Blogging From A To Z Theme Reveal

I'm taking part in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge again this year—and I couldn't be hoppier. (Not a typo, I'm celebrating Easter too!)

For those who don't know, participants are challenged to write a blog post every day throughout the month of April (except most Sundays), and each post must correspond with the appropriate letter of the alphabet. So, on April 1, my post will include the letter "A"—no joke. (Get it? April 1 is April Fool's Day—any pranks up your sleeve?)

This is my 6th time taking part in the Blogging From A to Z Challenge, and I've covered themes such as things that inspire me, writing tips for kids, things that grow in Alberta, myth busting, and things invented by Canadians. That's quite an eclectic mash-up of topics, right?

Well this year, I'm taking it back to my roots—or rather, the roots of the character created in my name. This year, I'll be blogging about the Superman Duffy series of educational graphic novels. Not just some of the cool facts you can find in the books, but also how they might help you with your homework, and some fun insider knowledge about the artist and illustrator that brought the characters to life.

And, as if that wasn't exciting enough, I'll be doing weekly give-aways for a full set of the books—that's 16 curriculum-linked educational graphic novels about...ME. Well, about other things to, like canola, agriculture, dinosaurs...no really, one of the books has dinosaurs!

Here's the schedule so you can keep track of the letters.

So, buckle up and get ready, because this Easter Sunday, I'll drop my first post—and it's out of this world. <hint hint>

Gotta jet—so many posts to plan!—but until Sunday, have a great Easter weekend, play nice on April Fool's, and gather that chocolate for some fun reading throughout next month.

~ Chase Superman Duffy

Friday Pop Quiz: Famous Canadian Women

Throughout March, we've been learning in class about famous Canadian women—it's part of our celebration for Women's History Month. I wrote a short essay about one of them—Roberta Bodnar—and if you know anything about her, I bet you can guess why.

What's that? You DON'T know who Roberta Bodnar is? Looks like it's time to bring out my infamous pop quiz about Canadian women. Don't worry, the answers are at the bottom of the post, but see if you can guess the answers without cheating...

Canadian women have done some amazing things throughout history! Like, did you know that famous painter Emily Carr has often been described as Canada’s Van Gogh? Or that Canadian writer Mary Shadd Cary was the first black woman newspaper editor in North America?

* cracks knuckles * *sharpens pencil * Ready? Here we go:

1. This woman, the first in Canada to receive her medical degree, campaigned to create the Women’s Medical College, way back in 1883:
a) Jennie trout
b) Avril Lavigne
c) Roberta Bodnar

2. Astronaut Robert Thirsk may have taken 250,000 canola seeds into space, but this neurologist became the first female Canadian astronaut to launch into space, back in 1992:
a) Margaret Atwood
b) Jennie Trout
c) Roberta Bodnar

3. Known as the “Wayne Gretzky of women’s hockey,” this Canadian was the first woman to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010:
a) Agnes Macphail
b) Angela James
c) Nellie McLung

4. Raised by farmers and very aware of the issues they faced, this Canadian was the first woman to be elected to the House of Commons:
a) Agnes Macphail
b) Gabrielle Roy
c) Alice Munro

5. Kevin Therres may have invented the first Jet Engine Funny Car to run on 100%
canola biodiesel, but this Canadian female race car driver also knew how to put the medal to the metal:
a) Angela James
b) Samantha Bee
c) Kelly Williams

Okay, NOW you can scroll down to see how many of the questions you answered correctly. How did you do? And most importantly, do YOU know who Roberta Bodnar is?

Gotta jet! Have a great weekend.

~ Chase Superman Duffy

Answers: 1. a, 2. c, 3. b, 4. a, 5. c

Are YOU Wearing Green Today?

Pinch me—it's St. Patrick's Day! Well, actually, you can't pinch me because I am definitely wearing GREEN! Green t-shirt, green slippers (they have Grinch faces, so not holiday appropriate, but still green) and even a green leprechaun hat.

Last year, when I was researching all about Canada's diverse multiculturalism in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday, I learned from my friend Ryan O'Connor that St. Patrick's Day is an Irish holiday that recognizes the patron saint of Ireland—St. Patrick.

In Canada—and most parts of the world—St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with shamrocks, leprechauns, and the colour green. (And in some places like New York, a BIG parade!)

You probably already knew that. But here are 7 lucky facts you may NOT have known...

1. The capital of Ireland is Dublin—and there, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with a five-day festival, March 15-19. I bet there is a LOT of green worn during that week! (Bonus fact, the traditional colour was actually blue, not green!)
2. In Ireland, people wear shamrocks on their jackets and hats. Girls often wear green ribbons in their hair. 
3. Leprechauns are a type of fairy in Irish folklore. In the Superman Duffy education comic, CLOUD 9, a leprechaun teaches us about climate change!
4. According to legend, leprechauns were seen all their time making shoes. Hm. I wonder if that’s where my grandma gets all her shoes from! You should see her closet.
5. Corn beef and cabbage is a traditional Irish dish, often eaten on St. Patrick’s Day. Interesting...
6. Shamrocks are the most popular symbol of Ireland. It comes from the Irish Gaelic word Seamrog, a word that refers to the plant’s three leaves. (Maybe that’s why finding one with FOUR leaves is so lucky!)
7. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations take place all over the world. There are even pictures of astronauts celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in SPACE!

Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Mom always makes us something green for dinner—and it is not broccoli! This morning, I'm going to see if we can have green pancakes. <grin>

Gotta jet! Have a great weekend.

~ Chase Superman Duffy

Finding The Spring In My Step

I've been moping around the house all day. I'm not proud of that, especially when the weather is beautiful—finally.

It's just that thanks to Daylight Savings Time, I've had a hard time finding the spring in my step today—even with actual Spring right around the corner. And it's my favourite season, too. (Well, next to Fall but that's mostly because of Halloween.)

But I also know that I can't change how I feel. I'm tired.

So instead, I've decided to make a list of all the things I'm looking forward to this Spring, and maybe that will help me get a little more bounce in my step. Like, helping Grandpa with seeding this year—more involved in the farm completely, really.

And there's the usual stuff, like being able to read outside, go for runs without worrying about slipping on the ice (though that's still a concern!), playing in the park, and helping Mom with her garden...when we get to that. I also want to take some pictures when the flowers start to come up, like tulips and daffodils. (Mom has them all over the house in vases already!)

But what else...? Can you think of anything to add to this list?

As tired as I am, I'm really looking forward to longer days with light, too.

But tonight...well, I'm going to give myself a break and just succumb to being tired. Maybe I'll pop some popcorn, put in a good movie and get to bed early. Tomorrow...tomorrow I will find that spring in my step.

Gotta jet! See you next week.

~ Chase Superman Duffy 

Cozying Up With A Good Book

Last weekend, I was writing up a storm in celebration of Tell A Fairy Tale Day, but this weekend, I'm switching gears, especially since the weather in Alberta has taken a turn for the....worse. No WAY am I going outside if I can help it. It's snowing.

Which is the PERFECT time for a cup of hot chocolate and a good book.

Yesterday, in celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday, I read all of the books of his that we had in the house. My sister, Amelia, loves Green Eggs And Ham—which did you know is exactly 50 words? It is! Dr. Seuss made a bet with his publisher that he could write a great story using only 50 words—and now it's one of the bestselling books of all time. Kind of impressive!

The book on my list for today is WONDER WOMAN: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo. Everyone knows I love comic book characters, and the movie was AMAZING. Plus, next week is International Woman's Day, and one way I plan to celebrate is by acknowledging all the great women in my life—like my mom, my grandma, and yeah, even my sister. Not to mention Mrs. Kratky, my Language Arts teacher, and...Wonder Woman, obviously.

Maybe if I read the whole book today, we can watch the movie as a family! It's a thick book, so I better get started.

Gotta jet! Whatever you're doing today, be safe and stay warm!

~ Chase Superman Duffy