Canopy Progress

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.   

His house is in the village though;   

He will not see me stopping here   

To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   

To stop without a farmhouse near   

Between the woods and frozen lake   

The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   

To ask if there is some mistake.   

The only other sound’s the sweep   

Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

 

 

A classic - is there anyone (caucasian, American) who does NOT know

this poem? Our woods are lovely, dark, and deep, and I often hear

owls calling of an evening. Owls always remind me of Jane

Yolen's/John Schoenherr's 1988 Caldecott Medal book, Owl Moon. I

remember Zig finding that book at Huntington's in Hartford, and

commenting on the beauty of Schoenherr's illustrations. I remember

being impressed that a Project Operations Manager would notice the

quality of the art in a children's picture book! We bought the book

for Stuart's first Christmas, and have it still.

 

Speaking of the Caldecott Medal, the 2012 winner was announced

yesterday. Chris Raschka's A Ball For Daisy is everything a

children's librarian hopes for. I shared the book with 1st, 2nd, and

3rd grade students today, and they all LOVED it. It's always fun to

"read" wordless picture books to kids - some of them want me to make

up a verbal story that coincides with the illustrations; others just

want to look at the pictures and tell their own story to themselves.

Raschka's ability to portray emotion through watercolor, gouache,

and ink is stunning - not just for the adult (children's librarian)

viewer, but for rambunctious little kids who, when confronted with

the tragedy of the (SPOILER ALERT) popped ball, are struck dumb with

sadness for poor Daisy. Based on today's reaction, I'm certain that

not only will my Kindergarten students embrace the book - 4th, 5th,

6th, 7th, and 8th graders will as well. WELL DONE, Mr. Raschka!

Caldecott Honor winners this year were also well received by

students in my tiny town - Blackout, Grandpa Green, and Me-Jane 

pleased all.

Spinning:

Second bobbin of Night Owl merino

Knitting: 

Canopy Sock #1 - weird lighting

Exercise: Continuing with weights and bicycling.