Satin Steel Story place****

There is something about that line in Billy Joel's song Stranger - "Some are satin some are steel" that really holds me. I like the song, but this is about the only line that resonates in memory, and brings with it also a sense of what follows, but is just out of reach for the moment. Like being immersed in an aroma but not knowing the source. Or being impressed by a face and not knowing which feature was responsible. For some reason, actually remembering the words of the next line and the rest of the stanza don't quite help. Perhaps the poetry is in that line alone...

But more of poetry some other time. For now, this is more to do with the differences this line evokes, along with the unity of being just one all the same. So also posting here. Some fact, some fiction, some fantasy, some forwards, some fallacies, some foolishness. Mine. But which is which, can you tell? Ever?

I realize that my starring system is fallible, quite so, and also idiosyncratic. There are sites which I love and those which kids love, and they may not quite be the same. Then there are sites which are The Rage at one point of time, much like plain rice and no bananas, or Bournvita by the spoonful, and then they gather dust. How do they get rated? Hmm. More questions occur to you doubtless. Well, the rating is just a little clue. If its four or five stars, it means we have been there many times, either by choice or by 'mummy knows best' default. If its one or two, definitely not great. Three? Am playing with a coin. But the idea is that when you look at the heading, you have some little arrow saying, here may be a good site, read on! Story place is one site which makes me wish I was part of that library team (Public library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg county) which dreamt it up. Or that we had more libraries like this. Its not extensive, but adequate, especially in the preschool section. I do wish they'd add more stuff though :) There is a little animated story, a related (usually) online activity, an activity to do at home, a list of suggested books, and a bit of a guide for parents. Some, like the train and the fire engine one are sure to be perennial favourites.

Here is the screenshot and link to the fire engine story -



The url for the site for pre-school library is - http://www.storyplace.org/preschool/other.asp

And that for the elementary library is - http://www.storyplace.org/eel/other.asp

But you can visit either one from the other, and from the story page, choose 'other themes' to go to the entire list available. Check it out. Good for preschool kids especially if you combine it with the recommended reading book list. Mine was still toddling when I found this site, but anything that looks cute and moves or sings is a hit at that age!

P.S. The lyrics for Stranger, from billyjoel.com -

Well we all have a face
That we hide away forever
And we take them out and show ourselves
When everyone has gone
Some are satin some are steel
Some are silk and some are leather
They're the faces of the stranger

But we love to try them on
Well, we all fall in love
But we disregard the danger
Though we share so many secrets
There are some we never tell
Why were you so surprised
That you never saw the stranger

Did you ever let your lover see
The stranger in yourself?
Don't be afraid to try again
Everone goes south
Every now and then
You've done it, why can't someone else?
You should know by now
You've been there yourself

Once I used to believe
I was such a great romancer
Then I came home to a woman
That I could not recognize
When I pressed her for a reason
She refused to even answer
It was then I felt the stranger
Kick me right between the eyes

Well, we all fall in love
But we disregard the danger
Though we share so many secrets
There are some we never tell
Why were you so surprised
That you never saw the stranger
Did you ever let your lover see
The stranger in yourself?

Don't be afraid to try again
Everyone goes south
Every now and then
You've done it why can't someone else?
You should know by now
You've been there yourself

You may never understand
How the stranger is inspired
But he isn't always evil
And he isn't always wrong
Though you drown in good intentions
You will never quench the fire
You'll give in to your desire
When the stranger comes along.

P.P.S. Here is a favourite blog with poetry - http://poemsandprose.blog.co.uk/ I would love to read some more - do you recommend any?

P.P.P.S. I just love to keep on adding post scripts. You can tell, right?

P.P.P.P.S. Don't be surprised to see two entries separated by minutes - I am trying to get one out each date, so that is midnight to midnight :)