Fond memories of Kezi Matthews

I recently learned that children's author, Kezi Matthews, passed away back in 2010.

Kezi wrote a number of wonderful books, including Flying Lessons and John Riley's Daughter.

But what is particularly special to me about Kezi is that she was once on a writers' message board that I participated in. Once, during a lively discussion that was getting out of hand, she commented that her grandfather used to say:

Sometimes, the more you stir it the worse it stinks.

For those of you familiar with my book, How to Steal a Dog, you might recognize that as an important motto used in the story and quoted by the character of Mookie.

I loved that motto so much. I had written to Kezi and asked permission to use it, which she granted me, of course.

I sent her a copy of the book as a thank you.

Thanks, Kezi.