What I Learned in April

Everything is blooming, everyone is sneezing from the high pollen count, and I’m linking up with Emily P. Freeman from Chatting at the Sky. Here are 8 things I learned in the month of April and a few picture book ideas too:

1. The poem needs to change in the Northwest. April Showers bring May flowers isn’t quite right where I live. In the South Sound area the flowers and bushes are blooming everywhere and I believe it’s due to all the rain we had in March. (We had the wettest March on record!!) March showers bring April flowers...

2. The reason they're called Quarter horses. While walking around Old Scottsdale with friends on our trip, I got to meet a singing cowboy and his horse Dusty. He told us that the Quarter horse got it’s name because it was bred to run the quarter mile faster than any other breed.  

3. Weather...it happens. Whenever I travel, it seems the weather improves in my hometown and gets sort of crummy at my destination.  After two glorious days of heat and sunshine, things changed last Saturday while we were in Arizona. We woke up to temps in the 50's, wind and gray skies with some sprinkles. If I hadn’t seen the cactus I might have thought I was back on Fox Island. It's supposed to be sunny and 80 at home today but I'm headed to Indianapolis; overcast and high 50's. 

4. Need balance? Grow another arm. I love the pine trees of my area, but I also love cactus! I learned that due to small roots, as the plants grow taller, they grow another “arm” for balance. These arms also provide more shelter for dessert animals. If you need a fun informative picture book to teach a child about cactus, check out Cactus Hotel. I used to read it to my Kindergarten classes. 

5. I wear my heart on my sleeve, my hands, my face, etc. Let it be said that I’m aware I feel deeply. Apparently it’s sort of obvious even to people who don’t spend a lot of time with me. My friend's husband observed this quality characteristic. The saying “you’re only as happy as your saddest child” was probably written for me. I really do feel others’ pain and want to do my part to help. The rub is I don’t want to meddle where it’s not my business. Tricky stuff...

6. I NEED to see Frozen: I guess I’m in the 3% that hasn’t seen the latest Disney movie. Now that I don’t have littles, I don’t automatically see animated movies. My youngest (she’s 20) saw it with friends, my husband saw it on a plane flight and my pastor used it in his Easter sermon. I plan to rent it soon.

7. Llama’s fleece is really special! It is flame-resistant, water-resistant and hypoallergenic. I hope they'll be making infant pajamas out of it soon. 
Have you read Llama Llama Red Pajama?

8. No thank you LAX. Today is my first time flying navigating through the Los Angeles airport and I hope I won't be back anytime soon. I had to find a shuttle to head from one terminal to another. As we drove around the very crowded tarmac my life passed before my eyes and I even saw a  "Stop for aircraft" sign! At a restaurant I asked the price for a Bloody Mary to make for a calm flight but no, I'm not paying $17!
9. I write while I drive and walk. Not really...but I do get a lot of my ideas and lessons from observations while I’m on-the-go. I just need to be better about writing down my thoughts when I return home! I also am writing a post while way up in the air on a plane for the first time. I feel mod.
10.Weddings are the best! I'm off to Indy for my niece's wedding and even though my hubby can't attend, I'm going to have a great time with my Mom and sisters. Prayers going up for glorious weather on Saturday for the outdoor reception.

What have you learned this month?

In His Grip, Jane