Boys: (My blond children love blond jokes) How do you tell if a coyote is blond? 
Here is what they look at from the back as you see the spines. There are two basic styles, the ones that went to the home subscribers and the library editions.
The library editions are white and have a photo or a painting on the cover and will also have the volume number clearly visible on the front. 
The home edition has a plain cover in various colors. They were originally mailed out with dust jackets, but most of these are gone or torn up. I have a few with dust jackets, but they seem to fall apart quickly when the children read them. They are just fragile with age.
Here is another library edition. There are two different Landmark series. The first was the regular series which is American history. There are over 130 volumes in that set. Later they published the World Landmark Series which covers world history and figures, I think there are about 100 books in that set. The Korean War book above is part of the World Series. The WWII book is part of the Landmark Series.
Here is a close up of the emblems on the spine. The light green one is a home edition of the regular Landmark Series, The middle one is a library regular series, and the tan one is the home World Landmark Series.
Occasionally, libraries will have rebound the books. If you know the general look and feel of a Landmark, you will recognize them even though there is no evidence of Landmark on the cover.
When you open the cover to the tile page you will see that the Landmark emblem is there. The rebound ones are not of any interest to collectors, however as a home school mom I find the rebound bindings are often sturdier and last 'forever'. They are often cheaper at a used book store also.
I am very thankful Dallas is a big dog for being only ten months old. The other day when Daddy came home, Dallas, who usually happily stays inside of the fenced in yard, saw a dog walking on the other side of the street. He decided he had to be with that dog. He quickly dashed outside of the fence and started across the street. Unfortunately, there happened to be a car in the way. We don't know if he hit the vehicle or if the vehicle hit him, but Daddy did hear a definite THUMP. Dallas, then quickly limped back into the yard where we found him limping badly on his front left leg. He was in such state of shock, that all he did for a while was quiver. We gave him some arnica to help with the swelling and pain.
This post is just some random things. Michelle did a photo shoot on our last trip to Amish country while I was busy with patients. It kept Elizabeth occupied too. I really like how many of them came out. This is a sampling.
This week has been busy with school and work. Too many late nights and full days. Only one early morning. Today. It snowed last night. Spring is still dallying.
Please be praying for our friend Lily. She was the young girl who had the severe injury to her leg when she was struck by the ATV. She is needing another surgery on Monday. The bones in her leg are not healing and the growth plate is damaged. Please pray that she will not have too much pain and that the bone will heal now.
Our friend Angie finished her radiation on her tongue/jaw about a month ago. She still has a feeding tube because her mouth is so sore. Please pray that this will heal quickly so that she can once more start eating. Otherwise she seems to be doing well and is able to take care of her family again.
My sister Miriam and her husband Todd leave tomorrow to fly to the Philippines for two weeks . Please pray for safety for them. The children will be spending the time with both sets of grandparents. Please pray that this will go well. They are planning to move there in July for a couple years. Todd will be teaching at Faith Academy.
Here I am for my third birthday. Blond with curly hair.
This is my four year old picture
Here I am with my sister Miriam.
This was my Dad's idea. They made our hair up to look like bunny ears for Easter. This is a cruel thing to do. You can tell I wasn't real excited about it. I have a vague memory of this photo being taken. I think I am about 5 here. Thanks Dad. At least it didn't show up at my wedding reception.
This one was done with marker for the shirt, and electrical tape for the pants. They used peppercorns for the eye.
This one was done from icing that was taken off a cake we never ate. It was a Michelle decorating project and we just never got around to eating it. Maybe the blue rose scared us off. We have just had enough sugar lately and didn't need it. So, the icing was recycled and used on the potato.
This one T-Bob did of his leader. He used ketchup on a sweet potato. The ball cap was another chunk of potato. HE also recycled some icing for the pants.
Not exactly things of beauty, but the children had fun doing them. Kind of a fun project to do with the children.
I want to thank my parents for bringing me into this world and letting me stay. It was nice to be able to have them come for the celebration. They live nearby and so it is convenient.
This is a self-portrait of Michelle by Michelle. She made one of my favorite things - chilled strawberry soup.
It was delicious. Almost like having a dessert for an appetizer. The whole strawberry and whip cream on top made it extra yummy.
There was a beautiful salad.
The main course was cream chicken over hot spelt biscuits, and creamed corn.
My good friend Kathy and her husband were also there. The girls surprised me by inviting them.
JoAn made the creamed chicken and biscuits. She also put together the salad. Everything was yummy, and I didn't have to do a thing.
Elizabeth took Michelle's trophy from Awana (our children are not real big on storing them) and adapted it and gave it to me. It was very sweet. Michelle helped her get the flowers and attach them. 
The rest of my gifts were a ping pong paddle from the children, socks from my mom and dad. My sister got me a gift card to Trader Joe's, a lunch invitation from my friend Kathy, and some old pictures from my folks of me as a child.
'Mr. Popper's Penguins' was one if the first books we read aloud as a family. The oldest child was in first grade. It was a delightful experience and really sold me on the importance of reading aloud to the children. This is a fun book with lots of giggles and grins as we see how poor Mr Popper and his family try to take care of all the penguins. He is a house painter with some absent minded scientist thrown in. It is not a real educational book, but it created in us a thirst to learn more about Antarctica and the explorers. It was a good stepping stone book that whetted our appetites to learn more. I guess that makes it a good and worthwhile book.
Elizabeth George Speare is a Newbery Award winning author. This book 'The Bronze Bow' is set in the time of Christ and is a good read, especially at Easter. This book would be for the Older Elementary and Junior High and up. I enjoy reading it still. She has written several other children's books that are worthwhile as well.
Armstrong Sperry creates a wonderful story and many of his books introduce other cultures or are historical fiction (old west and sailing novels) . Some of the books are for elementary readers, and others are for junior high, more because of the length of the books and vocabulary than because of any other reason. Many of his novels are on tape, and we have enjoyed getting them at the local library; they are great for car trips.
'Misty of Chincoteague' is Marguerite Henry's best known book. A movie was made of it back in the fifties. There are several sequels to it as well. Marguerite Henry is famous for her horse stories. Most of the books are illustrated by Wesley Dennis. She is an excellent author who is historically accurate in her writings and does an excellent job creating her characters. I have enjoyed reading many of her books to the children.
Mrs. Henry does write about a number of other animals. 'Brighty of the Grand Canyon' is a story about a mule out in the Grand Canyon who works with an old miner. After you have read the story, you can watch the movie. Marguerite Henry also wrote and illustrated a book about birds. She has even done a few picture books. One I have is 'Five O'clock Charlie'. The books are written for a middle elementary reader. A little bit beyond chapter books. As with all well written children's books, they are enjoyable by all ages.
The mother of these children also has a birthday today!
JoAn
Mr. Boots
Michelle
Thomas
T-Bob
Elizabeth
Happy Birthday Mom!
The crocuses are popping and the sun is shining and warm. It feels so good.
The boys (Ulysses here) are throwing Frisbees and running around like young colts.
The buds on the cherry trees are starting to swell.
I saw a honey bee on these crocuses just before I got the camera out. I was surprised that it was buzzing around so early in the year.
The daffodils are popping out of the ground.
T-Bob thought he would use the sun to try the old experiment of lighting a leaf on fire with a magnifying glass. We are really enjoying God's amazing creation as we watch it burst forth. We have such an Awesome God!
