Welcome to the School Days, Reminiscences series in which my champion bloggers and authors share reminiscences of their school days. It’s my small way of thanking them for their support and of letting you know about their services and publications.
This week, I am pleased to introduce Christy Birmingham, prolific blogger, author and poet. I’m not sure how or where I first met Christy but I do know that we have been regular visitors of each other’s blogs since the beginning of 2015, not long before the launch of her book of poetry Versions of the Self.
I would have thought I read her book not long after that, but Amazon tells me I didn’t purchase it until 2017, so I guess Amazon knows? It also doesn’t display a review from me, though I thought I had added one. However, I do remember enjoying Christy’s insightful poetry and being touched by the exploration and depth of emotion portrayed in many of the pieces which delve into ways in which the self may change over time and in response to circumstances.
On her blog When Women Inspire, Christy shares information on a wide range of helpful topics especially those aimed at helping women live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives. No topic is too big or too small for Christy. She covers anything which she expects women, however young or old, will find interesting or beneficial. But her blog isn’t just for women. Numerous men regularly read and comment too. If you don’t already follow Christy’s blog, please pop over and say hello.
Before we begin the interview, I invite Christy to tell you a little of herself:
Christy Birmingham is a blogger, author, and poet who lives in Victoria, BC, Canada. She uses her writing to show others that they too can get through difficult times as she has, personally with anxiety and depression, as well as professionally with starting her own business. Find her blogging at When Women Inspire, at the gym, reading, or out with her family and friends.
The interview
Welcome, Christy.
Let’s talk school. First, could you tell us where you attended school?
All of my schooling has been on Canada’s west coast. Specifically, I went to schools in Victoria, British Columbia until after high school graduation, when I then did a mix of college and university in Victoria and Vancouver, BC.
Did you attend a government, private or independent school?
I’m a public-school kid!
What is the highest level of education you achieved?
I am proud to have a BA in Criminology and Psychology from Simon Fraser University.
What is your earliest memory of school?
I recall my elementary school teacher telling us she had published a book. I was wowed by it and never forgot that inspiration!
What memories do you have of learning to read?
I was taken out of class regularly to see a speech therapist for problems I was having with pronunciation. It made me self-conscious reading aloud and talking in general.
What memories do you have of learning to write?
Learning cursive was so much fun! Learning how to spell out my full name and create different styles of writing for it provided hours of delight for me. I’ve always loved language.
What do you remember about math classes?
Not liking them very much, unfortunately. It often took me a while to catch onto concepts, and once math homework was done, I wanted to read books or write short stories.
What was your favourite subject?
English, by far. Poetry and short stories were ways for me to describe what was going through my head. Releasing thoughts onto the page brought my mind calmness and then seeing the positive feedback from teachers for what I wrote in English class was amazing to me. I’ve never forgotten the encouragement of certain teachers for my writing in elementary and high school.
What did you like least about school?
Trying to find where I fit in. Books brought me happiness, as did the writing. Thankfully I found friends throughout my years of school who supported me in my artistic projects. Once I realized that it was about the quality of friendships rather than the number of friends I had, I was happy.
How do you think schools could be improved?
By listening to students, no matter their age. Hear what students want to see change about your school and determine if it’s feasible. Also, make libraries a priority as they are where students go to do research and can encourage a love of literacy.
Lastly, engage with the local community rather than being independent of it as a school. By schools partnering with the communities they’re nestled within, students can enjoy a fuller educational experience. Also, schools can get ideas and support from the general community that can take the institutions further than they might otherwise go.
Thank you for sharing your reminiscences of school and thoughts about schools in general, Christy. It’s been wonderful to have you here. I’m not surprised you enjoyed expressing yourself in writing from a young age.
Find out more about Christy Birmingham
on her website When Women Inspire
Connect with her on social media
Purchase your own copy of Christy’s books of poetry:
Previous reminiscences
If you missed previous reminiscences, check them out here:
Look for future interviews in this series to be posted on Sunday evenings AEST.
Coming soon:
with more to follow.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your comments. Please share your thoughts.
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Wow, such interesting comments, Norah it was lovely to read about Christy school days and I do agree communities should be involved with the schools it encourages children to mix I believe and learn about life outside school. A lovely series 🙂 x
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Thank you, Carol. I’m pleased you are enjoying the series. School are part of the community so should be involved as such. 🙂
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Yes, they should they do here in Thailand..community is important to Thais 🙂 x
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I wonder if they do. 🙂
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Pingback: School Days, Reminiscences of Robbie Cheadle | Norah Colvin
Christy D. Birmingham is a wonderful writer, blogger and her poetry really touches my heart! During poetry month, I chose a few meaningful poems. They involved similar pathsof mine awhile ago, heartbreak and a sense of not really knowing how to find a match. She had some great poems I book marked! Christy, I treasure your positive attitude about school, writing, reading and encouraging teachers. I would add, by the time I finished college, I did Not make everyone read aloud in my middle school language arts classes. Shyness and some stammering were my reasons. Why make kids get embarrassed? Thank you, Norah for sharing Christy! I’m not a blogger anymore so was glad to see the FB or Instagram post by Christy. You have a fine list of other contributors. 💐
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I’d wondered why I hadn’t seen you around lately. Now I know. Thank you for popping over to read and comment so generously on Christy’s post. Her poetry is very honest and moving. It’s easy to connect with the emotion in her work. Her positive attitude is one to be both appreciated and admired. Thanks for adding to it.
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I once in awhile go to the library to sit down and clear my 17,000 weekly blog notices off my email account! Norah, there are several people, fellow bloggers I still am in touch with including Jennie, Jill, Merril, Luanne, Debby Gies, Lana, Derrick and Christy. Blogging was so time consuming. I own two books of many authors who blog, including Christy. 📗 📚 📘 They were great and I posted on my blog reviews for almost all of them, rather expensive but fun at the time! Now I read so many books from the library! Yay! More free time. . . Bless you, Norah for missing me. I gave about 3 final goodbye posts, making sure that regulars could find me on FB. (Robin O. Cochran, Delaware, Ohio) xo 🦋🌹
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Blogging is very time consuming, Robin, and as much as I love to support all the authors, buying every book becomes rather expensive. A library is a fabulous alternative. At least the authors still get a little from each read.
If I saw your farewell posts, I’d forgotten. Apologies. I’ve just connected with you on Fb, but don’t expect much of me, please. I’m not there very often either. 🙂
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Pingback: School Days, Reminiscences of Miriam Hurdle | Norah Colvin
Hi Christy, I agree with you that schools must be partnered with the community. We had a “principal-for-a-day” program when the business leaders came to the schools to play principals. Of course the principals tried to have things set up, rescheduled their meetings with teachers or parents so the day was an easy day. When I did my administrative internship, I started a “Read-In” program to invited the community folks to read to the students in the classrooms. Later on the “Read-In” was combined with Reading Across America.
Victoria, BC is beautiful. We were there four times. One time we just went without making hotel reservation not knowing it was a local holiday. We couldn’t find even a smallest hotel. We slept in the car for a night. 🙂
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Your ‘Read-In” program was obviously innovative, Miriam. Reading Across America sounds like a good program. Maybe like our National Simultaneous Storytime?
I’d love to visit Canada …
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We were in three locations in Canada. I would like to go back to the Niagara Fall on Canada side.
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That sounds lovely. 🙂
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😊
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I love that “Read-In” idea, Mariam. What a wonderful way to involve the community in education and familiarize them with the local schools. Ohhhh Victoria is super busy in spring and summer, such a tourist spot. If I had known you were in town I would have said come stay with us 🙂
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Thank you, Christy. There’s always the “next time.” 🙂
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That sounds like a wonderful invitation you have extended to Miriam, Christy. 🙂
Her suggestion of community involvement is a good one, isn’t it?
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Delightful memories and ideas. Fascinating what gets us started on learning and writing, even those of us who like maths.. don’t judge!
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There’s never any judgement involved, Geoff. It’s great to find out the ways in which we are alike and differ. It’s a good thing we’re not all the same!
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No judgement – isn’t that the best 🙂
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So nice to see the lovely Christy here, Norah. Christy is such an inspiration for so many. And Christy, I’m so with you on cursive writing. I still can’t get it out of my system how terrible I think it is that children will no longer be learning this essential life skill. 😦 ❤
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I agree with you about Christy, Debby. She is an inspiration.
I’m fairly sure cursive is still taught in Australia. Is it no longer taught in Canada?
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Cursive is a debatable topic in many places. Many of the United States are dropping it. It’s still part of curriculum in most of our provinces, including mine. Ontario, but not listed as mandatory, as many public school teachers want to let it slide because of their work load. I think that’s awful. It’s taught here in Ontario 3rd to 5th grade and I sure hope we don’t let go of this essential art. 🙂
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I agree with you, Debby. It’s much more efficient than printing.
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Of course! And intimate. 🙂
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Yes. 🙂
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Aw Debby and Norah, your words really light up my day xo
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❤ Just sayin' 🙂
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The truth can do that, Christy. 🙂
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Hi Christy and Norah, so, creative writing strikes again. I’ve been amazed by how many of us prefer English to Maths at school. And how true that it should always be about the quality of friendships rather than the number of friends we have. It reminds me so much of the blogging world and those who concentrate too much on gaining followers rather than the quality of the posts they are writing and publishing. Many of them seem to disappear very quickly.
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As a former teacher, I had an equal number of students who preferred math over language arts. I believe that biology helps determine that if we are born more left or right-brained oriented. People who prefer math tend to be analytical (left-brained), while those who like language arts are usually creative (right-brained). I’m one of the odd ducks who enjoys both.
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You are lucky to enjoy both, Pete, and your students would have benefited too. What age group did you work with?
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Thirty-one years teaching children between grades 2-6. I’m frequently asked which was your favorite grade to teach? That’s like asking which is your favorite child? I liked them all, but each had its own set of challenges too. I generally preferred teaching girls through 4th or 5th grade, but then the worm turns. It takes the boys (we’re slow learners, ha-ha) much longer to mature and settle down.
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I’m pleased you enjoyed teaching all the classes, Pete, and your attitude is interesting. While I enjoyed teaching all the children, my favourite year level was year one, 5 – 7-year-olds. I’ve never made a secret of that. A good proportion of my time was spent in year one (never got to progress, I always joke!) though I did work with other year levels and in other roles that I also enjoyed.
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Hi Pete, perhaps there ought to be a “middle brained” option for people such as yourself who are both left- and right-brained!
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Or maybe all-brained. 🙂
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Hi Hugh. Thanks for reading and commenting. I guess as most of us are writers, we really shouldn’t be surprised at a preference for English and creative writing, but we still are. Surprised and delighted.
I like the way you show the similarities between online and offline friends and the importance of the relationships to both.
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It’s quality over quantity in so many areas of life, isn’t it Hugh 🙂
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Oh yes, completely, Christy.
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Thanks for sharing, Christie. Norah, this series continues to educate and fascinate. A fabulous project, but when are you going to post your schoolday reminiscences?
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I’m pleased you are enjoying the posts, Anne. If I interview myself, it won’t be until everyone else has had a turn. 🙂
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Ohhhh Anne you’re so right that Norah deserves the spotlight in one installment too!
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We’ll see. I’m the interviewer, not the interviewee. 🙂
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No pressure, Norah xx
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Thanks, Christy.
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Thanks Norah and Christy, much enjoyed reading this. Many other interviews still to get to which I look forward to – it nudges the brain cells re thinking about my own school years, mostly long forgotten, except for the encouraging teachers, and those who slammed the school desk down when I was having a little snooze …
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I don’t like the sound of the desk being slammed down, Susan, but I’m pleased you enjoyed Christy interview, and others. I used to doze off a bit in our economics class in year 12. The teacher used to read from the book. I was always miles ahead and found it totally boring. (I’d forgotten about this until you mentioned dozing.) It surprised me how many times there was a ‘neither nor’ statement in the book. Every time she read ‘nor’, I was startled, wondering what question I had to answer this time. 🙂
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That’s so funny Norah😂I had a good chortle at that ‘nor’ –
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Actually, I should have completed the phrase. It wasn’t just ‘nor’, as you know, it was ‘nor a …’. It really wasn’t fair. LOL!
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Thanks Susan for taking time to read. Norah’s series is great for helping us remember past times and suggestions for the future, as well as how education impacts us now.
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I think everyone’s responses help me to remember different aspect of my schooling, Christy. It’s interesting how there are some common threads, but lots of differences too.
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Great interview, Norah. Congratulations on this beautiful idea. I’ve been going back and reading some of your previous interviews.
Christy, as someone who taught thirty-one years in public schools, I appreciated your thoughts on how to improve schools. Anything that we can do to get and keep kids excited about coming to school should be our top priority.
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Thanks, Pete. I’m pleased you’re enjoying the interview. I’ve been really interested to hear about everyone’s school days.
I agree with your comment to Christy, that getting kids excited about coming to school (especially when most have no choice) should be a priority.
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Thanks for such a thoughtful comment, Pete. Yes, Norah’s interview series is stellar! I’m so honored to be a part of it.
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I honoured that you joined in, Christy. Thank you.
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great interview, your ideas about libraries and community connections resonate deeply Christy .. and you’ve lived your dream by becoming a published author:)
Please take my name off Norah, doubt I’ll do it but thanks for the opportunity!
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You’re right, Kate. Christy has achieved much.
I’ll remove your name, but am happy to replace it any time you wish. 🙂
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lol doubtful but you never know 🙂
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No worries, Kate. Thanks for considering the possibility. Your name has now disappeared. 🙂
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thanks Norah!
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The kindness of your comment is not lost on me, Kate 🙂
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thank you Christie, and thanks for sharing so much 🙂
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Hi Christy and Norah! Another interesting interview, I’m impressed with your BA Christy 🙂 and the cursive writing bit leapt out at me too. It was a highlight of my young life learning how to decipher those linked up squiggles and then to make the letters myself. Over the years I experimented with my handwriting, quite often copying a style I admired until I had mastered it and incorporated into what eventually became my signature style. I wonder if that is a joy lost to the young ones nowadays….
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Experimenting with handwriting can be such fun, especially with different types of pen, thicknesses and colours. I remember my teachers weren’t fond of too much experimentation – not in school anyway.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Pauline.
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I love tha tyou found joy in handwiting too! 🙂
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Wonderful interview thanks Norah and Christy and I am with you on the libraries, one of my schools had a book exchange programme 55 years ago and it was wonderful.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Sally. How did a book exchange program differ from a library? I guess you owned the books rather than borrowed them. Did you have a library as well?
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They were all student owned and you just brought in the books you no longer wanted and took home one a week from others donated. Some were from other family members and I think the only rule was that they had to be suitable for the 11 to 18 age group. One of the things this got around was buying books out of pocket money.. at least this way you could access them for free. And we didn’t have a school library.. xx
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Thanks for the clarification, Sally. Swapping books would have been fun, but how sad to not have a library. Your school was innovative in encouraging the book swap though. I imagine there was much sharing of favourites. 🙂
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A lot of copies of Heidi and Famous Five…xxx
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I can imagine. And maybe a Secret Seven or two?
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I am sure there were.. hugsx
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Hi Sally, we had a book exchange program in the last condo building I lived in. It was terrific, all on the honor system for the rule of “give a book, take a book” and I loved it. It’s so nice you popped by!
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Great to hear Christy.. I wish more communities would take it up.. hugsx
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What a great thing to organised in an apartment building. I hope others do something similar.
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Norah, thank you for having me over as part of this wonderful series. Books and education have been a big part of my life so I liked being able to talk about them here. Have a great rest of your weekend!
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Thank you for participating, Christy. I very much enjoyed reading and sharing your responses. While there may be some common threads running through these interviews, everyone’s experiences are different, and it’s fun finding out in what ways. 🙂
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I love your experience with writing, and agree about libraries. I feel so sad when so few people utilize libraries and books.
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Libraries are such a great resource and I’m pleased you already know that 🙌 Thanks Chelsea!
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We need people everywhere to support libraries. It is only by supporting them that governments will consider funding them worthwhile.
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Wonderful interview Norah and Christy. I especially like your vision on how schools can improve. Thank you!
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Appreciate the feedback, Jennie!
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My pleasure, Christy!
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Thank you, Jennie. You bring the community into your classroom, Jennie. I think Christy would approve. ❤
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You are welcome, Norah. I think Christy would like my classroom!
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I know she would. Who wouldn’t!
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🙂
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Christy one thing I can relate too (well more than one…) is writing in cursive. I too played with many styles when writing. So much so that I seem to never have the same handwriting twice.
And I am always amazed at those who say or believe they only have one way to write their name.
Continued success with your poetry and writing. And Cheers to Norah for sharing you with all of us 🙂
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Opps sorry I misspelled your name Christie – cheers, Jules.
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You were right the first time, Jules – Christy. 🙂
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Thanks, Jules. I’m pleased that you enjoyed Christy’s interview and that some things resonated with you. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Jules, let’s champion for cursive to be a “must” in schools! Thanks for such a kind comment and so thankful to Norah for inviting me here!
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Hi Norah and Christie – it’s great to see these school memories and learn more about you, Christie. I’m also a public school girl and remember being pulled out of class in the early years to work on my pronunciation. Now reading is my favorite pastime and I developed that interest during high school and college. Hope you are enjoying a beautiful weekend!
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So nice to be “partners in pronunciation” ☺️ It’s great to meet a fellow book lover!
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There are a few of us book lovers around. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your experiences, Barbara. I’m pleased you developed a love of learning. You sure love sharing it with others, which is wonderful.
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Norah, you have again hosted a fine party where we get to know your fine friends better. Christy, I especially appreciate your ideas on linking schools more with the community. You’d think it’d be a no-brainer, but too often schools become rigid and insular institutions, which is ridiculous.
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Hi D., your interview was great too! Norah has good taste 😉 Nice to have you thinking the same way about a sense of community. Norah asks such thoughtful questions.
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Yep.
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I love the responses the questions elicit. They are so interesting. 🙂
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I’m pleased you enjoyed reading about Christy’s experiences. Schools do well when they link with communities.
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How nice to see Christy here, Norah. I love her informative blog. I read and reviewed Christy beautiful poetry book and I rushed over to check my review was still there after reading your review. It is and here is the link if any of your readers are interested in reading it: https://www.amazon.com/Versions-Self-Christy-Birmingham-ebook/dp/B00XQOH3IE/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=Christy+D+Birmingham&qid=1558261843&s=books&sr=1-1-fkmr0
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Thanks Robbie for writing and sharing the review, so grateful! I’m blessed to know strong women like you and Norah.
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You’re one of those too, Christy, as are a few others readers of this blog. 🙂
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Christy’s blog is great, isn’t it? I read your review on Amazon. It is excellent. Thanks for sharing it here. I’m now wondering if I did write a review. I must admit it’s something I don’t do often enough.
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I am aware there are issues with posting reviews to Amazon so I keep an eye on mine. I order a lot of audio books which are quite expensive so I easily meet the monetary requirement but they also look out for other things.
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I buy my audiobooks from iTunes but books for my Kindle reader from Amazon. The audiobooks are much more expensive, so perhaps I don’t qualify, or maybe my reviews only show up on the Australian Amazon site where my purchases are authenticated. Perhaps I should check that. 🙂
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HI Norah, I have received reviews posted on UK, India, and Australia which are not seen at Amazon.com. I called Amazon and they said the other Amazon sites have they own database and are not linked to Amazon.com.
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Thanks for that, Miriam. It’s interesting. 🙂
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It’s interesting, but I would like to have all the reviews on Amazon.com though. 🙂
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It would be good if they showed up on all the Amazon sites.
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Thank you Norah.It was most interesting to learn about Christy Birmingham’s schooling. She lives in a beautiful place. Husband and I have visited and loved it. Christy, like many of us, had her problems, so its heart-warming to see she overcame them. The very best of good fortune to her in the future. Hugs xx
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How wonderful you’ve been to the West Coast to enjoy its beauty, Joy. Only through the tough times can we see the good ones for all they are, right? ♥️
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Joy, and adding your supportive words for Christy. It is reassuring to know that people can overcome their problems. I’ve never been to her part of the world. It does sound beautiful.
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