The Hundred Year Old Barn

The Hundred Year Old Barn A Fable By Blanche Day Manos The hundred year-old barn was home to a cow, a rooster, some hens, and a mule who pulled a plow. The days they spent in working; each one did his best, and when the sun sank from the sky, the animals needed rest. But, […]

The Canebrake

Canebrake ABC’s Red ants, black ants marching all together, through a canebrake by the river in the lovely summer weather. Many-colored butterflies drift or dream or flit among tall stalks for the very fun of it. A caterpillar wriggles and a cricket creaks a song, surrounded by the river cane, thick and green and long. Dragonflies a-dazzle with […]

Music Speaks

Where words fail, music speaks. – Hans Christian Andersen. Last night, I was privileged once again to go to my grandson’s Christmas concert at his school. I was impressed by the professionalism of those young singers as well as their talent. Beautiful voices. The songs were old favorites, songs I knew and loved. Many of […]

Unsung Heroines

Today, I’d like to offer an imaginary armload of flowers to the stay-at-home mom. In doing so, I do not, in any way, diminish the role of mothers who hold down an outside job and yet are successful in their primary role of being mothers. There are many women who handle both jobs efficiently. My […]

The Problem with a Giant

A giant lived in the woods outside the lovely little town of Twiddleburg. He was a friendly, gentle giant, very helpful and quiet, usually. Of course, when he walked, the earth shook slightly and dishes jiggled in the cabinet and horses and cows in the barnyard bounced around a bit. This did no harm, but […]

Off Into the Future

For many people, yesterday was the first school day of a brand-new year.  The first day of school is always  exciting and for little ones who are going to school for the first time, it’s sometimes fearful. For parents, a mixture of sadness, fearfulness, hopefulness, gladness, and a fervent wish for a great school year […]