The Story Garden with Mrs. Sandoz

One day, I walked into an antique store in Hailey, Idaho. The only thing I really remember from that visit is a painting. It was tucked high up in a peaked rafter—easy to miss—but it caught my eye. It was of a small child crying. I fell in love with it. I’m sure my newly awakened mother’s heart had something to do with it—Thing 1 was only 18 months old at the time. But we were broke, so I left the store without it. Six months later, I unwrapped that very same painting for my birthday. It was no small feat for my sweet and thoughtful husband to get it, especially since we were living in the Willamette Valley—nearly 13 hours away. When I opened it, I cried. That painting has hung in various places in our home for the past eight years. At first, I put it in our dining room, not realizing what a conversation piece it would become. Almost everyone who sat at our table asked the same question: “What do you think she’s crying about?” (As it turns out, it was a little girl—but from th...

Hey Friends!  Just wanted to let you know that I did the final edit on this one myself in order to get it out faster.  Editing is not my strong suit, so I hope you can forgive any mistakes and just enjoy this important story.  My boys had plenty of things to say about this story.  Some were very profound.  I'd love to hear what thoughts you and your kids have regarding this story, so feel free to leave a comment. Happy Tales! Kristen Ch. 10 The Bane of Little John By Kristen S. Sandoz, 2013 I think now it is a good time to tell you the story of Little John.   Oh, I know you have already heard part of his story.   He was a bandit who helped rob from the rich to give to the poor.   A seemingly honorable occupation, but a bandit he was, and one does not merely become a bandit, a thief, or a lying beggar overnight.   We must always remember that everyone has a story, and some stories are not happy ones.   Some are complic...

Ch. 9 The Young Duke Monstroke There are so many stories to be told of these happy and sometimes not so happy characters that I struggle to keep on a straight course.   I am going to diverge for a moment, or possibly more, if my mind wanders, and introduce to you one of my least favorite fellows in these tales.   His name is Monstroke. Why do I not like young Duke Monstroke, you ask?   Well, mostly because he is selfish and really never thinks of anyone but himself.   It is so very hard to like a selfish person. He is what the fantasy world calls an "evil villain" and the psychology world calls a "narcissist."   In short, he thinks the universe revolves around him and is impossibly blind to the hurts or cares of anyone around him--including, and most especially, animals.   His selfishness drives him to cruelty without hesitation.   He only thinks of his own self-preservation.   In his mind everyone is against him.   I am sorry to say ...

Go.   Heal Thyself, Girl! A story of personal healing Ever since I gave birth to Thing 1, I’ve struggled with slouching.   I figured it was a combination of things:   engorged breasts that would have won money in a wet t-shirt contest, muscle fatigue from holding a well-fed baby, and stomach muscles that had been stretched beyond reason.   Two more babies and nine more years under my belt, and I’m still struggling with slouching.   In fact, it’s been getting worse.   For at least the last year and a half, I’ve been consciously trying to fix the problem.   I check in with myself regularly throughout the day: “Am I slouching?   Yes!   Stop that!” I’ve been working on my core, trying to bolster those muscles and give my shoulders a break.   All to no avail.   What is my problem?   I was a dancer for heaven's sake.   Dancers don’t slouch!   They have lovely posture (and small breasts, I might add). ...

My boy's school did an End-of-the-Year-Book-Exchange.  It was a HUGE success!  There were piles and piles of books and piles and piles of kids.  My boys brought home a backpack full each of new-to-them books.  Some of them will definitely be keepers.  The rest we'll just send back next year.  I think I might have been more excited about the book exchange than my boys.  And next year I might even volunteer to help with it.  It was that cool! A used book exchange is a brilliant idea for the summer.  I am so pleased to be a part of a school which has some amazing creativity!  The best part is that it is something anyone could  do.  So if your school doesn't do a book exchange or you just need a fresh pile of books try this idea. The concept is easy.  Invite a good handful of friends or neighborhood kids to bring all the books they are done reading and ready to pass on to someone else to your back yard. ...

Ch. 8: A Friendship & a Name Kristen S. Sandoz 2013   Besides the Witch Hazel’s nasty hens there were plenty of other animals at the cottage who had less pernicious stories to tell.   But I will save that for another day.   For now let me just give you a roll call of the others.    There were two majestic roosters who did not always get along, the older rooster having one blind eye which made him all the more cocky.   Then there was the sweet old Jersey cow who gave her milk faithfully and without complaint each morning.   Her name was Blue and everyone loved her.   She had tender doe eyes with long lashes and she listened with a mother’s ear to anyone who talked to her.    Brother was the old mutt, who mainly slept on the hearth until he was kicked off by the cat. Then he would move to the sunny cottage step where he could keep an eye on the comings and goings as he dozed.     Pearl and Hazel also ke...

I am so excited to be spreading the word about a young college student named Kelly Cook.  I have watched Kelly grow up since grade school and she is an incredible talented and creative person.  She is working on publishing a book that she wrote AND illustrated.  It is an absolutely beautiful book!  The Might-Fine Adventure of Piper and Floyd is about, Piper, a girl who loves to explore, and Floyd, a giraffe that "honks", embark on this detour-turned-adventure story.  View the link below to have part of the story read to you and for an opportunity to support Kelly. Happy Tales Kelly! Love, Kristen Click HERE to support Kelly on her Kickstart site!