Dr. Seuss Day Read Across America

Hello and welcome! What a lovely day to celebrate Dr. Seuss. Theodor Seuss Geisel, the author of beloved children’s books, was born on March 2, 1904. In 2026, it would have been his 122nd birthday. To honor his legacy, his birthday is celebrated annually as National Read Across America Day, an initiative initiated by the National Education Association to foster a love of reading among children. 

The pictures above were taken from the school library during a spelling bee meeting we had there that day. Almost all of my children have participated in spelling bee competitions. I believe this is due to my years of reading and the fact that they were read to. I always enjoyed reading to them. As children, I would take them to the library and attend library events. 

Cooper attended a Dr. Seuss cupcake event in Elizabeth City. We drove there to participate in the cupcake-making event. It was a wonderful experience for the children, and the cupcakes were delicious.

These little costumes I made from scrap clothing. Not the Cat in the Hat costume. The white wig was from the mad scientist costume. The blue hairs was from some scraps I had in my stash of fabrics. Below is a picture of Cody wearing the Cat in the Hat costume. Left to right Colten, Colby, Cooper and Dusty. 

Colten and Cody 

One day we saw this at the grocery store. Bruce took the picture of it. When I was a child I would always read the Dr. Seuss books at places they would be at waiting rooms or at places where they had books for children to read. I wanted these books so much and the Highlights magazines it wasn’t until I had children that I had got those books for my own children. Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss thank you for sharing your stories and creativity with the world. 🙏

Have a wonderful day and happy reading! 

Much love and happiness, 

Dawn Gallop 
 

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March 01, 2026 Happy March ~Candles

Hello and Happy March as we move into spring (hopefully) well at least here it’s dragging out old man winter. I have been thinking of my candles lately and have really missed them. I had Bruce bring some of the molds out to help me make some. At least a few for myself. I remember all the good times at the markets with them. 

Old pictures from times I could pour them 

 I just wanted you to see the beauty in them. They are so wonderful and smell amazing. I still have a lot of beeswax left. Happy March and spring is coming soon. Yay! Today’s celebrations Share a Smile Day, National wheelchair day, National Barista Day, National Egg McMuffin Day. I will tell you about the story of McG’s later. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope I inspired you on marking candles. They are so pretty and functional. Wishing you all the best. 

Lots of love, 

Dawn Gallop 

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Happy Saturday it Starts with a NEKOT Cookie 🟫

Papa asked who ate all my cookies? Brooks said I did! Cody’s father inquired about the disappearance of his cookies. Brooks asserted that I had consumed them, pointing to himself. The NEKOT cookie, known as the Token Cookie when reversed, has been a popular snack since the 1920s. Lance manufactures the cookie, which is free from trans fats and high fructose corn syrup, and contains real peanut butter. My sons had expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of snacks, prompting me to purchase the Lance NEKOT cookies. Bruce, as expected, indulged in a substantial portion. Upon the arrival of the boys, I inquired if they would like a cookie. They eagerly accepted, and they thoroughly enjoyed them.

I have a story for you about the cookies. When I was a child my grandfather owned a hardware store in Portsmouth, Virginia. When I would go to the hardware store he had a Lance rack hanging right above his desk to the side. They were a .25 cents then. They would have nabs (orange crackers) and other Lance products. I always got the NEKOT cookies. 

While I was in the first grade I went to Norfolk Collegeint School and it was a long ways from Portsmouth. Tunnel and lots of highway. I would be with my dad Richard whom worked at the hardware store too. My dad worked the floor and the lawnmower shop after work. In the mornings before they opened he would be in the lawnmower shop reading microfiche slides for parts on the lawnmowers. He would then order them. Since the school was so far away Raymond (a truck driver for my family’s hardware store) would drive me to school in the van. I would be hungry and thirsty so my dad would get me a Lance NEKOT cookies from the Lance rack that was in the lawnmower repair shop. Then right outside of the lawnmower shop was a drink machine that the drinks were only a .25 then and in glass bottles. I would pick the Brownie drink. 

This was the Brownie Drink I am talking about. Oh my goodness I would love one now. That sweet chocolate refreshing cold drink. (I found the picture on Pinterest) it really has brought back memories. I can still see my younger self in my school uniform just drinking away. There wasn’t as much information on it but the drink appeared in 1950 and was sold until 2007. It was sold in the Southern states, Virginia, Kentucky, South and North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. Plus a few more states like Indiana. So picture me eating those NEKOT cookies and drinking that Brownie drink sitting in the front seat of the work van with the windows down (there wasn’t AC in old vans then) sun shining through. Good times!!! Very nostalgic. 
 

Oh the joys of a NEKOT Cookie 

Thanks Lance 😊

On a somber note, Ledger sustained an arm fracture yesterday while at school. He fell from the slide and was promptly taken to the hospital. This morning, I contacted him, and he was in his room using his iPad. He informed me that he will be visiting the orthopedics on Monday for the placement of his cast. When I inquired about his preferred color for the cast, he responded that he would choose either blue or lime green, whichever is available. He expressed that he did not cry but rather screamed due to the intense pain. I extend my heartfelt condolences and positive healing wishes to our sweet Ledger. We cherish you dearly, Ledger, and miss you dearly. Love Grandma I will share his new cast once I have a picture. 

Junior constructed this greenhouse last year, and he sent me this photograph to inform me that he has commenced planting his seedlings. This is an exceedingly exciting development! Currently, I have three shelves of plants under artificial lighting. Happy gardening!

Today’s celebrations : Rare Disease Day, Floral Design Day, National Chocolate Soufflé Day, National public Sleeping Day, International Swords Swallowers Day, Global Scouse Day, Car keys and small change day ( a reminder to clean your change and key holders) National Floral Design Day, and Future Farmers of America Week. You can always support the FFA. We need farmers!!!! 

Well guys what a great day to celebrate! As I am here with my grandsons eating apples I enjoy watching them and seeing the new things they can do and hearing the new words added to their vocabulary. What a wonderful gift to be able to be apart of their lives. 

It’s GREAT TO BE GRANDMA ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Much love and Happiness, 

Dawn Gallop 

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Hekate Painting

Hello and Welcome to Friday February 27, 2026 today has been a great day. My friend Cindy called this morning and then my friend Megan called. It was so nice to hear from them. Then I had my zoom call with 100 day project group of ladies today and it was fabulous. We talked about spreading cheer for a ripple effect. Anyway you probably came here for Hekate or Hecate. However you like to spell the Goddess or the Underworld, she is not the primary Goddess of the realm. Gods of the Witches. Goddess of the cross roads she is holder of keys. She very powerful. She is a guide for the souls of the dead. While in mystic space I painted this big painting of her. 

I really enjoyed it and the night after I painted her I had a nightmare of someone coming to me and attacking me. I was able to overcome this person in the dream. It took place at a house I know of but have never been in. A very strange and scary experience. 

This was everything I had finished in the mystic space. Never seeing anything but my own minds eye. 👁️ I really enjoyed the process. It is all happening in a class I’m in with Connie Solera. Please do come and join us. It is a very special and important place to be. 
 

I heard from Cooper tonight and he seems really happy. Today’s Celebrations are National Pokeman Day, National Strawberry Day, No brainer Day, National Retro Day. Today’s color is coral. It’s a planting day too. Yesterday was the first day of Mercury retrograde for 2026. It will last until March 20. 

Take care, 

Dawn Gallop 

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Nine Years Ago Today Alexis’s Gender Reveal

Hello and happy Thursday February 26, 2026 today there are a lot of celebrations. Today is also Mercury Retrograde until March 20, 2026. However this little celebration showed yesterday and what a beautiful memory. It was February 24, and 25, 2017. Oh my goodness has time flown by. This was the gender reveal party for Ledger. He will turn 9 this June. He arrived almost a month early. He was perfectly fine and healthy. Everyone had changed so much. From Left to Right we have Colten, Bruce, Dusty, me, Cody, Cooper, Tara, Alexis and Michelle. The doggie was Bailey. We miss you Bailey. I know at the time of this happening I didn’t post it here but perhaps on IG. 

I took the pictures which was so much fun 

Garrett and Alexis 

Skylar and Alexis, Crystal Skylar’s mom was deployed to Germany at the time. 

Ledgers due date was the day after Bruce’s birthday, later to be Levi’s birthday and the anniversary of when Alexis and Garrett got married. July 3 in our family has many things to celebrate. 🎉 

Alexis and Garrett 

Go Green Bay Packers 

Jewelee she’s 13 now in August she will be 14 

Only missing one uncle that day. 

Good food and family always go together. 

Tara has been a part of the family for a very long time. Before Dusty was even thought of. 

Had to get the Papa shirt in 

Colten can always make you laugh 

Cody 

That same day Daisy had two kidds. It was precious. The twins Sarah and Mer were fascinated. Colten kept Daisy until her last days. I had got her as a baby and I loved her so much. We miss you Daisy. 

Today’s Celebrations: National Chili Day, National Toast Day, National Small Dog Day, Carpe Diem Day, National Letter to an Elder Day. Today we had to go to Green Bay for Dusty’s appointment for his shoulder. He is released now his shoulder all healed well. We went to Woodman’s grocery and headed home. We are actually half way back. I don’t like leaving. I’m glad though Dusty is doing well with his shoulder now. So thankful. I heard some good news from Colten today. It’s very exciting!! Bruce got the belt for the JD Gator and let me tell you that will break someone! It was 169 dollars for a belt the John Deere Gator. Much love and hugs. 

Good Vibes, 

Dawn Gallop 

 

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