Something To Think About

Angry Blake: Middle school lesson plan links

2013-01-09T00:24:00.001-08:00

Angry Blake

Story Description: Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about Anger Triggers, Anger Cues, our Fight or Flight Instinct, and Self-Mentoring techniques. The story is called “Angry Blake.” Blake was filled with fury. You could have cut the tension between his parents with a knife. They yelled at each other half the night, as Blake lay trembling and angry in his room. At school, he felt the need to vent that anger on some of the other students.

Middle school lesson plan: Angry Blake


Section 1: Lesson Objectives	Section 2: K-W-L MODEL discussion (‘K’ and ‘W’ questions)	Section 3: Vocabulary

Section 4: Story	Section 5: Popcorn Review	Section 6: Role-Play

Section 7: Bloom’s Taxonomy discussion questions	Section 8: Writing assignment	Section 9: K-W-L MODEL discussion (‘L’ questions)

	Bonus Section 2: Role-Play Slideshow	Bonus Section 3: Trick or Treat

Do you have breast cancer but lack health insurance?

2012-10-24T21:34:00.001-07:00

What do you do if you discover you have one of the six main symptoms of breast cancer; however, you do not have health insurance?

As you already learned in the article entitled “Breast Cancer: So you found a breast lump,” early detection is the key to potentially saving part or all of your breast, your lymph nodes, and potentially your life.

What are the six main symptoms of breast cancer?

1. Lump in the breast

2. Dimple or indentation on the breast

3. Rash on the breast

4. Puckering of the breast-skin

5. Nipple discharge

6. Breast suddenly deflates (i.e., shrinks) or inflates (i.e., grows)

Oh, no! You don’t have health insurance

If you discover you may have breast cancer but do not have health insurance, this is potentially not an insurmountable obstacle.

To read the rest of the article, click BREAST CANCER.

Breast Cancer: So you found a breast lump

2012-10-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

So, you found a lump. You rub your eyes and look again at your reflection in the mirror. “Perhaps my eyes are deceiving me” is your next hope-filled thought. After all, breast cancer does not run in your family. Even if it does, it still could feel unbelievable and shocking.

You stretch out a shaking hand and feel of it. It’s hard and unyielding.

Since the ‘denial game’ is so much fun, you comfort yourself with the idea that it’s just a cyst that needs to be drained. That is true for some breast lumps. In fact, eight out of every ten breast lumps are benign. But, …

What if the lump you see in the mirror and feel with your hand is one of the two out of every ten that is malignant? In that case, the ‘denial game’ could turn lethal. So, for peace of mind’s sake, you make an appointment to see your doctor.

To read the rest of the article, click BREAST CANCER.

Check out my Bell Witch & White Reindeer book carousel widget

2012-10-10T16:28:00.001-07:00

Using a cool feature on Amazon.com, you can create a book carousel widget advertising your favorite products. You have the option of choosing between six and ten items to be featured. In my case, I chose my two published books plus some DVDs that highlight some of the key features of my books.

My two books are:

1. The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist by DJ Lyons (pen name for Debbie Dunn)

2. White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder by DJ Lyons (pen name for Debbie Dunn)

The DVDs are:

3. On Tour... LAPLANDIA A Journey To Sami And Reindeer (DVD)

4. BELL WITCH: THE MOVIE "BEHIND THE SCENES PREVIEW"
Betsy Palmer, Phil Campbell, Cody Newton, John David Hart (DVD)

5. The Official Bell Witch Video (DVD)

6. An American Haunting featuring Donald Sutherland, Sissy Spacek, James D'Arcy, Rachel Hurd-Wood (Amazon Instant Video)

Then, all people have to do is click on one of the product items to immediately be transported to the ordering, price, and detail page on Amazon.com.

Here is the Amazon widget that I created. This is the vertical version. To see the horizontal version, please visit the following page on my website: http://moredunntales.com/published-author.html

I love cool tricks like this. Please enjoy!

Amazon.com Widgets

White Reindeer gift ideas that include my White Reindeer book

2012-10-10T16:24:00.000-07:00

Do you like white reindeer?

Are you looking for some great holiday gift ideas?

Why not combine the two by checking out some of these great white reindeer gift ideas as seen on the Amazon widget carousel.

One of the ten items is the book written by DJ Lyons (pen name for Debbie Dunn) called “White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder.” The novella about the white reindeer is an absolutely true story from beginning to end. There is even a possibility that the white reindeer was an angelic creature sent by God to keep the author safe when she was an impulsive 21 years of age.

The other nine items seen on the carousel are fun items the author found on Amazon.com that may be of interest to white reindeer lovers everywhere.

Do you wish to find out more about those ten items? If so, simply click on one of the items on the carousel. It will take you to the information, price, and detail page on Amazon.com.

Here is the widget below:

Amazon.com Widgets

In any case, I hope you, your family, and friends have a lovely, safe, and happy holiday season.

Best wishes to you all,

Debbie Dunn aka DJ Lyons

Debbie Dunn and Marcia Donovan telling ghost stories at the Hermitage

2012-10-03T16:43:00.002-07:00

Introduction: Professional Storytellers Debbie Dunn and Marcia Donovan will tell family-friendly ghost stories at the 12th annual ‘Hauntings at the Hermitage’ located in Nashville, TN: 10-20-2012 and 10-27-2012. Listen to spooky tales in ‘Cabin by the Spring’ building.

Do you want a fun way to celebrate Halloween with your family and friends? Do you enjoy exploring historical locations? Travel to Nashville, Tennessee, and visit the Hermitage.

Special two-night event at the Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee

October 20th and October 27th of 2012 are the dates for the 12th annual ‘Hauntings at the Hermitage’ located in Nashville, Tenn. Two professional storytellers will share the stage at the ‘Cabin by the Spring’ to tell family-friendly ghost stories both nights.

Marcia Donovan will tell ghost and spooky stories on the hour (6:00, 7:00, and 8:00). Debbie Dunn will tell ghost and spooky stories on the half hour (6:30, 7:30, and 8:30). Both Marcia and Debbie will be performing during the final performance scheduled from 9:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Bio for Marcia Donovan

Marcia has been a professional storyteller since 1984 and Putnam County Library Storyteller in Cookeville, TN. since 1988. With voice, guitar and unique percussion instruments Marcia blends music and story for a fresh look at the world. Audiences sing along and help in the telling. She has been Storytelling Artist in Residence with Putnam Pacesetters developmentally disabled adults since 2000, with whom she presents an annual dramatization of a multicultural folktale. Marcia has performed at Rugby’s Ghostly Gathering, Crossville’s Boo Bash, Cookeville’s History Museum, and numerous Middle Tennessee classrooms, teacher in-services and community groups.

Marcia is a member of the Tennessee Storytelling Association (TSA) and the National Storytelling Network (NSN). She has been a Tennessee Arts Commission Roster Artist since 1993 and was an Artist in Residence in Putnam County fourth grades 1993-99.

Marcia holds Tennessee K-3 certification, has a Masters in Early Childhood Education and has 15 years pre-school and remedial teaching experience. Marcia has presented storytelling workshops in Middle Tennessee classrooms, at TSA conferences, Governor's Academy for Teachers of Writing, local teacher in-services and community groups.

Bio for Debbie Dunn

Debbie Dunn aka DJ Lyons has been a professional storyteller and author since 1989. That is the year she earned her M.A. at ETSU in Elementary Education with a specialization in Storytelling. Debbie tells age-appropriate stories. She encourages lots of audience participation as she performs. She has been a member of the National Storytelling Network and the Tennessee Storytelling Association since 1990. Using her pen name of DJ Lyons, she is the author of “The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist” and “White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder.” Additionally, Debbie taught school for 14 1/2 years. She is certified to teach grades K-8. For more information about her storytelling performances and workshops, please visit her storytelling website of http://moredunntales.com.

More details about the ‘Hauntings at the Hermitage’ event

What is the Hermitage? It is a historical site that was the home of former President Andrew Jackson. He was our seventh president. He led our country from 1829 to 1837.

Where is the Hermitage located? The Hermitage is located in Nashville, Tennessee. The mailing address is: The Hermitage, Home of President Andrew Jackson, 4580 Rachel's Lane, Nashville, TN 37076.

This is how the two-night event is described on the Hermitage website:

“Join us Saturday, October 20^th and Saturday, October 27^th for the 12^th Annual Hauntings at The Hermitage. Celebrate the holiday with ghost stories, a haunted hay ride through the Hermitage fields and old barn, fun Halloween themed movies on our outdoor movie theater, music, food, games and activities for kids, and more. New this year is a Presidential Trick or Treat Trail and hay maze! Don't miss this great community event!”

If you need directions, have further questions, or wish to order tickets, visit the Hermitage website. For your convenience, here is the link to click:

12^th Annual Hauntings at The Hermitage

Here is the Hermitage page advertising all the storytellers performing those two nights:

Story Tellers at the Hermitage

Professional Storytellers Marcia Donovan and Debbie Dunn hope to see you there.

Win a $75,000 Technology Classroom Makeover in Dec. 2012

2012-09-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

This announcement is for all classroom teachers. Would you like to win a $75,000 Classroom Technology Makeover? The 6th annual eInstruction contest is being held once again.

Click TELL ME MORE ABOUT THIS CONTEST to read all the details. Good luck!

eInstruction will be choosing 3 winners.

Sunday Sports

2011-09-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

Guest post written by my buddy Aldo Mays

My husband loves sports. He was a college football player, and he has been in love with the game since he was a boy. We live in a very rural area, and my husband works in the agricultural business, managing a seed and feed store about twenty miles from our house.

We love where we live, as our children have acres to play on and explore, but one of the negatives of living in such a secluded area is that there are few internet providers who can service our home. It is not such a sacrifice that we have seriously considered moving closer to civilization. I love the scenery around our home, and you can see for miles across the acreage behind our house.

We recently purchased Wild Blue, which is satellite internet. My husband cannot live without knowing the scores of all the college and professional football games. He spends all day on Sundays looking up scores as the kids nap and I usually sew. I never understood his obsession with football, and I am not thrilled about feeding his addiction. However, I am glad that we found an internet provider that can help him entertain himself on the weekends.

Ten Reasons to Know The College and Pro Football Schedules

2011-09-06T14:57:00.000-07:00

Ten Reasons to Know The College and Pro Football Schedules

Do you live in or near either a college football stadium or a NFL football stadium? Then check out my ten reasons why you need to know the football schedule for this particular location. Perhaps one of these reasons may apply to you.

You will also see a plug for my four favorite sportswriters: Randy Moore (my husband), Danny Parker, Chris Price, and Maria M. Cornelius.

Click FOOTBALL SCHEDULES to read the entire article on Sportales.com in their football section.

My publisher has lowered the prices on my books

2011-08-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

Hi from Debbie Dunn aka DJ Lyons.

My publisher has lowered the prices on both of my books. I am so relieved.

Title: The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist by DJ Lyons (my pen name)

This book can be purchased in one of three formats.

(1) Softcover ISBN: 1-60474-477-4. September 2011 price is $15.95. Please visit ON-LINE BOOKSTORE - SOFT COVER to secure this price.

(2) Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4512-5090-9. September 2011 price is $9.95. Please visit ON-LINE BOOKSTORE - PAPERBACK to secure this price.

(3) Ebook ISBN: 978-1-4560-8752-4. September 2011 price is $7.95. Please visit ON-LINE BOOKSTORE - E BOOK to secure this price.

* * * * * * *

Title: White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder by DJ Lyons (my pen name)

This book can be purchased in one of two formats.

(1) Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4489-7603-4. September 2011 price is $12.95. Please visit ON-LINE BOOKSTORE - SOFT COVER to secure this price.

(2) Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4512-5089-3. September 2011 price is $9.95. Please visit ON-LINE BOOKSTORE - PAPERBACK to secure this price.

* * * * * * *

For more information about either of my books, please visit my website of Ask DJ Lyons.com.

Hawaii's Issues

2011-05-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

This guest post is from Hong Alexander

Way out here in Hawaii, it’s hard to get all the channels I want to have at my disposal. For example, I’m really into basketball and it’s this time of year that I feel like I’m always missing out because my friends on the mainland are always talking about the big plays and such and I can’t even view the game!

Recently I got some Honolulu WIRELESS INTERNET information about Clear and I think it’s finally going to solve my channel problem! From what I hear, I can now watch the games I want to see as they’re streamed online which is just as good as watching them on tv! That way, I can keep my laptop open at work and even keep tabs on my bracket while I’m getting real things done.

I don’t know why I haven’t thought of this before but I just can’t wait to get my Clear hooked up and get connected. It’s going to be great later, for sure, but I’m most excited about using it for March Madness!

The Big Bang Theory or 4 Geeks and Babe

2011-05-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

Written by Don Gregory – a Guest Blogger

Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj, and Penny make up the cast of The Big Bang Theory on cable television Thursday nights on CBS. They are four scientists and an actress/waitress who lives across the hall from Sheldon and Leonard.

The main characters Sheldon and Leonard live together in a two bedroom apartment where Howard and Raj spent virtually every hour of their off time from work. All four work in the same complex but in different scientific fields. Sheldon is the super brain physicist who has absolutely zero social skill of any kind. He simply cannot relate to anyone who is not on the same intelligence level. Nor does he have any grasp of simple or common subjects. Leonard is the most normal, Howard is a no luck with women sex fiend, and Raj literally cannot speak if woman is even in the room.

When Penny who is from Arkansas or someplace in the mid west moved in, Leonard instantly fell in love. His efforts to woo his new love makes for funny script while the others--except for Sheldon--who are also smitten by Penny devalue his efforts.

During the progression of the show over the years Leonard and Penny did hook up for short but it finally ended. However they still have a deep seeded love for each other that will create some sexual tension from time to time. The boys combination of greatness and ineptness combined with Penny's down home style of normal living are a combination not often seen in true life. This is what makes The Big Bang Theory so funny.

Modern Wooden Swing Sets are a far cry from what I grew up with

2011-02-08T21:20:00.000-08:00

Wooden Swing Sets are certainly a far cry from what I grew up with. I know that if I was a little kid in this day and age, I would have gloried in being able to play and dream on one of those wooden swing sets such as you see pictured on the top left. That would have been so much fun.

I know my two little nieces, one age 6 and one age 2 1/2, have a great time playing and exploring on swing sets very similar to the one you see in that picture. I visited with them this past fall. My younger brother, his wife, their two young daughters, and I went to a park where they had a very elaborate wooden swing set plus lots of other equipment. They had the best time playing on all of that. I know the girls would love it if they had something similar at home. So far, they do not. But happily, their next door neighbor has a swing set. Since their young son and daughter enjoy my two nieces, they often get the opportunity to make use of that equipment with great enjoyment.

When I was age 3 and 4, I can remember playing on a swing set such as you see in the lower picture. My parents had purchased one for us when we lived in Ohio. My brother was three years older. He enjoyed it some. I can remember playing on it with a little neighbor girl by the name of Lynn. She was 2 years younger than I was.

When I was 5 and 6, we moved to some apartments in Rochester, New York. They had a fenced-in playground nearby. They had a swing set and a wooden see saw, and a tall slide. I remember trying to use the see saw like a slide and getting splinters in my backside. My mother took me to the doctor to remove the splinters. That was not much fun! But playing on that big metal swing set and sliding down the huge slide was lots of fun.

When I was 7, we moved to the outskirts of Rochester. My folks built my mother's dream house in Pittsford. We only got to live there 2 years before my father was transferred from Kodak in Rochester to Tennessee Eastman Co. in Kingsport, Tennessee. I don't recall having a swing set then. I guess my folks felt I was too old. Plus, the elementary school that I attended was fairly close by. Additionally, there was a park not far from our house. I guess they figured that I could use the swing sets in either of those locations.

When I was going into the fourth grade, we moved to a house in Kingsport. My older brother was going into the 7th grade. My little brother was 7 months old. When he turned about 2 or 3, my folks purchased a metal swing set for him that they placed in our side yard. Even though I was 9, I still enjoyed swinging on that set every now and then. My little brother loved it as well.

My final memory is of swinging on one of those swing sets and trying to swing as high as the moon. I don't recall where we were living at the time. I simply recall the delight of seeing how high I could swing and the lovely dream of trying to pretend like I could fly and become airborne with this swing as my vehicle to get me there.

What are your swing set memories? Please feel free to share. Have a happy day and happy memories of past delights such as swinging and sliding and playing on equipment such as the ones pictured above.

Home Office Renovations Day 3

2011-02-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

My home office in our log cabin is being completely re-done. On day 3 of the renovations, the two handymen tore out the rest of the floorboards. It had rained in the night; therefore, there was a lot of damness in the room. Before they headed off to their other job, they indicated they would purchase some heavy plastic to line the room with before laying down the new floor. They also found a pipe that leads to the outside that needs to be closed off. Additionally, they found some problems with some of the logs. This may prove to be a much bigger job than any of us originally anticipated. I think we are going to look like that Hoarders Show for a couple of weeks. The end result will be both beautiful and functional. It will be so worth it!

Click HOME OFFICE RENOVATIONS to visit.

Home Office Renovations Day 2

2011-02-01T17:00:00.000-08:00

My home office in our log cabin is being completely re-done. On day 2 of the renovations, the two handymen started to tear out the floor boards. They quickly discovered why the room bowed toward the center. Several of the logs holding up the floor were broken. They also realized that this job was going to take them longer than they originally expected. Sigh! In any case, I am so grateful and excited that I am going to get my dream home office.

Click HOME OFFICE RENOVATIONS to visit.

Office Renovations Day 1

2011-01-31T18:51:00.000-08:00

Check out the home office renovations going on. I am so excited to get my office re-done. This is day 1 of the renovations. This is just one of the pictures from this day.

To see the rest of the pictures and read all the descriptions, please visit my hub on Hubpages.com called Ask DJ Lyons: Office Renovations Day 1.

Click HOME OFFICE RENOVATIONS to visit.

Office Renovations Before Look

2011-01-31T18:42:00.000-08:00

Check out the home office renovations going on. I am so excited to get my office re-done.

To see the pictures and read the descriptions, please visit my hub on Hubpages.com called Ask DJ Lyons: Office Renovations Before Look.

Click HOME OFFICE RENOVATIONS to visit.

Self Improvement Gifts 5 Offers 100s of FREE Personal Growth Related Products, Services & Memberships

2011-01-19T14:48:00.000-08:00

I wanted to let you know today about a Self Improvement site that will allow you to download 100’s of self help gifts. And the best part is that it is absolutely FREE!

If you’ve had enough of plodding along year after year and you want to improve yourself to make 2011 your BEST ever year, then you need to go here: http://selfimprovementgifts5.com/go/18191

Self Improvement 5 will be open only for a VERY LIMITED TIME from January 6th to January 27th 2011. When you go there you’ll find a multitude of products – all FREE – provided by Self Improvement and Marketing experts from all over the world. Here is just a small sample of what you will find:

* How to Become an Advanced Early Riser - Steven Aitchison
* Turn Your Passsion into a book... - Warren Whitlock
* Total Wellness Guide - Craig Raphael
* COACHES: Create a 6-Figure Practice, Here's How! - Barb Wade
* Living the Rich Life - Julia Busch
* Achieve Your Dreams - Brenton Lindo
* I Have Value Meditation - Estra Roell
* Creative Visualization Mastey - Bruno Auger
* Wealthy You 2011 Vision Sheet - Nachhi Randhawa
* Find the Best Self Improvement Niches and More - Tuks Engineer
* Self Hypnosis Sessions At Home - Paul Mihai Pavel
* Wake Up to the Dream - Eva Gregory
* And TONS (OVER 700+) MORE!

Get all of these and 100’s more here: http://selfimprovementgifts5.com/go/18191

The organizers of the event are Stephanie Mulac, Carolyn Hansen and Dr. Joe Rubino.

Just briefly, this is Stephanie’s 4th Self Improvement Giveaway. Stephanie started this style of event in 2006. It’s in the form of a “Giveaway” which is sort of like a giant electronic trade fair where 100’s of experts offer their products free to the public.

Because it has become so popular, this year Stephanie has enlisted the services of Carolyn Hansen, renowned fitness professional, and Self Exteem Expert, Dr. Joe Rubino.

You only have to walk into any book store in any country to see how popular the subjects of self improvement, self awareness and personal development are. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry churning out hundreds of new books, audios, CD’s and other paraphernalia every year.

These can be very expensive but at http://selfimprovementgifts5.com/go/18191 you can pick this information up completely FREE.

With 2011 upon us, what better time is there than right NOW to set yourself and your business up for future success? This event is a life-changing experience for those who take it.

Come and join Stephanie, Carolyn, Joe and me and see for yourself.

If you want to grab the largest collection of self improvement and internet marketing products you’ll find ANYWHERE – all FREE – then go to http://selfimprovementgifts5.com/go/18191 NOW and claim your bounty!

Healthy Eating Tales #1: Gala Apples and other Foods

2010-12-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

After reading the introductory tale called “Healthy Eating Tales: Introducing Tommy, Tammy, and the Food Pyramid Kids,” please read Healthy Eating Tale #1: Gala Apples and other Foods.” This will detail what happened the next morning.

Click FOOD PYRAMID to read the entire story on Examiner.com.

Healthy Eating Tales: Introducing Tommy, Tammy, and the Food Pyramid Kids

2010-12-03T18:55:00.000-08:00

This is the introductory Healthy Eating Tale detailing the competition between two fraternal twins named Tommy and Tammy and a Food Pyramid Boy versus a Food Pyramid Girl.

Click FOOD PYRAMID to read the entire story on Examiner.com.

Flat Screen TV Stands versus old fashion TV Cabinets

2010-12-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

How many of you still have the old kind of televisions that are bulky and heavy and take up a lot of room? How many of you have invested in one of the new lighter flat screen televisions that can fit almost anywhere? My husband and I recently got rid of our last television that was big and bulky and very heavy to move. Thankfully, we now have two wonderful flat screen televisions that have a great picture and are easy to move.

We had fun shopping for flat screen TV stands for those two TV’s. I wish I had seen the flat screen TV stand in the picture when we were shopping several months ago. I love all the storage space in this particular TV stand. As far as I’m concerned, a woman can never have too much closet space or storage space – especially, since we live in such a compact log cabin in the country. Perhaps one day, we can budget to replace one of the TV stands for this one or one similar to the one in the picture.

As a bit of comic relief, I am reminded of one of my father-in-law’s eccentric notions. Before he passed, he was absolutely convinced that his television cabinet with built-in black and white TV would actually add to the selling value of the house.

My husband would protest, “But that television doesn’t work and hasn’t worked in years.”

My father-in-law would state, “But the cabinet makes a great display table.”

At one point, my mother-in-law had to sleep in the den in a hospital bed. She could not get up the stairs to the bedrooms due to her Parkinson’s. So we actually put one of those bulky televisions on top of the TV cabinet so she had a working television to watch.

After my mother-in-law had to move permanently into a nursing home due to her various maladies, we have not even been able to give away that old-fashioned television cabinet with non-working TV.

I recall that my paternal grandmother had one of those same-type cabinets as well; however, her television worked at least. Of course, it was a black and white TV – but it worked. I don’t know what ever happened to that cabinet. Sadly, that grandmother died at the age of 97 in the year 1997. I still miss her to this day.

I guess it is due to the holidays, for I find that just looking at various types of furniture has me taking a walk down memory lane. What about you? Do you have special memories that you associate with certain pieces of furniture? If so, I would love to hear it.

Happy holidays to you and the people you love. Thanks for listening! Have a great day!

Funniest Toddler Quote: First Watermelon Party

2010-11-17T06:21:00.000-08:00

Toddlers can say and think the funniest things. Listen to what happened when my younger brother attended his very first watermelon party.

Click FUNNIEST TODDLER QUOTE to read the entire story on Associated Content.com.

Product Review: Mayline Eastwinds Portrait PC Desk Cart

2010-11-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! My computer desk is here, set up, and ready to go.

To back up, I am in the process of renovating my entire office. The floor slopes. Some good friends of ours are going to tear up the floor and put down a new level floor. My husband and I live in a log cabin in the country that has its perks and its challenges. The sloping floor is definitely one of its challenges.

Currently, there is a built-in bed and 2 build-in dressers in this room which take up lots of room in this already tiny space. Those three items will be permanently removed. I am so happy about that. Mice and wooly caterpillars have gotten into the dressers before and eaten holes in some of my clothes and left mouse droppings. To prevent this, I have to place all clothes in a plastic storage bin inside these drawers. To try to avoid the musty smell, I have them filled with dryer sheets as well. The bed just takes up all kinds of floor space that could be filled with bookshelves, etc.

I have three computers: a Macintosh that does not have internet capabilities, a desktop PC that does have internet capabilities, and my laptop computer. Each computer serves several different functions for my storytelling and freelance writing business. I have been using the laptop in our den since the office is so claustrophobic as it is right now. My husband would love to have our den back as just our TV room rather than my extra office plus TV room.

I am going to turn this room into my dream office plus dressing room. When it gets done, on one wall there will be one new dresser, a work table, this new computer desk, and another small unit with one shelf that will hold some plastic stackable drawers. On another wall will be a computer desk that I already own plus one 5-shelf bookcase. On the third wall will be a two more bookcases plus a hutch bookshelf. On the fourth wall are the closet and the door. The third computer is going to sit on a computer desk that I already own kind of in the middle of the room. See the diagram to get an idea of what I am talking about.

I looked through the multiple computer desks sold on the various CSN stores. Given my needs and the tiny space I have to work with, I settled on the Mayline Eastwinds Portrait PC Desk Cart being absolutely perfect for my needs. On top of that, the price was very reasonable.

I ordered the desk on November 1st on-line. I got an e-mail confirmation that it would show up on either Nov. 3rd or Nov. 4th. It arrived on the 4th. The FED EX people placed the box on our front porch. My husband and I had to carry it in.

Today, Nov. 5th, our handy man and his helper came by. They put the desk together for me in about 45 minutes. He said that there is a mistake in the directions. On the diagram, it labels a screw as “L.” On the packet that it came in, it was labeled as “M.” I’m so glad that my husband and I did not try to put it together. That would have frustrated us a lot as we are not that savvy about those kinds of things. Other than that, he said it was pretty easy to put together.

He was impressed with how sturdy it is. I am impressed with how pretty it is. I love the color of the wood. See the picture. Since my floor has not yet been re-done, I am going to temporarily move it into the TV room and use it with my laptop. Once my room gets re-done, I am going to use it with my desktop PC.

I love the fact that it has a built-in place to put the tower that is off the floor. That is especially ideal as a friend of ours had his office floor. The computer towers that sat on the floor were ruined.

I also love that it has a separate little area for the mouse. By the way, if you buy this desk, you will want to be right-handed as that is the only way that makes sense when you put this desk together.

Professional Storyteller performs kid-friendly tale: Burger King

2010-11-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

On October 16, 2010, professional storyteller Debbie Dunn performed ghost stories around the campfire at Yeomen’s in the Fork on the outskirts of Franklin, Tennessee. Watch the 3-minute video on YouTube.

This is how the owners describe this antiquities bookstore: “Yeoman's in the Fork is a rare book and document gallery located in historic Leiper's Fork, TN. Yeoman's has a wide variety of rare books, documents, maps, and ephemera. Yeoman's in the Fork shares the collector's passion, along with helping educate those new to collecting rare books and documents.”

Prior to intermission, Debbie told a few kid-friendly ghost and spooky stories appropriate for the whole family. After intermission, Debbie performed “The Bell Witch Unveiled” based on her book entitled “The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist” written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. She signed autographs during intermission and after the final performance.

Please enjoy a fun audience-participation tale called “Burger King.” It was taught to her by Chris Lindgren, a Canadian storyteller. Chris learned the story from a 12-year-old boy. He’s the one who wrote it.

YouTube video: Burger King

Description: Watch master storyteller Debbie Dunn reenact this kid-friendly story "Burger King" from our Ghost Stories & The Bell Witch Unveiled event.

For more information about this bookstore, please visit Yeoman’s in the Fork at http://www.yeomansinthefork.com/.

Yeoman's in the Fork, 4216 Old Hillsboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064

For other stories performed by Debbie Dunn, please click on the following links:

* Jack and the King’s Girl by Richard Chase

* Rainbow Crow by Nancy Van Laan

* Jack and the Bull re-told by Debbie Dunn

* Mouse Mother by Opalanga Pugh

* Parable of the Eagle told by Storyteller Debbie Dunn

* Ned and Nan Kick Their CAN'Ts Away re-told by Debbie Dunn

* Part 1 of 2 - Grandmother Frog's Magic Bully Buster Song

* Part 2 of 2 - Grandmother Frog's Magic Bully Buster Song

* Video - The Wild Boar

* Video - Six Blind Men and the Elephant re-told by Debbie Dunn

Sneak Preview of “The Bell Witch Unveiled”:

Bell Witch Movie with Talk Bubbles that Pop by DJ Lyons

Memories of a Bar Stool from the past

2010-10-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

I am being haunted by memories of furniture from the past. Since moving back to Tennessee in 1982, I have lived in three locations in Kingsport, Tennessee; two locations in Chattanooga, Tennessee; one location in Knoxville, Tennessee; and now a log cabin in the country in Mosheim, Tennessee. As you probably have guessed, I have gone through a lot of furniture in that time.

As I sit here typing and drinking a cappuccino, I am reminded of a really pretty condo I lived in when living in the second location in Kingsport. My husband (now an ex-husband) and I had our kitchen specially designed with a bar area with a large opening onto the living room with a view of Bays Mountain. I loved to sit on our pretty bar stools in the kitchen, drink hot chocolate or eat a sandwich and stare out at that gorgeous view.

When we divorced, I no longer lived anywhere where I had the need of a bar stool. That’s too bad, because there are some really attractive-looking bar stools that you can buy on-line or by going to a furniture store.

Thinking back to that condo, when we first laid eyes on it, we were in love with all parts of the condo with the exception of the kitchen. It had this horrible navy blue and white checkerboard wall paper and the kitchen was all closed in with a kind of claustrophobic feeling. The bank gave us a re-decoration allowance as part of our closing costs deal. So we had the wallpaper torn out, new counter-tops installed, and we had that opening cut into the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room. I can’t recall if there was currently a bar area already there or not. I have a vague memory that there was.

That made a huge difference to that living space. It became one of my favorite areas in the house. I also could sit there and eat breakfast and lunch with a perfect view of the television set in the living room. Additionally, that opening was perfect when we had a party. People could talk to each other easily who were located in either room. Also, that bar area was a perfect spot to put out party food. Lastly, our phone was located nearby. So I could sit on one of those bar stools and chat on the phone in complete comfort.

By the way, as I recall, the bar stool was something like the above - only it was blue rather than brown.

I would love to hear about your past furniture memories or of current favorite furniture tales you have to share. Thanks for listening and have a great day!