Bugs-Gross or Beautiful?

I was sitting in my backyard several days ago sipping my morning coffee when I saw this beautiful bright orange dragonfly. It was flitting around my table as to say good morning look at me. He would land on a wire lantern post and just look around. I thought oh, I need to get a picture so I ran upstairs to get my camera. This was too cool to miss. I also had just purchased a new digital camera and had to practice using it. I slowly walked up to him or her and started snapping pictures. I had no idea what settings to use. The dragonfly just stared at me as if he was saying “do you mind I just want to enjoy the sunshine” or ” which way shoud I turn so you can get my good side”. Either way I thought you might enjoy looking at my attempts to get some buggy pictures. I think some of the kids at the summer reading program “CATCH THE READING BUG” might get a kick out of them as well. Bugs have been on my mind for awhile as I prepared activity pages and worked on a Catch the Reading bug podcast for Billy Gorilly’s Podcast for kids episode 11. Which by the way can be found on itunes or at billygorilly.com. Enough about that. I want to show you a couple more pictures. I am not sure of any of the settings on the camera. At one time I think I was on macro digital or something like that. The pros would probably cringe at my attempts. I just thought it was so amazing to be able to get within 2-3 inches away from this beauty of a bug and he did not fly away. I was also facinated with all the intricacies of his body. I hope you enjoy looking at these as much as I.

You are welcome to use these pictures anyway you like (as long as you don’t sell them). Please give credit to Tamara Maellaro. I would also be thankful for a link to this site, but it is not mandatory. I just want to share them with you and anyone that is interested. The link would be: http://flyingkitten.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/bugs-gross-or-beautiful/

If you click on the pictures you can get a larger view. I can’t believe this or maybe I can. My dragonfly friend is just outside my window as I finish writing this. I love nature.

Reading Bug ~;~ Want To Catch It

Mrs. Flicker Fireflybrarian

More Fun Stuff from Billy Gorilly

Kids “Catch the Reading Bug” this summer with the help of Billy Gorilly.

Your kids can listen to Billy Gorilly talk with Mrs. Flicker Fireflybrarian about the summer reading program on his podcast 11 (radio show) it’s free. Mrs. Flicker is everyone’s favorite flying librarian. She is always helpful as can be and she is always bright and merry. She even has a song about her on the Billy Gorilly: Happy Birthday Gertie CD. Billy’s pals Wendy and Timmy from the Candy Appletree Woods sing it. If you would like to hear a sample of it you can do so here. Billy also offers a very cute coloring page for you to download. The file is in .pdf format.

Billy’s podcast episode 11 also teaches the days of the week and musical opposites. Featuring Billy Gorilly’s awesome piano playing. Oh, and he offers free activity pages to go along with the podcast. Listen and check it out here.

Mrs. flicker also has key chains, t-shirts, book bags, stickers, and more with her picture on them (she is very popular) and people have been asking where they can get them. You can find them at Zazzle.

Keep your kids learning over the summer break so their brains don’t turn to jelly. Your local library is a perfect place to help them get smart and stay smart.

Make Everyday Simply Splendiferous
with Billy Gorilly

billygorilly.com

Catch The Reading Bug

Billy Gorilly says “If You Want To Be A Leader, First You’ve Got To Be A Reader”

This quote comes from the lyrics in Billy Gorilly’s “Catch The Reading Bug” theme song. It is also the subject of the Newsletter I just finished for my company, Flying Kitten Music (billygorilly.com). We feel it is so important that children learn to read that we have been promoting and encouraging parents to keep their children reading over the summer by signing up for the summer reading program at your local library. This year the theme for most U.S., libraries is you guessed it, Catch The Reading bug. If you have children and you want a great way to help them learn and love to read I urge you to take them to the library over the summer vacation. In most cases there is no cost to you. Just sign up and feel good about helping your child learn

Catchy tunes for Catch the Reading Bug is the title of a post on the New York Statewide Summer Reading Blog. They have posted a link to Billy Gorilly’s song under a catchy little mp3. They stated, Billy Gorilla instead of Gorilly. Thats ok as long as they think we have a catchy little tune. They also have other helpful information on the reading program so you you should check them out.

If you would like to check out the most Recent Billy Gorilly Family newsletter go here. It includes links to some really cool stuff (if I do say so myself). There are free downloadable templates for bookmarks, reading logs, and bug word search. We offer a free downloadable MP3 version of Billy’s Catch The Reading Bug song. The full version is offered as a bonus song on Billy Gorilly:Happy Birthday Gertie CD. We also put the link to Billy Gorilly’s Podcast for Kids and a couple of very simple recipes. If you would like to become a Family member and get future Billy Gorilly’s Family Newsletters delivered to your email subscribe here.

If you want to go straight to Billy’s Free version of Catch The Reading Bug song click here.

If you would like to check out samples of all of the Billy Gorilly and the Candy Appletree Family music you can listen or buy at CDBaby. Or to see what we are all about you can go to our website billygorilly.com and see all the different things we have to offer.

Keep Smiling, Singing, and Learning
and you can make everyday
Simply Splendiferous,

Tamara