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.