The Original "Pippi Longstocking" Lyrics

I have grandchildren that absolutely LOVE the original four "Pippi Longstocking" movies from the 1970's.  They were always trying to sing the theme song and inventing at least half the lyrics, so we went to the internet.  But we couldn't find the whole song posted there, so we had to try to work on getting it all down in print ourselves.  Here is our best effort on the lyrics:

The Original "Pippi Longstocking" Song

I am Pippi Longstocking
If you say it fast, it's funny
Pippi, Pippi Longstocking
How I love my funny name

I'm only 9, I always live alone
Inside my papa's house
Until he comes back home from far off.
I have special friends, of course,
A monkey and somewhere, a horse
They share in my adventures, too.

I am Pippi Longstocking
With a hope and a ha and a hope shah-nah
Here comes Pippi Longstocking
Watch out, here she comes!


The Second Version of the Original "Pippi Longstocking" Song

Freckles on her nose
Diddle diddle di, a girl came riding
Into town one day, diddle diddle
She was quite a sight

It's Pippi Longstocking
Hay ho ho ha he ha ha
It's Pippi Longstocking
There's no one like her.

Happy as can be, diddle diddle
Pippi tells you stories.
You just wait and see, tra la la la la
She's quite a girl.

She's got a house, an older funny house
A monkey and a horse
A suitcase full of golden coins
And you'll never ever ever find
Another girl so strong
And always generous and kind.

Pippi's world is fun, diddle diddle di
She makes kids happy
Her make-believe may stun, diddle diddle di
The grownups here in town.

Pippi's quite unique, diddle diddle
With her smile disarming
She is such an imp, tra la la la la
You'll love her, too!

Sugar Cookies

Christmas

A Gingerbread House at Thomas's House

For a special activity on Christmas Eve, we assembled gingerbread houses that Amy had previously cut out and baked. It was a very enjoyable evening, with 4 very different, creative products at the end. Thank-you, Amy, for your hard work and preparation in making this such a fun and successful holiday event! (Follow the pictures down; they best tell the details of this story. . . )

Christmas Stockings

Here are the stockings I knitted for Jon, Amy, & Thomas. I made Thomas' stocking to match Jon's; only slightly smaller. One of my goals for 2010 is to get another stocking knitted for their new baby! Each stocking I knit takes approximately 100 hours to complete, but if it is a complex pattern or uses a lot of color changes it can take even longer.

Cute Grandkids

For Thanksgiving I was lucky enough to go to New Jersey to spend some time with my grandkids there. These kids make me smile.

Me & the Boy.

Double Credit Soccer Game

On Sat., Oct. 24th, it was the end of our Fall Break from school, and I still had a lot of things to do before returning to school on Monday morning. I also had a headache and didn't feel very well. BUT I knew that I wouldn't be able to go to many more of Cadie's soccer games, so I went. To my surprise, Cadie's team was playing the team of one of my students, Becca. Besides the enjoyment of visiting with Jim and Chris, I was able to speak to Becca's parents, too. It was so fun to see both girls playing in the same game, and when they both were standing as goalies on opposite ends of the field, I took a picture of them each.

"Another Pride & Prejudice"

I finished reading North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell about a week ago, and I liked it so much that I just had to write a little about it on my blog. (Elizabeth Gaskell is also the author of Cranford and Wives & Daughters that have received much acclaim in recent years.) If you are one of those people that felt sad that there was "no more" at the end of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, then this is a book you probably will enjoy. It is set in a fictional town & county to loosely disguise the fact that it was written about Manchester, and full of social commentary about the fabric mills and Industrial Revolution in England. It reads a lot like an English version of a Louisa May Alcott book, (they were contemporaries across the pond with a tad of Dickensian influence (another contemporary). And despite ourselves, we grow to understand and like Mr. Thornton as his relationship with Margaret grows and changes. I was very impressed with the intelligence and knowledge of Elizabeth Gaskell while reading this book; in fact I've never seen a work of fiction quite like it. There are about 200 footnotes included, cross-referencing her text with works of fiction by many other authors, illusions to classical works, and Biblical references. What an author!

"Talking" With Thomas

Today was probably the highlight of my visit this summer with Amy's family; I had the privilege of helping Thomas give a talk in Primary. The theme was member missionary work, and so the subject of his talk was about how being a good example is the best way to be a missionary. We used a picture of Ammon from the Book of Mormon and focused on how he was able to influence King Lamoni and his people because he was a good example of living the gospel. We practiced with Thomas several times, and he knew what to say well enough to keep finishing the sentences (except he kept changing "Lamanites" for "the bad guys"--kinda funny!). But when it came time to give his talk in Primary, Thomas had a little bit of stage fright at first. I stood right behind him, and whispered the words to him, and he then recited his talk very well and bravely. It was a special experience for me to share this little part of his life!

The Sea Spirit

I smile o'er the wrinkled blue
Lo! the sea is fair,
Smooth as the flow of a maiden's hair;
And the welkin's light shines through
Into mid-sea caverns of beryl hue,
And the little waves laugh and the mermaids sing,
And the sea is a beautiful, sinuous thing!

I scowl in sullen guise
The sea grows dark and dun,
The swift clouds hide the sun
But not the bale-light in my eyes,
And the frightened wind as it flies
Ruffles the billows with stormy wing,
And the sea is a terrible, treacherous thing!

When moonlight glimmers dim
I pass in the path of the mist,
Like a pale spirit by spirits kissed.
At dawn I chant my own weird hymn,
And I dabble my hair in the sunset's rim,
And I call to the dwellers along the shore
With a voice of gramarye evermore.

And if one for love of me
Gives to my call an ear,
I will woo him and hold him dear,
And teach him the way of the sea,
And my glamor shall ever over him be;
Though he wander afar in the cities of men
He will come at last to my arms again.

Lucy Maud Montgomery

School Year 2007-8

Hurrah for Summer (and time to catch up--I feel it's probably about time for another post!) -- ; )This year was a very different year, and a very different class--although I could make that comment for each class, each year. . . ) Our only class rule this year was "I will do only things that don't make a problem for anybody else." You can see that this one rule is very inclusive. And although that was the rule stressed, it was hard to keep. But with this as my general theme, I want to tell you about two memorable experiences that I had with my past class.
The first one was around Thanksgiving. Several of my boys were caught trading Yu-gi-oh cards after school on the playground, and the cards were brought to me by the afterschool duty teacher. I put them with the rather large stack of cards that I had already confiscated during class time. Knowing that they were rather valuable, especially in peer value, to the students, I decided to use them as rewards the following day for correct answers during Math test review time. That must have been inspiration because the kids loved that concept when I announced it, and they really paid attention so they could earn as many cards as possible. But the clinker came when the boy (Ethan) who had lost the most cards became upset, and started to cry. I had to sympathize with him, and then I had to firmly remind him that this was a consequence to his wrong decision and actions as he had been warned, but continued to bring the cards illegally to school. He saw that I was being reasonable and fair, and tried to be brave and dry his tears. The next student to answer correctly and win a card after that scene with Ethan was James. He came up to the front, picked a "good" card, and then walked back and handed it to Ethan. I witnessed this act and complimented him highly. His kind and thoughtful action changed the whole atmosphere of the Math review session. From then on each student continued to try their hardest to answer correctly and earn a card, but they all donated their reward cards back to Ethan. After we were finished, I told my class how much they all impressed me with their charity, and how they had each been a part of making our school day a very special event.
I was impressed with the eagerness these kids had, trying to do the right thing by serving another classmate. Most of them come from homes where they are not taught great values, but they do have the desire to do what's best when they know what to do.
The other especially noteable event happened near the end of school. All year the students had been earning good behavior tickets each day for obeying "the rule" and doing good class-work. A few had lost all their tickets, some students had a few, and some had a lot of tickets that they had faithfully saved. And all year I had saved belongings that I had to confiscate in a special box, plus I added some prizes that I purchased. The grand prize was a football with my cousin Dan Bower's name written on it. I told my students that we would have an auction for the prizes before Jon had to leave to go to his aunt's wedding in Chicago, because he had tried so hard to behave and earn enough tickets to win the football. I started the auction with the football to draw out the most tickets early. Someone started at 50, then as enthusiasm built, the number of tickets went higher and higher. At 118, Jon had to bow out of the competition, and he was very disappointed. McKenna won the football in the end, paying out over 280 tickets. Then very quietly, I saw her slip over to Jon and give him the football for free. She is a very sweet, gentle, and shy girl, one of my nicest and most obedient students. I praised her at once for her thoughtfulness and charity. Then again, the situation suddenly changed. Like before in November, the students all started trying to work together--bidding together, sharing tickets, giving and exchanging prizes--all of them trying to help each other get the things that their other classmates wanted. It was so exciting to watch them thinking of ways to help each other.
These are just two--but two very special experiences that I hold dear from last year. I know that I will never forget them, and I hope that the students will also remember these special times from 3rd grade that they helped create. These are the times that make me glad to be a teacher of children.

Europe or Bust!

The highlight of my October was probably the evening I spent with Laurel at a lecture at the Chandler Center for the Performing Arts. Rick Steves, from the popular travel program on PBS, was the featured speaker, and he told stories and talked about ways to have better experiences and cheaper travel when going to Europe. I was a little disappointed because I had emailed him, and Laurel had submitted the same request that night, asking about strategies for the disabled traveler, but he didn't really address that issue. Evidently he prefers that I buy his book, Easy Access Europe, to find answers to my questions! Oh well, it still was a very enjoyable evening being with Laurel and listening to a very entertaining speaker!

Time to Catch Up! (Sept. 2, 2007)

The first Saturday in September, I hosted a "Birthday Event" at my little house. Holly, Peggy, and Diane came over to enjoy lunch, latest news, and laughter. It was really enjoyable seeing and being with "old" (but still) friends for a while. I served that delicious Spicey Chicken Salad recipe that Shannon gave me with pitas, tomatoes, lettuce, some fresh canaloupe and pineapple chunks, and a dessert plate with chocolate covered almonds, Breyer's Rocky Road Ice Cream ( Holly's favorite), and homemade Pistachio Baklava! Everybody said they loved the food and wanted the salad recipe, so here it is--

Spicey Chicken Salad:
1/2 c. Lowfat Mayo
1 tsp. Curry Powder

3 Tbsp. diced Red Onion

1/4 c. Craisins

2 c. cubed cooked Chicken Breast
1 cubed Nectarine

Salt & Pepper to taste.

Mix first four ingredients, and then stir in chicken & nectarine. Add seasonings. Serve with chopped lettuce. (One thing that I do that isn't in the original recipe is that I saute the chicken with another 1 tsp. of Curry Powder, and then cover it & steam to thoroughly cook the meat. )

I have also made a variation of this salad similar to the Waldorf Salad using chopped Turkey, diced Apple, and diced Celery, with a few Walnuts, and received positive comments to that version! And yes, I kept the curry in with the turkey.

Happy cooking!

Happy School Year

A new year has begun. I enjoy watching the children enter on the first day with anticipation and uncertainty mixed on their faces. By the second week all the uncertainty will be gone and maybe even the anticipation too---they'll come to class knowing the type of teacher they have, which of their friends are in their class, and the order of subjects taught that day. It's a good time of year.

Here are 5 reasons I am glad I am a school teacher:

1) I get to pick books like Little House in the Big Woods and The Secret Garden---both classics---to read with my class. Usually this is their first introduction to the classics.

2) I have funny stories to tell about children that aren't even my own kids!

3) I get to have Spring Break, October Break, Christmas Break, and Summer Break with my        grandkids.

4) I see the change that new knowledge brings to young people every day.

5) I get to know that my life is making a difference by passing on my knowledge to the next  generation.

A New "Bella Pasta"?

For all of my family and friends that have been in mourning since the demise of our favorite Italian restaurant in Mesa, there is hope of great Italian cuisine in the future. Amy and I just came back from having lunch at a little Mom & Pop Italian restaurant, "Mario's", that is just down the block from their apartment in Mountain View. As I walked in, I noticed how much it smelled like "Bella Pasta" inside. . . Mmmmmn, mmmmmn, it also tasted delicious! My dish was called Linguini Garlic Broccoli, and Amy had Butternut Ravioli in Nutmeg Sauce. So come visit Amy, Jon, and Thomas!

Summer's End

It has been a fairly successful summer because I was able to clean out and organize my garage, spend time with Laurel's family at swim meets, and have a great time these past 3 weeks visiting Shannon's and Amy's families. First I flew to Newark. Shannon and I went to Boston to see Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth Rock, and the Public Garden (from Make Way for Ducklings). We also celebrated the twins' 1st birthday, and made massive batches of Zucchini Bread. Amy and I had fun doing some beading, spent an afternoon at Manresa Beach, and we all enjoyed experiencing the "Gilroy Garlic Festival." The Toasted Almond Garlic Ice Cream was surprisingly delicious! Tomorrow it will be time to get back in the saddle again!--We have to catch the bus from Mountain Vista at 7:30 AM for the district teacher orientation in Coolidge.

Always Encouraging Literacy

One of my most favorite pastimes is reading to my grandchildren.

For What Do We Live But to Make Sport For Our Neighbors. . .

I love Pride and Prejudice. This quote seems to be my life's theme in many ways.