Z - Discoveries from September's Challenge

As I shared in my last post, I'm starting up my monthly challenges again.  For September I'm going "back to school" by teaching, learning and sharing.   I'm making up my lesson plans as I go and taking my "classroom" outside and on the road.  I'm working hard by teaching my daughter Vivian new things, by learning new concepts for myself and then sharing them here on this blog. 

Today I began backwards with the letter Z and intend to go all the way to the letter A with fun activities, words, songs, crafts, and more!  Whatever I can dream up and accomplish!  Here's how our first day with the letter Z went:

Z-Things That I Taught Vivian:


- Zoo: My daughter and I went to the local Zoo to explore. I'm suprised I have enough energy left over to even write this post!
- Zippers: Viv and I both wore Zippers on our clothing and practiced Zipping them up and down.
- Zig-Zag: We walked in Zig Zag patterns at the Zoo and in our backyard.
- Zester: I showed Vivian how my Zester works, demonstating with a lemon.
- Zumba: We watched a video on Zumba dance moves and practiced them. 
- Zebra and Zucchini:  We colored a picture sheet of a Zebra and a Zucchini.
- Ziploc: Viv and I played with Ziploc bags.
- Zippity Doo Dah: I sang this Zippity Doo Dah song to Vivian.  She laughed.


Interesting Z-Facts About Me:

-I loved going to the Zephyrs baseball games when I was growing up. They are the amateur baseball team in New Orleans. I have a lot of fond memories going to the ballpark with friends and family members, even the one where formosan termites were flying everywhere and they nearly postponed the game!

- I once dated a guy that had a "Z" scar/ birth mark on his back. He used to joke and say that he was Zorro. I like to think that somebody made a mistake because it should have been an "L" for Loser.

- I do not understand people's fascination with Zombies (or vampires for that matter).  I just don't get it.  This type of fantasy does not peak my interest at all.  I'm not hip with the current times, I suppose.

- I used to love drinking Zima.  Now that alcohol is too weak for me!  ;-) 

- I love using Zatarain's box mixes.  They are made in Louisiana and are great starter seasonings for Jambalaya, Dirty Rice and more! 

Z-Things I Learned:
I was curious about my Zodiac symbol and meaning so I researched it.  Here's what I found:

My element: Fire
My ruling planets: The Sun
My Symbol: The Lion
My stone: Peridot
Life Pursuit: To lead the way
Vibration: Radiant Energy
Leo's Secret Desire: To be a star

My Zodiac Description:

Love triumphs over all for this sign, which is ruled by the heart and operates from this dimension too. Leo's are born fortunate. Charismatic and positive-thinking they attract not only an abundance of friends and opportunities, but manage to survive life's stormy times with style and good humour.


Once a Lion is committed to a relationship, they are totally devoted and faithful. Should their heart or trust be broken they never forgive or forget. When a relationship breaks down (even a long standing one) they can disappear into the sunset without a backward look. Leos can cut ties, and leave others heartbroken, but usually there is a good reason why they have broken a trust. For a Leo, when a relationship is over, really over, it is over for good.


Leos are trendsetters, leaders and adventurers. Their weakness is their pride. This is one sign where the saying "flattery will get you everything" applies, but be warned criticism will slam the relationship door right in your face.

Fun stuff!  Some of the above seems true and other parts don't exactly fit me.  But I loved reading about Zodiac my sign.  Now if some random person ever asks me, "Hey, what's your sign?" then I can give them a mouth-full response!  ;-)



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I also decided to look up information about an interesting actress/singer named Zooey Deschanel. I've liked Zooey since I first saw her appear in the Cameron Crowe film Almost Famous. I remember hearing her sing in the movie Elf with Will Ferrill thinking that she has a great voice. Then when I saw her sing again in the film Yes Man with Jim Carrey, her quirky, weird lyrics stuck in my head for days.


There is something attractive and appealing about her as a performer. I discovered that she is named after Zooey Glass, the male protagonist of J. D. Salinger's 1961 novella Franny and Zooey. I haven't read that work of Salinger but I did read The Catcher in the Rye and reviewed it on this blog.


Zooey is also a member of a band called She and Him. I watched a few of her musical performances and videos on youtube.  I particularly liked this one:





I will be looking for her album soon.  I really enjoy Zooey's music. 

So that's all I have for the letter Z, when it comes to Vivian and me.  Today was just the first day using letters; therefore I set out to accomplish a lot and kick things off with a bang (or Zang I should say?)  I might not always do this many activities. I most likely will not always be this creative either.  However, I'll do my best and keep trying....


Zat's it for now!  :-)