leslie
(Demi Moore) in 1985's St. Elmo's Fire. Moore took her
 turn playing a writer in 1995's Now and Then.

WHEN it was my time to go through the Brat Pack Canon, back during my high school days, one movie stood out in particular: St. Elmo's Fire. 

I think it had a lot to do with Andrew McCarthy's character, Kevin. 

Not because I have a particular sort of fondness for Andrew McCarthy (in fact, I am and always remain a duck man - see Pretty in Pink) but more likely because he was the brooding writer type.

Exactly the way I'd like to see myself, though with less of the brooding aspect.

So here I go, putting words on a screen and recording my thoughts on whatever subject seems the most pressing. 

Welcome to the beginning.


Lyric stuck in my head: Welcome to the Jungle. We've got fun and games.