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hum, the real dangers in my experience are from people. The sign should read, "Stay away from people."

Charles,
It's always good to stay away from venomous humans or people who have eighty teeth.

Funny sign. I found one this weekend that said "Garage. Keep Off."

I think they actually didn't want people to park in front and block their garage. But I guess they didn't want anyone to climb on it either.

This sign made me laugh and laugh and laugh. Oh my gosh. I love it. What a great start to my Monday. Thanks for sharing, Danette!!

They wouldn't have to tell me twice about the alligators OR snakes. In fact, from the looks of things, that pond would be lousy with mosquitos, so they wouldn't have had to tell me the first time...

I stayed in an inn in on the outskirts of Tokyo once that invited guests to avail themselves of the chambermaid -- I kid you not. We wanted to take the sign with us; we were sure no one would believe it unless we did.

When my family and I were in Florida last year, on our way to Disney we saw an alligator on the side of the road, basking in a pond. We gawked and squealed at the sight of him. (I assumed he was a he for some reason - although I would never get closer enough to really know, of course!)

We are so used to the hawks, deer, foxes we see in the no. east, an aliigator nearly made us drive off the road!

Two mornings ago we saw a coyote in our backyard! It was quite the topic of the day for us!

We don't have ponds in my part of the world much less alligators.

That water is so very green. I bet snakes and alligators aren't the only things in there! It's almost St. Patty's days, maybe there are some aquatic leprechauns too!

Yay!!! More signage photos!!!

This is very funny. Written by a Brit? heh heh

Everytime I see one of your pictures I think - I so need a new digital camera.

Look at it this way. You probably won't die of heart burn there.

Ha! Charles!

Cate--so true! So convenient and easy, but I don't have one! My husband does. (I still have a manual Pentax.) I've taken his camera over; it has all the bells and whistles.

Just looking at that sign conjures up thoughts of mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. No wonton, pepper steak, or vindaloo...And what weird architecture!

The other day a friend happened to mention that he'd been taught by a Professor Klinkscale once -- for music. Isn't that just marvelous?

mmm ... bland food. Just what I've been looking for.

Danette,
Just discovered your blog! It's a great blog. I feel your pain, btw, about saying something brilliant that then neither you, nor anyone else, can remember...

I would love to hear more about your steps in selling your first novel! Congratulations!!! I am currently writing a middle grade novel and shopping it at SCWBI workshops. I have one in Feb by the way - wish me luck!

Last... I also read Harriet the Spy with my eldest daughter. She had to read it last year in 4th grade. As one of the on-going assignments, she had to keep a spy journal. I was especially appreciative when she shared one of her entries with the class -"Why does my mother always look so angry when she vacuums? I have seen other mothers vacuum and they don't look as angry as she does." Yeah, it was one of those, out-of-the-mouth-of-babes comments we moms live for.

Hope you'll visit me on my blog too,
Sheri

Mary,
It is weird architecture, like a big, open mouth. I believe it's due for a makeover.

Linda, ha!

Hi Sheri! I stopped by your blog for a visit; you sound very organized and inspired.

"Why does my mother always look so angry when she vacuums?" HAHA!

Sheri,
I also meant to say good luck at the workshops and thank you for your congratulations. I'd just finished my manuscript and had submitted the first ten pages for a critique; that's how I met my editor!

Danette,
Interesting how you met your editor. Was it also at a SCBWI or similar-type conference? I made a connection with an editor last April with this same novel. She loved it and wanted the next 30 pages. I have spent all this time writing and rewriting and rewriting and I finally feel it is in a very good place. I am being pared up with her again in Feb.

Any helpful advice for us?

Sheri
PS Thanks for visiting my blog.

Sheri,
Yes, I met her at an SCBWI conference.

I think you're doing the right thing by writing, attending conferences, and getting feedback. Seeking qualified feedback is one of the best things you can do for your writing.

You can also get feedback on a more regular basis by posting your query or other bits on the SCBWI boards, Absolute Write, or Verla Kay's Blueboards. (If you haven't been there, just look for the links in my sidebar.) It's scary at first, but you'll get a lot of different perspectives and some of them will strike a chord with you.

There are a lot of talented writers here in cyberspace, and I've met them through the boards and through their blogs. I love the Internet for that!

YAY!!! You're back to posting funny pics!!
:-)
Did you eat there, btw?