White Porcelain Cups

Sometimes items appeal to me for many little reasons. Like these white porcelain cups that I got at a flea market fundraiser. I like that they have corners instead of just curves. I like that they are made of  porcelain. I like that I can sip from the corner of the cup or the straight side of the cup. I like that my brother and I split a set of four into two for me and two for him. He liked them also, but neither one of us has available storage space for the set of four. I like that the two of us always negotiate well. I like the shininess of my mugs. I like when they hold coffee and I like when they hold tea.
That is all.
Smiles,
Sylvia
Visit me at www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Authors and Readers

It was a pleasure to participate in the "Authors' Area" at the NJEA (New Jersey Education Association) Convention last week. Of course, authors want people to purchase and read their work, but I also get a charge out of discussing my writing and my writing process with readers. Before I know it, I get a rush when I speak of a character's thought process in response to a question from a reader. It's great when readers provide fresh ideas and viewpoints that are valuable to authors. The live author-reader relationship is a good thing!
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Save The Children

This art on our city's Artworks building is expertly done. It  makes me catch my breath. A view of any child suffering anywhere calls to the heart. Let's each do what we can to end the suffering of children everywhere.
Thanks,
Sylvia
Visit my website at www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Telephone!

I write mostly at home. I try to keep the house quiet during these writing sessions. I allow soft music or no music. There's no television news. My issue is the house telephone with the answering machine. I screen my calls because only the voice of my mother or a family member gets me to quickly pick up the phone during a writing session. Everyone else can leave a message. I can respond or not respond later. Today's calls are an example of why I screen calls when I write. These calls happened three times during today's writing time: This is a message from the Social Security Administration. Your Social Security number has been suspended for some reason. Please call this number in order to resolve this matter. Have a good day.(Not a human voice). How do you handle calls like these?😊
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Bulletproof Education

Bulletproof book bags are on the scene.  As a retired teacher, when I think of book bags, I think of pencils, notebooks, completed or incomplete homework assignments, maybe some snacks. Over the years in my classroom, I've seen book bags with a roach or two inside, and a family member's beeper or cell phone that was smuggled out of the house by one of my students. I've seen trading cards in one student's book bag that belonged in the book bag of another student. Stuff like that I've seen.
However, the state of our society includes some individuals who find it in their hearts to enter schools and classrooms to shoot and kill students, even pre-k and elementary school students, and adult school staff members. Around the time I retired, there was talk of arming classroom teachers with guns. I didn't think that was the way to go. What if one of my students got a hold of the gun? What if a student was accidentally shot? Too many things could go wrong.  I thought, "There has to be a better way to protect the innocent in our schools."
Some think bulletproof bags are the answer, or at least a way to save more students from those who believe they have the right to kill just because they feel like it. Help us, Lord.
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Working Out in Shorts

Every now and then, I run into a situation that long ago would have upset me, but no longer does. Instead, it amuses me. Maturity is a good thing.
I was at a workout place wearing sports shorts that don't cover my knees. They felt comfy because they're made of moisture wicking material. My workout pants usually cover my knees or are ankle length, but this month has been HOT! Now, these ones are shorter, but they aren't what we used to call Daisy Dukes: no cheek meat is exposed😊.
As I worked out, I heard another woman whisper to her friend and nod in my direction. I guess her friend didn't get the message, so she said, "Shorts." I acted like I didn't hear, but years ago, I would have taken this as shade and would have addressed it. It's interesting that when  many of us were younger, we were more critical of the appearance of others: bra straps showing, too much cleavage, tight pants, short pants, bright lipstick, earrings, makeup, slip showing, etc. Is it really that important?
When we know better, we hopefully do better.
When I launder my shorts, I'll work out in them again😃!
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Happy Birthday, Sis!

This is a salad with grilled chicken. There's another salad across the table, but it's not in view. The significance of this picture is what you cannot see in the picture.
Yesterday, my sister and I took time from our busy schedules and met for a spontaneous lunch and "sister chat" in honor of her birthday. We each had a salad and shared a conversation.
It was a good conversation, full of love, support, and respect for one another.
Sometimes we're silly, like the two little girls who grew up in the Brown family home.
Sometimes we're kinda deep, like the concerned educators we became as adults.
We don't always agree with one another, but we always listen to each other.
We have distinctly different personalities, but similar qualities from each of our parents.
We really SEE each other.
I'm blessed to have her as my sister. I thank God for her.
Love you, Peggy!
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com