SNOW by Uri Shulevitz and marijuana use among the elderly

As we prepare for the possibility of more snow tonight, I wanted to share a beautiful snow book with you. SNOW by Uri Shulevitz is a beautifully illustrated (and Caldecott Honor book) about a little boy who believes that snow is coming despite the fact that no one else believes it. My favorite part is this: "No snow," said radio. "No snow," said television. But snowflakes don't listen to radio, snowflakes don't watch television. It's a precious, magical book that everyone in your family will love. Check it out, and you will LOVE it. It gives me goosebumps every time I read it. I love the message that the child's faith pays off in the end. (and the dog companion is endearing, too)

The Olympics have been so exciting this week. From the sweet Canadian figure skater who lost her mother (and what a performance!)to the speed skater who lost a medal due to coaching confusing. Oh, man.

Now I'm dying to talk to you about this interesting article, THESE ARE YOUR GRANDPARENTS ON DRUGS, found in The News and Observer yesterday. The premise of the article is the growing popularity of pot among the older set primarily fueled by the Baby Boomers (often users in the 60s and 70s). Apparently some of them have never stopped using but most are returning to the drug of choice of their youth. Marijuana is stigmatized in later generations, but this crowd doesn't have that perception of it. One woman struggles with arthritis and finds marijuana to be just the relief she needs. She thinks more people should try it. She says," They're missing a lot of fun and a lot of relief."

But my favorite quote is from a sixty-six year old man. "Each night, the 66-year-old...sits down to the evening news pours himself a glass of wine and rolls a joint. 'The kids are grown, they're out of school, you've got time on your hands and frankly, it's a time when you can really enjoy marijuana.'"

So here's a few scenarios you should prepare for if your parents or grandparents are near this age. Any time now you could come to visit them and stumble upon the following:

1. Bridge club gone awry. Stoned gray-hairs share a bong, toss their cards, and dance the afternoon away in a tribute to the popular musical, Hair, complete with nudity.
2. To your crying child: "I'm sorry Grandma ate all the cookies she baked for you. She just had the munchies again."
3. "No, you can't draw on Grandma's wall. No matter how pretty she says it looks."
4. "For the last time. No, you don't have to hate Yoko. There is no government plot, and we're NOT building a bomb shelter."
5. As your child works on a school project. "You say, Grandpa taught you how to roll paper like that? Well, it's certainly an authentic looking joint. Your health teacher should be pleased."

And we were all worried about taking care of our parents when they're old and grouchy? I'm looking forward to it.

You know, I'm starting to wonder if I should blog about a picture book and marijuana use on the same day. Hmmm....just reporting the news, folks. And you know, SNOW would probably be an awesome book to read while....you know, I'm not even gonna say it. Forgive me, Uri Shulevitz, if you take offense to this. None intended.