Parents Write

The Dead Guy rules!

2009-05-29T21:38:00.001-04:00

Yes, The Dead Guy is now an award winning novel.

The Reviews Are In

2009-03-28T14:50:00.002-04:00

Here are some reviews on The Dead Guy:

From BCF Book Reviews:
The car on the front cover says it all: “The Dead Guy” is a fast-paced action thriller, throwing you roughly in the passenger seat of Jack Thigpen’s Explorer and speeding you on a timed race around Detroit. Feeling a bit like Gone In Sixty Seconds with just a dash of Tarantino, this quirky yet serious novel will even make you laugh out loud, as it tracks down a crime ring that gets deeper and larger by the mile. Crafted with knowledge and detail that gives the novel immense realism, absolutely anything seems possible.

From The Book Connection:

This book is a roller coaster ride of action, intrigue, and mystery. Just when you think Jack has it figured out, something throws a monkey wrench into his theory and things are no longer as they seem. The reader will unconciously be biting off fingernails as he follows Jack from car dealerships to body shops to riverboats.

If this book hasn't won any awards yet, it should!

Riveting, intense, and action-packed, The Dead Guy by Doug Hewitt keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat and turning the pages.

Ecology Scholarship

2009-02-09T22:10:00.001-05:00

Today's scholarship link is related to those who care about the environment.

The Sufrider Foundation Scholarship is sponsored by the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots, non-profit, environmental organization that works to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches. The award is a merit-based scholarship offering financial aid to undergraduate, masters and PhD-pursuing students. Prizes include one $2,000, one $3,000 and one $5,000 award. Surfs up: it’s time to save the waters and our pocketbooks.

Check out the Surfrider Foundation Scholarship!

Now, let's go hang ten!

For more scholarships, links to scholarship search engines, and tactics to winning scholarships by writing eye-catching essays, check out our eBook, Free College Funds, available at www.FreeFundsForCollege.com/

Doug and Robin Hewitt
authors of Free College Funds, available at:
www.FreeFundsForCollege.com

Another SPACE scholarship

2009-02-08T21:03:00.000-05:00

Today's scholarship link is again for students interested in space. It's from the same folks as the last scholarship we posted, the Spaacse Scholarships (no, not misspelled!).

The George R. Faenza scholarship awards money and a Washington D.C. trip to the student who best answers, "Why Does the United States Need Space Exploration?"

SPAACSE Scholarships
http://www.spaacse.org/spaacsescholarhs.html

Now, let's go explore some space!

For more scholarships, links to scholarship search engines, and tactics to winning scholarships by writing eye-catching essays, check out our eBook, Free College Funds, available at www.FreeFundsForCollege.com/

Doug and Robin Hewitt
authors of Free College Funds, available at:
www.FreeFundsForCollege.com

Out Of This World Scholarship

2009-02-06T20:13:00.001-05:00

Today's scholarship link is students interested in space. No, it's not just for astronaut wannabes. This scholarship is from the Spaacse Scholarships (no, not misspelled!).

For any student who draws or paints (i.e., 2D artwork), consider a work of art that expresses the beauty and inspiration of the universe. This scholarship is for you!

SPAACSE Scholarships

The Liliane Web scholarship awards financial aid to students who submit an exemplary piece of 2D artwork expressing the beauty and inspiration of the universe

Now, let's go draw some stars.

For more scholarships, links to scholarship search engines, and tactics to winning scholarships by writing eye-catching essays, check out our eBook, Free College Funds, available at www.FreeFundsForCollege.com/.

Doug and Robin Hewitt
authors of Free College Funds, available at:
www.FreeFundsForCollege.com

Free College Funds presents the wienermobile!

2009-02-05T19:25:00.001-05:00

Today's scholarship link is a goodie! We're here to help you find free college funds and scholarships to go to college for free. We have a great list of scholarship search engines in our eBook Free College Funds, which will help you get college funding and go to college for free. Check out www.FreeFundsForCollege.com.
In the meantime, want to ride in the Oscar Meyer weinermobile? There's a scholarship involved. It's put forth by the National Beef Ambassador Program (NBAP). Check out the National Beef Ambassador Program.

Now, let's go have a hot dog.

Doug and Robin Hewitt
authors of Free College Funds, available at:
www.FreeFundsForCollege.com

Today's Scholarship from Free Funds For College

2009-02-04T19:22:00.002-05:00

We're continuing our blitz to help people find scholarships! In addition to finding scholarship search engines, our eBook Free College Funds will help you get college funding and go to college for free. Check out www.FreeFundsForCollege.com.
In the meantime, today's scholarship is for people who skateboard. Wow!
Applications are due on April 15!

Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship

And you thought skateboarding was just for fun!

Doug and Robin Hewitt
authors of Free College Funds, available at:
www.FreeFundsForCollege.com

Marbles, Anyone?

2009-02-03T19:06:00.001-05:00

We're going on a blitz to help people find scholarships! In addition to finding scholarship search engines, our eBook Free College Funds will help you get college funding and go to college for free. Check out www.FreeFundsForCollege.com.
In the meantime, how's this for a scholarship?

National Marbles Tournament Inc.
Tournament is June 21- 25, 2009

Visit:
www.nationalmarblestournament.org/

And you thought playing marbles was just a game!

Doug and Robin Hewitt
authors of Free College Funds, available at:
www.FreeFundsForCollege.com

Going Back To School

2009-02-02T21:28:00.002-05:00

We just want to make a suggestion for adults to consider going back to school in these troubled times. Maybe take some classes at a community college. It never hurts to have extra job skills, especially nowadays! Why not look up the courses at a community college near you and see what's new. You might be surprised at the expanded curriculum!

Doug and Robin Hewitt
authors of Free College Funds, available at www.FreeFundsForCollege.com
your source of scholarships and scholarship search engines

Free Funds For College

2009-01-31T15:01:00.003-05:00

Everyone should have their tax information by now. Filing the FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, asks a lot of financial questions regarding the parents income. Many of the answers can come directly from tax filings, so we believe it's advantageous to fill out your 1040s. You can wait to file them, of course, but now you have the answers at hand for the FAFSA.

We welcome everyone to take a look at our eBook - Free College Funds, which is available at www.FreeFundsForCollege.com. It's a great eBook and will pay for itself with the scholarships you can find with it. Learn how to get scholarships, enter data into scholarship search engines, and write great essays on those scholarship applications!

Check out www.FreeFundsForCollege.com!

It's Time To Start Searching For College Scholarships

2009-01-24T21:44:00.003-05:00

For all of you parents out there who are looking at college acceptance letters for your high school senior children, it's late, but not too late, to kick it into high gear and start applying for free college scholarship money.

We've got a great eBook that will help you with your search. It's all about getting free funds for college. It has links to scholarship search engines. And one of the highlights is that there are a succession of FAFSA online application screenshots. The FAFSA application is Step 1 in any college scholarship search, and many parents stumble on it. Or, it's so intimidating, that parents put it off. Well, our eBook, titled Free College Funds, is the answer for you!

Check out the website Free Funds For College and pick up a copy today!

Free College Funds eBook

2009-01-18T22:35:00.002-05:00

Robin and I have written a new eBook titled:
Free College Funds - The High School Guide.

It's meant to help parents and teens (and adult students!) find free college funding sources. It's full of great advice and links to scholarship search engines.

For more information, check out:
Free Funds For College

See you at school!

Free College Money, Scholarship Search Engines, Scholarship Money, Free Tuition, College Grants, Free College Funds, College Funds, Go To College For Free, Find Scholarships Grants

Social Networks

2009-01-18T21:24:00.007-05:00

Another author asked me where I have social networks. Other than MySpace, here are the URLs where I have set up a Doug Hewitt mystery author site.

http://twohewitts.blogspot.com
http://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DougHewitt
http://morganmandelbooks.ning.com/profile/DougHewitt
http://bookmarket.ning.com/profile/DougHewitt
http://www.communati.com/dhewitt29

I don't know if these social network sites will help sell more copies of The Dead Guy, but I will say they've been fun to hang out at. And there are a lot of nice people there (virtually speaking, of course).

Let me know if anyone has an idea of more networks that help with book promotion. Sharing is a good thing!

Happy promoting!

~Doug Hewitt

The Dead Guy, New Mystery Novel, Doug Hewitt, mystery novel, mystery book, crime novel, murder mystery, mystery author, good mystery read

Parents Write Goes Sleuthing

2009-01-16T22:56:00.002-05:00

Robin and I are heading to the Sleuthfest convention next month!

This is a convention for mystery writers. And so, because my latest novel, The Dead Guy, is a mystery novel, we figured we'd go! Plus, it will be in February and held in Florida. That's a good reason to go, too!

We would like to invite anyone who is going to look us up!

See you in Florida!

Doug and Robin

Parents And The Holidays

2009-01-03T14:35:00.003-05:00

The holiday season can be a stressful time. This is due, in large part, to expectations. It's so difficult to meet everyone's expectations, which can often be inflated because of how we think the holiday season should be.

Sometimes we think that just getting through the holiday season with no major catastrophe is a major accomplishment.

But the warmth and good feelings are there. We know they are. We hope everyone took the time to appreciate the good things about this holiday season.

Doug and Robin
www.HewittsBooks.com
See Doug's Funny Spuds Video Trailer for The Dead Guy

New Book Trailer Arrives!

2008-12-27T00:09:00.003-05:00

This is a funny video book trailer. Okay, we're biased, but we think it's one of the funniest ever produced.

What other book trailers have Mr. Potato Heads reenacting a murder scene?

In this video, they do! It's a scene from Doug's novel The Dead Guy.

Here's the link.

Spuds Reenact The Dead Guy Link

The Latest Scoop

2008-12-14T22:50:00.002-05:00

Okay, a brief post on the latest news.

Doug has his mystery novel, The Dead Guy, published.

You can view the video trailer here: View Video Trailer.

And you can view the first chapter in PDF form at our home webpage:
HewittsBooks

Happy Holidays to all!

Doug and Robin

New Direction

2008-12-06T00:06:00.000-05:00

Doug is having his novel The Dead Guy published on December 15 by Aberdeen Bay, so that really puts a crimp on time for blogging.

Check out www.HewittsBooks.com for the latest details. There's a free chapter available for viewing at The Dead Guy webpage at the HewittsBooks.com website. Check it out. It's free.

Parents Day at College

2008-10-14T23:25:00.002-04:00

Robin and Doug are going to visit their son David during Parents Day at the college at which he's a freshman.

David is in the marching band. Although Doug is an avid football fan (having played in college at Kalamazoo College), Robin is not. But they are both eager to see the marching band performance at halftime.

A student's freshman year at college is tenuous. Dropout rates are highest during the freshman year. When parents take the time to visit their children at college, even if it's only once or twice during their freshman year, it speaks volume to the young college student. It's a clear sign of support. So, check out when Parents Day is and visit your children attending college.

Be Careful What You Ask For

2008-10-11T23:14:00.003-04:00

We're writers. We like to write. We dream of selling books and signing publishing contracts. So, with two book contracts in one week, you'd think we're on Cloud 9. Well, we are, but that doesn't mean we're feeling maximum overload. Think about it. Doug has just sold his first mystery novel, The Dead Guy, to a wonderful new publisher, Aberdeen Bay Publishing. As the writing team of Doug and Robin, we've contracted for a book about college funding, based on the fact that we have five children in higher education and we're not paying a dime and neither are our kids!

But be careful what you ask for. The deadline for Doug's rewrite (and there is a request from the publishing company for a revision) is about three weeks. But at least it's a completed manuscript. For the scholarship book, we have plenty of notes, but other than that, we're starting from scratch. And we have a deadline of a couple of months on that. Yikes. We love to write and we've dreamed of having these opportunities, but for the moment time is stretching us so thin that we're becoming translucent. And don't even ask us about the transparencies nightmares.

Just kidding.

We're having a good time. Expect more updates soon.

Doug and Robin
www.HewittsBooks.com

A Parent's and Grandparent's Greatest Gift

2008-10-03T20:11:00.002-04:00

We were watching a new show the other day. It was called Huckabee, and of course the show featured the former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee. During the show, Mike Huckabee took questions from the audience. A father-to-be asked for advice on how to be a good parent. After a bit of stumbling, Mike Huckabee hit it on the head. The greatest gift you can give, he said, is your time. Never forget that.

We agree.

Free College Money

2008-09-22T21:36:00.003-04:00

After writing The Joyous Gift of Grandparenting, we decided to write something we believe many parents have a great need for. And that is? Free college money, of course. We realized that sending 5 children to college and other institutions of higher education for virtually free, that we have a plan, a set of techniques, that would be beneficial to other parents looking to save money on sending children to college. We believe we have a publisher, and we're going to angle to have this book published as soon as possible, probably in the spring of 2010. Actually, that's about as fast as it gets in the publishing world. We're excited about this book, and we'll provide updates as often as possible.

Summer Vacation

2008-08-24T11:48:00.004-04:00

We're back from vacation. Carolina Beach is a wonderful getaway, and the beaches are excellent. That is, not crowded, beautiful sand, and a fishing pier. Of course, we took our grandkids. The highlights were teaching them to surf. Not that we can do it, but we at least know the theory of successful surfing. And we met with success! Just think of the wonderful memories our grandchildren will have as they go through life, thinking back to the summer they spent with the grandparents, learning how to surf. (By the way, we made sure they wore personal flotation devices (PFDs), formerly known as life preservers.) For more great ideas on bonding with your grandchildren, be sure to look through our book The Joyous Gift of Grandparenting.

Summer Reading List

2008-07-08T20:09:00.003-04:00

We encourage our grandchildren to read books during the summer. A few weeks ago, we visited a bookstore with them and "helped" them pick out books. Actually, we let them pick out whatever they want, then we add a couple of our suggested reading titles. Doug is going to read Eragon this summer, along with our grandson Gavin. It'll be great for them to talk together about the book, discuss plot points, and enjoy the highlights together.

Here, then, are a few titles that should be on every grandchild's reading list, at some point or another during their upbringing.

The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet
Where the Wild Things Are
Eragon
Big Red

Of course, Newbery Award winning books are usually very good.

The most important thing is that the grandkids read. It'll give them a huge advantage in the coming school year, sure, but it also rounds them out as human beings.

Summer Travel Tip

2008-07-05T23:37:00.005-04:00

When going on vacation this summer, it's a good idea to plan for the unexpected.

Practice good safety routines. Always write the names of your grandchildren (actually, this applies to parents and their children as well), address, and several contact phone numbers on labels to place inside both shoes and backpacks. Write down medical insurance information on tags that they have with them. This could save vital time if you have the information handy when a medical situation involving the grandkids arises.

Another Summer Grandparenting Tip

2008-07-01T22:24:00.002-04:00

If you're vacationing this summer with your grandchildren, consider giving them the following "assignment." Take pictures for your summer vacation journal.

But one-time use cameras for your grandchildren. Give the cameras to the grandkids before the start of the vacation. Make sure they understand each camera has only 24 (or 27) pictures, so they'll have to make sure each picture counts!

Over the course of your vacation with the grandkids, make sure they capture those special Kodak moments. After the vacation, get the pictures developed and look them over with your grandchildren. Make a vacation journal, and make sure the grandkids know they can have a copy if they want one.

The great thing about the pictures is that the grandchildren will remember that they were the "go to" people in the photojournalism adventure, and at the same time, they'll develop stronger ties to their grandparents!

Summer Grandparenting Tip

2008-06-30T22:41:00.006-04:00

Here's a quick tip if you're a grandparent going on vacation with your grandhchildren this summer.

Take a trip to a souvenir shop. Have your grandchildren pick out ten postcards (each).

Later, get postage stamps and put them on the postcards. As the vacation winds down, give the postcards to the grandchildren. Ask them to keep them safe until they get home. Then over the course of the next few months, they should write a sentence or two and mail one of the postcards to you (at whatever time interval you think is best).

Not only will the grandchild remember the vacation with the grandparent with each mailing, they'll become better writers! (And isn't penning letters becoming a lost art?) And of course, you'll get the scoop on how the rest of their summers go.

Gas Prices

2008-06-28T01:46:00.002-04:00

Okay, we've been away a few days. Doug has been working 12-hour shifts, and Robin has been writing articles for the Carolina Coastal Guide.

And ..., we drove our son David to Appalachian State College for orientation. And ... we went to Wilmington for research ..., sigh, where does time go?

But ..., we did have a few thoughts about gas prices. Everyone knows how they've jacked up in recent weeks/months. The curious aspect about it, though, is that nobody with inner knowledge seems to agree on the reason. C'mon, there have been Senate committee meetings and no one's the wiser? Speculators on the futures markets get some blame, according to reports. And some say that supply is an issue in the face of growing demand. Others might thing this is a ploy by lobbyists to get drilling in the Atlantic ocean and in Alaska. BUT ..., here's some speculation.

What if bin Laden and his cronies got their act together and figured out the best way to crash the American economy was to force the price of gas to 10 dollars a gallon. First, let's agree that this price would definitely have the potential of crashing the economy. Most foods get shipped via transportation that has the rising costs of diesel and gas. The price increase hits us not only in the gas tank, but in the food basket as well.

Well, crashing the twin towers didn't work, so how about jacking up the price of gas at the pump?

It just ... might ... work.

We're not suggesting that this is actually being carried out. We're just saying that nobody has given a convincing reason for why the prices are going up. And if we don't know, maybe bin Laden does.

Another Haiku

2008-06-22T22:27:00.003-04:00

We just got back from Wilmington, NC. What a wonderful city!

But, we're pressed for time, so today's blog will be a simple haiku for parents.

Cold late moonless sight;

backyard black except one light;

kids in tents at night.

Haiku and WCU

2008-06-19T22:20:00.003-04:00

We drove our youngest son to orientation at Western Carolina University (WCU). There's no empty nest syndrome here yet, but we can certainly understand why it occurs. Off they go to college, out of our daily lives, and we miss them. But we're proud of their independence. It is what we strove for. Why should we be sad when they achieve it?

We can think back to when they were newborns and toddlers. Which brings us to this haiku.

Baby builds future
with 1, 2, 3; A, B, C;
wooden building blocks.

Remember to visit us at HewittsBooks.

Want help raising your kids or grandkids?

These books will help:
The Practical Guide to Weekend Parenting
The Joyous Gift of Grandparenting

USMC in Books and Film

2008-06-16T22:41:00.009-04:00

We got an email from a researcher who is documenting references to the United States Marine Corps in books, film, TV, and other media. The researcher, Richard Hemenez, read one of Doug's fictional pieces, a chapbook titled Slipstream. Of course, as with many of Doug's works, it's a thrilling story that a bit of science fiction and a bit of horror (in other words, speculative fiction).

But wait ..., (and in the fine tradition of infomercials) that's not all!

Mr. Hemenez apparently missed SPEAR, a novel that has at its core a former US Marine who is, shall we say, has a sanity level that is teetering.

But, we've set up a phone interview, and we'll discuss Doug's works as they relate to the research that Mr. Hemenez is conducting.

By the way, the book that Richard Hemenez has published (actually, it's publication date is in August 2008), is titled The United States Marine Corps in Books and the Performing Arts, and it's available on amazon.com (etc).

It looks like a great book. We're not surprised at all by the representation that the USMC has in book and film. Because we have many family members who served as U.S. Marines (fathers, sons, brothers, etc, etc), we know that many Marines have an artistic side to them. It's probably a shock to many. Incomprehensible to some.

So, we're thinking, in summary, Marines not only know how to fight, they know how to act and write and draw ... and dream.

High School Graduation

2008-06-15T21:42:00.004-04:00

We attended our youngest son's graduation from high school on Saturday. There's something great about the look of a high school graduate's face. It's full of hope and expectation, full of the future. (And, we're sure, glee over being through with high school.)

The graduation was on Saturday. Today, Sunday, we carted him off to college for 4 days of orientation. It's a time of transition for him. It makes us think, that's what life is all about. Transitions. If there's one thing that's a constant in this world, it's change. And in today's modern world, the transitions seem to come fast and furious. So, when you're thinking about something weighty to teach your kids, tell them about transitions, about changing surroundings, taking new paths. If your kids take transitions in stride, they'll have an advantage in life and will be better able to reach their full potentials.

Pacify the Children?

2008-06-12T23:02:00.006-04:00

How do we as a society raise our children to reach their full potential?

Do we challenge them? Or do we coddle them?

Okay, so maybe most decisions aren't so clearcut, but we just received a report from a concerned parent regarding child care for a 4-year-old that makes us think society has swung into the realm of over pacification. It's great for babies, right? Let's take a look ...

Yes, no problem with the infants, but once they can walk and talk, it might be time to challenge to improve their skills ... and to obey the rules.

Here's what our friend had to say. Her grandson goes to day care. To help with discipline, each child had a flower cut out from construction paper taped to the wall. The child's name was printed on the flower. Each time a child misbehaved, a paper worm was taped to the flower (although it could be removed with good behavior). But this was deemed negative discipline. So, instead, each child was rewarded with a petal for good behavior. Sound good? No, no, no. The awarding of petals was deemed as discrimination (based on behavior). And therefore it was a violation of human rights.

Sheesh. It's no wonder that there's a glut on childhood obesity (pun intended). The way our society is teaching kids these days, it's not fair to call unhealthy behavior bad behavior.

The Great Mentos and Diet Coke Experiment (just add kids)

2008-06-11T21:47:00.008-04:00

We figure when we go and visit the grandchildren, we need to do two things. First, we need to wow them. That's right, we try to add entertainment value for our grandchildren. C'mon, how many times did you say, "I'm bored" when you were a kid? The second thing we try to do is to educate our grandchildren. The best of both worlds came together in our last visit to Michigan to see our grandkids. We brought them THE GREAT MENTOS AND DIET COKE EXPERIMENT.

First, of course, the dad and grandpa have to check out the equipment and make sure the pack of Mentos will slide uniformly into the 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke. So far, so good.

Then, removing the index card releases the Mentos mints into the Diet Coke. Hey, this really works!

Now, just add grandchildren.

We had a lot of fun, and we're pretty sure that at some point, the grandkids are going to wonder what caused this reaction, and who knows ..., it might lead to great grades in chemistry! In any case, it was both fun and educational. A great combination for activities for children and grandchildren.

We have plenty of these kind of activities in our grandparenting book, The Joyous Gift of Grandparenting and Doug's book, The Practical Guide to Weekend Parenting.

There's more! If you're really serious about trying this experiment, check out this YouTube video. These guys take their Mentos and Diet Cokes seriously (and have so much fun in the process)! YouTube Mentos and Diet Coke Experiment.

A Grandchild's Kindergarten Graduation

2008-06-09T21:23:00.003-04:00

You might've guessed that we would put a picture of our granddaughter in this blog post. Good guess. And she did look awfully cute in her little red graduation gown and cap. But we noticed something else during the ceremony. The parents and grandparents. Yes, the five-year-olds were excited, and it showed on their faces. But on the faces of the parents and grandparents was more than excitement. It was pride. Parenting and grandparenting is hard work, but there are no payoffs that are bigger. Just look at these wonderful people as they take pictures of the kindergarten graduates. This is one thing our books try to capture, how to raise kids and grandkids to reach their potential. And as you can see, it's well worth the effort.

Long Distance Grandparenting

2008-06-02T21:43:00.004-04:00

We got interviewed by a reporter for Birmingham Parent, an award winning magazine. The reporter (Lori) had a great question. How do grandparents keep the bond with their grandchildren strong when they live a long distance away? There are plenty of ways, of course, and we'll list a good one here. Read the same book as one of your grandchildren and talk about it over the phone. Or emails. Whatever. Lori mentioned that she had done the same with her child, reading the Harry Potter books. For us, it's Eragon. There's nothing like a good book to bring people together. What a great bridge over any generational gap! And as a bonus, the kids improve their reading skills. So, see what your grandchild (or child) is reading, and read along with him or her. You'll be amazed at the connection you can make.

It might be good to gather them all on a chair or couch and have them pick out a book (or books) that everyone can enjoy. (see picture below) Okay, the younger ones might have to wait a few years, but that's ok. They'll catch up.

Grandmas and Guns

2008-05-31T22:33:00.003-04:00

Lots of people go on trips over the course of the summer. Many families are represented on these vacations by three generations. We're still in the planning stages for this coming summer, but we've been reflecting on the benefits of these trips. Of course, with our book, The Joyous Gift of Grandparenting, we have the interests of the grandchildren foremost in mind.

But as we looked over the pictures from last summer's vacation, we couldn't help notice the glee in our mom's eyes as she "manned" the gunner's position on the USS North Caroline. Take a look below and judge for yourself.

So, it's important to bring family generations together, and summer vacations are great times to do it. While the grandchildren benefit greatly from this, the grandparents can have a grand time, too!

A Greek Horse and a Japanese Poem

2008-05-27T22:27:00.003-04:00

There's a point in the rearing of children when they surpass the parents in computer knowledge. I can tell you when that was for me, personally, but I think it would make a great study for some PHD wannabe. The reason this subject appears in this blog? Well, let's take a look at the saying, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts." This comes from the most famous (infamous) of Greek gifts, the Trojan Horse, laid at the gates of Troy by an apparently defeated Greek army. (Gotcha!)

More than 2000 years later, some little stream of computer bits (they're just ones and zeros, for crying out loud!), gets into our computer and fouls things up. And we get to thank the Greeks for naming that little stream of malicious software. We've been infected by a Trojan Horse.

We won't go into the nuts and bolts (and 1's and 0's) of it, but we were able to clean up our computer by using:
Spybot
AdAware
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Spyware Detector

(Our Trend Micro PC-cillin failed to stop the Trojan from entering our computer gates)

So, I'm tempted to update all the kids and grandkids with our scheme for getting rid of the Trojan. But, I think they're ahead of us on the computer curve. At least they think they are. If so, maybe they'll browse this blog and learn a thing or two about effective malicious software removal tools.

Okay, now that the nasty Trojan business has been taken care of, let's end on poem, in a style from the other side of the world from Greece and Troy. Japan. Gotta love those haiku poems.

So, here's a picture and a haiku for the kids and grandkids.

Haiku (I can, can you?)

Knuckles white on bar;
training wheels came off today;
Dad holds wrench, arms crossed.

Memorial Day

2008-05-24T17:44:00.003-04:00

If you're a parent or grandparent, we think it's important to hand down your family traditions to the youngsters. Holidays are like national traditions. This Memorial Day, as your family gathers for a picnic, ball game, the Indy 500, or your own special family gathering, take a few minutes to talk about the meaning of Memorial Day to the children. It always surprises us when we talk to children and ask them what they know about holidays. Often, the answer is very little. Let's not raise a generation of wannabes on Jay Leno's Jaywalkers segments. Let's teach our children national traditions.

Books and Boats

2008-05-21T10:32:00.005-04:00

We'll be traveling to Michigan for a booksigning event on Saturday, June 7 (1-2::30 pm). Come by and say hello if you're in the area. The event is at The Book Blues Bookstore. Great name for a bookstore!

If you check out the bookstore's website, you'll see that they support a very worthy cause, Books for Soldiers, which we wholeheartedly endorse. After sending some of our own books, we received a very nice email from Afghanistan thanking us for helping fill out their base library.

Need more tips for summer travel with the kids and grandkids? Check out our article at Houseboat magazine.

Enjoy!

A Tip for Scholarships

2008-05-19T23:26:00.004-04:00

Ah, the scholarship season is in full gear. Actually, we've been at it for months now (and months and months ...). Having 5 kids at institutions of higher learning is certainly a challenge. But as we tell our children, there's scholarship money out there, you just have to apply for it.

And so, the paperwork begins and then never stops. Time is precious, but the time spent on applying for scholarships can be well worth it. It's just that ..., well, it's boring and repetitive and there are just so many other better things to do.

We discovered that there's a great way to save time with the multitudes of applications. Start a file, either on paper or in a computer file, and have those stock answers handy. Keep a copy of your tax return in it, as well as any other financial information they ask for. Keep copies of any scholarships applied for. Many of the questions are repetitive. You'll say, "Hey, didn't I just answer that last month?" Just look in your folder, and BINGO, there's your answer.

We hope this tip helps!

Tearing Down an Old Shed

2008-05-18T00:10:00.002-04:00

Okay, it's been in the works for years now. Tearing down the shed, the 50-year-old eyesore that's been falling apart, yet survived storm after storm and still housed to lawnmower, yard tools, and bicycle.

It was somewhat of an eyesore. Faded paint, missing pieces of tin from the roof, insect damage. But there an attachment to old things, even though wood rots and timbers sag. I'm a bit sad to see it go. The planks and timbers are loaded onto a large truck parked in the back yard. City maintenance drivers will haul them out on Monday. Bye bye, shed.

But a funny thing happened. When that old shed, that friend of mine, was finally gone, we noticed the three trees that had begun to grow around the perimeter of the shed formed some kind of aesthetic image. There was a picture of harmony out our back windows. Even our son, at no prompting of ours, commented on the symmetry of the three trees.

So, I'm thinking that this is much like a lot of things in life. There are things you hate to say good-bye to, things you hate to see go. And there's no way to foresee what the future will look like once those things are gone.

But ..., know what? Sometimes it's those unpredictable events that bring beauty to the world, a fresh perspective to our lives, and a new foundation on which to build a better future.

Good-bye, shed, you served us well ...

Thanks to 5 Minutes for Mom

2008-05-14T16:34:00.002-04:00

We want to thank Susan and Janice, twin work-at-home moms for the wonderful things they said about The Joyous Gift of Grandparenting.

They're having a contest over at their "5 Minutes for Mom" website:
http://www.5minutesformom.com/

The winner gets a free copy of the book!

RSS Feeding to Amazon

2008-05-14T16:16:00.002-04:00

If it all went well, we've just connected our ParentsWrite blog to our profile at Amazon.com via an RSS feed. As this is the first time we've worked with RSS (Really Simple Syndication), we're tickled that we got it to work (hopefully). Not too shabby for a couple of grandparents!

But then, that's one of the main points in our book, The Joyous Gift of Grandparenting. We're trying to break down those old stereotypes. Today's grandparents are active and do-ers. They're not sitting around on the porch rockers (well, not all the time anyway, as we were sitting on the porch last evening, watching thunderstorms roll by).

By the way, we've re-doubled our committment to blog on a regular basis, so stop by when you can. Better yet, link to our blog via an RSS feed!

A Tip for Summer Travel with the Grandkids

2008-05-10T10:50:00.003-04:00

Bring a backpack for your grandkid. If your grandchild is bringing one along, great, otherwise you can give one as a gift. Depending on the trip, add appropriate items to the backpack: disposable camera, ID information, books or comic books, depending on age and interest.

Hand-wipes are always a good idea. Include a change of clothes, too, so your trip isn’t interrupted by lost luggage or a nasty spill.

Remember, summer vacations are special for children, and your grandchildren are no different.

Grandparenting!

2008-05-09T16:43:00.002-04:00

We did it! The Joyous Gift of Grandparenting hit the shelves on May 6th. Both Doug and I have renewed our vows to blog on a regular basis, so look for more tomorrow.

Robin

Juggling

2007-11-09T22:24:00.000-05:00

Ah, it's been a month and a half since I've written, and my #5 nephew is chiding me. The truth is the more balls that we get spinning in the air, the more often the blog ball gets left in the basket. So all I'm going to write is a list of projects and items of merit that have been keeping us busy since the last post.
(in no obvious order of importance, but ALL important)

Hurrah! The Practical Guide to Grandparenting has received the final edits from us and is now in the hands of the proofreader. Still scheduled for release on February 19th.
Our editor left her job, with the last two chapters unedited. I believe I had a mini-stroke. (she finished them free-lance: Hooray Alyssa!)
Our one and only granddaughter lost her first tooth! She received $5 for this feat, and immediately started wrenching on the next loose one.
We got an honest to goodness real life literary agent! Grace Freedson's Publishing Network is shopping our next manuscript, even as you read!
#2 son had his first concert last night, playing guitar in the North Carolina State University Jazz Ensemble. It was really cool to watch; made up for the 3 hour drive...
BOGO the Dingo learned not to eat a pepperoni from the garbage can when it's attached to a mouse trap. She's still giving me The Look.
Before mentioned literary agent has asked for our next next manuscript proposal. We are scrambling to produce.
I made preliminary investigations into starting a bona fide business. Am now writing a business plan...must be why I took all them there accounting and business classes long long ago. Maybe.
#3 Son has his first performance next Sunday. He is a trombonist in the Greensboro Youth Orchestra, which is only 45 minutes away.
I got ALL the floors swept. Downstairs, that is.
I am still going to physical therapy 3 times a week for my poor shoulder. I am up to lifting one whole pound now. Went to the dr. today, got a cortisone shot and another month off work. sigh.

Okay, that's not all but it's enough.

Happy Veterans Day, and Thank You! You know who you are:
Bill, Dad Hewitt, Uncle Roger, Rick, Jim, Bob, Pike, Chuck #1, Chuck #2, Michael, Steve, Campbell, and whoever I missed that's going to let me hear about it. You have all sacrificed to give us the freedom that we tend to take for granted. Thank you, and God Bless.

Robin

Judge OKs 'Hitler Youth' Buttons?

2007-09-21T13:29:00.000-04:00

NEWARK, N.J. — Two students in northern New Jersey can wear buttons featuring a picture of Hitler youth to protest a school uniform policy, a federal judge ruled Thursday.
Okay, now I realize this is a First Amendment case, and my stew isn't with the judge.

What is wrong with these parents?

You give your kids a Hitler Youth button to wear because you don't approve of school uniforms?

First of all, I'd like to know what there is about the school uniforms that offends you. No designer jeans allowed? Can't show off the fact that you paid $175 for that pair of sneakers that you bought for little Michael? Worried that no one will be able to tell just how special your kid is if he's dressed the same as the rest of the pack?

Let me digress. My kids wore uniforms to school, and I'll tell you the reasoning that was in place at that time: some of the kids were dirt poor, while others were from wealthy homes. By requiring uniforms the school cut out a lot of petty meanness, because rich kids tend to look down on poor kids.

Flash forward to today's schools. Uniforms in today's schools are being implemented for one scary reason: gangs. Rich and poor alike, schools are being infiltrated by gangs at an alarming rate, and all the gangs tend to adopt a specific article or style of clothing to show their allegiance.

On to my second question: Why in the world would you equate the Hitler Youth to your child's right to clothing choice? Are you saying that because little Tony can't pick out what to wear to school, he won't be able to think freely? That the school is forcing him into servitude to the government? Do you even have a clue what the Hitler Youth were?

And now for my prediction, folks. Flash forward, about 10 years from now: The scene is a college auditorium, where a politician has just finished the Q & A session after a forum. You guessed it- there's Michael or Anthony, grinning like a village idiot while he uses his Right to Free Speech to disrupt the forum, attract the campus cops, and shout that now immortal line (you guessed, didn't you?)

"Don't Tase me, Bro!"

Sheesh.
p.s. I had to do it- I ordered the bumper sticker. Thanks, Bill O'Reilly!

Robin
www.HewittsBooks.com

Jena Six, of course!

2007-09-20T12:29:00.000-04:00

Okay, I wasn't planning to comment on this, but I've been reading various news articles on the web and haven't seen these questions anywhere...
What kind of dangerous, fierce, life-threatening tough guys are these six kids supposed to be, if all six of them can jump a "poor white kid" and only give him a concussion and a few bruises?
A newspaper in Alexandria, La., The Town Talk reported in frequently asked questions about the Jena Six that the students known as the Jena Six were all originally charged with attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit the same, according to LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters. Those charges came after Justin Barker was hit and then repeatedly kicked by a group of students at the high school on Dec. 4, 2006.
He was knocked unconscious and suffered several injuries to his face during the attack and was taken to a hospital where he was treated for three hours, according to the newspaper.

I mean really. Attempted murder? Conspiracy to commit murder? I don't mean to belittle the poor kid's bruises, but when I was his age I got worse fare fighting with my sister. Matter of fact, when she and I were well into our thirties she confessed that during one of our "spats" I had broken her nose. Unwilling to give me the edge of victory, she walked 3 miles to the nearest drugstore and bought a tube of "cover-up" makeup to hide her battle wounds...let me tell you, even though I had 4 inches in height and probably 20 pounds on her, if there had been six of her I'd be dead. Not bruised, not concussed, but dead.

Which brings me to my second question. When was the last time you heard of an attempted murder where the "victim" spent three hours in the emergency room? If you've been in any emergency room lately, then you know that it's a good idea to pack a lunch before you leave the house! I broke my ankle last summer, and spent over six hours in a small town ER- and there were no blood gushers of heart attacks to be seen. Not to mention, no unconscious beaten students (see photo # three). BTW, I was thrown from a horse once and got a concussion- I spent 2 DAYS in the hospital!

Now for the third question. Just how many self-serving crooked D.A.s are there out there? I don't think I was alone in thinking Mike Nifong was an exception to the rule; now I'm wondering if this is prevalent throughout the South, or throughout the country.

I never thought I'd say these words, but here it is:

Go Al Sharpton!

Let's support the Jena Six, and make sure these charges get dropped (or at the very least, reduced). Then, how about a federal investigation into the town of Jena, and LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters?
C'mon, Big Al. We know O.J.'s waiting on you, but how about sticking around awhile in Louisiana a while and seeing this thing through?

p.s. Sorry about the nose, Pike.

Robin www.HewittsBooks.com

Don't Tse Me, Bro!

2007-09-19T12:02:00.000-04:00

Okay, by now the whole world has seen the college kid getting zapped for not shutting up. Andrew Meyer, age 21, has received his 15 minutes of fame, and then some. Here are my questions about the incident:
Hey Andrew, what's your GPA?
Have you taken a Social Science class yet? How about Government? Civics?
How are you paying for college?
Why do you have so much time on your hands that you can plan and execute your little acts, then run home and post them on your website?

Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Meyers, are you proud of your son today?
Did you ever try and teach him how to behave?
Did you teach him that it would be funny to say "blowjob" to a U.S. Senator?
Did you work hard so he could go to college?
Have you called a lawyer yet, so your poor baby can file a lawsuit for not being allowed to act like an idiot in public?

By the way, Andrew; that wasn't a "Protest" or a "Rally" you were at. It was a simple Forum. I guess you didn't have time to take History 101, either...

I have 4 kids in college, and another heading there next year. I hope none of them ever meet an Andrew; I know for a fact not one of them would dream of acting like him. They are attending college to get an education, to achieve their dreams. They do have some spare time after homework and studies, but they use that time to work for spare money, or to practice their hobbies- none of which includes disturbing the peace. Or acting like a buffoon in public.

Andrew, can you spell "Buffoon"? Sure you can!

Robin

Go to www.HewittsBooks.com and see how we have (almost) 5 in college-- For Free!

A Kudzu Dream

2007-09-12T15:31:00.000-04:00

I came across this article from the New York Times in Sunday’s paper : “Mali’s Farmers Discover a Weed’s Potential Power”. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/09/world/africa/09biofuel.html?em&ex=1189396800&en=0653a7244f33ba52&ei=5087%0A

Apparently there’s an obnoxious weed that has grown forever in Mali, and now they think they can make it into biofuel. Instead of pulling it, farmers are now cultivating it between their rows of vegetables, in hopes of a windfall of cash if the experiments prove fruitful.

Now, this got me thinking (Doug always shudders when I say that) if they can use that poor weed in Mali, why doesn’t someone give a shot at Kudzu here in the South?

Introduced from Japan as an ornamental in 1876, Kudzu was planted everywhere to stop erosion. What nobody realized was that the climate in the southern US is a bit different from that in Japan. Kudzu can grow a foot on a good day, and 60 feet a year if you’re not looking. If you’ve ever driven through the south, you’ve seen how it encompasses everything in it’s way. If you’ve never been south, then you have to see to believe. Take a look at these photos by Jack Anthony, and you’ll understand: http://www.jjanthony.com/kudzu/

Can you imagine the repercussions of Kudzu biofuel? I don’t mean the obvious relief from our dependence on foreign oil; I’m thinking more of the domestic economic impact beyond the relief at the gas pump.

Unemployment would bottom out. There would be careers not only in farming, processing, and trucking but also in the fields of refining and technology. The auto industry would once again flourish, as well as vacation destinations and boat sales.

There would also be a boom in real estate – as you can see from the photos, Kudzu owns over 7 million acres in the South. Why, think of all the as yet undiscovered historical sites will be uncovered!

I think I'm going to present this idea to the next General Assembly. As soon as I hack a path to the car...

America's Promise

2007-09-11T07:45:00.000-04:00

This morning I want to bring your attention to a great organization that is working to build the future of America. The America's Promise Alliance is the nation’s largest multi-sector collaborative dedicated to the well-being of children and youth, and is based on 5 Promises to the children of our country. Following is a summary of the 5 promises, excerpted from the Alliance website:
1) Caring Adults: Caring adults are the cornerstone of a child’s development, and One-third of teens and 20% of younger children lack quality relationships with their parents.
2) Safe Places: All children need to be physically and emotionally safe wherever they are, and Between one-fourth and one-third of all young people “never” or only “sometimes” feel safe at school and in their communities.
3) A Healthy Start: All children need and deserve healthy bodies, healthy minds and healthful habits. 65% of young people say they wish they knew of more stores and restaurants that sold more healthy foods and drinks.
4) An Effective Education: All children need the intellectual development, motivation and skills that equip them for successful work and lifelong learning. 60% of 10- to 21-year-olds say their schools should give them more preparation for the real world.
5) Opportunities to Help Others: All children need the chance to make a difference in their families, at schools and in their communities. Half of parents of young people say they rarely discuss current events with their children.

As we commemorate the 6th anniversary of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, I challenge each of you to take a moment to remember not just the tragedy of that day, but also the way we as Americans united together afterwards. Let us again join hands, reach out to a child, and make them a promise. Or five.

Please visit The America's Promise Alliance website at http://www.americaspromise.org/apa.aspx and see how you can help build our future. America's future.

Is UBI a Leno Fan?

2007-09-10T13:39:00.000-04:00

It occurred to me that it was only 2 days after Freddy T threw his hat in the ring on the Tonight Show that the first tape from UBL showed up. Coincidence? Perhaps not!
As many of you have surely noticed, Bin Laden has obviously hired an image consultant. Despite his denouncing the Democratic Majority for supporting funds for the war, it's pretty plain to see he's seething with jealousy that he himself can't throw his turban into the ring.
UBL has apparently hired John Edwards' hair dresser, as evidenced in his newly trimmed and dyed beard. A closer look will show that he's obviously now wearing designer sheets: a clear signal that he's taking Hillary's fashion sense to heart.
We all know the name game thing with poor Obama, but don't you think UBL is now trying to mimic that "from the heart" feeling in the mannerisms he now projects?
I think I'm going to keep a sharp eye on todays "new" video. I heard from an undisclosed source that UBL has a new scheme up his sheet. He's ordered all the old "Gomer Pyle, USMC" shows on DVD, and is studying them frame by frame. He's figured out that if he can crank up a good imitation of Jim Nabors, he can then kidnap Huckabee and step into the race. On the Tonight Show, of course.
Unless we all convert to Islam.

Bribing Children

2007-06-19T21:30:00.000-04:00

I read an article that discussed a state legislative proposal to reward children for good grades with money. Get all A’s? Great, have some cash. Your tax dollars would be at work to raise the average GPA. (Quick thought: if it worked, and everybody started making A’s and B’s, would somebody start complaining about rampant grade inflation?) I listened briefly to a talking-heads back-and-forth (allegedly discussing the pros and cons) on TV. One guy suggested that this was a slippery slope, that the next step would be to pay people for obeying laws or acting moral. He might have a point, but there are already inducements to obey the law and act morally, namely prison and hell (or a similarly discordant plane of after-life).

My initial reaction to the story was a wince. This idea is so bad, it hurts. But then I started thinking, have I ever bribed my own children? Well, of course I have! When they were infants, there was the bribe of goodies to take their first steps. Later, I offered cash rewards if they would read a certain number of books over the summer. Do I still offer this? No. My point is, this bribery worked well for a few summers. And I understood that the thirst for reading was either going to take root quickly or it would never take root (how’s that for a mixed metaphor?).

And you know what, maybe some children don’t believe they can get good grades. Maybe the cash reward system will make them re-think their potential. My only caveat: just as I no longer pay my kids for reading, the cash for good grades should be limited to one or two years per student. If they don’t understand the benefits of good grades by then, if those study habits haven’t taken root, then the money would simply be going to helping a school’s collective GPA and test scores, which in the era of No Child Left Behind makes me wonder if that’s the underlying reason for this push. That is, pay the kids to make good grades so the school can stay in business to teach the kids. Ouch, my head hurts.

Father's Day 2007

2007-06-16T22:22:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is Father's Day. I have to admit that on Mother's Day 2007, I went all out and purchased a cool present that I knew my mom would love. And she did love it. It was a Pudge Rodriguez 8-inch bobblehead. She takes in to Bingo nights now, just for luck (and to show off). It was Thursday this week that I remembered I needed to send off a Father's Day present. So, already it was late. I was going to mail it off today, but I forgot. I'll call tomorrow and wish my dad a happy Father's Day, and I'll tell him his present is on the way, but I think I follow the national average on this. People care more about Mother's Day that Father's Day. I think there was a recent poll to confirm this.

Know what, though? I've got the answer to all of the punditry questions. The reason this happens is that dads don't really care. And I'm a dad myself, so I know it at least reflects my own views. Oh, it's wonderful to get a Father's Day card, and even better a present. I enjoy it, I really do. And don't get me wrong, I fully appreciate the thoughts. But if I get nothing? No, it doesn't ruin my day. I would hardly give it a second thought. I think it means more to moms, and that's why people generally treat Mother's Day with more respect than Father's Day.

But, given that, I'd still like to wish all of the fathers out there -- Happy Father's Day!

~ Doug

It's Not Right!

2007-06-14T08:28:00.000-04:00

I’d like to congratulate Jamie Lee Curtis for speaking up (er, writing) on The Huffington Post. Her topic of conversation was parenting, and her illustration was the lament of Paris Hilton to her mother, “It’s not right!” as jailors began taking her to prison.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-lee-curtis/mom-its-not-right_b_51507.html

Said Jamie Lee, “It was a painful episode to watch. A young woman, begging her mother, the person who should have taught her right from wrong, to help her, to teach her the rules of life. It was a little too late.”

Funny, I had been thinking the same thing. I remember watching a news show about the Hiltons. There was a video of a pre-teen Paris dancing (scantily clad) on a table, gyrating her hips. And her parents were at the table! Here is where a parent would normally say, “It’s not right.”

Reality gets skewed when parents have an anything-goes approach to parenting. I hate to generalize, but it sure seems like today’s kids walk around with an air of omnipotence. And I suppose if their parents never say “no,” why shouldn’t they have an exaggerated sense of themselves?

It’s time to rein in the children. They need to learn they can’t have everything, especially their freedom if they break the law. That just wouldn’t be right.

(Visit Doug and Robin at www.hewittsbooks.com)

High School Graduation

2007-06-14T08:22:00.000-04:00

It's Official. On Saturday Andy graduated from The North Carolina School of Science and Math, and is now officially a college student. He will be attending North Carolina State University on a full scholarship. His hard work and diligence is paying off in big returns ...

What else is official?

David is officially a Senior in high school, and is well into his one month vacation before he begins his college funding quest in July. He has almost decided on Appalachian State University, and should be starting there about the same time our book on how to make a carreer choice and get funding for college comes out.Congrats to our two youngest!

Do You Talk To Your Children About Intolerance?

2007-06-13T15:48:00.000-04:00

I find the sign offensive.

“AMERICAN OWNED AND OPERATED!” it proclaims, in bold red and blue letters. It stands in a prominent location in front of the corner gas station, an obvious reaction to the new owner of the competing station across the street.

I’ve met the new owner in passing, and although we haven’t exchanged names or any other personal information, he seems to be as congenial and polite as any other gas station clerk. He always has a smile and a “Have a nice day” for every customer, which I believe is the main prerequisite for a successful business person. His skin is a bit darker than the local average, and there may be just a touch of an unidentifiable accent when he speaks. This apparently classifies him as UNAMERICAN for some folks in these parts.

The sign hits a nerve with me. I remember being about ten years old, listening to Grandma Annie telling stories about growing up in the early 1900s on an isolated island on the Canadian border. When she was 7 years old, the United States Government proclaimed there was to be a census taken of all the Indians (we didn’t get the Native American title until outsourcing to India became popular) of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe in Northern Michigan.

Her father dutifully loaded the family into the boat, and traveled up the St. Mary River to Sault Ste. Marie, where the census was to be taken by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The line was long for the census, going out the door and down the street and around the block. Grandma waited all day with her father, pregnant mother, and 3 siblings.

As the good American citizens of Sault Ste. Marie passed the queue, they threw garbage at the Natives, calling them “the N word”. By the time they reached the front of the line, seven‑year‑old Annie was covered in spittle and rotten tomato. They registered with the government, and returned to their island home and simple life.

Grandma always finished the story with the admonishment; “So don’t you ever tell ANYBODY that you have Indian in you!” She married a proper white man, and spent her life “passing” as white (like no one would notice her darker skin and coal black eyes–not to mention that beak of a nose!). In 1924 the United States Federal Government gave Native Americans the right to vote–and granted them Citizenship at the same time.

Being ten at the time, I missed the impact of the story, ignored her warning, and basked in the glory and envy as I immediately told all my friends of my Indian heritage. It wasn’t until decades later that the sorrow of grandma’s tale hit home.

Robin