Bird's nests

I love to collect things.

I collect state map tablecloths...

...and engraved baby cups...

...Smoky Mountain memorabilia...

...and bird's nests.

My collection isn't very large because, well, how often do you find a bird's nest? (And I don't think you can buy them on eBay.)

(That monkey playing the saxophone is a candleholder. Isn't he cute?)

(That gavel was given to me by my family because of my obsession with Judge Judy.)

I haven't found one in a long time.

Yesterday, while walking my dog, I found one!



I take that as a good sign. (I'm superstitious like that.)

Puppies again

Four and a half weeks old.

Could they be any cuter?

(Kirby Larson and I are battling it out for the Most Obnoxious Puppy Picture Blogger of the Year Award. I think I'm winning.)

Ha!

The quote of the day on my Google home page today:


Writing is the only profession where no one considers you ridiculous if you earn no money.

--Jules Renard

Hello summer!

My last school visit of the school year was yesterday.

My last time of starting the day like this (for a while).



And look who greeted me at the door!

Listen up...

The Los Angeles Public Library (that's LAPL, not to be confused with LAPD) asked me to read a chapter from How to Steal a Dog for their podcast page.

It took me a gazillion hours to figure out how to do it.

Then it was on their web site.

Then it was not on their web site.

Then it....

...whatever.....

(It's supposed to say "Click here to download" but last time I looked it said "Media not yet available." Hmmpf. It was there at one time. And I noticed that Old Geezer Susan Patron's is there....but.....whatever....)

So - since it took me a gazillion hours to do it, I put it up here just in case there is anyone on the planet Earth who is even remotely interested in listening, besides me and my dog).

Greetings from Massachusetts

Greetings from Nowhere has been recommended for the Massachusetts Book Award, presented by the Massachusetts Center for the Book.

Woo

Hoo


Thanks to the ever vigilant Mitali Perkins for the heads-up on this!

Old Geezer Certification

I was in the yard the other day and suddenly noticed this tree.


It's a chestnut tree.

When my son was little, he picked up a chestnut from the ground under a tree next to our church.

He planted it in a little paper cup.

Then later, he moved it to the yard.

And now look at it!

Wow - I must really be an Old Geezer.

This one's for the birds

So, if you love birds, you have to check this out.

Of Dogs and Writing

I love dogs. (duh)

I love writing. (duh)

So how could I not love these brilliant posts by author Susan Taylor Brown?

Puppies again

Remember....I warned you!

Three and a half weeks old.

I mean, come on....WHO can resist?!

I love this guy!

Well, you have to head over and read this blog post.

I love his answer to the question about how to build a Yoo-hoo boat.

You go, girl!

I do writing workshops in schools a lot.

Sometimes the kids send me their finished products.

I recently received a wonderful biography written by a fifth grade girl.

She had it all packaged up like a real book, including the following copyright page:

Copyright Page 2009

Text copyright by ____

Illustration copyright by ____

Jacket covers copyright by ____

DO NOT COPY

If you do any of the above there will be major consequences usually being paying lots of money.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy the book!

P.S. just don't copy this book, (maybe if I write more books don't copy those either)

Reasons Why You Should Not Copy My Books

1. I would be very mad

2. You would have to pay a fine

3. It is not a good thing to do to ANYONE'S books

4. I and a lot of other people don't want you to

5. Just don't do it

Thank you for reading my thoughts about why you should not copy my books or anyone else's and I hope you will still enjoy my book. Just remember don't copy!!!!

Puppies again

Two and a half weeks old

Summer Blog Blast Tour

Check out Mother Reader's great interview of me as part of the Summer Blog Blast Tour.

(And she managed to do it after two days of CAMPING with Girl Scouts. I nominate her for sainthood.)

Old Geezers Who Write

I'm starting to think that Kirby Larson and I are the same person.

It's sort of scary all the things we have in common.

We have the same husband and the same son (well, not really, but close....she knows what I mean....)

But, anyway....

I was thinking about inviting her to join my Old Geezers Who Write Club.

But then, maybe she would prefer to be in the Authors Who Will Stay Young and Beautiful and Rich and Skinny Forever Club.

Because, well, she might not be an Old Geezer (like me).

But Old Geezers Who Write sometimes have something in common: arthritis in their thumbs!!!

I have arthritis in my thumb.

And then I found out that Kirby has arthritis in her thumb.

And THEN, she went and recommended....

The Yoropen!!!

And it is so wonderful....

....which is the reason I was thinking she should join my club - and maybe even be President.

And since she found out about the Yoropen from Susan Patron, maybe Susan would want to be in the Old Geezers Who Write Club, too. (But then, maybe she would rather be an Author Who Will Stay Young and Beautiful and Rich and Skinny Forever.)

But, anyway, thank you, Kirby and Susan.

P.S. I also know ANOTHER Old Geezer Who Writes and Also Has Arthritis in Her Thumb (you know who you are, GS) so this club is getting bigger (and G.S., you should totally get this pen!)