Weaving Through the GNAW Project

If you’re like me, you’ve probably heard of the ”The GNAW Project” and “The Weave”, but didn’t really know what it was all about.  Well today I am excited to welcome author Cynthia Meyers-Hanson as our guest blogger.  Grab a cup of coffee and come close as Cindy shares with us the motivation behind these inspiring projects and what we can all do to get involved and help.

What is The GNAW Project?

When free breakfast was canceled and ‘their reduced’ priced lunches went up in cost, some kids came running to my class complaining.  We brainstormed ideas to help the situation.  This book project- done by my students- becomes their vehicle to publicize the plight of some USA kids that need free or reduced breakfasts as well as lunches and dinners.

Whats Wrong with Marriage? Revisited 2011

Ironically I first published this post in July of 2008, but with all of the hoopla and congratulations made in the media over the birth of Kate Hudson’s child (a truly miraculous event, and this article in no way disparages any child. It is directed towards the ones who have a choice…the parents) I felt the need to revisit this situation.

Okay, I’ve just about had it. Everyone is so afraid of being accused of being judgemental, that no one will speak the truth. What ever happened to “first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in a carriage”?

P. Diddy, Jamie Lynn Spears, Nicole Richie, Babyface (not you too Babyface!!!!), and Halle Berry…come on….Oscar winner Halle Berry. And my goodness, don’t even think about “multiple babies out of wedlock” world ambassador Angelina Jolie!!! Babies are a natural outcome of love shared between two people who have committed their lives to each other and agreed to raise the baby in a two-parent home full of love. Sure every marriage doesn’t work out.

Nothing in Common???

You know, I was just thinking about and marveling at how writing can cross all boundaries.  Maeve Binchy is one of my favorite authors and has been for a long time.  “Circle of Friends” was one of the first books of hers that I read.  I immediately connected with the anguish and joy of the young woman, who was a little chubby compared to her other friends, but turned out to be the type of woman that the handsome hero of the story couldn’t help but fall in love with. And when the movie aired with that dreamy young Chris O’Donnell giving visual to the imagination, I was hooked for good.

I immediately read every Maeve Binchy book I could get my hands on.  So enamored of her stories and well-rounded characters was I, that it was quite awhile before I realized where she was from.  One day, I finally slowed down long enough to wonder at the name of a city I didn’t recognize.  I was shocked to find out the setting was in Ireland.  Maeve Binchy is actually from Dalkey, Ireland.

What Happened to Plain Old Manners???

I know it’s late, but I am just shocked and had to write this before I could go to sleep.  First the other day during President Obama’s Healthcare speech, Congressman Joe Wilson heckled him out loud.  He’s certainly entitled to his opinion, but that was neither the time nor place.  He disrespected the President, the Office of the President and the Hallowed Halls of Congress. People worldwide saw this kind of carrying on.   Even his fellow Republicans were highly embarrassed and trying to shush him.

Then tonight on the MTV Video Music Awards, right in the midst of Taylor Swift making an acceptance speech, Kanye West rushed the stage, took the mike and said Beyonce had the best video.  Again, he’s certainly entitled to his opinion, but neither the time nor place.  The camera panned on Beyonce looking stunned

What the 2009 Inaugaration Means to Me

To me, this inauguration means don’t give up.  It means for all of the outrageous taxes, seemingly insurmountable bills,  and dead-end jobs masquerading as careers that I / We endure, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.