Friday, November 13, 2009

Friday Fave Five, Veterans Day Week

Welcome!

Friday Fave Five, Veterans Day Edition!
1. I love walking! This week Ellen and I took our Tuesday morning walk at The Blueberry Ranch. We varied our route and walked through a couple of other ranches that grow raspberries, avocados and lemons. You can see photos on Ellen's blog.

2. My camera arrived back from the Canon repair facility, safe, sound and working well!

3. What does a woman do on November 11th, Veterans Day, if her husband, son and son-in-law are veterans or active military? She goes to Knott's Berry Farm! That's what she does! Because Knott's allows all military personnel, active or retired (with proof) to enter the park free of charge and bring a guest, we decided to meet our San Diego contingent there to celebrate the day and also celebrate Chaplain Dan and The Princess's anniversary.

We stood in line, ate yummy food, rode rollercoasters, explored the Western theme, and enjoyed each others' company. The Professor remembers going to Knott's Berry Farm when he was a little boy, so it was particularly fun for him.

4. An added bonus of meeting our San Diego family was the opportunity to bring MamaMia back with us for a visit. Since her Marine is off serving our country somewhere (THANK YOU!), she decided to spend a few days with us.

5. For my Fifth Fave, I share with you a conversation with a student about poetry.

Her: I hate poetry! I don't understand it.

Me: Listen today to my lesson. I'm going to explain why poets do what they do and then you'll understand and like poetry!

So Mrs. Willow teaches the class about tone, audience, rhyme and alliteration, poetic devices, iambic pentameter, trocaic trimeter.

Her, after class: Thank you, Mrs. Willow! I understand it now. But I still don't like it.

Ah,well. Maybe when she grows up...

This concludes Willow's Week edition of Friday's Fave Five. Please go to Susanne's blog if you would like to read more FFFs.

Have a Happy Weekend!

26 comments:

Karyn said...

I love the first photo!

How special to celebrate Vetran's day with those you were honoring!

Melli said...

Well, Mrs. Willow, you can't win them ALL! LOL! At least now she understands that which she doesn't like! :)

I've never been to Knott's Berry Farm - or that part of the country for that matter! But I have heard WONDERFUL things about it -- and I do believe that was a wOnderful way for you to spend time with YOUR vets and celebrate the day! And how nice that you were able to bring MamaMia home for a visit!

Knitting Linguist said...

A huge thank you to everyone who is serving and has served our country (with special good thoughts to you and yours)! I love that story about your student -- so familiar :)

ellen b. said...

Hee, hee but I still don't like it! How fun to spend the day at good ole Knott's Berry Farm. That's a fabulous photo of Mama Mia! So glad you got that camera back!

Dorothy said...

So glad to hear your camera is back and in perfect working order.

A very big thank you to all the military men in your family, Willow!

TXDidi said...

Oh my...not to like poetry? I think she just hasn't discovered the "cool" factor of it all yet, like poetry slams or the fact that you can write the neatest poetry in blank verse, using your voice as a cadenced drum beat. Ah, I could go on but someday I hope she will experience the joy of a good poem.

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Knotts Berry Farm! What a cool way to spend the day - it's decades since I've been.

It comes as no surprise that your family is a proud part of our nation's military, Willow. Your values of service and love of God and country ring through loud and clear.

Flower said...

With a great week like that..the weekend will be another added pleasure! You are going to have tea, aren't you?

Brenda said...

So glad you got your camera back, now we can see all of your pictures again.

I did not know that Knotts Berry farm let Vets in for free, thats great!

Jerralea said...

You and Ellen always find the best places to walk! The day at Knott's Berry Farm sounds great. I went once when I was a kid but I don't remember anything about it. :(

I'm so glad for you that MamaMia gets to stay for a visit.

Islandsparrow said...

Knotts Berry Farm sounds like a fun place - and how nice of them to open it up on Veteran's day for those in service.

Your poetry exchange has me grinning - I miss those teacher days :)

Enjoy your visit with Mama Mia!

roxie said...

Does your young poetry-hating friend know that rapping is poetry?

Hugs to MamaMia from me. She is SUCH a beautiful young woman!!

ASk the Professor if he remembers the seals at Knott's. I was only five when we went there, but the smell fo the seal pond will never be forgotten.

Anonymous said...

I'm grown up and I still don't like poetry. LOL. Knott's Berry Farm is the bomb. It's been a long time since I've been there I need to go back. Great week and thanks to all the military and their families. What would we do without them :)

Lisa notes... said...

Your five made me smile. And be thankful for those who serve and the families of those who serve. And for poetry. :-)

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Ah, good news about the repaired camera!

To answer your question, yes, for the first time in my life I've got an annual pass. And then CT wanted one too, so now we are both official! Who'd a thought it! He hadn't visited there in about 20 years. And we live so close.

I didn't know Knotts did this on Veterans' Day...that's wonderful.

Hazel said...

Knotts Berry Farm - Hugh Grant mentions it on Music and Lyrics. It's sounds like a great fave for you and your family.

I think your fifth fave is just wonderful. I would have happily sat in your class and listen to explanations of iambic pentameter, trocaic pentameter, etc. Those were what I and the rest of my classmates needed to understand when we were students, not so much the animated lecture on how beautiful poetry is (because we were already convinced that poetry is one of life's beautiful things).

A week of celebration and teaching young minds - great week indeed!

P.S. I love Dead Poets Society :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Nice fives Willow! I hope you saw my Veteran's Day post..it was where it all began with our greatest veteran! :-)

I also thank your son-in-law for serving our country!

So nice that Knots Berry does that for military and Veterans.

I always loved poetry so I don;t understand that girls hatred...maybe if you explained it as early "rap" she'd understand? lol

nikkipolani said...

Hey, a great set of fives this week, Willow. And hurrah for the camera back and functioning. I smiled at the conversation you posted. And I can relate a little bit with the student (not that I hate poetry...).

Tracy said...

So glad your camera's back, Willow! It is hard to imagine how anyone can't enjoy poetry--there is so much life in poetry! But to each their own I guess...LOL! Always so much enjoy your Friday posts. Happy weekend, my friend ((HUGS))

Julia said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog! I finished knitting a dishcloth for my sister, my part in the Oddball Blanket, and cast on for a scarf.
I'm glad to hear that you got your camera back ~ thats great news! Also I like that Knott's Berry Farm lets in Veterns etc. My family had a great family vacation there several ago.(ok 15 years really!)

Sharon Lynne said...

I liked the way the flag is naturally illuminated.

Sounds like a great way to celebrate--going to Knott's!

Ally Jay said...

Great effort on the poetry teaching. You can lead a horse to water but...

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Thanks for your comments Willow! Your daughter is such a beauty! I see she is using your cute knit design cup :-) Did you make her pretty sweater?

Jane said...

Ah well with the poetry at least you can say you've tried! A couple of teachers at my school don't like poetry either! Great to hear that your camera is back and happily working. Knotts Berry Farm sounds a lovely way to spend the day. Ours is always a very somber occasion. Jane x

Unknown said...

Hello Kak Willow, I thought about you last weekend when I went to the Indonesian craft :) So glad the camera's working and also daughter is back at home :)

Mary said...

Willow, I'm glad you were able to go to the farm and enjoy the day. It must have been nice to have MamaMia visit for a few days. I'm sure you had a great time.

As for poetry, I write some, I read some, I like some and I dislike some. I can still recite poems I had to memorize in elementary school.

It's been far too long since I visited with you. Drop by my Writing Nook when you have time.

Blessings,
Mary