Sox Fam

Sox Fam

A Quote to Start Things Off

If we ever think well it should be when we think of God. - A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

Saturday, April 26, 2025

V is for Voracious Reader?



A to Z Challenge 2025

The ABC's of Me


Voracious Reader

On April 10, 2017 I started a blog called Writer's Write Readers Read Bloggers Blog.  It was one of many transition blogs I did in between this blog being a home school blog a whatever it is now blog. In my first post at WWRRBB I admitted not having written for a while and how I needed to rectify that.  

Although that particular blog didn't last long, I have been writing faiirly regularly since 2017.  I also said in that post:

I also need to read more. Reading informs and prepares the writer.  I have finished one book this year and that was on January 7th.  I need to make time in the day for it.  I mean how much Netflix can one guy watch?  That's not a rhetorical question, I need answers!!!!

The truth is  I also have read quite a bit since 2017.  In the past couple of years I have struggled in reading.  While I still read a lot of blog posts my book reading is not what it once was.  Like the above example I have only finished 1 book this year. 

April of course is  not a great month to finish books.  I still enjoy reading and I count listening to books as reading.  I have a number of books I have started this year and just  need to dig back in and get some finished.

Here are some of my favorite types of books to read:

Familiar books. I mentioned in my N post that I generally read the Chronicles of Narnia each year.   The past 2 years I have not done that.  It's not that I've grown tired of them.  I'm pretty sure I will never grow tired of them.  Some people don't like reading books  or watching movies over and over.  I can understand and appreciate that.  But foe me rereading books or watching movies again is like visiting friends.  

Familiar authors. This would not only extend to reading  more books by beloved authors, but also reading book about those authors,  or fiction books about those authors or those authors characters.  For example Stephanie Barron has written a number of mysteries s featuring Jane Austen. as the protagonist. One of the books that I started this year and haven't got very far in yet is a book about  a present day woman who discovers letters from one of her ancestors in her attic.  The ancestor? Jo March the protagonist of Little Women.

Children's Books.  Why? Because I was a child and my love for books started when I was a child.  Because I am a parent and I loved reading to my children.  I was literally reading to them before they were born.  Because I am a teacher and I love reading to children because adults in school read to me which increased my love for books.  

Mysteries. I don't like all mysteries, but some of my favorite authors like David Rosenfelt, Bill Pronzinni, and Dorothy L. Sayers write masterful mysteries.

Recommendations from a variety of sources - These sources include but are not limited to book lists, podcasts, bloggers, movies I have seen, books or characters referenced in others books or films.  I started reading Louis Lamour books because Allen Levi wrote a song entitled The Reason I Read Louis Lamour

I like writing about reading. It reminds me why I love to read.  The blogging challenge is almost over and perhaps then I can start a reading challenge of my own.

U is for U of I Parent




A to Z Challenge 2025

The ABC's of Me


U of I  Parent

Today's post will be all pictures and captions.


The U of I Campus July 2023
One of several campus Visits




Lucy and I at U of I's accepted student day
Realizing we  we both brought the same book to read







Goodbye High School
Hello U of I










Obligatory Move-In Pictures


First U of I game

100th Anniversary of Alumni Field




Illinois Proud



Dad's Weekend

Lucy in EveryMan
during Mom's Weekend










Team Saturdazzle : The One Where I caught up

welcome to Team Saturdazzle.  The A to Z challenge is almost over.  Today I am supposed to be on the letter W and I am only on the letter U.  So it's time for some A to A catch up.  In the past when I've been behind I have doubled or tripled up in one post.  When you do that it makes your index post a little difficult  to do.  So instead of that I am going to write 3 small posts for each letter I'm behind without the usual A to Z Prologues and Epilogues.  I will link them all here when I am finished.

My theme for the A to Z Challenge this year is the A to Z's of me: 






The new entries are


#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter U



#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter V



&


#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter W 


If you are reading this you will know I am caught up if there are links to the U V and W categories above.  





I will be back next week for a Team Saturdazzle that will have little to nothing to do with the  A to Z challenge.

Friday, April 25, 2025

T is for Teacher

#AtoZChallenge 2025 letter T

My A to Z Challenge Theme this year is the ABC's of me.  Each day in the month of April with the exception of Sundays I will be posting about one aspect of my life that begins with the letter of the day. 

It's time for some  A to Z catch-up. , I am currently 2 posts behind.  The next letter is  S so let's get right to it shall we?


T is for Teacher


Today's letter is brought to you from Dave, Dave Out Loud.  Teaching is an art form.  


Teaching is an art unto itself

Snow Kidding!

Snow Kidding!
These "kids" now range from 19 to 25