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I write for Alumbo Alumbo! - Self Help Supersite - Tools for inspiration, motivation, My articles on Ezine I write for Searchwarp.com, also (as listed below.) How I Came Out of the Scrooge Syndrome Let's take a break from shopping, baking, decorating and all those holiday things we are expected to do and just breathe. That's right, in the middle of all our bustling, let's allow ourselves to truly experience the peace and love that Christmas... ( added 3 days 12 hours ago.) This Thanksgiving, I thank God for Zach or Is Good Character Taught or Caught? Actually, I think Good Character and thoughtful deeds are both caught and taught. These two verbs are inseparable. Our children are watching what we do, so in essence, we are teaching them without explaining constantly. We all know that but... ( added 33 days 20 hours ago.) Swirl the World with Kindness this Blessed Christmas Season This week I was doing some shopping. One of the salesgirls made a rude comment to me while ringing up my sale. She seemed uncaring and distant. I felt unappreciative of that undeserved comment and thought about what I should have answered back to... ( added 35 days 15 hours ago.) Julie, My Thanksgiving Blessing I was sitting by the fireplace wrapped in my afghan sipping tea. Chills were running up and down my spine and my head felt as if someone had loaded bricks on it. It was Monday, about ten years ago. Thanksgiving lurked around the corner. I knew I... ( added 45 days 21 hours ago.) Our Traditiional Family Halloween October is one of my very favorite months. My oldest daughter, Julie started a family tradition for Halloween and her three sisters are following suit. Here it is: She makes two huge pots of chili. (See our family recipe on Frannie's Fine... ( added 77 days 12 hours ago.) Good Character Press Celebrates Teen Awareness Month Evangelicals have named September as Teen Awareness Month, as of March 6, 2006. This day was designated to empower and engage teens, according to Lillian Kwan, a Christian Today Correspondent. Ms Kwan also tells us that teens can be empowered to... ( added 82 days 21 hours ago.) September Days Put me in Such a Daze Help! September is making me dizzy! How will I ever find time for the things I am supposed to observe this month? According to http://members.shaw.ca/high5/02cal.html I have at least 68 more special days to observe and September is almost over.... ( added 82 days 22 hours ago.) How to Get Past the Boredom of Exercise Living in Florida, I knew I had to start my 2 mile walk just as the sun was coming up. If I waited a moment later, the heat would steal my energy. I had tried taking late evening walks but by then, it was really hard because I was settled in with... ( added 90 days 21 hours ago.) Sammy Where Are You? I can’t tell this story. It is just too sad and yet I must. I simply must tell you because if I tell you, maybe you won’t ever do what I did…..to Sammy. As far as I know, Sammy never did anything wrong or sinful in his life. He was not... ( added 154 days 16 hours ago.) Daddy's Shoes - the Shoes That Carried Us Both Down the Aisle It seemed so strange. They were slightly scuffed and worn but now lay unmoving and silent. They were placed on the closet floor just the way Daddy had left them, as if they were waiting for him. My heart heavy and searching for peace, I stared at... ( added 161 days 11 hours ago.) Easter, a New Life Within or Walk in the Newness of Life Easter seems to have two different meanings in the mind of most people. There is the spiritual meaning of Jesus Christ rising from the dead, thus showing the world that death should not be feared if we believe in Him. Then, there is the other side... ( added 264 days 18 hours ago.) Are You Tuned in to Reality? or What is Truth? Are you tuned in to reality? Am I tuned in to reality? No, it isn’t a radio station or a television channel. My thesaurus gives many definitions of reality but the definition that pops out at me is truth. If mental health demands reality, then... ( added 266 days 13 hours ago.) The Job Jar When my four daughters were young, Saturdays became unpleasant and I faced them with dread. Since I worked outside our home, on Saturday, each child would have an assigned job to do. All kind of groans and gripes would surface. “I’m tired of... ( added 294 days 15 hours ago.) What Will Happen to Clemente? I look out the window and see my neighbor, Norma pushing the stroller on the sidewalks of our subdiv ( added 316 days 12 hours ago.) How I Found my Voice It was totally unexpected. I was puttering around the house on a hot summer day in Florida. Julie, my next door neighbor called and asked me to have breakfast with her. Julie is a high school honors teacher who doesn’t have much extra time during... ( added 330 days 18 hours ago.) My Good Goody Drawer I listened to my husband, Jim lamenting the fact that he needed another gift for his friend, Don. Yes, he had already shopped and bought a nice Christmas gift for him, but just wanted another gift to give him. He wanted Don to have two presents to... ( added 339 days 23 hours ago.) How To Entertain Grandchildren By Making a Great Memory Book - Easy To Do Perhaps you are having grandchildren or your friends children spend a few days with you. If so, I have some great ideas about entertaining them and at the same time, this is an opportunity to spend time with them. Go out and find an inexpensive... ( added 349 days 13 hours ago.) What Happened to Respect? WHAT HAPPENED TO RESPECT? (AM I ALONE IN MY VIEWS?) I hear my sister-in-law say to the sales clerk, “thank you for being so nice and polite to me." It caused me to wonder if the world had turned so sour, we are now thankful for a rare polite... ( added 349 days 13 hours ago.) Why I Believe in Character Education As I was reading the wonderful articles on your web site, I thought to myself, If only this had been available for me when I was in school. I wonder if my life would have turned our differently? I wonder if my life would have been easier? Yes, my... ( added 349 days 14 hours ago.) The Not so Perfect Parent All of us have that guilty feeling from time to time and yet it is the most wasted emotion of all. We can't take back words or actions, no matter how hard we wish. If you are a parent, this guilt seems to be present even more. This useless feeling... ( added 349 days 14 hours ago.) I'm Moving On or Browsing Through Time I’m Moving On…. Nothing is predestined. The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings. Henry Davis Thoreau I hear myself saying out loud, “it’s ok, it is really ok." It’s ok that I am now having a harder time... ( added 349 days 14 hours ago.) How To Make a Terrarium When I think of the New Year, I always want to do a project or bring "newness" to my surroundings. About three months ago, my husband and I put together a terrarium. It was quick but creative. This is something you could do with any age child or... ( added 349 days 19 hours ago.) 22 Articles total from Francine Larson - Submit an Article! Subscribe to Francine Larson's Newsletter for latest articles by Francine Larson (231) Wednesday, October 3, 2007 The Britney Syndrome Ok. I just can’t quit thinking about Britney Spears. Just the idea of choosing addiction over having her own children seems surreal. But wait, Britney is not an evil person. As a matter of fact, she is also a victim of this terrible disease. This addiction has taken over her whole self, thought process and physical, as well. It could happen to you – it could happen to me – and it could happen to our children. Before we all get so judgmental, let us remember that we all use substances to a certain degree. We take aspirin for a headache, coffee to wake up, chocolate that makes us feel good and food for comfort. It is all a part of our life. Some substances, however are more risky and the addiction is very powerful. The best scenario would be to never try drugs, but in many cases, curiosity and peer pressure prevail. This wonderful fact sheet (as copied below) is provided by http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/factsheets/addiction.shtml Please click here and read the whole article for very good information. Know the FactsAddiction and problem substance use tend to be highly stigmatized, and there is a lot of misinformation around. The use of mood-altering substances has been a feature of human societies for thousands of years. Substance use has been regulated in various ways, and it is only in the 20th century that it has been criminalized. We all use substances, many of which affect our mood. Whether we eat something that gives us pleasure (such as chocolate), enjoy a glass of wine to enhance a meal, or take a prescribed medication to control pain from a recent injury, the use of substances is an accepted part of life. All substances have effects. Some have greater risks. Risk is related to many factors beyond the substance. Many people can use substances in moderation (whether legal or illegal), without experiencing problems. Usually when problems arise from substance use, there are a range of other factors at work. Binge drinking on the weekend, over-use of prescription drugs, consuming "club drugs" at a rave, drinking more than 5 cups of coffee, and smoking cocaine are all potentially problematic forms of substance use. For more valuable information on addiction, click on to: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_brain1.asp My thoughts and prayers go to all the Britneys in the world who are struggling with this powerful epidemic. Until next time......Fran 1:01 pm edt Wednesday, August 29, 2007 How Will Your Teen Face Bullying and Peer Pressure When Going Back to School? As I was reading the wonderful articles on teaching teens and children about such issues as bullying, self esteem and peer pressure, I thought to myself, If only this had been available for me when I was in school. I wonder if my life would have turned our differently? I wonder if my life would have been easier?Yes, my parents loved me and provided for me, but somewhere along the line I missed the boat. My parents always looked at my report card, but there wasn’t some kind of report card to see if I was coping with life or even knew what to do in certain situations.Since I was the youngest of three girls and my parents were not into sports, I couldn’t even throw or catch a ball. At school, two good players were chosen by the teacher as team leaders. They, in turn, would then “pick" their team. One team leader would call out a name and then the other team leader would call out another name until everyone was on a team. I was always the very last one to be chosen. I wish I would have know how to deal with that. And how not to feel bad the rest of the day and dread the next day when the same thing would take place.At least I did have the “honesty thing" down pat. One summer, during my high school years, I received my report card in the mail. I knew I didn’t deserve the grade that was given to me. Now you are going to think I am a little bit touched in the head, but I just had to contact the teacher and tell him it was a mistake. It wasn’t a mistake. The teacher graded on the curve. Even now, I only want what is honestly mine. On occasion, when I tell a white lie, I think to myself how futile this is and sometimes wind up confessing. Due to my Christian up-bringing, to accept otherwise would cause me lack of peace and nothing is more precious than peace. That philosophy has served me well, as life has been good to me. Please don’t get me wrong. I am not a saint. I have plenty of faults and am still learning some life lessons. Why didn’t someone tell me about cliques? Why didn’t I know just to be myself, my real authentic self, instead of trying to fit into a group? If someone would have said, “Will the real Fran Larson please stand up," maybe I would have stood and found where I belong. I would have been enormously happy and would have seen that I was an “OK" person.I think I would have been forever grateful if I had been taught, “How to deal with peer pressure." When I was a teenager, my friend talked me into staying out hours after my curfew. I was convinced it was “ok" because she said it was . I learned the hard way how miserable you can be when you succumb to peer pressure.. When I got home and saw the worried and hurt look on my parent’s face, I was totally devastated. I wish I would have tried to please my parents that night, not my peers. Would a lesson in peer pressure have helped? Did I even understand what peer pressure was? Perhaps a class discussion on the subject would have been remembered or even a book that explained these issues.I didn’t know that even as an adult, I would remember the look on my mother’s face the day I lied to her…………it still haunts me………I was just thinking…….. Tips on How to Stop a Bully Use positive body language. Stand up straight. Look the bully in the eyes. Walk with your shoulders back and your head held high. Your body language should say, "I am strong and in control! Use mind control. Think to yourself - you don't deserve to be treated like this and you are not afraid of a bully. The bully has no control over you. You are now in charge. Develop some strong and true friendships. Find others who share your interests and values. Stand up for your friends and they will stand up for you. Surprise the bully by doing something really unexpected. A funny quote or silly joke can catch the bully off guard and make him or her back off and think of you in a whole new way. (From Our Book: Character Keys to a Bright Future) 2:01 pm edt Tuesday, August 7, 2007 Parents, Grandparents and Day Care Providers, There is still time to be a Scientist with your children and grandchildren. As the summer comes to a close, you are probably tired of the usual things like shopping and going for a burger, so click on to some of my favorite links. In the process of sharing, you will learn so much. For the younger children, a great Character-Education lesson would be to make a lemonade stand and give the money to charity. The Sunkist link (below) gives you a step by step process on creating your lemonade stand. This is an excellent site. In fact, all of these sites are awesome. Enviormental Health Science Education: For grades 5-8, explains things like dust, on-line activities. Institute and Museum for the History of Science: The science of painting, the mind of Leonardo and other exhibits. Kids Science Projects by the Science Club Peep and the Big Wide World: Activities, games and videos. Sunkist - Kids Science: Experiments such as "how to keep an apple from turning brown." Yahooligans Directory - Science and Nature: Photos, Jokes, Articles and games. Enjoy your projects and let me know what you liked best. Till next time......Fran 6:51 pm edt Thursday, June 14, 2007 Father's Day Memories Hi Everyone, Unfortunately, this web site has been under repair for too long. Hopefully, it is going to run smoothly from now on. Anyway, I will try to make up for lost time. In thinking of Father's Day, I will share one of the poems I wrote for my four daughters about their father who was and is now the greatest Dad ever! My Daddy He was always making a pen For a new rabbit, guinea pig or hen. He taught us to play ball And to fish And watched with pride When we made a birthday wish. He built us a playhouse And a pen for our ponies to roam And was always repairing a toy Or making something work in our home. He cut our hair And polished our shoes And somehow helped us Through the terrible twos. He always had time To be a softball coach Or listen to one of our Homegrown jokes. My daddy could do Most anything. In my child'd mind, He seemed like a King. My own father was very special. Let me share with you my story, Daddy's Shoes at http://searchwarp.com/swa77351.htm. Happy Father's Day to all Dads. Fran 11:40 pm edt Tuesday, May 8, 2007 Mohters Day Poetry: Why Mothers Cry Why Mothers CryA Special InspirationalStory for Mothers Day "Why are you crying?" he asked his mom. "Because I'm a mother," she told him. "I don't understand," he said. His mom just hugged him and said, "You never will!" Later the little boy asked his father why Mother seemed to cry for no reason. "All mothers cry for no reason," was all his dad could say. The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mothers cry. So he finally put in a call to God and when God got on the phone the man said, "God, why do mothers cry so easily." God said, "You see son, when I made mothers they had to be special. I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave them an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from their children. I gave them a hardiness that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and to take care of their families through sickness and fatigue without complaining. I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under all circumstances, even when their child has hurt them very badly. This same sensitivity helps them to make a child's boo-boo feel better and helps them share a teenager's anxieties and fears. I gave them a tear to shed. It's theirs exclusively to use whenever it's needed. It's a tear for mankind." -- Anonymous 11:36 pm edt 2007.10.01 | 2007.08.01 | 2007.06.01 | 2007.05.01 | 2007.03.01 | 2007.02.01 | 2007.01.01 | 2006.12.01 | 2006.11.01
I write for Alumbo
Alumbo! - Self Help Supersite - Tools for inspiration, motivation,
My articles on Ezine
How I Came Out of the Scrooge Syndrome Let's take a break from shopping, baking, decorating and all those holiday things we are expected to do and just breathe. That's right, in the middle of all our bustling, let's allow ourselves to truly experience the peace and love that Christmas... ( added 3 days 12 hours ago.) This Thanksgiving, I thank God for Zach or Is Good Character Taught or Caught? Actually, I think Good Character and thoughtful deeds are both caught and taught. These two verbs are inseparable. Our children are watching what we do, so in essence, we are teaching them without explaining constantly. We all know that but... ( added 33 days 20 hours ago.) Swirl the World with Kindness this Blessed Christmas Season This week I was doing some shopping. One of the salesgirls made a rude comment to me while ringing up my sale. She seemed uncaring and distant. I felt unappreciative of that undeserved comment and thought about what I should have answered back to... ( added 35 days 15 hours ago.) Julie, My Thanksgiving Blessing I was sitting by the fireplace wrapped in my afghan sipping tea. Chills were running up and down my spine and my head felt as if someone had loaded bricks on it. It was Monday, about ten years ago. Thanksgiving lurked around the corner. I knew I... ( added 45 days 21 hours ago.) Our Traditiional Family Halloween October is one of my very favorite months. My oldest daughter, Julie started a family tradition for Halloween and her three sisters are following suit. Here it is: She makes two huge pots of chili. (See our family recipe on Frannie's Fine... ( added 77 days 12 hours ago.) Good Character Press Celebrates Teen Awareness Month Evangelicals have named September as Teen Awareness Month, as of March 6, 2006. This day was designated to empower and engage teens, according to Lillian Kwan, a Christian Today Correspondent. Ms Kwan also tells us that teens can be empowered to... ( added 82 days 21 hours ago.) September Days Put me in Such a Daze Help! September is making me dizzy! How will I ever find time for the things I am supposed to observe this month? According to http://members.shaw.ca/high5/02cal.html I have at least 68 more special days to observe and September is almost over.... ( added 82 days 22 hours ago.) How to Get Past the Boredom of Exercise Living in Florida, I knew I had to start my 2 mile walk just as the sun was coming up. If I waited a moment later, the heat would steal my energy. I had tried taking late evening walks but by then, it was really hard because I was settled in with... ( added 90 days 21 hours ago.) Sammy Where Are You? I can’t tell this story. It is just too sad and yet I must. I simply must tell you because if I tell you, maybe you won’t ever do what I did…..to Sammy. As far as I know, Sammy never did anything wrong or sinful in his life. He was not... ( added 154 days 16 hours ago.) Daddy's Shoes - the Shoes That Carried Us Both Down the Aisle It seemed so strange. They were slightly scuffed and worn but now lay unmoving and silent. They were placed on the closet floor just the way Daddy had left them, as if they were waiting for him. My heart heavy and searching for peace, I stared at... ( added 161 days 11 hours ago.) Easter, a New Life Within or Walk in the Newness of Life Easter seems to have two different meanings in the mind of most people. There is the spiritual meaning of Jesus Christ rising from the dead, thus showing the world that death should not be feared if we believe in Him. Then, there is the other side... ( added 264 days 18 hours ago.) Are You Tuned in to Reality? or What is Truth? Are you tuned in to reality? Am I tuned in to reality? No, it isn’t a radio station or a television channel. My thesaurus gives many definitions of reality but the definition that pops out at me is truth. If mental health demands reality, then... ( added 266 days 13 hours ago.) The Job Jar When my four daughters were young, Saturdays became unpleasant and I faced them with dread. Since I worked outside our home, on Saturday, each child would have an assigned job to do. All kind of groans and gripes would surface. “I’m tired of... ( added 294 days 15 hours ago.) What Will Happen to Clemente? I look out the window and see my neighbor, Norma pushing the stroller on the sidewalks of our subdiv ( added 316 days 12 hours ago.) How I Found my Voice It was totally unexpected. I was puttering around the house on a hot summer day in Florida. Julie, my next door neighbor called and asked me to have breakfast with her. Julie is a high school honors teacher who doesn’t have much extra time during... ( added 330 days 18 hours ago.) My Good Goody Drawer I listened to my husband, Jim lamenting the fact that he needed another gift for his friend, Don. Yes, he had already shopped and bought a nice Christmas gift for him, but just wanted another gift to give him. He wanted Don to have two presents to... ( added 339 days 23 hours ago.) How To Entertain Grandchildren By Making a Great Memory Book - Easy To Do Perhaps you are having grandchildren or your friends children spend a few days with you. If so, I have some great ideas about entertaining them and at the same time, this is an opportunity to spend time with them. Go out and find an inexpensive... ( added 349 days 13 hours ago.) What Happened to Respect? WHAT HAPPENED TO RESPECT? (AM I ALONE IN MY VIEWS?) I hear my sister-in-law say to the sales clerk, “thank you for being so nice and polite to me." It caused me to wonder if the world had turned so sour, we are now thankful for a rare polite... ( added 349 days 13 hours ago.) Why I Believe in Character Education As I was reading the wonderful articles on your web site, I thought to myself, If only this had been available for me when I was in school. I wonder if my life would have turned our differently? I wonder if my life would have been easier? Yes, my... ( added 349 days 14 hours ago.) The Not so Perfect Parent All of us have that guilty feeling from time to time and yet it is the most wasted emotion of all. We can't take back words or actions, no matter how hard we wish. If you are a parent, this guilt seems to be present even more. This useless feeling... ( added 349 days 14 hours ago.) I'm Moving On or Browsing Through Time I’m Moving On…. Nothing is predestined. The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings. Henry Davis Thoreau I hear myself saying out loud, “it’s ok, it is really ok." It’s ok that I am now having a harder time... ( added 349 days 14 hours ago.) How To Make a Terrarium When I think of the New Year, I always want to do a project or bring "newness" to my surroundings. About three months ago, my husband and I put together a terrarium. It was quick but creative. This is something you could do with any age child or... ( added 349 days 19 hours ago.) 22 Articles total from Francine Larson - Submit an Article! Subscribe to Francine Larson's Newsletter for latest articles by Francine Larson (231)
22 Articles total from Francine Larson - Submit an Article! Subscribe to Francine Larson's Newsletter
for latest articles by Francine Larson (231)
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Ok. I just can’t quit thinking about Britney Spears. Just the idea of choosing addiction over having her own children seems surreal. But wait, Britney is not an evil person. As a matter of fact, she is also a victim of this terrible disease.
This addiction has taken over her whole self, thought process and physical, as well. It could happen to you – it could happen to me – and it could happen to our children.
Before we all get so judgmental, let us remember that we all use substances to a certain degree. We take aspirin for a headache, coffee to wake up, chocolate that makes us feel good and food for comfort. It is all a part of our life. Some substances, however are more risky and the addiction is very powerful. The best scenario would be to never try drugs, but in many cases, curiosity and peer pressure prevail.
This wonderful fact sheet (as copied below) is provided by http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/factsheets/addiction.shtml
Please click here and read the whole article for very good information.
Know the FactsAddiction and problem substance use tend to be highly stigmatized, and there is a lot of misinformation around.
My thoughts and prayers go to all the Britneys in the world who are struggling with this powerful epidemic.
Until next time......Fran
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Enviormental Health Science Education: For grades 5-8, explains things like dust, on-line activities.
Institute and Museum for the History of Science: The science of painting, the mind of Leonardo and other exhibits.
Kids Science Projects by the Science Club
Peep and the Big Wide World: Activities, games and videos.
Sunkist - Kids Science: Experiments such as "how to keep an apple from turning brown."
Yahooligans Directory - Science and Nature: Photos, Jokes, Articles and games.
Enjoy your projects and let me know what you liked best.
Till next time......Fran
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
"Why are you crying?" he asked his mom.
"Because I'm a mother," she told him.
"I don't understand," he said.
His mom just hugged him and said, "You never will!"
Later the little boy asked his father why Mother seemed to cry for no reason.
"All mothers cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mothers cry. So he finally put in a call to God and when God got on the phone the man said, "God, why do mothers cry so easily."
God said, "You see son, when I made mothers they had to be special. I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave them an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from their children.
I gave them a hardiness that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and to take care of their families through sickness and fatigue without complaining.
I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under all circumstances, even when their child has hurt them very badly. This same sensitivity helps them to make a child's boo-boo feel better and helps them share a teenager's anxieties and fears.
I gave them a tear to shed. It's theirs exclusively to use whenever it's needed.
It's a tear for mankind."
-- Anonymous
