top of page
The Blog
A Tin of Buttons and a Box of Notes
My mom's most prized possessions? A tin of buttons and a box of handwritten notes. She never said it outright, but I don't think it was the buttons or the paper that mattered most — it was the memories they held. Each button told a story: one from the blouse she wore to my wedding, another from the dress Annie wore home from the hospital. Each note carried a heartbeat from the past ,a letter from Cody asking if angels have elbows, my childhood essay about why you should love
dneumann1972
Nov 101 min read
November 5th
Today should have been another amazing day. But for me, it is always the day my sweet Julie took her first and last breath. Although I only held her in my arms for a moment, I have held her in my heart for all eternity. When I started writing I Want a Birthday Party , it only made sense to name Annie's new sweet porcupine friend Julie—birthday twins who together learn the true meaning of birthdays. The book is dedicated to my Julie, a small but lasting way to honor her memory
dneumann1972
Nov 31 min read
Autumn Road Trips
Last week my husband and I took a little road trip, just the two of us and the open road dressed in autumn's finest colors. The trees were bursting with golds, oranges, and deep reds, and that unmistakable freshness filled the air, reminding me why this has always been my favorite time of year. There's something about autumn that invites you to slow down. The pace of life softens, the days grow shorter, and everything feels calmer. As we drove through winding roads lined with
dneumann1972
Nov 31 min read
Full Circle Moments
This week, I was honored to receive an email from a former student. She was in my Young Fives class, and while it feels like just yesterday, in reality she's now in tenth grade. Time really does have a funny way of sneaking by. She explained that her teacher had given an assignment: reach out to your early education teacher, someone who made an impact on your life. I thought, what a great idea! As teachers, we pour so much of ourselves into those early years, but we rarely g
dneumann1972
Oct 232 min read
A Mother's Love
I know I've talked before about my mom no longer being with us. And if you've lost your mom, you understand the hole that's left behind,...
dneumann1972
Oct 22 min read
Laughing Wolfe Media Review
I had the pleasure of working with Laughing Wolfe Media ( https://www.laughingwolfemedia.com/ ) for voice-over services on all four of my...
dneumann1972
Sep 161 min read
Squeals of Delight
Today was one of those days where packages brought squeals of delight. First, my book arrived for final proofing (that's the word I...
dneumann1972
Sep 101 min read
Mother's Love & My New Book
The newest story in the Annie the Porcupine series is coming soon: But I Love My Mother Too. This is a book I never planned to write....
dneumann1972
Sep 42 min read
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
Lately, I've been surprising myself. I thought I knew the kind of writer I was, the lane I belonged in and the stories I was meant to...
dneumann1972
Aug 252 min read
Homemade Applesauce with Roland
One of my favorite childhood memories is baking and cooking with my Grandma. Those moments in her kitchen have stayed with me my whole...
dneumann1972
Aug 92 min read
I'm Not Three Anymore
This week, I played hide and seek with the grandbaby. It was one of those days when you just have this overwhelming desire to be a child...
dneumann1972
Aug 91 min read
When Not Everyone Wants to Be Your Friend
As a teacher, I spend a good part of my day reminding children to be kind, to include others, to share space and stories and swings. It's...
dneumann1972
Jul 312 min read
Birthday Reflections and a Yeti Named Fudgie
Birthdays are one of those rare celebrations that don't just mark another trip around the sun. They celebrate who we are, where we've...
dneumann1972
Jul 291 min read
Mom?
Did I Just Sound Like My Mom? ... I Bet Annie the Porcupine Knows the Feeling. Have you ever said something and immediately thought, Oh...
dneumann1972
Jul 221 min read
The Splash Pad
This afternoon, I found myself soaking in the simple joys of summer at our local splash pad. Nothing fancy, just sunshine, cool water,...
dneumann1972
Jul 31 min read
Love Yourself
We talk a lot about kindness, friendship, and inclusion but sometimes, the most powerful lesson we can teach our children (and remind...
dneumann1972
Jun 122 min read
Teacher-Tired
There's tired, and then there's teacher tired . It's the kind of exhaustion that goes beyond physical, it's emotional, and mental. It's...
dneumann1972
Jun 112 min read
Station Quill & Hose Co. No. 1
This week, the winds brought more than just summer breezes, they brought wildfire smoke from Canada, and my asthmatic lungs are NOT a...
dneumann1972
Jun 42 min read
Not Every Child Loves Summer Break
As the days get longer and the school year draws to a close, there's an energy that fills the virtual and physical classroom alike....
dneumann1972
May 282 min read
Getting Older
I don't usually complain about getting older. I mean, let's be honest—getting older has given me one of the best roles of my life:...
dneumann1972
May 222 min read
© 2023 Donna Neumann All Rights Reserved
AnnieThePorcupine.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.AnnieThePorcupine.com also participates in the following affiliate programs: Book Cave. Other links may include affiliate codes that afford the site owner a small commission at no additional cost to the buyer. We truly appreciate your help in supporting this website. We only post affiliate links for products that we use and recommend ourselves.
bottom of page