RAE’S READS

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This year (2025) finds me with 53 years of teaching “under my belt.” I have taught all levels from pre-K “(library lady” or “book lady”–volunteer) to juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled in my Advanced Writing class at the university where I have just completed 34 years. My first paying teaching job was junior high, and I spent 13 years with ages 12-13, the “difficult years.” I had some of the “funnest” experiences with this age group. When I was no longer the “young, fun teacher,” I taught in an elementary school setting before sixth graders went on to junior high, teaching language arts blocs, an assignment that was a “dream-fit” for me. After completing graduate school in my 40s, I went on to community college, then university teaching. This past fall I accepted a part-time teaching job at Apogee Gulf Coast Schools in its first year at the Alvin campus. After my Better Half died n 2022, I achieved a lifelong dream: opening a bookstore of my own, Rae’s Reads. A year later, I sold the house we had lived in for 47 years and moved into the bookstore. My goal is to circulate and repurpose books. Just as teaching is “in my blood,” so is a passion for reading, writing, libraries, and everything bookish. This blog will be open to anyone who loves books, promotes literacy and wants to “come out and play.”

  • Medication frustration

    Sue Vincent's avatarSue Vincent's Daily Echo

    Image result for frustration cartoon child proof

    My eyes no longer work too well…
    I cannot read small print;
    I don’t know where my glasses are
    And always have to squint.

    My hands, of course, are even worse,
    My fingers ache and swell,
    Arthritis, past its sell-by date,
    Is putting them through hell.

    Now factor in an RSI,
    Because I type too much,
    Then add a dodgy back and stuff…
    I wince with every touch.

    And so to get some small relief
    To bottles, I retreat,
    Not gin, though with the child-proof caps
    On pills, I’d drink it neat!

    It’s age-discrimination
    When they proof the pots for kids,
    ‘Cause when your hands are playing up,
    You can’t take off the lids.

    Though some pills come all wrapped in foil
    That’s fine and dandy, but…
    As soon as you begin to rip
    The stuff, you end up cut.

    So, reaching for the first aid kit
    You rummage for…

    View original post 156 more words

  • Wednesday’s Words: On Shel Silverstein and Other Things

    Continuing with the idea of teaching poetry to elementary age kids, one sure fire poet is Shel Silverstein, a favorite of kids and adults alike.  With Silverstein, one does not have to wait for an occasion to integrate poetry into daily activities, whether in the classroom or at home (Listen up Grandparents!). Looking at trash from the classroom or from the home, Silverstein’s “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out” is the perfect poetry “happening.” Reading aloud the sound-filled poem (“She’d scour the pots and scrape the pans”) introduces what Sarah will and will not do.  Taking the garbage out is where she draws the line.  Vivid, but gross images follow:

    “And so it piled up to the ceilings:

    Coffee grounds, potato peelings,

    Brown bananas, rotten peas,

    Chunks of sour cottage cheese…

    …With bacon rinds and chicken bones,

    Drippy ends of ice cream cones,

    Prune pits, peach pits, orange peel,

    Gloppy glumps of cold oatmeal,

    Pizza crusts and withered greens,

    Soggy beans and tangerines,

    Crusts of black burned buttered toast,

    Gristly bits of beefy roasts…

    This poem is as much fun for Mom or Grandma to read as it is for Sally and Noah to hear and imagine.  It is a smile bringer when little Joe or Carole do not want to fulfill their daily chore of taking the garbage bag to the trash can in the garage or to the dumpster. After hearing the poem, they will be in a better mood, laugh, and “get it over with.”

  • Sunday (Evening) Post

    It is back to reading, coming with a few rainy days in a row.  I had about finished up several books, so this past few days, I have started a few “new” ones. Striving to work some non-fiction into my reading, my “grandson” loaned me a very readable non-fiction work by Luis Alberto Urrea, The Devil’s Highway, which deals with immigrants’ desperate attempts to achieve a better life in this country and the work of the US Border Patrol.  I am only on chapter two, but am thoroughly “hooked.” I am looking forward to reading more on this book this coming week.

    Last week I started a unique review of Philosophy 101 in novel form in the YA “classic”, Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaardner.  The introduction to this, the 20th anniversary edition, by the author is enough to stimulate anyone’s curiosity, and the novel itself is extremely engaging. In a week’s time I have read a little over one half of this hefty, thought provoking, mysterious novel. I also began Garth Stein’s (author of Racing in the Rain) A Sudden Light, also a mysterious, somewhat supernatural novel written in 2014. I am only on chapter seven, which is scarcely into the book, as the chapters are pleasantly short.  All of these books are keeping me reading.  I am also continuing with Gary Pegoda’s Who Is Human?  on my Kindle app on my laptop.  I am definitely going to ask for a real Kindle for my birthday coming up, for the glare does not allow me to read for long periods of time.  The story just keeps getting more and more interesting, and although I cannot predict where it is going, I want to keep reading to find out.

    We have been turning the house upside down and inside out, placing new furniture and moving pieces from room to room.  Our sixteen year old cat, Lena, is most upset because nothing is where it used to be (except for the granite topped table in the breakfast room and the large dining room table and assorted furniture in the dining room), and she seems somewhat disoriented and confused.  As long as she has her “box”, food and water bowls, and a window next to the window seat to look out of, I think she will be fine.

    The PWR ladies met last Sunday (I was too exhausted to do a Sunday (Evening) Post last week because we had such a good time, and although our numbers were small, we had a lovely visit, and we were able to send attendees home with sandwiches for husbands for supper and various baggies full of “snacks” for the coming week.) It was a matter of quality time, and considering that it was Memorial Day Weekend and many had family plans, I was especially pleased.  Everyone took home some books to read, and a couple brought books to loan and magazines for my Bookworm Club (which will meet in July)which we will use to cut up for vocabulary “projects.”

    It was a good week, and the week ahead promises to hold many good things as well. I wish the same for you and yours.

  • A Good Book for a Psychology Textbook, Beyond Human Nature: How Culture and Experience Shape the Human Mind: A Review

    While tidying up and rearranging furniture in all the rooms in anticipation of out-of-state company in June, I came across a yellow legal pad which had fallen behind the dresser.  On it were the notes for a review of Jesse J. Prinz’s book which deals with the human mind.  Checking back over Sunday (Evening) Posts, I never reported finishing the book nor posted its review, so here it is.

    This 2012 publication by Jesse J. Prinz would make an excellent psychology textbook, as it deals with a review of the nature vs nature debate while focusing on what is uniquely human and what is universally human as opposed to the animal kingdom. Studies and case studies from both kingdoms are given as well as the author’s “take” on the role of biology on the human mind and on human behaviors. The author takes issue with the notion that “genetics explains all,” as he explains that society and culture influence the human brain as well.

    The book opens with a brief review of the nature vs nurture issue, giving historical background on these thoughts and goes on to break the discussion down into the following sections:

    Origin of traits–The discussion of intelligence testing is especially good.

    Origin of knowledge–The author’s explanation of theories of infant development and psychology is handled well.

    Origin of language–The cultural influence on language as part of its development is accurate and very readable.

    Origin of thinking– The genetic influence is delved in depth.

    Origin of feelings– Were feelings developed as a result of evolution?  The author considers this question.

    Origin of Values– Are we born to be good? Another question the author contemplates.

    Giving both animal and human studies and analogies, the author compiles an excellent and surprisingly readable textbook which has clever, even humorous examples, explanations, and asides throughout.  It is a serious study, but a pleasant reading experience.

     

     

  • TEACHING POETRY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

    When we studied homonyms, I found a delightful book, Your Aunt is a Witch, which presents homonym pairs in easy to remember rhymes.  The cover alone catches the eye of the reluctant reader. I converted the rhymes into a painless but practical worksheet series for the students to illustrate.  Here is one of the rhymes converted into worksheet style:

    Little Prince Randolph is ( heir  air ) to the throne,

    And some day he will be king.

    He simply adores to fly through the ( heir   air )

    On his solid gold, diamond-trimmed swing!

    After the children pick the correct word, there is space to illustrate the rhyme.

    When we discussed literal vs figurative language, I found The King Who Reigned a humorous combination of figurative images illustrated by literal drawings which also dealt with confusing homonyms. The children enjoyed making their own funny illustrations of “She’s all ears,” and “Someone’s on the phone,” and others they thought up themselves.

    Poetry was a daily occurrence in my classroom, and as far as I was able, I “sneaked it in” to whatever we were studying at the time. We did not scan, analyze, or dissect the poems, but we did talk about what made them work and how they made us feel.

    Poetry can be “worked in” and become a part of the classroom life and activities; it just takes a little ingenuity and a desire to get students thinking along poetry lines.

  • ACCEPTABLE TIME by Madeline L’Engle: A Review

    Polly, daughter of Meg Murry of A Wrinkle in Time, and neice of Sandy and Denys Murray of Many Waters, is spending time with her mother’s parents in New England. A neighbor, “Bishop Nase” manages to open a Time Gate which transports individuals back in time.  Both the Star Gazing Stone and the Old Wall act as portals for Polly on several occasions.  Meeting Anaral, a Druid who travels back and forth, and other characters from the time period, Polly and her cowardly friend Zak manage to become stuck 3,000 years before the present.

    Back in time, Polly finds herself with The People of the Wind, and later captured by their enemies The People Across the Lake. They are besieged with drought and believe that a blood sacrifice is necessary to bring rain to their land and tribe.

    Although the novel is not traditionally religious, it is spiritual and offers something for both believers and non-believers.

     

  • TUESDAY TEASER

    Grab what you are reading now, turn to where you left off, and copy a few sentences below. Maybe you will tease someone else to read the same book. Don’t forget to give the title and the author.  Here’s my Tuesday Teaser from Harlan Coben’s One False Move:

    “…Brenda will be here in a couple of minutes …Then you hit her with the Bolitar charm.”

    “Myron arched one eyebrow. “Set on full blast?’

    “Heavens no, I don’t want the poor girl disrobing.”

    This book is a Myron Bolitar novel, a mystery in an excellent series. My Better Half recommended this particular one saying it was the “best so far.”  That is high praise.

  • THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas: A Review

    This debut novel published this year (2017) has a very important message.  John Green, author of the phenomenal The Fault is in Our Stars, describes it as a “stunning, brilliant novel that will be remembered as a classic of our time.” Another author says it is “fearlessly honest and heartbreakingly human.” Yet another calls it ” tragically timeless.” I don’t know if I agree with the “classic” label, maybe so among young adults as Green’s novels have come to be, but the other descriptions are right on the money.

    Starr Carter is a seventeen year old African American girl living in the “bad” part of town, but she attends a prestigious college-prep high school on a scholarship. Chris, her white boyfriend may be the only stereotype in the novel; either he  truly loves her as he says he does, or he is “too good to be true.” One night, Starr, leaving a party where shots have been fired with her friend,Khalil, whom she’s known since they were three years old, are pulled over by the police, and unarmed Khalil is shot and dies in Starr’s arms. Starr’s parents who are extremely strict are supporting and generally cool, but are drawn into the chaos that Starr’s life becomes as the media invades her neighborhood and home, first describing her as an unnamed witness, then putting a name to the witness, informing all of her white, rich friends of her involvement and her background neighborhood, something she has been hiding from them. She hears things at school like, “He had it coming,” and “He must have been a drug dealer” before they know she was there when it happened.

    The author explores the gulf between black and white, rich and poor, and paints Starr as an “ordinary girl caught up in extraordinary circumstances.” Issues of racism, police violence, gangs, and poverty are explored from the “inside.” If you, like me, were taught in first grade that “The policeman is our friend; if you get lost or separated from your parents, look for one,” then you are probably privileged and white like me.  This is an important book that everyone, young person or adult, should read.

  • THURSDAY THOUGHTS

    This was a short piece, a narrative I wrote in undergraduate school.  I found it when clearing out an old file folder, and thought it might be worth sharing.

    We had taken inventory at Woolworth’s that night, and I was late coming home from work.  I dragged myself upstairs, prepared to face high school homework, and tiptoed through the room where my twelve year old brother was sleeping  and into my own attic bedroom.  Dad had divided the attic between us and had done a good job converting it to bedrooms. The paint on the walls was battleship grey, appropriated from the Naval Base, and the door between our rooms was a few inches too short for the frame, allowing heat from the register to heat both rooms.

    I lay down to sleep and was immediately startled by a rustling noise that sounded like crumpled paper scratching across the linoleum.  The noise seemed to be coming from under the bed!  I had been terrified about the idea of mice ever since at the age of nine, one had tried to make a nest in my long hair in this very room. Turning on the bedside light, I searched quickly, not really wanting to find anything. My heart sickened as I lay down and turned out the light again when the noise resumed. This time I leaped far clear of the bed, unfolded the double bed spread on the twin bed, and kneeling peered under the bed itself.  I almost had my nose snipped off by an old snapping turtle!  MICHAEL MARION MASON, I yelled at my brother, come get your snapping turtle out from under my bed!

    Mother said she heard us both barrel down the stairs, then Mike with no explanation to anyone, opened the side door and threw something frisbee-shaped out.  Poor me.  Poor turtle. Poor confused parents. Lucky Mike, for he received no punishment.

  • Tuesday Teaser

    This meme, hosted by the Purple Booker, asks readers to grab the book they’re currently reading, copy a few sentences in an attempt to get readers to show interest in your “read.” Why not play as well, put your sentences in the comments section, being careful not to give away anything vital–no spoilers. Please remember to include title and author.

    Here is mine for this week: From Taylor Caldwell’s Tender Victory

    “They had finished dinner and the children were in bed, and there was the good hearty sound of Mrs. Burnsdale, washing dishes in the kitchen.  Dr. McManus and Johnny sat in the study-parlor; the muggy air barely stirred in the close confines of the room. The doctor laid down a heavy brown paper parcel of x-rays.  He lit one cigarette after another, his big face moving, his eyebrows jerking, his mouth pursing.  Johnny waited, his hands clenched on his knees, praying for some hope in the older man’s verdict. But the doctor continued to sit there, dropping ashes on his thighs, muttering in his squeaky voice, scratching his ear.  Four hospital calls had come for him, but he had snarled into the telephone, and had suggested aspirin or a “jolt of morphine, and tell him to shut up,” and he still sat there, the mound of ashes increasing on his soiled light suit.  There were great sweat marks under his monster arms, and his shirt collar had become gray.”

    What a way to build suspense; they don’t write detailed description like they used to.  This reader, for one is waiting with held breath to see if an operation can help Johnny’s young foster soon. Caldwell’s old-fashioned novel does everything right and keeps the reader turning pages and staying up late to read another chapter.

    Now add your teaser. Scroll down to “About the author” and type your teaser underneath into the box provided.