This post will be short and sweet. To all who sent words of sympathy and/or donated to the Sparky the Gang rescue in memory of our furbaby – Bayla – THANK YOU!
It has been overwhelming how many people extended acts of kindness towards us. We are filled with gratitude.
~Louise
We weren’t ready to say goodbye to one of the world’s best dogs. But, one minute, she was a loveable, active, goofy, vocal, and always on the “ready” to eat kind of dog – and then what seemed like in a flash – she wasn’t.
Bayla has left a void in the hearts of so many – most of all Marc and I.
May her memory be a blessing.
If you are so inclined to donate to the rescue where we adopted Bayla 9 years ago- please check out Sparky and the Gang in Long Beach, California. https://sparkyandthegang.com
Below I am sharing about her cancer journey. Very little was known about the kind of cancer Bayla “acquired”. We had no idea what to expect as there were so few other dogs who shared her diagnosis and had their experiences with trigeminal nerve sheath tumors documented. Since there is so little information that is not written in “vet-speak” – I decided to chronicle our experiences from pre-diagnosis to her last day – today. Know that I started to “journal” Bayla’s journey months before today – only the last entry was added after we said our final goodbye.
The story of Bayla’s cancer… Bayla was diagnosed the week of Halloween 2023 as having an inoperable brain tumor. The worst Halloween “trick” EVER. But, I soon learned that her condition is known as a trigeminal nerve sheath tumor. It is not common and breeds such as Labradors (or mixes with labs) are more apt to have this type of tumor. The onset of symptoms comes swiftly and progresses with lightning speed. For many dogs, like Bayla, radiation, chemo, and other types of interventions are not possible. Usually, the first symptom is an indent on top of the head. And that was our first clue. Halloween week 2023 – a dent on the top of her head appears.
Progression of Bayla’s trigeminal nerve sheath tumor.
As Julie Andrew sang in the Sound of Music tune Do-Re-Mi – Let’s start at the very beginning...
June 2023
No atrophy
No symptoms
But we were told the cancer was already growing at this point.
November 2023. Atrophy above her eye as the muscle is diminished due to the tumor impacting her nerve. Also impacted is her jawline. Many veterinary visits later – we received the bad news. She was terminally ill. I started to call “end of life” places to help us if the neuro-vet who said we would be lucky to have her in a few months- was right. (Spoiler alert- he wasn’t). She thrived through the winter months and much longer than that.
This photo was taken June 6, 2024. Bayla continued to act like herself more than a sickly dog. She ate well. She barked at every truck that went by. The usual “stuff”. She also slept more and was very clingy. The atrophy crossed over to the other half of her head by May. Caving can be seen in her face with her eyes being more sunken. But, she is defying the odds. The doggy neurologist was wrong. This “ol girl had many more days past the (maybe) 6-month expiration he had given to her! She is on a hefty dose of two meds for discomfort and also for swelling. She pees a ton – but all in all – is a very happy dog! She also gets away with anything she wants – including jumping up to the table to snatch my food! (“The tumor made me do it!”)
June 2024: In all fairness – she does have a crazy-looking cranium. This is her “I need a nap” look.
September 25, 2024 – Behavioral changes.
There is no better way to explain life with Bayla than to say she has reverted in many ways – back to puppyhood. Or so we think. We kinda missed her first year of life and can only assume that many of the same behaviors she is exhibiting now are similar to those of the first few months she had here on earth. She finds random items and flings them, carries them around the house, or hides them. Several of my shoes are no longer paired. The victims are the newest shoes for fall -they are among the missing. I didn’t even wear them yet.
She cries more now – around me. When with her daddy she tends to be more playful – almost like she is hiding her true feelings to keep him from becoming upset. She tends to be less guarded with me – like we have a copesetic relationship. I think she is telling me the end of the road is almost near and I need to become prepared – more so than ever- but I am not sure. I could be getting mixed signals. The veterinarian told us we would know when she has “bad days more than good.” If she sleeps 2/3 of her day and walks around aimlessly for a good portion of the night – is that her having a sickly bad day? Or is that just being a senior dog? I ordered her new stuffed toys today – thinking a stuffed squirrel and rabbit would bring her comfort. Maybe I bought them for me so I would have one last opportunity to see her try to tear the squeaker out of a “stuffed lovey”. The toy arrives thanks to Amazon’s overnight delivery service. She plays for a moment or two. No attempt to remove the squeaker. It lays beside her as she tries to sleep.
And then I remember our new reality. She isn’t the dog that likes to play with a new toy… Sweet Bayla is barely a glimmer of the little pup I met in 2015. She is telling us it is time to go over the rainbow bridge.
September 28, 2024
Yes, I have been up all night. Listening to her walk around the house. Seeing her try to rest only to realize she can’t settle. She is in pain. She whimpers softly. Finally, she falls asleep – but only for a few short moments – and then she gets up again to walk aimlessly in circles. She comes over to me at 3 a.m. She stares as if to say – “make the call – it is time.”
And it was. This morning we let her go over the rainbow bridge to play forever with her pals who left before her. I would like to think she is partying it up and eating whatever and whenever she wants! And since she was rescued from Tijuana, Mexico – I hope she has found “heavenly food trucks” – oh how she loved her tacos!
_________________________________________
A special thank you and gratitude to all who have loved her and spoiled her throughout the years. She adored “her people”.
Below you will find a gallery of photos and a poem I found.
Thank you for reading.
author unknown.
Recently, I traveled to Victoria, British Columbia with my hubby, exploring a good portion of Vancouver Island and the capital city. How to get here? Many ferries come to this island from the mainland of Canada (the city of Vancouver) and the United States (Seattle). Also, the Victoria International Airport is very busy and has frequent flights to and from North America and beyond.
If you have read any of my travel blogs then you know to expect a list of travel tips. So, without further adieu here are my helpful tips, recommendations, and photos!
TIPS for VISITING VANCOUVER ISLAND
Victoria is a popular destination during warmer months due to cruise ships stopping en route to or from Alaska. Consider visiting Victoria, and the rest of Vancouver Island, earlier in the Spring or the Fall. You may have more rain, but you will not have to endure the crowds. If you are on a cruise with limited time – then consider my “Top 3” places to explore on this island.
1. BUTCHART GARDENS
2. EMPRESS HOTEL for HIGH TEA
3. INNER HARBOR of DOWNTOWN VICTORIA
My top places to travel also are popular with others, so consider planning and purchasing tickets to visit Butchart Gardens and The Empress Hotel for High Tea. These two places are very impressive and also deserving of your consideration. Butchart Gardens can take several hours to meander the paths along the Sunken, Japanese, Italian, and Rose gardens. There are shops, restaurants, and even a carousel. During the summer weekends, musical entertainment is available along with fireworks on Saturday evenings.
The Empress Hotel is downtown in Victoria. It is located in the middle of the inner harbor and offers a multitude of places to visit. There is High Tea at the Empress (a very lovely two hours can be spent here having tea and assorted yummy sandwiches, scones, and desserts.). There also is a miniature museum on the perimeter of the hotel and well worth spending another hour or two visiting. (This is a very fun place to bring children!) Except for the museum, it is best to purchase in advance tickets for the gardens and high tea. Plus, enjoy the sculptures all around the hotel, as well!
Victoria is a walking city. Dress for a temperate climate and lots of walking. Be sure to pack a raincoat or umbrella!
Tickets can be purchased on the bus or the Visitor’s Center located on the corner of Wharf and Government Street.
Located under an hour from downtown is no less than ten wineries and cider mills. We loved the Cowichan Valley’s Merridale Cider Mill – mostly because it had delicious ciders and sandwiches, but also because it was very family-friendly. Their property included much to see, including faerie gardens!
Along the perimeter of Victoria, you will find inlets, harbors, and beaches. From the sea glass beach in Sidney (near the airport) to “SPLIT ROCK LOOKOUT” in Malahat (a lovely serene area off the beaten path). Pack a picnic, sunblock, and go hike the beach trails!
If you are like me, you find castles and lighthouses fascinating. But, after one or two you have had enough! So, if you feel the need to explore a castle- make it Craigdorrach in the downtown area of Victoria! The history is fascinating and the castle is beautiful. BUT… be warned – there is no elevator, ramps, or any other attempt to make this place accessible. It is privately owned and everything is in ENGLISH (not even French – the official second language of Canada!)
We ate at a few really good restaurants and a few not so good. I already covered the two exceptionally yummy high teas we attended at Butchart Gardens and The Empress Hotel.
The only restaurant that we found as a standout was NAUTICAL NELLIES on Wharf Street. This restaurant has a casual atmosphere with a pub-like feel. There is outdoor seating and they have take-out options. It also had an eclectic menu that included lobster mac and cheese (double yum), a spicy street corn, and several varieties of sushi! We ate three times at Nautical Nellies and would have gone back again if we had more days! Their waitstaff also was very attentive and answered all of our questions (due to allergies – I got questions!)
In closing, we visited Victoria during their Canada Day celebration festivities! We booked our hotel for July 1 (Canada Day) at the Delta Marriott. It just happened to be the exact area where they launched the fireworks display for all who were visiting the harbor. Our room proved to be an excellent vantage point to photograph and video the fireworks. Enjoy the video!
Butchart Gardens is 55 acres of amazement! Privately owned by Jennie Butchart and operated by her family and considered the “must-do venue” of Victoria for tourists to visit! Thousands of people explore Butchart – and this year I was one of them during a recent trip to Victoria. I decided to share some insights and photos about Butchart Gardens for all of you to enjoy!
Tips for Visiting Butchart Gardens
TIP 1: Plan your trip before arriving in Victoria. Start by visiting the Butchart Gardens website to familiarize yourself with the layout of the area and also to purchase tickets. Keep in mind that there are many activities, including musical bands on Fridays and Saturday fireworks. I also would recommend making a reservation at the Butchart Tea House!
TIP 2: Go early in the day! Be sure to print your tickets or have them downloaded onto your phone. When you pass through the entry gates ask for the brochure guide that describes all the flowers and trees. This guide is very helpful is very little signage to help you know the names of the area flowers and trees.
Also, know that the crowds increase during the day, so plan on arriving at the gardens when they open. There are clear maps throughout the acreage. We started with the Sunken Gardens. The walkway had both steps and ramp inclines, so a person with mobility issues (such as a wheelchair) could access the gardens without much difficulty.
TIP 3.: Earl Grey anyone? I highly suggest you make the TEA HOUSE a stop during your visit. No reservations? Don’t worry! Just plan on standing in line at the Tea House by 10:45a.m. to secure a spot or perhaps be one of the first to enter. (We were online for 15 minutes and seated and served our tea by 11:10 a.m.) The tea and food are delicious and well worth the wait and cost. ($52 Canadian when we visited). The food includes a trifle as the starter, then an array of foods served on a fancy three-tiered china platter with scones, bite-sized sandwiches, a small quiche, and selected desserts. While it may seem that this is not enough food – it was so much we took home several of the desserts as we were too full! (I highly recommend the peppermint tea.)
Everything is coming up roses at Butchart Gardens!
TIP 4 – This is a very popular area in the gardens – so expect crowds and try to time your entry into this area when there are no strollers or large groups behind you in line. This will allow you to take your time without people trying to rush you through this spectacular display or accidentally bumping into you. The roses are on both sides of the sidewalk and people tend to traverse from side to side – thus creating a “traffic jam”. This can lead to some less patient visitors trying to push their way past slower folks.
The Japanese Gardens are often cited as a favorite among visitors! I would have to agree! They are very serene with ponds, fountains, and even a zen garden.
TIP 5 – Gelato! There is a very busy gelato kiosk on the way out of the gardens. The cones looked delicious, but honestly, I was too full from the tea house treats that I skipped getting one.
TIP 6- Stop at the souvenir shop! This shop was packed with lots of gardening and souvenir-type gifts. Of course, there were walls covered with packs of seeds cultivated from plants grown in Butchart Gardens! I picked up a large selection for my home garden and to give as gifts. As a reminder – get the label and packaging needed to make it through customs in the country where you live. AND… some countries do not permit packs of seeds to pass customs.
TIP 7- Use the bus system whenever possible, including going to Butchart Gardens. The rapid transit system in Victoria is a far cheaper method of transportation than renting a car or taxi. You can get a pass on the bus or at the local visitor centers. The bus system is very reliable and runs a good portion of the day and night. From downtown Victoria, you can get the bus across from the Royal British Museum. The fee is $5 Canadian for a round-trip ticket. The bus leaves about every 10-15 minutes and drops off the passengers a short walking distance from the entry gates to the garden. The ride was about 40 minutes long. Food and drink are allowed on the bus. No smoking is allowed.
For more information about Butchart Gardens go here.
For more information about Victoria, British Columbia go here.
Happy Travels!
Hello and welcome back if you are a regular reader and a big hello if you are new to this blog. Today, I am going to write Part 2 about how to beat the summertime “there is nothing to do” cycle with your kids and sneak in strategies to retain skills. Part 1 tackled Math and this time, Part 2 will focus on READING, WRITTEN LANGUAGE, and learning about our world!
Please don’t let out a big sigh and stop scrolling because I talked ed-speak here! I promise that below you will find fun and creative ideas that even grown-ups will love. So, please keep reading, comment with your ideas, and share with others!! THANK YOU!!
As I mentioned in Part 1, the first steps are necessary and important. Step 1) Turn off devices. This is good “old-fashioned” learning. Hands-on and multifaceted. Unless otherwise noted- no devices will be needed. (And if they are it will be “with intention”.) Step 2) Engage with your child and supervise their activities if they are young or in need of help. Don’t assume that your child will know what to do or how to do it. Bonus- you are likely to have fun, too!
Start by highlighting a different country every week or bi-monthly! During this time you can 1) read about the country 2) Listen to music from the country 3 )Find the country on a globe or map 4) Plan a fake (or real) trip to the country – including making an itinerary. 5) Learn about the language of the country (or languages). 6) Play a game that is specific to that country 7) Cook a traditional meal from the country!
Margaret McSweeney, host of KitchenChat, shared this technique to help promote cooking at a young age and reading skills, “Try tasting the world by cooking through the alphabet with your children. A: learn about Argentina and make Chimichurri sauce. B: learn about Brazil and make Brigadeiro. You will enjoy exploring the globe through food with your kids.”
For example, here is a scenario… “Jane” decided that she wanted to spotlight SPAIN. She found several books about SPAIN and even a travel guide and journal from DK! She then mapped out a “wish trip” from Barcelona to Malaga. Next, Jane went to the library and found a Spanish cookbook and chose to make a recipe for paella. She also found a Spanish dictionary and young reader books to help her learn basic Spanish vocabulary. Because she was learning “with intention”, Jane was able to listen to watch Flamenco dancers, and play “futbol”! She then watched TV shows in Spanish and tuned in to Spanish-language radio shows!
Do you have a future thespian in your home? Perhaps a screenwriter? Or videographer? Equip your kids with the skills to create a storyboard to start creating a play, or script for a TV program or film, and let them use their creativity to figure out the rest (like sets, costumes, etc.). Remember, the TV show The GOLDBERGS and how Adam Goldberg would enlist his family and friends to be part of his videos? Well, Adam is now a very successful filmmaker and it all appears that he started with what and who he knew- his family.
In this interview, Steven Speilberg talks about his early start to making movies prompted by his dad.
How to get started? First, your kids need to understand what is a storyboard and its purpose. You can find much information about that here in this video. Using tools such as CANVA and STORYBOARDTHAT can help to organize and create storyboards. What is amazing about this creative outlet is that children of all ages can integrate several skills. They need to read, write, and use many executive functions such as organization and being flexible. (If first you don’t succeed… try, try, again!)
Hint: Graphic storyboards and comic strip makers can multiply the attention span for this kind of activity. Free to download the “boards” I have created below.
Along the same line as ‘Drama Camp” is helping a child find their inner “author”. Perhaps they want to create a book (and even self-publish- such as on Amazon). Or they wish to begin a blog (yes, WordPress allows kids to write here.) There is no limit to the ideas a child conjures that are worth writing and being read!
More fun ideas!
Create a family trivia game – your child can design their own board game based on family trivia! Topics can be as follows: 1. WHO SAID THIS 2. WHO BOUGHT THIS. 3. WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN? 4. FAVORITES (favorite book, color, places to visit, etc.)
Download the PDF here to make and copy your own trivia game.
Every year, parents ask me, as a school psychologist, for advice on preventing their child’s educational skills from regressing during the summer vacation. Many of these well-intentioned parents consider buying workbooks and implementing a “school-like” routine during the laid-back summer months. However, I must confess that I am not a proponent of this approach, as I have personally tried it when my kids were young before exploring alternative methods. Engaging in academic tasks during summer can lead students to resent the intrusion on their carefree break, especially for those with learning challenges and individualized education programs such as an IEP and 504 Plan. Therefore, parents often wonder what is the best course of action to keep their kids learning but to not squash their fun!
In previous blogs, I have listed activities to help fight boredom and keep the brain active – including during the pandemic shutdown. I have tweaked the list to include more “outdoor” summertime-specific activities. This is the first article in this special series- and it will focus on MATH.
To begin start with these steps:
Step 1) Turn off the TV / Device/ Computer/ Phone
Step 2) Be an engaged parent and participate with them – even if for a short time.
Cooking/ baking from a recipe. Instead of giving a child a recipe – give them a few cookbooks. Let them pick out what appeals to them. Then actually cook or bake the recipe!
Be sure to discuss the budget for buying the ingredients, have them go to the store, find what they need, and pay for them (of course using the “Parents Bank”), bring them home, determine what temperature to store the ingredients, and then finally use them in their recipe.
SUGGESTION: Bring a calculator with you to the store if you believe that is needed to help with addition and subtraction. For some, this may ease the stress of having to do “mental math”.
Here are just some of the skills you are reinforcing: Measurement (of the ingredients), Time (how long it takes to prepare and cook), Money (the value of each item to purchase and your budget), Quantities ( from teaspoons to gallons), Calorie intake and other information on the panel of each food, and finally about Expiration dates. Also, look at all the reading that is involved in this process, too!
Cooking with kids creates childhood taste memories and also teaches them important lessons about following directions, using math (1/4 cup plus 1/4 cup equals 1/2 cup), expanding their palate and learning about other countries.
Margaret McSweeney, Host of KitchenChat
Extend the learning by having your child create their recipe or cookbook of their favorite recipes. They also can watch cooking shows or videos for inspiration!
HINT: Take photos of what your child is accomplishing throughout the summer and surprise them with a collage or scrapbook! This also will be a great way to show your child’s teacher what they have completed during the summer months.
Monopoly is one of the best games you can play to teach a child about money. Even better is playing – Let’s Buy a House. It is easy and FREE! First, have your child go on sites such as Zillow, Redfin, etc., and determine what they can buy in your area (or another) given a “set budget”. They will learn about the measurement of lot sizes, room sizes, and more. The fake budget will help them get a reality check as to how much they can “afford” (a great life skill), and also is a pool as important as having a second bathroom? Have your child price out the cost of renovations if they pick an older home or one in need of repair. And, what about the location, taxes, down payments, and mortgage? All are important concepts – especially for older children who are closer to leaving the family nest than a younger one. (Caution: Make sure they know this is a “fake experience” and don’t have them set up times to talk to agents or do home tours! But, do consider taking them to public open houses – who knows – you may have a budding realtor in your midst!)
Extend the learning: Design a home by using graph paper, rulers, and a pencil. A simple gander at sights such as HousePlans.com will give some free and fairly easy designs for junior architects to use model.
Other board games to consider: Yahtzee, Parcheesi, Chess, Checkers, Trouble, UNO, and even BUNKO!
Suggestion: For people with learning challenges consider playing games as teams!
There is so much “math” to be found in our great outdoors! A child can measure rain in a bucket, construct a baseball diamond, use a stopwatch to time a friendly race, and create designs using measurements of feet and inches with sidewalk chalk.
Recently, I saw a very clever outdoor activity where the babysitter decided to make a scavenger hunt using math clues! Each child was given a tiny compass, ruler, and tape measure. An example of a clue was … “Starting at the door walk 25 steps and then turn 45 degrees to your right. The next clue will be 18 inches off the ground.”
SUGGESTION: For kids with learning challenges consider giving them support from a friend by making teams of 2 or 3.
HINT: Having a small tool belt or cinch bag to keep supplies for these special activities that will be used throughout the summer will help keep a child organized and a parent sane! Also, consider having a bucket of clean water and a towel to wash messy hands before coming inside!
It’s no surprise that block building is a fundamental skill for math! Teaching children how to construct block towers, and bridges, or count with blocks are key concepts found in early childhood developmental scales, taught in preschools globally, and, most importantly, it’s incredibly enjoyable!
The beauty of building with blocks is that you don’t need anything fancy- just blocks! You can use plain old wood ones, Legos ™, magnetic tiles, or old shoe boxes! Just add your child’s imagination!
HINT: For children with dexterity difficulties consider using bigger blocks and also those that grip easier. ALSO- be sure to have a bin ready to put back the blocks so there are no broken ankles in your future!
EXTENDED LEARNING SUGGESTION: Introduce sign language for numbers, colors, types of measurements, and tools. This will be a fun extension of these activities and a wonderful way to teach this visual language.
Last thoughts – I am only scratching the surface with this list of ideas to help kids break the boredom and keep learning flowing during the summer months. Please comment below any ideas you have that are kid-friendly and educational. Would love to learn from you, as well!
Thanks for reading!
This is part of a series titled, “From Both Sides of the Table”.
During the height of the pandemic shutdown, I looked for hobbies that allowed me a creative outlet. I painted furniture, wrote more on this blog, and painted rocks.
I chronicled my “why” in this earlier blog. And now it is time for more “show and tells”. While painting rocks is fun – and the act of hiding them and looking for those created by others is a good way to get exercise – it can be a bit monotonous. So, I decided to create “treasure boxes” to create a bit of intrigue and excitement. (One little boy did find his “pirate treasure” box. I was thrilled to see his reaction thanks to his mom who posted it on the Facebook page!)
Here are a few examples of treasure boxes that I have made (each with one rock inside, directions to post on one of the local rock painting Facebook group page, and to either keep or rehide the box with a new (or the same) rock).
Sidenote: I also found that tiles are cool to paint and hide, as well (technically, they are made from a mineral source- like rocks!)
By my admission, I am NO artist. I tend to use art transfers meant for furniture or embellishment in scrapbooks. I also like to add a bit of “flair” with puffy paints and colored acrylic markers. Truly, if you have the tools – you have endless possibilities. Here are some of my recent creations. Notice, on a few of these rocks I “bejeweled” them. Not a good idea. People on some of the group’s Facebook pages remarked that the “jewels” were missing on found rocks and only the glue remained. (Sigh.)
Amazon, Etsy, and Michael’s online are my “oasis” for shopping for supplies for rock painting (and furniture) DIY materials. Don’t forget to spray so that the colors and designs stay “fresh” – even after being hidden and rehidden!
As for the rocks – well they are the biggest pain to source! Some I get at Home Depot (although they are usually rough and not always great for painting). Others I order from online stores or get at craft shops. If lucky, I find a few along my travels when I (literally) stumble upon a rock. And, many I grab from my backyard garden!
If you paint rocks or have a fun artsy hobby- please drop your link in my comment section below!
Thanks for reading …
Can you imagine your childhood without books? A life without the words of Dr. Seuss, Patricia Polacco, or Eric Carle? What if we never ventured to Hogwarts or had adventures that transported us into the depths of space? As the saying goes – “So many books, so little time!”
As we prepare for the lazy days of summer – consider sharing these books with your kids! This is the FIRST of book recommendations blog I will offer this week. The next will tackle TOUGH TOPICS. But first – feel free to peruse through these “lighter” titles.
I have known this author for years – and she never ceases to amaze me with her brilliance and dedication to writing interesting stories for tweens and teens that demonstrate the challenges of peer relationships during contemporary times. This book is written for both young adults and those who are older than high school age. I loved it. I think you will, too.
14 Endangered Animals From Around the World.
Hear Them Roar! is a stunning book. Beautifully illustrated with interactive buttons juxtaposed with information about 14 endangered animals from around the globe. A must-buy for any animal lover!
The Worn-Out Flag: A Patriotic Children’s Story of Respect, Honor, Veterans, and the Meaning Behind the American Flag
KarenBowen.com
This book surprised me! I thought it would be preachy and not too interesting for a child to follow. I was wrong. It was respectful and had a great lesson to teach. Plus, it was very inclusive. Karen Bowen did a great job with this book and it is one cross-generations can enjoy together. We need more writers, like Bowen, who tackle heartfelt topics and give important information at the same time!
This book is so cute and teaches the principles of Yoga to young children in a fun and energizing way. Bring out the yoga mat! Another WIN from my friends at FAMILIUS PUBLISHING!
I won’t lie- this is one of my very, very favorite books for kids. Hence, the reason I am AGAIN placing it on my FAVORITES list! With clips from famous women – such as Maya Angelou, Temple Grandin, Malala Yousafzai, and Oprah Winfrey- this book is a HUGE WIN! We need women’s voices to be part of the world narrative more now than ever!
And imagine how pleased I was to spot in my reviewer box the next installment – SHE SPOKE, TOO! Again, readers are encouraged to press the side panel of buttons and hear the voices of some of the most influential and inspiring women of our times!
OMG – Familius did it again! They published another amazing book highlighting women who made a significant impact in our world. Compiled by Kathy MacMillan and Manuela Bernardi. Spotlighting famous women and their amazing words of wisdom – such as Takemoto Mink, Kamala Harris, and Gerta Thurnberg.
I am cheating! The On-Track Learning Train Series is a personal favorite set of board books. I love Color Train and Music Train the best (so creative!) – but the newest addition has made my list, too, – OCEAN TRAIN (the illustrations are amazing!)
Learn about ON-TRACK LEARNING via AMAZON
January 2, 2011. The day I wrote my first blog about being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Little did I know then about what life would look like 13 years later.
January 5, 2011. That was the day that I was rolled into the operating room at Johns Hopkins Hospital and found to have Stage 3 thyroid cancer. It also was the start of my life as a Cancer Warrior Goddess. I decided to make the BIG C into a set of teachable moments (and blogs). One that people loved was for TWITTER SCARVES for CHARITY. How times have changed as I gave up my active Twitter account when it became X!
And, after 13 years I have written much about what I have learned from this cancer journey—the good, bad, ugly, and occasionally comical. Yes, like much in life, my cancer journey has come with a few humorous moments. For example, I will never forget a Hopkins “Junior Doc” asking me during a post-op check-up if the pain in my neck felt like I had been “hit by lightning?”. I tried to explain to him that my discomfort wasn’t THAT serious.
Shortly after, I wrote about this interaction, I discovered “Top Doc” read my blog and decided to use my “lightning” example as a teachable moment. Frankly, I was amazed that Top Doc found the time to read my blog!
Moreover, in these last 13 years I shared some information to educate. This included a few articles about thyroid cancer’s red flags. Also, I have been a contributor to the THANC Foundation and filmed a PSA using sign language about thyroid cancer for the Deaf community.
Related: American Cancer Society – Thyroid Cancer and disorders
In closing, I am lucky. 13 years lucky. Thank you to all who have taken this journey with me and been a support. Most of all – thank you to the medical community who made sure I could celebrate 13 years… and counting…
