Please tell me that spring isn't far away.
I'm sitting in my office looking out the window at all the robins searching the ground for a snack. Sure, I know that robins are not migratory and not a true sign of the approach of spring, but I can't help thinking -- or maybe just hoping -- that spring is not too far away.
After all, next week, Punxsutawney Phil just might not see his shadow. That's something I never really understood. If he sees his shadow, it means that spring is another six weeks away. It's just not logical. If he sees his shadow, that mean's its a nice sunny day, which in my mind means good weather is on the horizon.
But there are other signs that spring is near -- my pansies have started blooming again, its time for the Phillies Phantasy baseball camp in Florida and Downingtown Little League finished up their baseball signups.
Here's hoping. I've already had enough of winter.

I just found out that we are about to celebrate the anniversary of an event that I believe has influenced my life and my personality. I've always been told that I have a strange, sarcastic sense of humor -- this could be the reason.
Rocky and Bullwinkle debuted on Nov. 29, 1959, as Rocky & His Friends, starring Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose.
My favorite character was Mr. Peabody and his WABAC machine. For those of you who don’t remember the show or who were too young to ever experience it, Peabody was a very intelligent talking dog who had a pet boy named Sherman. His segment -- Peabody’s Improbable History -- offered a new look at history and what might have happened if ... And, it always ended with a really bad pun. It always intrigued me that we could go back and witness history -- as comical as his version was.
Rocky was a show that appealed to kids and adults. It was really funny, but offered intelligent humor, too.
I need to go out an buy a DVD of it and relive my youth! And laugh a lot!

I’m a proponent of the philosophy that we don’t spend enough time playing. If each of us spent a little more time having fun, we might not be as stressed as it seems we all are.
There is a place near Rochester, N.Y. that might agree with me -- the Strong National Museum of Play and its National Toy Hall of Fame.
Each year, the museum inducts three iconic toys into its Hall of Fame.This year, it’s the ball, Nintendo Game Boy and the Big Wheel.
Everyone has spent time playing with a ball -- whether it’s a game of catch or soccer or a round of golf (although I’m not quite sure if golf is really stress reducing -- see last blog entry!).
Of course, you can still play Mario and Tetris on your computer, but it’s not quite the same.
I can proudly say that I have had all three. The Big Wheel was my daughter’s, but I did log a few miles on it myself. It was a blue Smurf Big Wheel. I’m sure I looked good pedaling down our driveway with a big Smurf head leading the way.

I love playing golf.
I went out on a course with my husband -- who I will start off by saying is a very patient man -- and was so excited to hit in the 90s. The only problem was that it was a nine-hole executive course. He would tell me how straight my shots were and would say nothing of the fact that they didn’t go very far. There was usually less walking involved to get to the ball than back to the cart!
However, today has been set aside to honor the golf course I have mastered. Today, according to some sources is Miniature Golf Day.
We played on one MG course in Florida that was covered with grass -- just like a real course. Didn’t like it.
I love the ones where you have to hit through and around things. Send your ball into the mouth of an alligator. Hit through the legs of the nasty pirate as he’s swinging his sword in front of his legs. That’s my kind of fun. If there’s water involved -- especially the bright blue stuff -- that’s even better.
I also want to add o all those parents I’ve seen on the MG courses teaching their kids how to properly line up their putts and expressing their displeasure when the little ones don’t sink the ball -- IT’S A GAME.
By the way, tomorrow is Elephant Appreciation Day. Where are those peanuts!

I was named for my mother’s sister. She was named for my grandmother’s favorite actress at the time. I have met one or two Phyllises in my time, but not many. When I was growing up, kids had trouble either pronouncing or spelling it and I really hated my name. But now, I kind of enjoy being different.
I went on the state Department of Health Web site and checked out some of the names given to newborns and found that there was only one Phyllis born in Pennsylvania in 2006 (the most recent record I could find). As far as girl names, I’m right up there with Plum -- another unique name for that year.
The most popular was Ava, with 872 girls given that name.Checking out names for other coworkers, I searched for Natalie and found 357, to which Natalie replied, “I knew I wasn’t unique.” Actually, there are 11 Uniques -- which I guess makes them not so.
On the boys’ side, the most popular was Jacob with 1077. There were 407 Justins (another coworker) and 95 Scotts (my husband). Unfortunately for this poor child, there was one Chubby. Would I love to jump ahead to elementary or middle school and see what comments that name gets!
You know, there are some countries that legislate what names are permissible to give your children. For the sake of some children, that might not be a bad idea.

Nov. 16 is the first day of the National Education Association’s American Education Week. Aside from parents, there is no group of people more influential in our children’s lives than their teachers.
I can still remember the teachers I had during my years in the Great Valley School District -- the fourth-grade teacher who let me be the first to read a new book because she knew my father was in the hospital at the time, or the sixth-grade teacher who increased my fascination with science by bringing in cow parts from the local butcher for us to dissect.
Now it’s my daughter, Kate, that’s influencing a future generation. After a few years of working in research, she decided that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of students and inspire others -- in particular females -- to go into science, so she went into teaching.
She is now an AP biology teacher in Maryland and just loves her work. She is so proud of her students -- especially last year’s class valedictorian who went to University of Maryland (where my daughter went) and majored in environmental science and policy/biology, just like Kate.
So thank a teacher for influencing and making a lasting impression on you and future generations.

Good news for all you toy lovers out there. There have been some new inductions into the National Toy Hall of Fame, part of the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y.
Joining past inductees such as the bicycle, kite, marbles, crayons and Mr. Potato Head (one of my favorites) is (drum roll ....) THE STICK!!!
According to a press release from the museum, longevity is the key to getting into the Hall of Fame. The stick certainly fits that bill. It was also praised for its low cost and its ability to inspire learning and creativity. Think horse, sword, boat ...
In these hard economic times, what a great gift to to give to your children for Christmas. I have a few I can sell at a discounted price. Won’t your kids be pleased to get something that has been enshrined in the Hall of Fame!