UPDATE: Thank you all for your excellent input. It helped me tremendously to hear the varying opinions, as well as your very specific rationale for your choices. If you’re interested in seeing the photo I chose, please check out my “About” page.

I’d love your help choosing my self-portrait.

With my impending book release, I figured it was time to publish an updated portrait of myself, and I’d like you to help me decide which one to use on my “About” page. You’ll notice I was unable to locate the “crows-feet removal tool”.

My Canon is in each of the photos because it’s actually taking the pictures. I can probably crop it out, though if you think that would look better, so please share your thoughts. Don’t forget to vote, by clicking one of the radio buttons below the photos. Thanks for visiting!

If you have an opinion about the camera staying or leaving, here are the photos with the camera cropped out:

For more Wordless Wednesday, please visit here or here.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to participate in Pensieve’s Poetic License, but I couldn’t pass up the Haiku challenge! Only in places like Wisconsin can one write about an April blizzard.

Waiting to sprout
Spring life remains hidden
Beneath an April blizzard.

Giveaway news:

Two winners have been selected for Parenting Preschoolers with a Purpose - find them here. And remember you can still enter the Parenting Preteens with a Purpose giveaway through April 17. Author Kate Thomsen dropped by to offer inspiration in comment 34!

I host regular giveaways for parents and educators, and have THREE giveaways scheduled in the next couple of weeks. Please consider signing up for updates by email. I will never spam you or give out your address.

And my column has been published at Blissfully Domestic. I write about the value of play dates.

Giveaway winners have been announced for the Career Expedition Boardgame and the book, In Their Shoes. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who participated!

Like this post? Subscribe for free to Pass The Torch

Last year, my company, Empowering Youth, sponsored a fundraiser named Linking for Dollars, and we raised $500 for St. Jude. The celebration post and donation receipt is here.

We’d like to do it again.

If you’re not familiar, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is based in Memphis, Tennessee and is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

You can easily help us to raise the funds for this worthy charity. Just send your readers here to leave a comment! I’ll accept your comments from December 20 until Christmas Day, up to a maximum donation of $500 — one dollar per comment.

Our hope is that during the season of giving, you’ll inspire others to give as well - either from their own wallets, or by sending us your readers so we reach our $500 goal. How many dollars will you inspire? Please spread the word!

UPDATE: With your help, Empowering Youth donated $100 to St. Jude. Thank you!

If you’d like to help in another way, this reader is raising funds to help find a cure for his 4-year-old with Type 1 Diabetes.

Like this post? Subscribe for free to Pass The Torch

Want this button?

My friend Robin is hosting a monthly poetry project, and I hope to join her from time to time. Her first challenge is a limerick about Thanksgiving. I wrote a poem last year at this time about gratitude, so I think it’s the perfect subject.

Here’s my best shot:

Thanksgiving’s much more than the yams
And the turkey and stuffing or ham,
It’s everyone there!
Here’s my grateful prayer:
That you are as blessed as I am.

Visit Robin’s place on Sunday to read more Thanksgiving limericks!

Like this post? Subscribe to Pass The Torch