Lightly scents the air

Great little diffuser that scents the area with a light scent. It glows with light pastel shades, changing gently as it dispenses the scented oil. The different changing colors adds a nice touch. You don't use much oil to get the benefit and it has two settings so you can control how much you want released. It has an automatic shut off, and does not get hot. I received this product for an honest review.

A detailed picture of Elizabethan life

Well researched biography of the formidable self styled Dowager Countess, Lady Elizabeth Russell. Unapologetic, fearless, and willing to battle, she spearheaded a group determined to keep William Shakespeare's acting troupe from preforming in Blackfriars Theaters. Lost in history, Chris Laoutaris brings the infamous "Grey Lady," back to life, giving a reader a window into the climate of Elizabethan England, as well as a backdrop to the birth of the Globe theatre. This is a detailed book about the life and times of people who influenced the court. It is said that art imitates life, and perhaps Shakespeare was even moved enough to use his adversary Russell when he created some of his most vile female characters.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Great!

Great lamp for camping. Portable, battery operated with a motion sensor. I put it by my steps so if I get up in the middle of the night, it illuminates the step area if I walk over there, without being on all night. You can have bright daylight style of illumination, or soft night like brightness. I received this product of r an honest review.

Great Idea!

Great idea! Toe-less socks that will prevent you from slipping. I think they are a better idea than a full sock, because your toes are free to grip your mat. They fit snugly on my foot. I received this product for an honest review.

Happy Father's Day!

My father was an elegant man, some people thought him distant, condescending, but I always knew better.  He was quiet.  As the war had interrupted his education, he felt insecure among my more educated uncles. He read the paper, watched news show and could explain the most complex aspects of politic science better than most of my teachers.  I think, perhaps, he was the reason I became a teacher.  The love of history, culture and customs was born with the many discussions we shared.  He had a wealth of stored knowledge that was awesome in its depth, but I don't think he ever realized it.

I have several memories of my Dad that stand out like color pictures among a lifetime of black and white stills.  Seemingly meaningless snippets of events that pop up now and then to remind me that all I am and have today is because of his influence.

My very first memory of my father is so old, that some would think it's a piece of imagination, but I remember so clearly.  I was still in my crib and needed to go to the bathroom.  Calling out urgently, I can hear his voice first, "Hold your horses..." he kept repeating.  He arrived in the nick of time, saved me from disappointment and embarrassment and began a lifetime of trust that he would always be there for me, no matter what the circumstances.

He was not a Dad who played games, or even read with us.  An avid sports fan, we watched television together, and he laughed with genuine tears when I parroted back every beer commercial ditty at three years old.  He worked so hard, traveling to cities in the most remote parts of  the country to return  exhausted that all  he could do was watch his sports every weekend.  It was our time, my mother and grandmother were in the kitchen preparing food, or chatting.  Stretching out his legs, my brothers and I would hold on to them as he moved them, pretending to be pirate's hanging from the masts.  His very round head made a perfect steering wheel, and I recall using his ears to steer our course on wind swept seas.  Perhaps Captain No Beard was born then, to be called back into into action with my own grandchildren from the dim recess of my childhood memories.

The night before I married, we sat together watching "All in the Family",  Gloria, Archie Bunker's daughter was about to leave the nest and marry as well.  I don't remember what Archie said, something about this will always be your home, it was sentimental, but I can see my Dad's blue eyes look at me and nod telling me what his words couldn't.

My father was a hard working, moral and kind man. He never set a standard for his children that he didn't do first.  Dependable, honorable, and honest, I am richer for having been his daughter as well as his friend.

Happy Father's Day!

Love,
Carole P. Roman

Great Book!

Extraordinary story about the early Puritan settlers that colonized the Northeast coast. This insightful book is the tale of Mary, a minister's wife who's courage and reason is tested when she and her children are captured by marauding Native Americans. This is not a one dimensional book. Mary is a sensitive, but moral woman. She helps congregants other shun, defying her husband behind his back. She is torn, struggling with the double standard and the lack of Christian charity. Her entire world is thrown upside down, when she is abducted and forced into tribal life. Her harrowing experiences are both heart wrenching, the graphic descriptions of the attack one of the most frightening things I've ever read. The author's detail is stunningly vivid. Mary must examine her own prejudices, questioning the values that she accepted against her won common sense. Based on truth, this is a wonderful book about the early settlers who set the platform of this country and had the strength to weather the obstacles and endure the hardships making them strong.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Well Done!

Author Sandy Lanton has taken a sensitive subject and written a touching book about dealing with loss. Brothers Joshua and Michael are with their mother who is sitting Shiva, the seven day mourning custom in the Jewish religion. At first, Michael is having issues with anyone using his father's chair. He makes a sign letting everyone know not to sit in his father's place. His mother gently reminds him that he'd been very ill, and has passed away from cancer. Michael is having issues about things his father did for him, and in turn different family members talk lovingly about his father and honor him with sweet remembrances. Michael deals with individual issues, finally realizing that when he misses his father's hugs, he will sit in his chair and embrace his teddy for comfort.

The illustrations are beautiful, Lanton describes the mourning traditions with clear language. This is a difficult topic, yet the author handles it deftly, with a gentle touch. It did bring a tear to my eye when Michael finally accepts his father's passing, but it is a good guide for anyone in need of helping a child deal with a great loss. While it is a sad subject, the family's remembrances remain a celebration of the father's life as well a story about a child finally coping with losing someone important in their life.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

We live in a technological world. My four year old granddaughter knows exactly how to use iTunes on my phone. My sons recently threw out all my cds in a flurry of housecleaning and then placed all my favorite albums (are they still called that?) on my iPhone. “You don't need all that clutter,” they told me.  The only catch was, I couldn't turn it on, and worse, once I did, I didn't know how to turn it off. Hallie, who will turn five this summer, continuously impresses me with her knowledge and agility, using her tiny fingers to show me new things on my phone. So, when buncee wrote and asked if I would like to join their program, it took about a second for me to say, "Yes!"

Buncee certainly has an exciting product.  Kids today are used to keyboards, touch screens, and instant access to a world my own children could only dream about. The idea of interactive programs that can change and adapt to your child's interest is as fascinating as it is thrilling. At buncee, they are requesting authors to actually "talk" to the readers, creating a personal atmosphere that is inviting to the child. A child can listen to the author's own words and learn why they wrote the book, what their favorite part is, and finally work with questions to help in their understanding and appreciation of what they are reading. They have personalized reading books! This is using the computer for children in the best possible way, combining what is so easy for them with the idea that they are in control and can take their lesson as far as they want to go.

Edu.buncee.com’s goal is to foster students’ technology and digital literacy skills in an easy and cost-effective way. By combining buncee artwork and web media on the site’s digital canvas, teachers and students can create anything from multimedia presentations & projects, to digital stories, and more.

Edu.buncee.com has so much to offer classrooms all across the world, whether they are homeschooled or in a brick-and-mortar classroom. Teachers, parents, and students can produce their own original work with the use of buncee backgrounds, graphics and animations, as well as text, drawings, audio, photos, videos, cited images, and more. After being inspired by the words and stories of authors featured in the Author's Corner, students can then use buncee to create their very own tales and share with other students around the world. Edu.buncee.com brings creation, education, and imagination to life!

Using their resources, buncee is able to cross reference books, showing students that while they may be reading about Africa in one book, they can use buncees’ features to create stories or presentations based upon any literature they come across!

Buncee is fun.  It's easy-to-use. It's an online creation tool for students and teachers and is proudly releasing their newest project on edu.buncee.com - the Author’s Corner! The Author's Corner is a unique place filled with lessons, projects, read-alouds and more! Authors featured in the corner each have their own buncees full of amazing content for educators and children to share and learn with. Students can then do their own book reviews, story logs, and digital storytelling projects on buncee based off the books in the Author's Corner. Buncee's goal with the Author’s Corner is to provide a special library that sparks literacy curiosity, inspires students, supports children’s book authors, and makes learning fun!

Carole P. Roman