a little spook show

October 30, 2012October 30, 2012 ~ jama ~ 8 Comments

Thought you might like to see some of the decorations from this amazing Halloween party we attended in our neighborhood. The hosts are diehard Halloween junkies who transformed their house and yard into all that is weird, scary, and macabre. Rattles, screams, creaks, billows of smoke, chain clanking and a lot of mmmmwwaahahahahahahaha’s!

Inside, an incredible spread complete with meatballs, fried shrimp, little pizzas, chili casserole and a cool treats table where you could scoop up candied popcorn, lollies, candy corn, gummy worms, and chocolate eyeballs. Popeye and Olive Oyl, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, a Jaw Breaker Machine, beautiful princesses and adorable Owlettes wearing striped neckties were in attendance. Enjoy!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

————————————–

autumn amblings, or, cornelius falls for fall

October 29, 2012September 23, 2017 ~ jama ~ 28 Comments

~ by Mr. Cornelius, especially for Julia

*“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~ William Cullen Bryant*

Oh hello!

Do you know what the best part of Fall is?

It could be crunching leaves under your boots,

finding tree faces,

or going to the pumpkin farm!

I like all the funny bumpy squashes and gourds,

*You really should see someone about that.*

diving into the candy bin,

playing with the tractors and miniature horses,

doing daredevil stunts,

lending an ear,

liking dem apples,

baby, you can drive my car!

BUT. There’s something else that tops all.

Mmmmm! This one’s still warm. Can you smell those cinnamon-y apples?

Apple Pie is a really really good part of Fall.

But even better is adopting a pumpkin friend and making him feel at home.

Don’t worry, we won’t carve him.

Come visit us soon, Julia —

before giant pumpkins take over the world!

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” ~ Emily Bronte

* * * * *

P.S. Posting may be sporadic this week because of Hurricane Sandy. Wishing the best to all my East Coast friends. Stay safe and good luck!

———————————————–

soup of the day: happy birthday, tree! and the schmutzy family by madelyn rosenberg (and a double giveaway)!

September 3, 2012September 15, 2017 ~ jama ~ 34 Comments

What could be better than celebrating a first book by a fellow Virginia author?

Why, celebrating TWO first books, of course, yes TWO — by our favorite guitar playin’, Bob Dylan-lovin’, popcorn eatin’ ace reporter turned fiction writer Madelyn Rosenberg!!

YAHOO!!

And this is just as it should be — since Maddie (I can call her that cause I’m older) is twice as nice, twice as smart, and twice as cute. We are thrilled to be sending out twice the ♥love♥ today for her two debut picture books, The Schmutzy Family, illustrated by Paul Meisel (Holiday House, 2012); and Happy Birthday Tree!: A Tu B’Shevat Story illustrated by Jana Christy (Albert Whitman, 2012).

I hope you’re in double the partying mood cause we’ve got lots of pictures and snacks and tasty things to say about both of Ms. Rosenberg’s new books :). We’re even revealing a little-known secret: Madelyn may be a very talented writer and all-around good person, but . . . she’s a tad messy! *ssshhh* More on that later.

Continue reading →

sunday bear: li-young lee

June 17, 2012October 2, 2017 ~ jama ~ 5 Comments

The Gift
by Li-Young Lee

To pull the metal splinter from my palm

my father recited a story in a low voice.

I watched his lovely face and not the blade.

Before the story ended, he’d removed

the iron sliver I thought I’d die from.

I can’t remember the tale,

but hear his voice still, a well

of dark water, a prayer.

And I recall his hands,

two measures of tenderness

he laid against my face,

the flames of discipline

he raised above my head.

Had you entered that afternoon

you would have thought you saw a man

planting something in a boy’s palm,

a silver tear, a tiny flame.

Had you followed that boy

you would have arrived here,

where I bend over my wife’s right hand.

Look how I shave her thumbnail down

so carefully she feels no pain.

Watch as I lift the splinter out.

I was seven when my father

took my hand like this,

and I did not hold that shard

between my fingers and think,

Metal that will bury me,

christen it Little Assassin,

Ore Going Deep for My Heart.

And I did not lift up my wound and cry,

Death visited here!

I did what a child does

when he’s given something to keep.

I kissed my father.

***

♥ Today’s Sunday Bear Hug is brought to you by Mr. Cornelius, who wishes everyone a Happy Father’s Day. He would also like you to have a piece of lemon meringue pie, favorite of Jama’s father James. ☺

((((((HUGS))))))((((((FATHERS)))))))((((((((HUGS)))))

———————————————-

apple pie 4th of july winners!

June 11, 2012September 30, 2017 ~ jama ~ 11 Comments

Why yes. It’s time once again to risk life and limb to select the winners of our Apple Pie 4th of July Summer Giveaway.

As some of you may know, last time we nearly avoided any semblance of monkey business, riots in the ranks, or tetchy tampering with contest results.

Nearly.

Determined to avoid yet another fiasco involving false mustaches, Groucho Marx impersonations, or twitchy dowsing rods gone amok, we sent an urgent missive to the ever steady and reliable Mr. Random Integer Generator, who, after a brief sojourn in the French Riviera, Peugeoted himself across the border and is, at this very moment, relaxing in Tuscany with a glass of Chianti, pecorino, and summer-glorious panzanella.