new posts in all blogs
Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Friends, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 25 of 370
How to use this Page
You are viewing the most recent posts tagged with the words: Friends in the JacketFlap blog reader. What is a tag? Think of a tag as a keyword or category label. Tags can both help you find posts on JacketFlap.com as well as provide an easy way for you to "remember" and classify posts for later recall. Try adding a tag yourself by clicking "Add a tag" below a post's header. Scroll down through the list of Recent Posts in the left column and click on a post title that sounds interesting. You can view all posts from a specific blog by clicking the Blog name in the right column, or you can click a 'More Posts from this Blog' link in any individual post.
And so begins my blog anew, retooled and with a new focus on things that make you lose your breath. Moments that make you stop and say to yourself, “Yes–this is what life is for!” And all that mundane stuff in between.
Renaissance means starting over, refresh, reboot. So it’s only fitting that it’s that time of year again: Renaissance Faire time! I know, technically it’s always that time of year somewhere, but here it happens throughout May. Sadly there has been so much rain that we have not yet dragged my nephew off to the land of jousts and turkey legs and the king’s roasted nuts, but there’s time yet.
Gentle readers, in the spirit of the Faire, I ask you: have you ever attended? Participated? Do you think it’s ridiculous? Do you go every weekend?What is your favorite part?
I have two favorite Faire memories–from the first I ever attended and from the last.
The first was in Deerfield Beach, Florida, and it was magical. My friends are crazy, and they love to make costumes. I call this crazy because I cannot sew and would never deliberately make myself an outfit that involves boning in any way. But they are amazing, talented individuals, and they love to dress up, so we all put on their incredible handmade costumes and went to the Ren Faire. The weather was perfect, the dill pickles were icy cold, and we stayed until the sun set over the lake at the edge of the Faire grounds. And as we took emotive pictures together against the pink-orange sky, an old drunkard came up and attempted to urinate in the lake. (That isn’t my favorite memory, by the way, that is just the fittingly inappropriate end to a lovely day at the Faire.)
The very last time I went to the Faire, I went with a different group of friends, including D. Some dressed up, and some did not. Once again I found myself in borrowed bits and pieces, because I like to immerse myself. D showed off his axe-throwing skills, and attempted to climb this tricky rope bridge, and I swooned appropriately. Then he got dragged up to dance (because there are never enough willing gentlemen) so of course I had to join him, and we shared our first dance. It rained and it poured, because apparently May is the rainiest month of the year in Tennessee, and we got soaked to the bone and ditched our friends to change clothes and watch movies all afternoon.
I would love to hear about some other favorite Ren Faire locations and memories, so be sure to leave a comment! Tell me what takes your breath away?
Tagged:
costumes,
friends,
memories,
Renaissance Faires,
starting over 
.jpeg?picon=3304)
By: Leslie Ann Clark,
on 4/23/2013
Blog:
Leslie Ann Clark's Skye Blue Blog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
breakfast,
morning,
My Characters,
chicken,
coffee,
coffee shop,
cream,
Cup,
friends,
fun,
hen,
new day,
today,
Add a tag
There is nothing like a nice cup of steamy hot coffee with cream and conversation with friends. Since all my friends are working or busy, I am having coffee with my other friends. Today it is Toola. … and no, she is not sharing that second cup with me. She likes two cups of coffee at one time. It’s kind of hard to get her to sit down (obviously), but we must love our friends no matter what!! It takes a lot of interesting people to make a world. Enjoy your day!
~ Leslie Ann
Filed under:
breakfast,
morning,
My Characters 
.jpeg?picon=3655)
By: fishgirl182,
on 4/9/2013
Blog:
Read Now Sleep Later
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
review,
middle grade,
4 stars,
Chris Rylander,
bullying,
The Fourth Stall,
Thuy,
Walden Pond Press,
mystery,
Mafia,
friendship,
friends,
Add a tag
Category: Middle Grade Mystery
Keywords: Middle grade, mystery, friendship, bullying, Mafia
Format: Hardcover, paperback, eBook
Source: Borrowed
Synopsis from Goodreads:Chris Rylander delivers a funny Ferris Bueler-style middle grade novel with
The Fourth Stall.
Do you need something? Mac can get it for you. It's what he does—he and his best friend and business manager, Vince. Their methods might sometimes run afoul of the law, or at least the school code of conduct, but if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can pay him, Mac is on your side. His office is located in the East Wing boys' bathroom, fourth stall from the high window. And business is booming.
Or at least it was, until one particular Monday. It starts with a third grader in need of protection. And before this ordeal is over, it's going to involve a legendary high school crime boss named Staples, an intramural gambling ring, a graffiti ninja, the nine most dangerous bullies in school, and the first Chicago Cubs World Series game in almost seventy years. And that's just the beginning. Mac and Vince soon realize that the trouble with solving everyone else's problems is that there's no one left to solve yours.
Review:
The Fourth Stall is a hilarious play on The Godfather set in an elementary school. The Godfather
in question is Mac, short for MacGuyver because he’s the guy that can get you anything. And the
fourth stall is and empty bathroom stall where he conducts his business. The empire is run by a
small sixth grader and his best friend who loan out their services helping solve the problems of
their fellow classmates for a small fee. Their business is threatened when the mysterious
kingpin, Staples, starts a gambling ring at their school. Using tough high school kids and bully
tactics, Staples plans on taking Mac and his friends down. Loyalties are tested when Mac finds
out that there’s a mole in his organization. Can Mac hold the business together and flush out the
rat at the same time or is this the end of his career? And will the Cubs make it to the World
series this year?
Each person in Mac’s crew had a distinct personality and I loved reading the bios of the various
school bullies. I am partial to Kitten, the small and polite sociopath, who is ruthless and more
than a little scary. I definitely don’t want to get on his bad side. And it was cool to see Mac band
the bullies together in order to deal with Staples. I had some mixed feelings the violence in this
book. On one hand, it was pretty graphic (especially for the middle grade reader that I think this
book is aimed at) but on the other hand, I think there had to be real consequences to their
actions in order to make the story work. And though Mac ends up using strong arm tactics to aid
his own cause, he doesn't feel good about it. While the book doesn't glorify violence in the
schoolyard, it doesn't shy away from it either.
What drew me in though was the friendship between Mac and his best friend Vince. Their easy
rapport and camaraderie seemed genuine. They were a bit like an old married couple and I was
really worried when their friendship was threatened. Ultimately this is a story about friendship and
family. And though I am not a sports fan, I found their dedication and obsession with The Cubs to be funny and endearing. It almost made to me want to watch a baseball game. ;)
Visit the author online at www.chrisrylander.com and follow her on Twitter @chris_rylanderPlease note that this post contains affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here.
I'm so excited to share my critique partner and dear friend's debut young adult novel, WORDS AND THEIR MEANINGS, has sold to Flux.
Congratulations, Kate!
Kate Bassett's WORDS AND THEIR MEANINGS, about a talented young writer who, one year after her beloved uncle's death, discovers the shocking truth about him, her family, and the importance of finding new words, a new love story, for her own life, to Brian Farrey-Latz at Flux, for publication in Summer 2014, by Sarah Davies at the Greenhouse Literary Agency (NA). Foreign:
info@rightspeople.com
Recharge your spirit by connecting with a dear friend. If you can't physically meet up, then pick up the phone or Skype with him/her.
We are on the move...again...
.jpeg?picon=2982)
By: Caroline Starr Rose,
on 10/10/2012
Blog:
Caroline by line
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
the writing life,
recharge,
life choices,
writing advice,
friends,
Rudyard Kipling,
class of 2k12,
AC Gaughen,
poetry,
writing communities,
Add a tag
Fellow
2k12 member
AC Gaughen recently reminded our group of this poem and how well it applies to the writer's life. I pulled up my copy of "If", something I printed and framed for a student's bar mitzvah several years ago, and had a read through again.
The words are golden and so right on.
If—
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run –
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!
—Rudyard Kipling
By: Melissa Kline,
on 10/5/2012
Blog:
Reflections on Writing
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
art,
creativity,
fun,
expression,
quotes,
inspiration,
friends,
Exercise,
writing,
Add a tag
Quotes…They’re everywhere! You see them in magazines, art, motivational posters, greeting cards, knick knacks, movies, clothing… and anywhere else words can be stamped. Quotes have become trendy accessories for our social media personas and maybe even our identities. So what is it about these little nuggets of wisdom (or not) that are so intriguing?
These tiny little micro blurbs pack a big punch! They resonate with something inside of us that we can’t quite find the words for ourselves or have forgotten about.
Quotes give us a voice to express our true essence.Most of the time we like to borrow quotes from other people, but I wonder…have you ever quoted yourself?
You don’t have to be a movie star or historical figure to have a quote… just be YOU! Most quotes come from beliefs, insights and experiences. What are you passionate about? What do you strongly believe in? What message do you want to share with the world? Or with your peers?
Your quote is about you. It doesn’t have to be motivational or all knowing – it just has to come from your authentic self. Turn your interests into words or stand up for something you believe in. Your quote can be simple, complex, funny, interesting, quirky or maybe it won’t make much sense at all. Get creative and have fun. That’s what it’s all about!
Is there a quote brewing inside of you? It may take a while for the right words to reveal themselves, but once you have that perfect combination – one that expresses your uber-awesome-self – be proud of it!
Share your masterpiece with friends. Stick in on Facebook under “favorite quotes” and encourage others to create their own quotes, too. There’s something really neat (and inspiring) about seeing your words between quotation marks and a “~” before your name. Embrace your awesomeness! You never know who you might inspire with your words.
Happy “Quoting”!
Author Jamie Haden had the opportunity to interview some of the characters from her novel, Illuminate-Alive, She Cried.
Talisa Santiago's life is in grave danger. The tricksters from her past have found her and want her dead. Only one place can keep her safe—a remote Indian reservation deep within the Great Smokey Mountains. Talisa doesn't know what to expect. The only thing she clearly understands is that she must leave her island home, depart from her mother, and stay hidden from society for one year. Yet, she isn't afraid; her closest friends stand by her side and promise protection.
I'd like to welcome Talisa Santiago and her three friends—Jag, Dakota, and Miguel—to the blog this afternoon. It is clear you'll have a very special relationship. How long have you been friends?
The gang is on the couch together. Talisa sits between Jag and Dakota. Miguel relaxes on the arm of the sofa and taps his hand against his knee as if trying to catch a beat.
Talisa looks at Dakota and smiles. "Seems like forever," she says. Dakota blushes. Jag takes her right hand and entwines her fingers with his.
Miguel clears his throat. "I grew up with Dakota and Jag, they're like my brothers. As for Talisa, we'd do anything for her. It's as if we've known her our whole lives."
Perhaps, but you haven't, when did you meet?
"I came to Silence Island last year," Talisa says. "And my life hasn't been the same since."
FIRST QUESTION: TALISA, WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
"My grandfather is a shaman, and I was born in the desert. My mother took me away when I was seven, I really don't remember my childhood."
Jag leans over and kisses her cheek. "That was then," he replies, "and this is now. The past is the past, baby."
Miguel interrupts. "As for me, I was born in Jamaica." Miguel is wearing a red and black crochet cap. He winks, rips it off, and releases a heap of knotty dreads.
BOYS, I'VE HEARD THE THREE OF YOU ARE GOING TO ACCOMPANY TALISA TO THE RESERVATION. LEAVING YOUR FAMILY AND ISLAND HOME FOR ONE YEAR TO GO INTO HIDING WITH HER IS QUITE A SACRIFICE.
"Nah, not really," Miguel says. I was at the reservation as a kid. I made some good friends there. In fact, I never said good-bye because I knew one day, I'd be back."
WHAT WAS THE RESERVATION LIKE? CAN YOU GIVE US A SNEAK PREVIEW?
Miguel shrugs, shakes his head.
NOTHING?
Why ruin the surprise. All I'm gonna say it will blow their freaking minds.
FAIR ENOUGH. NOW, QUICK, EVERYONE HAS TO ANSWER THE NEXT SERIES OF QUESTIONS. READY?
"Shoot," Miguel says.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
Dakota answers first. "Doesn't exist."
"Talisa," Jag says. "She is perfect happiness."
"Girls," Miguel blurts out.
Talisa swallows hard. "Peace of mind," she responds.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JOURNEY?
"The one within," Dakota says.
Jag laughs. "Hell yeah."
"Same," Miguel agrees.
"Same," Talisa says.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIE?"
"Been there and done that," Dakota replies.
Miguel nods. "Happened to me in Africa," he states.
"I drown when I was ten," Jag offers.
"Drowning would be a terrible way to die," Talisa says. "Silent."
"WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN YOUR LIFE? WHAT DO YOU VALUE THE MOST?"
Talisa looks at the boys. "My friends," she says. "They are all I have."
Dakota and Jag flash her a smile.
"Come on girl, we gotta get going," Miguel says. "We have a long road ahead." He jumps off the sofa and flashes the peace sign.
Jamie Haden
Wilmington, NC August 2012
Illuminate-Alive, She Cried, a novel by Jamie Haden
Some say the concept of rebirth is simply a metaphor for living a better life, a holier life. For seventeen-year old Talisa Santiago, such a resurrection is anything but a metaphor. It is her reality.
Talisa knows she can communicate with the spiritual world. She is the granddaughter of a shaman and going between two different worldly dimensions is something she realizes she is destined to do. However, what she doesn’t count on is what fate has in store for her.
After surviving the first hurricane of the season on the island where she lives, Talisa learns that her life is in grave danger. She must leave immediately and retreat to live with a secretive clan of Indians on a remote reservation deep within the Great Smokey Mountains.
Her blood brothers, three shifters who have the desires of both man and animal surround her, promising everlasting friendship and protection. Now, Talisa will put her life in their hands, depart from her mother, and begin the journey of a lifetime. However, the majestic mountains hold many secrets and danger lurks in the night. There are evil tricksters everywhere that want her dead. As Talisa falls prey to the confusion of her own sexuality, she unleashes an untamed passion that may get them all killed.
Jamie Leigh Haden is the author of Spirit Seeker, a young adult fantasy. Jamie lives and writes near the seashore in North Carolina. She has a Bachelor's degree in philosophy. Jamie is currently working on An Unimagined Life, the sequel to Illuminate-Alive, She Cried.
BUY LINKS:
JAMIE’S SOCIAL NETWORKING LINKS:
Recently my blogging buddy, Cecelia Lester, passed along to me and a few other bloggers the Liebster Award.
I am such a forget ninny sometimes that I forgot the thank her for that.
So, A BIG THANK YOU! to Cecelia for honoring me as one of her favorite bloggers. You can read Cecelia's beautiful, sincere devotionals at her blog, Following My King. Her heartfelt words often reach out across
Tsumiki No Ie from lennie small on Vimeo.
"Tsumiki No Ie" is the sad and beautiful winner of the 2009 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. I know, I'm very late. I didn't know about it until children's author
Trevor Kew sent it to me yesterday. Thank you, Trevor!
And oh! This short film has a picture book adaptation published by Hakusensha, Inc. Must be gorgeous. Enjoy!
Links, links, links!
* Click here for a report on the very active Filipino reading community - it's my last post as the PaperTigers June guest blogger!
* Author Candy Gourlay was one of the first to blog about the 3rd Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC) in Singapore. Read her posts here.
* Little, Brown editorial director Alvina Ling blogged about the AFCC and Book Expo America (BEA) here. Meeting Alvina was one of the highlights of the AFCC for me! =D *major fangirl spazzing*
* Illustrator Blooey Singson summarizes the AFCC here.
* Here author Trevor Kew shares key points he took away from the festival.
For me, the best thing about blogging is the people - the community I am a part of. It's a joy interacting with other lovers of kidlit and YA lit, and I have some truly amazing friendships because of the kidlitosphere/YA blogosphere. I've been able to meet many book bloggers in the Philippines, and last month in Singapore, I met Liyana of Liyanaland. We were so happy to be spazzing over YA authors and K-pop together IN PERSON. We thought, why not do this with other kidlit and YA lit bloggers? Why not have an INTERNATIONAL book bloggers meetup? If you're interested in getting together with kidlit and YA lit bloggers from all over the world, please click here to fill out Liyana's survey. Help us plan this international meetup. I think we can really make this happen!
By: Leslie Ann Clark,
on 5/30/2012
Blog:
Leslie Ann Clark's Skye Blue Blog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Work is Play....?,
Traveling Time,
Kicking Around Thoughts,
Just for fun,
Peepsqueak!,
fun,
ideas,
kids,
work,
dreaming,
color,
creativity,
art,
children's book,
artist,
travel,
Children's literature,
inspiring,
new day,
chicken,
children's books,
agent,
Peepsqueak,
friends,
Surtex,
New York,
book signing,
inspiration,
Add a tag
After months of prep work, Surtex 2012 is history. It was a great time of meetings, and visiting with other artists. It almost feels like a dream now that it is over. I am filled with ideas and hope for the future!
Here is a picture of Margaret Anastas, my editor at Harper Collins, me, and Annie Stone, Margaret’s assistant. It was so fun sitting at Harper C. and visiting with everyone who worked so hard on Peepsqueak and his promotion. I do love my HC family. They had a nice breakfast for me and we all met in the Harper Collins library. I wish I had a picture of Jeanne Hogle. She was my graphic designer. She escaped the room before I could snap her picture.
After our meeting, I packed up 30 books and headed to the Javitz Center in a doozy of a rainstorm! I LOVED that cab driver for picking me up!!
Messing around with my friends Jane Shasky and Megan Halsey during my Peepsqueak book signing at Surtex. Everyone was in such a good mood!
Here is my teeny tiny room at the Best Western. I was surprised at how small it was, but in the end, it was cozy and I was so glad I stayed there. It was a good retreat after a busy day.
Can’t forget my sweet agent Alicia Dauber. She had everything running smoothly!
Outside my window all the horse drawn carriages were lining up. New York is so full of LIFE!
As amazing as the big city is, it is always nice to come HOME! I had to get my zinnias planted!! Now it is back to work for the next show!
Filed under:
Just for fun,
Kicking Around Thoughts,
Peepsqueak!,
Traveling Time,
Work is Play....? 
2 Comments on New York Fun – Surtex 2012, last added: 5/30/2012
Friends: True Stories of Extraordinary Animal Friendshipsby Catherine Thimmesh
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011
review copy provided by the publisher
The first thing you'll do when you pick this book up is look at all of the CUTE photos of unusual and extraordinary animal friends -- monkey and macaque, giraffe and ostrich, capybara and squirrel monkey...and my favorite, the toad and mouse.
Then you'll go back and enjoy the rhyming text.
A friend connects...
A stretch, a slight strain,
a balancing feat,
friends go to great lengths
in order to meet.
(Asian camel and Vietnamese miniature pig)
No matter
who has
a snout
or a beak,
connecting with friends
is something friends seek.
(giraffe and ostrich)
Finally, you'll want to know the story of how each pair of animals became friends, and you'll go back to the nonfiction paragraph below each poem to find out more about the animals, where in the world, and how they became friends.
Little Treasures: Endearments from Around the Worldby Jacqueline K. Ogburn
illustrated by Chris Raschka
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011
review copy provided by the publisher
Jacqueline Ogburn, author of
A Dignity of Dragons: Collective Nouns for Magical Beasts, seems to be the kind of person who loves words, and language, and quirky terms.
In Little Treasures, Ogburn has collected parental terms of endearment in fourteen languages. There are three or four terms from countries as far-flung as Uganda, the Slovak Republic and Argentina. The borders of many countries are dissolved by including terms that Russian-speaking or Arabic-speaking or Hindi-speaking people use. For the non-English languages, there is a pronunciation guide, and for the languages that do not use the Latin alphabet, the term is written in the alphabet of the language, and the pronunciation guide includes a Latinized version of the term.
Through it all,
As those who went to LTUE can attest, it seems that I caught a bad cold either on the plane or on the moment my foot touched Utah soil, and I was a little bit out of it during the con. But even so, I had a great time, and got to catch up with a lot of old friends, meet new people, and even sit down with some writers I might work with someday. Hopefully I didn’t give them a cold while I was at it.
Normally I’d give a more complete run-down, but others might remember it more clearly than I could due to the fog of this cold, which I’m still getting over. I had the worst time remembering people’s names—I even blanked on the names of long-time friends. 
Sorry, guys! You know I really love you, but names aren’t my forte even when I’m thinking straight, and this week it was very hard to think straight.
I was able to think straight on my panels at least (though with moments of “you go ahead, I forgot what I was going to say”), and my Writing Cross-Culturally presentation was both well-attended (wow, standing room only!) and included attendees who had some great questions. For those who have come to this blog looking for the questions we discussed at the end of class, go to my SCBWI wrap-up, where I summarized those same questions. Also, if you didn’t get the handout and were looking for the links and resources I gave out in class, comment or email me with a request for it, and I can get you the Word document. Or perhaps I can just post it here, but later, once I’ve caught up on all I missed when I was out of the office.
Originally published at Stacy Whitman's Grimoire. You can comment here or there.
A few weeks ago I attended a CCIRA conference in Denver. http://www.ccira.org/w/w?cmd=goconffees
I was at the conference to share my new book “Peepsqueak“, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdllelLIRS4) but also to help promote SCBWI, The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators! It is a wonderful organization that helps authors and illustrators figure out how to get published.
During this CCIRA conference I met three people. Elaine Pease (http://www.peasepodbooks.com/) and Kathleen Pelley (http://www.kathleenpelley.com/) and Sarah Azibo, the RMC-SCBWI Exhibits Coordinator. Sarah is also a writer!
We had a lot of fun talking to passersby. We were encouraging them to attend a SCBWI event. It was not hard to sell SCBWI. When people find out about this group, they LOVE it! There are chapters in many states, and around the world! (www.scbwi.org/) Many people have told me they want to write a children’s book. Step 1….. join SCBWI!
During this CCIRA conference we also had time to compare notes about our businesses. It was great fun!! Kathleen is from Scotland. Sarah and I loved sitting and listening to her talk! We all braved the winter storm to attend the conference but it was worth it!!
Filed under:
Work is Play....? 
![]()
By: Leslie Ann Clark,
on 4/9/2012
Blog:
Leslie Ann Clark's Skye Blue Blog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
strangers,
Peepsqueak,
new every morning,
goals,
friends,
fear,
coffee shop,
Surprises,
Peepsqueak!,
Add a tag
My “Peepsqueak” book is all about working hard to achieve goals no matter what anyone says. There are many “Poo poo-ers” in the world. It can be quite an effort at times to move toward your dreams when there are those who stand in the way with puzzled looks on their faces or telling you how you should do some OTHER dream.
Sometimes you don’t even KNOW what you want to do. Never fear!
There is a dream in all of us! There is something born into us that needs doing. Many people never find that dream because it is too hard, to scary, or the Poo Poo-ers got the best of them.
“Peepsqueak” is also about brand new beginnings. He was born into the world on a brand new day. Each of us have that new beginning every morning when our feet hit the floor. All kinds of possibilities are set before us!
This morning I met an older woman named Marion. I was at my local coffee shop when she came up to me with a worried look on her face. She told me she missed her bus! She had no idea what to do because her next bus did not leave town for 7 hours! I suggested we walk over to the senior center across the park and ask around about other possibilities for travel. During that time we got to know each other a bit. She lived in Germany for a while and traveled all over Europe with her husband. She had grandchildren and two kids. As we talked more we realized she only missed the early bus and she could catch the second bus in an hour. (I also found out how cheap it was to take the bus! I might have to try riding the bus to see my sister sometime. It sounds like a new adventure!)
So Marion was my new twist in the day. What did YOU do new today? If you meet up with a Poo Poo-er, just smile, and KEEP MOVING!
Filed under:
Peepsqueak!,
Surprises 
By:
Claudette Young,
on 4/20/2012
Blog:
Claudsy's Blog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Uncategorized,
Art,
Claudette J. Young,
friends,
IBM,
Muse,
poetry,
Robert Lee Brewer,
Serendipity,
Wikipedia,
Writers Resources,
Add a tag
Serendipity waves her wand across our lives on a regular basis, whether we realize it or not. I read Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic Asides writing prompt this morning and thought, “Yep, I can do that one and had a title immediately.”
It wasn’t an original title; so few really are original. On fill-in-the-blank prompts, Muse either slips you filler quickly or not. I took an unconscious page from my old IBM days and did an “if, then else” statement in my head after I wrote the title. **For those unfamiliar with old programming code, an “if, then else” statement is one which is a prompt in itself. “If X happens, then what will happen next. If X does not happen, the what will happen next.”
For Robert’s Day 20 Prompt—Use “Let’s (blank)” as title. Fill-in the blank with word/phrase, use as title, and write the poem to it, my mind went to an old roommate back in the seventies and how things went from there. I called it–
Let’s Dance the Night Away
Two AM call caught us finally sitting,
A pair of disco addicts who came each night
To crowd a small floor, meet with friends
And laugh with others in new steps.
You faded from my life not long after,
A need that required distance to perform
Without recriminations or ever-afters,
A fact you could never appreciate.
Two to tango was never the real problem,
Though taking advantage was your forte,
For a con man needs only a woman’s faith,
Never was my enjoyment at issue.
Frankly I outgrew your need to mooch and moan;
Now my life and resources are my own.
© Claudette J. Young 2012
Along the same lines but with different outcomes, just a couple of days ago, I reconnected with an old friend with whom I hadn’t talked since the mid-nineties. This was a person for whom I’ve searched for years with no success. He, too, had searched for me. Now that reconnection has ensued, life seems smoother than days before.
There’s so much to catch up on, so many personal travel logs to read. As I look toward this acquaintance process, I can’t help but look at this poem as a kind of letting-go of unfortunate experiences and a taking-up of those which uplift and secure.
Serendipity strikes again. Did she see it coming? Were the two events entwined on my star chart under a heading of “Let’s put things right”?
I hope you enjoy this day’s offering. Please leave a comment as you wish. Here’s hoping Serendipity waves her wand over you today.
What a great conference! SCBWI New England really pulled it out of the bag this time.
3 great days at Springfield, MA. Over 500 attended and the faculty line up was amazing! Highlights included Harry Bliss, Dan Yaccarino, Harold Underdown, Kate Messner, Jane Yolen, Cynthia Lord, Brian Lies, Heidi Stemple, Jo Knowles ... on and on ... you can check out just what the line up was at http://www.nescbwi.org/.
If you are hoping to write or illustrate for children - you can't do better than attend an SCBWI conference and New England is one of the best. In the three years I have been a member it's given me invaluable information, education, contacts and networking opportunities. And best of all - friends who relate to my goals and frustrations. So I say thank you to the organizers and volunteers!
I travelled with Russ Cox (friend and fellow illustrator) from Maine on Friday and it was straight into the deep end with a great 'meet and greet' with top-hole artists and writers at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst. (My first visit and a beautiful venue.)
Before we knew it Sunday rolled around ... and it was time to say goodbye. Russ and I returned to Maine in triumph ... Russ swept the board with two first prizes and the emerging artist award read his take ont he conference and his success here ... and not to be left out I won second prize in the People's Choice category!! Yippee for 'Boy and World '.
SO A BIG SMACKEROONEY TO ALL THOSE WHO VOTED FOR ME.
Right now my drawing board is overflowing with projects so I had better get my *** in gear.
I'll leave you with a few photos from the weekend and hope to meet you at a conference soon!
Back in the studio today.
With a great group of illustrators.
Signing Casey Girard's Sketchbook Project
At the Eric Carle Museum
I’m going this weekend. I went the first day but it was too wet and cold to keep my son there so we didn’t stay long. We’re going this weekend and taking a ton of pics of the festival.
Awesome, I can’t wait to see them! Here’s hoping for a beautiful weekend