Happy New Year’s Eve!

Happy New Year to one and all! May 2012 bring you many blessings along with plenty of warm memories!

 

R.I.P. Big Dog

Thanksgiving 2009

Amongst all the happy moments of this Christmas vacation, there is one tremendously sad note. Yesterday I received the news that McBro and McSis-in-Law had to say a final farewell to Conner, the coolest dog ever. The Big Dog was well over one hundred years old (in dog years), and had lived a good, happy life. With a tongue that was always ready to lick the lotion right off your legs (you never know…it might be jelly!), and a tail that could wreak havoc wherever it swung, Conner found a special place in my heart from the first time I saw him.

Of course, Conner was so much more than a dog.

Conner was family from the moment he walked into our lives.

How could you not love this face!?!

Or this one!?!

And while we humans might miss this face more than we ever thought possible, there is one amongst us who will miss Conner more than we can know. Little sister, Grendel.

Conner Gets a Smooch from Grendel

Farewell, old man! I hope Heaven is stocked with chewies, squirrels to chase, toys to play tug-o-war with, a big, cushy ball to lay your head on, and lots and lots of cheese.

Literature Map

If you’re looking for something new to read, try this website:

Literature Map

You simply enter the name of your favorite author into a box like this:

And, after you click “continue”, you receive a “map” that looks like this:

Each name in the resulting map links to another Literature Map, so the odds that you’ll find something new to read are really good!

Today’s Assignment

I know it’s Sunday, but I’m giving everyone (students and parents alike) an assignment. I’ve decided to declare today a You Matter Day in honor of what would have been my grandparents’ 72nd anniversary. You can read all about it here:

A #YouMatter Day

In short, I’m asking everyone to tell at least one person why they matter. You can write it in a note or say it in person; the important thing is that you share the sentiment with that person somehow. Let’s change the world today by letting everyone know they matter!

Carry on.