jacki delecki
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Easter and Springtime Renewal
I know some people are still getting snow and frigid temperatures, but spring has officially arrived. The signs are everywhere: The vernal equinox occurred March 19-20 (depending on time zone), marking the earliest arrival of spring since 1896, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac; Easter is March 27; and social media is full of tips on spring cleaning and cooking lighter, fresher meals.
Springtime is generally viewed as a season of renewal and rebirth. It’s an opportunity to refresh our homes, our meals, our relationships and our perspectives. Here are five fresh ways to celebrate the arrival of spring.
- Spend 5-10 minutes each day de-cluttering your living space. Throw out old magazines and outdated cosmetics. Donate unwanted household goods to a thrift store or charity. Check the pantry for outdated items, including spices and herbs.
- Get your car detailed – interior vacuumed, windows cleaned inside and out, glove-box emptied, trash and debris removed.
- Start a new hobby or project.
- Get out of the house. Connect with nature. Walk the dog. Clean out the flowerbeds. Sweep off the patio. Chat with neighbors. Set up a lounge chair and soak up the sunshine.
- Reconnect with friends or family.
How do you celebrate springtime? Do you have a favorite springtime ritual?
St. Patrick's Day Pot o' Gold Giveaway
I’m celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a giveaway! Ten winners will randomly be selected to receive gift cards ranging in value from $5 to $50. Be sure to invite your friends to play! And visit my Facebook page for daily bonus entries!
The contest starts today!
March 2 is Read Across America Day
As part of its Rea
d Across America reading program, the National Education Association (NEA) is celebrating Read Across America Day. This celebration coincides with the birthday of Dr. Seuss. More than 45 million teachers, parents and students are expected to participate in events geared toward “getting young people excited about reading.”
Parents, especially mothers, are influential in helping children develop reading skills and in becoming lifelong readers. Consider these facts about children’s literacy from the NEA:
- According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a divison of the U.S. Department of Education1, children who are read to at home enjoy a substantial advantage over children who are not.
- According to NCES, only 53 percent of children ages three to five were read to daily by a family member (1999). Children in families with incomes below the poverty line are less likely to be read to aloud everyday than are children in families with incomes at or above poverty.
- The U.S. Department of Education found that, generally, the more students read for fun on their own time, the higher their reading scores. Between 1984 and 1996, however, the percentage of 12th grade students reporting that they “never” or “hardly ever” read for fun increased from 9 percent to 16 percent.
Were you an avid reader as a child? Who inspired you to start reading? Share one of your favorite books from when you were a young reader. And take time to read today – with a child, with a friend or all by yourself!
Costumes: Key to the time travel portal
I have been involved in theater, music and dance from a very young age, and it’s a passion that remains strong to this day. There is something magical about participating in a stage production – the sense of community, the escapism, the imagination and the pageantry.
Remember how much fun it was to dress up for Halloween? Venturing into the neighborhood as a harem girl, princess or flapper to hang out with astronauts, cowboys and firemen.
Shakespeare said, “Clothes make the man,” and this is especially true in the theater. The right costume can help an actor immerse himself into the role he’s playing, as well as strengthen the illusion experienced by the audience. Even Hollywood understands the importance of costuming. In this article about the 2016 Oscar-nominated costumes, it opens with the statement, “They’re more than just pretty dresses.”
Here are some of my favorite costumes from various theater productions I had roles in. What is one of your favorite films or stage productions based on costumes?
Getting ready for springtime in Seattle
Yesterday I attended the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, and now I have spring fever. This brilliant burst of color and inspiration has been held at the start of spring every year since 1989. The exhibits and displays are incredibly imaginative and inspiring enough to motivate even “armchair gardeners.” Although springtime is still a few weeks away, I’m ready for sunshine, warm breezes and afternoons spent in a garden sanctuary.
If you’re in the Seattle area, the Northwest Flower & Garden Show runs through Feb. 21 and is held at the Washington State Convention Center. It’s a wonderful way to get ready for springtime!