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.