imagination | Snapshots in Time

May 24, 2014
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ATTITUDE DETERMINES YOUR ALTITUDE !

“Can Do” Attitude

“What Can You Do For Me?”

We have always been faced with choices and these choices we make all have consequences. In “The everybody gets a trophy” generation however well-intentioned it may be, the bar has continually been lowered. When I hear that honor nights have been cancelled for those students that have studied hard to achieve academic excellence, trophies and medals are given to every participant in a sport, it is just an indication of how low this bar has been lowered. Questions are raised such as: Why practice so hard? Why study so long? The last thing we want to do is discourage our children from doing their best! We should want them to appreciate the benefits of hard work and determination to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams!

The best quote and most memorable one hung in my classroom over the chalkboard. It read: “If you think you can you will……If you think you can’t you won’t”. Self-reliance and determination should not be left for our schools to teach. They should be “taught” at home at a very early age. Our children will face many challenges in life and all to often we hear them say “That’s not fair” and instead of tackling the problem they face they “give up” or wait for someone to do it for them.

The whole concept of this post can be applied to many of the problems we face as a society. Perhaps if we embrace these concepts instead of waiting for someone to give or do things for us we would be much better off.

http://www.sgintime.com

May 9, 2014
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WE “CAN” BUILD IT !

“In the long run, men hit only what they aim at.

Therefore they had better aim at something high.”

Henry David Thoreau

Our journey through time together has created many educational and memorable experiences. There is no doubt that our mountain does stand out as we look back and reflect upon our journey. Although we knew it would be one of the most challenging additions to our layout, we approached it with the same enthusiasm and creativity that had been characteristic of our layout thus far. Its peak, ridges, plateaus, and rock coloration were extremely detailed and realistic. We were happy with our work and yes……WE DID BUILD THAT!

When he looks back to the experience we shared, I am confident that he will count the many obstacles we overcame among the many he will most certainly overcome in the future. I want to be there to catch him if he falls, advise him should he ask, and provide him with love and support always. This was but one more of the “snapshots in time” we hold so dear and will remain in our hearts forever.

May 5, 2014
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RAILROADS TO ROCKETS!

“Life is divided into three terms, that which was, which is, and which will be.

Let us learn from the past, to profit by the present, and from the present, to live

better in the future.”

~William Wordsworth

Samy and I continued our discussion about the railroads, life in America at the turn of the century, and of course our latest expedition to visit the general merchandise store located in the center of the town we live in. This hardware store has been in operation since 1900 and still looks the same today as it did at the turn of the century! We were interrupted by the unmistakeable sound of a train whistle and the sound of the wheels against the track. The gates went down, the lights began to flash and the bells went off. We looked in the distance toward the bend in the tracks and sure enough we saw the bright light on the front of the engine. The train made a brief stop next to the station where we were standing and we were treated to an extreme close-up of this enormous engine! The experience of being able to see and hear this great workhorse “up close and personal” was a thrill for both of us.

“Wow, that was awesome,” Samy said, as we watched the train pull away until it disappeared into the distance and we could see it no longer.

“It was almost as though they knew we were waiting here,” I answered.

“One hundred years from now another grandfather and grandson might come here to watch the train,” Samy commented as he looked up at me.

“Maybe…..and I hope they have the same experience we have had together.”

I knew that regardless of the century, there was no one I would rather travel through time with than my grandson. There are some things in this world that are “timeless” and he possesses every one of them. Perhaps one day he will stand with his grandson and share the same privilege I have known. The future holds many challenges and it is incumbent upon all parents and grandparents to prepare our children for it. It is my sincere hope that we never forget the things in life that really matter!

May 1, 2014
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CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN !

Mountains are symbolic to “challenge” and there was nothing my grandson and I liked more than a good challenge. He had demonstrated his ability to see things in his “mind’s eye” and create them from there. Children show these creative and imaginative abilities when they are given opportunities to use them. We felt as though we were standing on the summit of a mountain we had just climbed.

Topographical features, landforms, mountain streams, vocabulary, scale, imagination, and creativity all come to mind when I think back to that day. The blessing that is my grandson is what I am thankful for every day. The titles we value the most are “Grandson” and “Grandpa.”

April 28, 2014
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LIKE A ROCK !

“LIKE A ROCK”

We had taken another one of our now famous “expeditions.” The highlight of my day was sitting on the rock wall near the woods with my grandson. We were having a conversation about what life was like one hundred and fifty years ago. We sat on a rock wall we found on our latest expedition for hours! This was another “Snapshot in Time” we shared that I am confident will never be forgotten. His appreciation for history, his values, and strength of character are as strong as the rock we sat on that day!

OUR ROCK WALL

April 24, 2014
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WHO SAID THIS WOULD BE SIMPLE?

Our journey together would have been simple if we were looking for something to circle the Christmas Tree each year. We had made the decision to build a layout that included a village, train station, mountains, trees, scenery, waterfalls, and a train yard! Were we confused at this point on our journey? Let’s just say the questions far outnumbered the answers and we were determined to find them. Our collective excitement and enthusiasm for our project kept us “on track.”

We knew exactly what we wanted to include on our layout and we found inspiration for building these things in some of the most unlikely places. The “expeditions” we took together were a constant source of inspiration for us. These expeditions were “priceless” on so many levels. They not only helped us build a magnificent layout but were a constant reminder of the things in life that really matter!

January 9, 2014
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Snapshots in Time: The Excitement of Discovery

We were about to travel back in time over half a century. To say that we were caught completely by surprise would be an understatement. The packing tape had almost completely disintegrated and the treasure we had stumbled upon was indeed very old. We never imagined that what we were now looking at would serve as the beginning of a “journey” that would take us places we never dreamed of going. What lay ahead existed only in our imagination – until now. A very powerful, educational, action-packed adventure began that cold December day. The memories we would create, expeditions we would take, and obstacles we would surmount would become the “Snapshots in Time” that would remain in our hearts forever! Take advantage of that priceless sense of wonder and the excitement your children and grandchildren possess. Always remember you are uniquely qualified to become the best teacher they will ever have!

sgintime.com

January 4, 2014
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Snapshots in Time: Apple Does not Make The Best Things in Life?

ARE THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE MADE BY APPLE ?

I overheard a group of 7 – 10 year old children talking about what they received for Christmas. Several of them had received the latest and greatest video games, a couple had received i-pads and each was saying how great they were for playing games. What impressed me the most was the one boy who said rather proudly “I didn’t want any of those for Christmas.” “What!” the others replied. The young boy laughed and said confidently, “A few months from now when your games are replaced by a newer model or broken, my soccer ball and cleats will still be in great shape and so will I.”

Needless to say, I was very impressed. Not only was he willing to risk the peer pressure, but he displayed the wisdom seldom seen in our young today. He managed to turn the conversation about tablets and video games to sports. It became apparent to me that much of what was being said by these children was what they thought the others would want to hear.

And No I am not anti-electronic devices. They have their place and when used appropriately can be very educational. We do however replace actually playing sports with playing games, exercise with sitting on the couch, creating and imagining with clicking and touchscreens. We at the very least need to listen to this young boy and strike a healthy balance. While I am at it parents, the next time you absolutely have to “text” someone, pick up the phone and actually call them!

http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/ http://www.sgintime.com

December 29, 2013
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Snapshots in Time: The Simplest Toy

The dust is settling, decorations are being taken down, and we are reviewing those precious photos taken during the holidays. The toys both adults and children alike waited so long for are already beginning to lose their luster. Those of us who are blessed to have the privilege of being a Grandparent know that beyond the shadow of any doubt that the most precious gift we were given is our grandchildren. We also know that the world’s best educators are Grandparents. Make a New Year’s Resolution to spend time with your children and grandchildren.

Need Help? Creativity and Imagination abound here at http://www.sgintime.com !

December 28, 2013
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Snapshots in Time: Grandchidren and Things That Really Matter

As a Grandparent I am looking forward to 2014. The New Year is a great time for us to make resolutions that promote those values that make our family and this great country we live in stronger. The legacy we create and leave behind is important. Encouraging and enhancing the spiritual, physical, emotional and educational growth of our most precious resource should be our most important priority. Snapshots in Time: The S&G Railroad is a true story about an amazing adventure through time that will continue well into the future. Our true story is available on amazon in both kindle and paperback. We wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!

Make this your year to make a difference in the life of a child! You CAN and you WILL!!

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