National Poetry Month

In honor of National Poetry Month, I challenge you parents out there to pick up a book of poetry to share with your kids. I personally love poetry as bedtime reading because I can read three or ten, depending on how I feel or how into it the kids are. You may love Shakespearean sonnets or obtuse free verse, both of which I love, as well, but I would recommend something a bit goofier to start off with your kids. My favorite poets for kids (and kids' favorites in my experience) seem to be anything by Jack Prelutsky or Shel Silverstein. Check one out of your local library today. Satisfaction GUARANTEED. Now if anyone's in the mood to write some poetry, check out my friend Jody's site (her link is on the lower left side of this page somewhere...) and enter her contest. I plan to. I'm a closet poet, if you didn't know it. You can tell by my feet 'cause they're Longfellows. Okay, I couldn't resist.

I have this very obnoxious cough right now. Shallow, rattly,and barking at times. It's most unattractive. Plus I have to eat cough drops constantly to make it through the night, so I dream of choking and cavities. Then during the day, I cough until tears flood my eyes, my nose runs, and I have to hold onto the counter like an old man who's smoked for 75 years. Hell, I have a relative who's probably smoked that long, and he doesn't cough like this. I pray the rain will wash all the pollen away. I don't usually have allergies, but sheesh.

OM State Competition is coming up this week-end. I love these kids and the process, but I'm feeling kind of unsupported. Bumming me out.

Well, I'm off to do some more coughing and start my first round of NyQuil, which btw has been giving me some very interesting dreams. I have to ask Leanne's permission before I share the latest. She may not want me to tell everyone I dreamed that she wrote risque novels under a penname.

Another friend is turning 40 this week, and I need a good present. I'm certain she doesn't read my blog, so maybe some of you out there can give me some good suggestions.

Is anyone watching Jesse Ventura on Larry King? It's hilarious. The funniest thing to me is his accent sounds just like my husband's did when I first met him. Thankfully, small-town southern living has evened out the Os mightily.

xoxox Oh, I've got a redneck recipe for you. This is my favorite breakfast food to have on hand. It's redneck because it's quick, easy, and contains Velveeta. Of course, it would only have to contain Velveeta to meet redneck standards so the quick and easy is a bonus. And as the old ladies at church would say it "freezes beautifully". Ingred. 2 pkgs English muffins, split muffins, open side up on a pan (save the muffin bags)
2 lbs sausage, preferable Jimmy Dean sage 1 small block Velveeta
Cook sausage, pour off grease (oh, that should make it redneck, too, eh?)then add Velveeta. Stir until melted and well-blended. Spread mixture on top of each of the muffin halves, then put the pans into the freezer until the 'breakfast bites' are solid. Once they're frozen, put them back into the muffin back, stacked (so nice and neat) and keep in freezer. To make for breakfast, heat at 400 for about 15 minutes. Add a poached egg or serve with fresh fruit (or canned peaches, I don't know why, but my kids think that's the best combination). P.S. Kids love em, but husbands REALLY love them, another true test of redneck food. ha ha ha ha