CATCH MY WORDS to find help with teaching strategies, resources, or to enjoy a laugh or music. Blog connected to Catch My Products, the gifted department store with resources for K - 12.
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My humorous thoughts about life.
"My Humorous and Helpful Thoughts About Teaching / Educational Resources for Your
Classroom / Music and Random Fun"
Yesterday, I saw a black man jogging through my neighborhood, and for the first time, I wondered if he was safe to do so. I thought about Ahmaud Arbery who innocently did the same in Atlanta and what I'd heard about a neighbor of mine who called the police on a worker because he was black. Each night, I watch images of the riots throughout the country due to a policeman kneeling on a man's neck even though he said that he couldn't breath. Why didn't the cop get off of him? Why would people come into a private home and start shooting? I've often felt confused about the injustice of different water fountains or people told to sit at the back of a bus, in the past, but we still have current ugliness that must not be tolerated.
Some people say that "All lives matter." Sure they do, but we don't need to be reminded about everyone. Police do not abuse white people. I am safe to walk down the street without being shot because of the color of my skin, so why even mention other lives when black lives are the ones in danger?
Although I do not agree with violent protests, I understand the anger. It's like the Boston Tea Party or the expression, "The squeaky wheel gets the oil." Now, are people squeaking enough to make a change?
How about a bit of music?
First up is Bob Marley with "Get Up, Stand Up." These little kids are sooo cute!
My daughter, Judy, sent me a great article that she wrote for a post. I am sharing it with you!
Guest Blogger
Hi everyone,
This Wellness Wednesday took me on quite an adventure. I wanted to do something fun and figured a wellness beverage could do the trick. Little did I know the history of the smoothie in America is a complex story intertwined with scientific breakthroughs and counter-culture. (You got stuck with a history major for this Wellness Wednesday!) The smoothie has been around in different cultures well before it made it to the US. India has the lassi which combines mango, yogurt and spices for its treat. Additionally, with their plethora of tropical fruits, blended fruit drinks have been around in Latin America for a long time often referred to as “fruit slushes”
The history of the “smoothie” is connected with the invention of the blender in the 1930s by Stephen Poplawski. The blender was then perfected in 1935 by Fred Osius and called the Waring Blender. Osius claimed his machine would “revolutionize American drinks!”
The popularization of smoothies also relates to the start of health food crazes and workouts popularized by Fred Lalanne. “Lalanne was the first person to open a combination health-food store and gym, the first to come up with a weight loss breakfast meal replacement drink and to advocate weight training and nutrition.”
But I know the most important question, and what brought along this research project in the first place is *drumroll* where did smoothies get their name!?
Steven Kuhnau opened his first Smoothie King in Louisiana in 1973. Kuhnau was lactose intolerant and felt a little jealous he couldn’t enjoy a milkshake like his friends. He decided to create a yummy beverage that was safe for his sensitive stomach. “Kuhnau didn’t invent the name. He just branded it, [he said] the first time he heard the word was in reference to fruit and fruit juice based drinks made by “hippies” in the late 60’s. Prior to Kuhnau’s “Smoothie King”, the name “smoothie was used to describe everything from women’s bras and girdles, to ball point pens, car paint and machinery. There was even a band named “The Smoothies”! It wasn’t until Kuhnau opened his health food store and called his drinks “smoothies”, to appeal to the already health conscious hippies who knew what the term meant, that the name took off.”
So as the weather gets warm and we start looking for some healthy treats, the smoothie drinkers in the fund development team would like to share our favorite smoothie recipes with you! Cheers! Feel free to send photos of all of your concoctions J
The Logan:
½ cup OJ
1 cup frozen berries
Handful of spinach
1 whole banana
The PJ Baytarian:
1 cup soy milk
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 banana, broken into chunks
14 frozen strawberries
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
The Judy (inspired by the Anna at Beyond Juice):
½ cup blueberries
½ cup of strawberries
½ banana
Coconut water
Squirt of lime juice
Scoop of peanut butter
A dash of Orange Juice
(honestly my measurements are guesstimates, use your best judgement!)
To read more on the fascinating topic, check out some of my resources J
Stay safe and healthy and enjoy this beautiful weather today. J
Judy Lansky
Director of Corporate Initiatives
Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
Musical Monday Moves Me
Musical Monday's theme is flowers, so I'm posting a classic. There is no flower song more beautiful than the Waltz of the Flowers by Pyotr Ilyitch Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky was one of the best composers of all times, so I'm sure you've heard this one, even if it was on an episode of The Munsters. LOL! I'm curious to see if anyone else chooses Waltz of the Flowers for this theme. I hope you enjoy this classic!
Hurry in for our freebies and flash freebies. Even though my resources are forever free, some of my group mates are offering a limited time frame on their offers so check us out here.
As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, TpT is having a sitewide sale. Everything in my store will be listed at 20% off, with the exception of my newest resources:
that are currently marked at 50% off until the end of sale.
However, if you use the promo code: THANKYOU20, you will get an additional 5% off of your purchase!
Because so many teachers are teaching online, I've added a lot of resources to Google Slides. Of course if you'd rather have PowerPoints or printable resources, these are available in other formats, too. Check these out!
I also have a lot of book studies for sale. Link to Book Studies A lot of teachers have been buying these, probably because they are on PowerPoint, so they are easy to use remotely.
Being stuck at home leads to chats about the good old days. Here is a conversation that took place in our family's chat text group.
Text Chat with Kids
J: Mom how did your parents meet
Me: At a waistline party! They measured everyone's waist and charged the number of inches found in order to go in. My mom used to brag about paying 24¢.
J: Oh ya hahaha
Me: Different time period, right?
D: You mean the going to a party part?
E: What's a party? I forgot.
D: Dang, maybe you should go back to school if you've forgotten your entire job
E: You make a good point
Monday Music Moves Me Freebie
Since my parents met in the forties, I've decided to post a few good old songs from their era (okay, they met in the late forties, but close enough). I still love Glenn Miller, so here is a tribute to him.
First up is one of my favorite songs by Glenn Miller, In the Mood:
Next, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy:
And finally, this masterpiece of music, singing, and dance in Chattanooga Choo Choo:
