My Sympathy To The People In Ohio

There are really no words to adequately express my sorrow for the most recent high school tragedy or my sympathy for the victims and everyone who is affected by it. I am so crazy about my children that I cannot even begin to imagine the pain of losing one of them, and my heart aches for the families and friends of those who died and those who are injured. My heart also aches for the alleged shooter because something happened to him in his young life to bring him to the moment yesterday when everything went haywire. Each time I look at a baby I realize what responsibility parents have for bringing that person into the world and what power they have for molding and shaping that child's future. Parenthood is the most important job in the world, and it is also the most difficult one because babies do not come with step-by-step instructions to ensure they lead happy, productive, successful lives. They come with their own DNA, their own personalities, their own strengths, and their own weaknesses, and they will have their own experiences, joys, sorrows, and problems all of which can alter the courses of their lives. Heaven help all children and parents! My thoughts and prayers are with the people in Ohio.

Did You Watch The Academy Awards?

When I was a little girl my sister and I were in love with movies. Our mother's only brother met his wife when both worked for famous columnist Hedda Hopper. They were very dear people and fed our appetite for all things Hollywood when they sent us still photos, autographed pictures, and signed Christmas cards from dozens of our favorite stars. Growing up we lived within walking distance of the only movie theater in our Chicago suburb, and the movies changed 3 times a week and always double features. The admission for us as children was ten cents each, and many weeks we were able to go to the theater each time the movies changed. Summers were the best because snow, ice, school work, and bedtimes did not interfere with our ability to see six films a week. A very special privilege was to be allowed to stay up late on a school night to watch the Oscars after we finally had a television set. Last evening was an evening to enjoy the current award ceremony as well as to reminisce about the wonderful childhood we had enjoying the glamour, magic and Golden Era of Hollywood.

Can't Quite Remember A Song "They Call It Mellow Yellow"

For some reason that melody has been going around and around in my head all day today. I cannot remember who recorded it, who wrote it, or what the lyrics and title actually are. I just remember the melody and those few words. Mellow Yellow sounds like a pretty color as is Powder Yellow which is the color of the yarn used to knit this four-piece gift set. Handknit of 100% acrylic yarn which is soft, cozy, and machine washable this set will be a perfect baby shower or newborn gift for a special baby in someone's life. It is available now in our ETSY shop and on our website. Visit www.malcolmfortots.com and www.malcolmfortots.etsy.com

And Now........New Merchandise AND International Shipping

Today we have added to both websites our handknit soft green poncho and hat for a little girl ages 12 to 24 months old. We are also very pleased to add international shipping to both our website and our ETSY shop. Since so many readers of my blog live in other parts of the world, it seems only fitting that we be willing and able to ship merchandise to those countries in addition to the USA.

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

In my life I have had the opportunity to live in a number of places, and I have been happy in all of them. Some I liked better than others, but when the weather created a perfect day then I liked even my least favorite city. We had half an inch of rain here in the desert on Wednesday (we normally get only 4 inches annually)so it was an unusual day for us. It was so enjoyable though and a change from our usual sunny days. Thursday was nice, but today it is absolutely perfect. Sunshine, clear skies, and snow covering all the mountains surrounding us. What a picture! I actually played hookey from my lengthy to-do list for an hour so I could be outside on the patio potting new herbs (parsley, basil, and rosemary). The weekend is upon us, and I hope all of you have a great one.

What The World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love

Happy Valentine's Day! Perhaps some of you remember the song What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of....... When I see all of the Valentine cards, flowers, candies, toys, and jewelry displayed on line, in print, and in brick and mortar stores I must admit I smile and think love is a wonderful thing. It is what makes life worthwhile. If you are fortunate enough to have someone to love and someone who loves you, be thankful. If you have children to love who love you, be thankful. If you have friends and neighbors to love who also love you, be thankful. Love should be a 24/7 thing 12 months a year so don't forget to keep spreading love even after Valentine's Day. It will make the world a better place for everyone with whom you come in contact.

How Do Humans Become Capable Of Atrocious Acts?

There is so much going on in many parts of the world which involves killing and torturing people. I continue to be appalled and alarmed at how vicious and violent people can be. This morning I attended Mass at a Catholic Church with one of my neighbors. As I looked at the exquisitely carved crucifix behind the altar, it occurred to me that crucifixion was one of the earliest forms of torture and execution. Throughout the service I watched the figure of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross. I began to ask myself, "How in the world could any person look at another person still alive, nailed to a cross, and think that it was acceptable to do such a thing to anyone for any reason?" I watch the events of the world unfold during the evening news; I see gangs killing members of other gangs as well as innocent children. I see people found guilty of molesting the very children whom they were employed to teach and keep safe. I see people being terrified, tormented, injured and killed by order of barbaric dictators. I see people killed because of religious persecution. I see people being threatened with nuclear weapons. I see the United States being threatened by a leader of another country who does not even know us but would have no compunction about blowing all of us to smithereens. Every person in the world comes into life as a pure, innocent, little baby. What causes any of them as adults to become so hardened, so greedy for power and wealth, and so dysfunctional that they are amoral or immoral? We as parents have both a great responsibility and a great privilege to raise our children so they do not become perpetrators of atrocious acts. Are we not paying attention? Are we too busy? Are we not interested in parenting? Are we ourselves bad role models? Do we want our little ones to grow up in a world that is filled with hatred, unkindness and danger? If not, then we darn well better do something about it.........each and every one of us in our own home has the opportunity to make the world a better place for our children and all future generations. Why would we NOT want to do it?