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Mama's Suggestion of the Day: Always find the time to read.

On Wednesday my child threw a fit in the middle of a Barnes and Noble bookstore.

The Cheese Eater has gotten into the horrible habit of wanting something every time we visit any kind of store.  Overindulgence is something that the Golfer and I are desparately trying to avoid when it comes to our children, so I've been forced to endure lots public fit throwing in order to maintain our parenting morals as well as our cash flow.  This Wednesday was no different.  No whinning or begging was going to work--no matter how hard he tried.  And believe me, he tried his best.

I had gone to the Barnes and Noble to buy a USA Today newspaper.  One of my favorite columnist, Craig Wilson, writes a column for USA Today called "The Final Word" every Wednesday.  Craig, who I was fortunate enough to meet a couple of weeks ago at a writers' workshop in Oklahoma, is an absolute delight to read.  His simple views of life are appealing, humorous, and identifiable to just about anyone and everyone.

Craig has also published a book of his columns called, It's the Little Things ... An Appreciation of Life's Simple Pleasures.  In the book, his columns are grouped by the four seasons.  In Spring, you can read about "Peeps", in Winter "Dad as Santa" or in Fall "The Kid's Table".  Every season is filled with snapshots of life that make me smile as I read.  What's especially nice is that his columns (there are 67 in all) are short, making it easy for any mama to read during her all-too-short quiet times.  I highly recommend it.

I didn't make it out with my paper that day, but it was worth it.  Just today, while passing an enormous display for a new animated movie just released on DVD, the Cheese Eater informed me, "Mama, we can just rent it."

I was so happy, I was tempted to buy it for him right there on the spot.  But I didn't.  I want to be able to buy my USA Today next Wednesday.