Library Week

I spent yesterday afternoon and last night at the Canastota Public Library, in Canastota, New York. I forgot to bring my camera, sigh. I would have liked to capture the teens that attended my afternoon session. They were full of energy and enthusiasm. They asked great questions and occasionally shouted each other down. But this was all done in friendship; what a great group of readers and writers.



Later that evening I spoke with adults from two of the CPL's regular writers' groups. Not as lively as those teens were, but about the nicest people you could hope to meet. Good questions all around. Beth Totten, the Teen Librarian, arranged my visit and hosted. Such a sweetie.

Cake and Ice Cream for Seamus

How did you spend Seamus Heaney's birthday yesterday? I spent it listening to him read his poetry. He read (and chatted) at Syracuse University's Hendrick's Chapel. He began with "Digging", which must be every writer's favorite poem. He read "Bogland" and"Clearances", "Mid-Term Break" and many, many, many others. He was witty and clear-voiced. He seemed slightly shy. He answered all questions thoroughly even the question everyone dies a little when they hear: "Where do you get your inspiration?" Seamus Heaney gave that question as much respect as the the more original ones that followed. For the record, his answer was "my memories". He continued with that thought before he answered others. Great night. Want to hear him read: http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoet.do?poetId=1392#

There is a great, short bio at the site too. You can read all about his Nobel Prize for Literature and his two Whitbread prizes.

Catch him in person when you can.

Happy Easter

Baby Animals just cute up the place, don't they? These sweet things are last Spring's versions. The bunnies are Twitter and Butterscotch. The duckling is Bruce. New bunnies, chicks, and ducklings will arrive at the farm in the next few weeks. In the meantime, just enjoy the class of '09

Revisions Require Tea

Earl Grey in my teapot which matches my Evil Twin's teapot. It's almost like revising with her beside me making silly comments, great suggestions, and encouraging remarks.




Sometimes revisions require M&Ms too.

FARM REPORT: Turkeys are here!

TURKEYS!! Look how cute (for now anyway). These babies--called poults--are quieter than my baby ducks and baby chicks were. They are destined for dinners, but not until Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's hard to imagine that these tiny things will be big Tom ( & Tabitha) turkeys in four or so months. Check out the dark babies in the picture. They are wild turkeys whose mother got clipped by the tractor and didn't make it. We rescued the eggs (3 of them) and put them under the heat lamp. Two hatched. I can't imagine that they will stick around as they get larger. Wild turkeys can fly; my birds will get so big that they won't get too far off the ground. But perhaps the wild ones will stay put for the easy feed. We'll see. In the meantime, how cute!

Mangled Poetry

Oops, wrong location for today's Poetry Friday Roundup. Go here instead:

http://www.tabathayeatts.com/poetryfriday.htm

No Poetry Friday

Yes, yes, yes, it's that time again: No Poetry Friday here at The Reluctant Blogger. So for some real poetry today--the official Poetry Friday--go here:


http://carolwscorner.blogspot.com/

snail paced

I know, I know, it's been awhile. Today I leave San Francisco, my evil twin, Lynn, and our mini-(meaning just the two of us) writers' retreat. We have been diligently drafting new novels and eating ice cream. We also toured pretty parts of her fair city and Lake Tahoe too.

Lynn has a new chapter book out, THE AMAZING TRAIL OF SEYMOUR SNAIL. Seymour takes his time, gets his work done, and still manages to make great art. I will be taking my cues from Seymour this summer (though I will blog more frequently than he does). Yay Summer!

Check out Lynn's cover with illustrations by Doug Cushman.

That Time Again

It's No Poetry Friday here at The Reluctant Blogger. So go, go, go over to Becky's Book reviews for the real deal. http://blbooks.blogspot.com/2008/10/poetry-friday-round-up.html

Daughter coming home!

She gets a long weekend. Finally. Tomorrow I shall get in the car and look at the pretty leaves all the way to college and back. 'Bout time.

Farm Report

MYSTERY SOLVED

The light in the pig barn(which also houses sheep and goats) has been mysteriously turned on and off the last few weeks. Windsor (the farmer I work for) has had to make the walk from the farmhouse to the barn at night to turn off the light. I imagine he thought I was leaving it on. I don't even use the light until late autumn/ early winter. What was going on? Eventually I caught Aubrey in the act. Yup, the pigs have figured out how to turn on and off the lights. The yellow baling twine in the picture is attached to a bare lightbulb on the ceiling. At some point the wind must have blown the twine their way and then the fun began. Powerful pigs. Of course I had to be the wet towel and tie the twine up in a knot so the pigs aren't in charge of the electric bill anymore. I think the sheep are grateful. They were concerned that the pigs would soon add pyrotechnics to their light show, and then somebody would have to learn to sing and dance and... well, you can see how these things can get out of hand. Instead, all is dark and calm in the barn once more. Until the pigs figure out how to untie that knot.

No Poetry Friday Redux

Another week has flown by. There is no poetry anywhere around here, so you'll have to go here: http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com/2008/09/poetry-friday-is-here.html

Friday yet again...

and more No poetry. So go here: http://authoramok.blogspot
and find some.

Radio JUBILEE

I spoke with Marsha Sumner of Heaven 1580 am this morning. This is a dynamic urban station out of Washington DC. I think I could have talked to this fine lady for hours-- such a warm and generous host, such an enthusiastic interviewer. She put me at ease. Go here to know more about the station and Marsha. http://www.heaven1580am.com/

We talked about my picture book JUBILEE, and gorgeous autumn weather, and blackberries. What a lovely way to start my day.

State Fair with Munchkins

I returned a long-overdue favor and helped my sister take her little ones to the State Fair. (She had gone with me and my little girls many times, many moons ago.) We spent a whole lot of time at horse-related exhibits yesterday. My niece Sonya is in the legally required horse lovin' phase of her life.

This shot is in the 4H building. Don't let Sonya's sleepy expression fool you, the chicks are fun to hold. And Cole does look a little too cool for it all. But trust me, we all liked holding the chicks. Ryleigh needed help not squishing them and because I'm holding the camera, I couldn't help her hold a chick just then. But she had her chance and no chicks were harmed. At this point, Ryleigh is just modeling the family's patriotic look. Luckily, my sister did not make me wear matching clothing. This will ensure that I'll help her again next year.

No Poetry Friday Again

It's everybody's favorite day around here: No Poetry Friday. So if you stumbled here by accident and wanted a bit of poetry, try this: http://www.readimaginetalk.com/

City Author Visits Country Author

Want to see what San Franciscan author Lynn Hazen did on her summer vacation? Check out her blog http://www.lynnhazenimaginaryblog.blogspot.com/ to glimpse her trip to Baldwinsville, NY and Abbott Farms. There are two installments. Riveting stuff.

No Poetry Friday

Yes, it's that time again. I've looked around, but there is no poetry at the Reluctant Blogger today. Maybe you want to go here: http://kidslitinformation.blogspot.com/2008/08/poetry-friday-review-my-letter-to-world.html and find some.

Summer Races By...

It's mid-August and this baby girl of mine returns to college in a couple of days. Her absence is a big presence around here. Luckily, she checks in with us often, which helps her mother with the transition. The only good thing about her departure (save for the obvious educational and social benefits) is the "butt in chair" factor for me. Writing moves back to high-priority status and I'm excited about the work I'm returning to. So even though the calendar says it's still summer, Autumn arrives on Sunday for me.

Don't forget to call home, Baby Girl. Have a great semester.

Pan-Mass Redux

The first picture is of Chris and our friend Kathy preparing for take-off; the second is just a snap of some of the five thousand-plus riders. They've raised over 21,650,000 with this years ride. The Dana-Farber Cancer Center is the recipient of all of this hard-earned money. It's inspiring to see all these bikes and know that most of these folks are riding for a reason--someone they love has or is battling cancer. Yeah Chris, Yeah Kathy, Yeah Tracey, Yeah Howie, and everyone else who pedaled across Massachusetts this weekend. See you all next year.

( I had to get home to figure out the camera workings. I think I'm set now.)