Posting a comment 101 …

Many of you have asked for a little primer in leaving a comment. I just changed the format for leaving a comment to make it VERY easy. Hopefully I will not get a lot of spam, but we will try it this way and see what happens. Here are the steps.

1. At the bottom of each posting it says a number and comments (for example 3 comments), click on it. This will open a comments window.
   
2. Type your comment into the comments box.
   
3. Type in the word verification as seen on your screen
   
4. Choose an identity – if you do not have a google/blogger/aol account, select Name/URL. Type in your name. If you do not have a URL (which if you are actually following these lame steps – let's assume you don't have one. J ) leave it blank.
   
5. Click on Publish Comment.
   

That's it – you did it! Okay, no more whining e-mails about wanting to be entered into the drawing but not knowing how to comment. I won't name names here – but you know who you are. I believe in you. I am going to post March's drawing tomorrow. So you have day to practice.

Happy commenting!

Every Girl Needs An Action Figure…

Last month for my birthday, my friend Jeanne left a little gift bag on my doorstep. Pete brought it into my office for me. He didn't stay to see me open it, but when I screamed (and I mean a big loud shrieking scream) he came running back to see what it was. It was a Jane Austen Action Figure. Yes, that is right, action figure – not a figurine! She bends, she poses and she comes with her own little writing desk, quill and copy of Pride and Prejudice. She is completely fabulous.

What I love most about her is her box, it says right across the top Action Figure. Figurines are made to be beautiful. An action figure is made to be a hero. Think of how little boys play with Spiderman and Superman. They run through the house, their action figures in hand, keeping the living room safe from evil threats and terrible villains. Now think of how little girls play with Barbie, they pick out her outfits and rearrange the furniture in the Barbie mansion. It's just not the same. While I have no problem with the girls playing with Barbie, I want them to have heroes to play with too. I realize that Jane Austen is not going to be a five-year-old's hero, but my little Jane has made me think that I need to have my eye out for some action figures for my girls. I want them to dream bigger than clothes and beauty and material purchases. I want them to grow up imagining themselves working with their heroes fighting evil villains and making the world a better place. Maybe if they play that way at five and eight and ten, they will imagine themselves growing up to save the world instead of just beautifying it.

As for my little Jane, I am keeping her all to myself. She has a perch on my office window sill. I'm looking for some friends for her. I'd love to have a little Harriet Beecher Stowe and an Eleanor Roosevelt. I could shut the door to my office and get them all out for a play date. They could debate presidential politics, our failing education system, and the AIDS crisis in Africa over a nice cup of tea. Maybe after playing with my little heroes for a while, I will start to imagine what I too can with my life at 35 and 48 and 70. Every girl needs some action figures to play with, thanks for reminding me of this Jeanne!

Winner of February's drawing ....

And the winner is ... Katy P. Congratulations Katy! Katy wrote in one of her posts, that paperwhites were her Grandmother's favorite flower. I had the honor of knowing and loving Katy's "Nanny", so I am so happy to be sending this paperwhite kit to you Katy. I hope you enjoy watching it grow.

Thanks for all the great comments this month everyone. You give me great insight, encouragement and laughs - thank you!