Rain in Winter?

The holidays are just around the corner and area houses are being decorated with outdoor lights and festive yard displays. Local churches are gearing up to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Folks are scrambling to get presents bought, wrapped and hidden from inquisitive young eyes. Teens and college students are bearing down on last minute school assignments and studying for finals (while eagerly awaiting the day when they can stay up late and sleep in the next morning). Kids are digging out their sleds, ski boots, snow boards and mittens. Little ones are preparing their letters for Santa and unconcerned about the state of the US Postal Service.

YESTERDAY, it rained. And that old red umbrella, stuck away in the closet for the season, now sits in its space by the front door.

I actually remember a time when December in Minnesota meant SNOW. 

New Rhymes? On Hold For A Season

Dear Friends,
This year has been filled with many changes, loss, adjustments, and reflection. While many stories and rhymes have been written, it will be a while before some of them appear on this website (or elsewhere in published form).

Until then...

Keep finding new ways to use your talents to help make a difference in your communities. And encourage your favorite little kids to read, use their imaginations and "grow their brains".

Best Wishes to you always,

Great Auntie, The Tall Tale Teller of Minnesota

(land of 10,000 lakes and several loons)

Hello Rabbit!

The other day, a young boy was walking down the street. As he neared my neighbor's house, his steps slowed. Suddenly I heard him say,  

"Well, hello Rabbit!"   

And he stopped and had a friendly chat with the rabbit crouched beneath a flowering bush. A second boy, on bike, suddenly appeared and began riding his bike towards the rabbit -- only to be stopped by the younger boy. And Rabbit did what rabbits do best -- bolted. Fortunately the boys decided not to pursue said rabbit (into my yard). So once again, the rabbit crouched. Only THIS time, Rabbit stared at me -- as if to say,

"OK Old Woman -- what are YOU going to do about it?"

And then he scratched his ear.

Backyard critters have a lot of good stories to tell. Just ask a little kid. 

Note, I wrote this little rhyme back in 2007. Which just serves as a reminder -- there are "universal truths" about rabbits -- as well as kids!

Minnesota Heat Wave

Minnesota is experiencing a record-setting heat wave.

And as temperatures rise, so do the TEMPERS.

When hair frizzes and clothes feel damp and sticky...

Adopt Great Auntie's attitude:

"CHILL OUT and don't be icky!"

So let's all agree to keep our sense of humor. Make an effort to be a little more patient and show kindness to others including pets and other critters. When boredom sets in for your favorite little kids? Ask them to help you make a list or draw pictures of people who work outdoors -- on HOT summer days and in winter. And maybe take a little extra time to THANK one of those good folks -- for making a difference -- especially during a Minnesota heat wave!

Note: "Great Auntie's HOT!" was obviously inspired by this week's heat index, dew point and healthy dose of sweat.

So think "draft" as you read the rhyme and see the art.

Or maybe just, "MY GOSH, THAT WOMAN IS DAFT!" 

Works for me!  Be cool.

Grown-ups Say Silly Things

We adults might want to remember – "don't EVER underestimate the power of a child's imagination" – especially when using familiar phrases or common expressions. Next time it rains, enjoy some fun sharing this rhyme with your favorite kids. Encourage them to create new sketches for the poem. Ask them to help you figure out synonyms for "pound". Or perhaps make a list of the reasons why "rain" is a very good thing and something to be thankful for -- even when it is joined by loud thunder!

The Parade of Knees

In looking through an old file of rhymes, I came across a few I wrote several years ago.  The poems were inspired by a very little girl who attended Afton's July 4th parade and festivities in the park.

Consider this rhyme yet another Universal Truth About Kids. Throughout America on July 4th, thousands of children in strollers will be watching the "Parade of Knees"...

Stay safe and have fun this weekend as you enjoy your freedom and independence!

Exercise From A Dog's View

Unconnected events sometimes lead to rhymes. Here's an example. One day, I looked out the kitchen window and saw the neighbor's dog sitting patiently (and looking mighty bored) while his owner chatted with another neighbor. Within a couple of minutes, he (the dog -- not the neighbor) had stretched out flat on the pavement, chin resting on his paws. A few days later, while working at my computer, I decided to turn the radio on and happened to hear a dog trainer describing symptoms of "doggie fatigue". It was good advice for those who take the family pet out for a long run. That evening, with "dogs" on my mind, I began to doodle and created a sketch or two. It was simply something to do while I watched a TV show (and avoided doing housework). 

The NEXT morning, when I took a break away from my work at the computer, I went outside and there was the inspiration for this rhyme:

Two squirrels racing around the tree trunk in my back yard. 

I kid you not.

Universal Truths About Kids

As a "give-away" for families attending a day care's Christmas party, I created a rhyme-filled handout. The handout provided a few "universal truths" about the world of kids including "Too Many!" Years later, I was glancing through a celebrity magazine during my visit to the Laundromat -- my response to the universal truth about washing machines (i.e., they only break down AFTER my laundry piles up). And much to my delight, I saw a photo of an actress and her young daughter taking a walk down a busy street. Clearly, the little girl had dressed herself that morning -- in a sweater with "too many" buttons!

It Gets HOW COLD In Minnesota?

Recently, the Twin Cities experienced a 30 degree drop in temperature (within 24 hours). The next day I just happened across an online video clip about the weather. The segment mentioned my all time favorite weather prognosticator, Punxsutawney Phil (who holds universal appeal and has his own official fan club). As I thought about how his shadow foreshadowed spring, I remembered some groundhog poems I wrote several years ago. My invite to an elementary school just happened to get scheduled for Groundhog Day.  As a guest poet, how could I NOT write rhymes about groundhogs? Here's a short one written for Phil. I'll leave the scientific version of a groundhog rhyme for another time...

Hat Envy

Hats are marvelous and I admire those who wear them well and with such style. Princess Beatrice of York chooses hats that are especially delightful. After seeing online photos of her hats along with those worn by other women to the Royal Wedding and the Derby, I kept hearing a rhyming refrain (in my head).  

Repeat "amazing hats for Princess B. Outrageous? No! Divine!" too often and a poem just has to follow. It also helped that Great Auntie LOVES wearing hats.

When it's a rainy or cold weather day and the young kids in your life can't go outside to play, be creative and MAKE HATS.  Put ribbons on plastic bowls ... turn some fun music on and dance ... create mini theatrical productions ... take some fun photos or draw pictures. 

Keep things simple and spontaneous. Your kids will be delighted by your ability to be silly.