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Today, with her vivid reimagining of EM Forster's A Room With a View in a YA novel she titled Love, Lucy, April Lindner has returned me to that city of art—Florence, Italy. She has given me Lucy, torn between two cities and two boys, a father's demands and her own instincts. She has taken me to Fiesole, a village outside Florence where I traveled many years ago—a town that, in fact, became the setting of my favorite published short story.

It's all so clear, in April's book. I see the streets as if I am walking them, the red-tiled roofs as if I am up above them, that Arno as if I am Vespa-ing by.

And that first photo in this post, right down to the red bike, is a picture I took in back in September 2012, when I was researching my own Florence novel, One Thing Stolen. That precise scene and angle, right down to the the red bike, is pictured on the back of April's novel.

We wrote our Italy novels at the same time. Worried them through together. Gave each other the support novelists need. Indulged in all flavors of gelato.

And so, April, it was a pleasure this afternoon to read your story, to find your gelato, your streets, your romance, and, of course, your music, in the pages of Love, Lucy. Congratulations on another wonderful reimagining.

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Maybe it’s because it’s Halloween, but there’s a presence in the house, and Pink keeps looking behind her, scared of her own shadow. Last night she was with the dogs on the big yellow sofa, just as normal, when a nasty, grisly, horrid sensation gripped her and she wanted to turn around and look but she was too scared to move. The dogs felt the same as she did. Normally they’ll bark at the smallest disturbance (like a leaf blowing across the lawn) but they were so scared they couldn’t make a sound and it took all of Bernie’s courage to call for Alleycat with a little yapping bark. Alleycat ran in from the kitchen, but of course he’d been fast asleep and he’s not as quick as he used to be, so when he arrived on the scene there was no sign of uncanny intruders or walking shadows at all. You can imagine he didn’t take too kindly to be woken up for nothing, but Berne and Lucy were adamant that they seen (or felt) something nasty, and Bernie decided to put on her quilted jacket for extra protection and Lucy and Pink begged Alleycat to stay close and help them to settle down. As soon as they felt confident enough to be left alone, Alleycat returned to his gentleman’s chair in the kitchen, where he went straight back to sleep. But he must have half-believed that something was amiss because he kept one ear open, and presently he heard a weird, unaccountable sound that wasn’t normal at all, and he woke himself up to find a rather sinister looking bear snooping around the kitchen. As soon as it realized that Alleycat was on to it, the bear tried to escape through the outside door, but Alleycat chased it into the house and made it stay there. He’ll be questioning it later and that bear had better be sorry for frightening Pink and promise to mend its ways, or I wouldn’t like to think how angry Alleycat will be with that miscreant night-wanderer.

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This afternoon we couldn’t find Lucy.  We didn’t think she’d be anywhere except in the house, but one of the neighbours called over the fence to say she was out in the Six Foot, running up and down.  She’d been ignoring us.  We ran outside and saw Pink a few feet away,  looking down from a high fence post.  That little cat had been there all the time, watching and acting important and we realized that she’d tempted poor Lucy to slide under the gate and run over the lawned garden where the cats hold court; and once past that gate you can see the Six Foot through Alleycat’s hedges. You can bet Lucy didn’t hesitate when Pink showed her how to negotiate the twisted boughs and the prickly spears of hawthorn that stand guard on Alleycat’s turf.  Bernie didn’t miss her daughter at all and was quite happy to be on the sofa alone, without Lucy getting in the way and demanding our attentions.  There she is in the video, pleased as Punch.

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Another toasty day in L.A.  I’m in my workshop examining felt samples, cutting yarn hair (and keeping track for pattern writing), looking at fabric pens online and trying to keep cool with coconut sorbet and iced tea.

Here’s another Lucy doll.  I think I’ve perfected the cheeks, finally.  I really love this vintage print I used for her dress, don’t you?  I’m also planning another doll pattern, Lucy’s sister: one you can dress up.  (Of course, she’ll have her knickers on!)

OK, time for a late lunch.  Have a great weekend!

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Here’s my latest Lucy doll – sans arms.  (This Depression-era reproduction fabric is my current favorite from my stash.)

And here’s Spoo Kee getting a steam facial from our portable dishwasher.  This is a ritual for him.  Spoo suffers from sinus congestion and he’s discovered the warm steam helps him feel better.  (At least I like to think this is why he does it; that would also mean he’s crazy smart to make that connection!)

Sometimes he’ll even rest his head on the open door.  Too funny.

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Hello! Everyone! I'm very glad to post this page to you to enjoy and to learn how to make great meals and desserts (or all the contrary... :S ) and read a comic at THE SAME TIME!!! This page is a masterpice of art by Juan Caminador, who draw us (the girl with the curls that's me) making a stew. Is spanish, sorry, but is delightful either. You can see much more than this in our blog

Regards! Lucy

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Sometimes there is the pressure to have something to say when one starts to write a blog entry. I always start thinking I've got nothing. Lists help, so here we go...
1. Kids went back to school today. I got almost all my sketches for Fufu printed out on good Arches paper. Two are already painted. Must keep on, keeping on.
2. Lucy puppy is growing fast. With the kids and hubby gone she was visibly confused and decided to sleep for most of the day. I took her out skiing, went for a walk, and practiced frisbee fetch. She gives it back to me if I keep a few bits of hot dog handy. I'm so happy that she is part of our family.

Is she beautiful or what?
3. My VCFA residency starts on Sunday! This is pack week. That means that this is also laundry week. And go to Target for last minute "I needs", I need twin size flannel sheets, a new set of long johns, an electric water kettle, and a back support chair insert if I can find one. After the New Year's storm I'm expecting deep snow. I got these slope sliders as a gift to bring with me to the residency.

I'm also trying to catch up with my reading, both pre-lecture and pre-workshop readings. I should have done this during the last two weeks but used the reading time to treat myself to grown-up books The Help and Eat Cake.
4. Cross your fingers for me as I have a job interview on Wednesday as the Media Liaison of a private school. I think I'm a great match for the job, we'll see how the meeting goes.
5. My kiddo got a Sansa mp3 player which I was assured would take files from itunes. (not purchased but the ones that were originally my cd's) Turns out that all my music was imported in nonmp3 format so I have to convert them all. Ick. Now I know there is a box to check in preferences to fix this problem for future imports.

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1. We are hanging the Maine Illustrators' Collective Classics Reimagined show on Monday, November 2nd. If you'd like to come and/or attend the opening, here is the information:


2. If you won't be able to make it and would like to see my piece here it is:

From Aesop's, The Fox and The Crow.

3. If you are wondering why I'm up early it's because I have so much work to do on my VCFA packet. I always seem to get to this point. I read for too long then I'm crunched for writing time.  (I know, Mona. Six am isn't early but I've been up and working since four.) I needed an extension last time and I'm set on not asking for another one. Feeling a little anxious.
4. I just bought a wide format Epson printer with the money I'm earning from my illustration work for hire. Very exciting but it is an investment.
5. Even though I just dealt with a disappointing rejection on the job scene, I'm applying for yet another one. I guess that is just how it goes, but I start to wonder-- between writing rejections and job rejections, how much can I take before I want to curl up and hide from the world? Perhaps it is a little like child birth though. Nature allows us to forget the pain so that we will do it all again. At least at the end of child birth you have the beautiful child. I'm ready to see the fruits of my labor on the job market. And in the children's book industry for that matter.
6. Lucy the yellow lab puppy is coming home to our house on November 15th. She'll be 9 weeks old and is as cute as cute can be. I'll post pics when I get some. I only have them on my phone and don't have a plan that allows me email them to myself. (ACK!)

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Hello, everyone! I have fun morsels for us today...

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scaaaaryy???

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well, just a doodle with the tablet!

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He's a little angry. How would you be if they eat your dessert?

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A doodle. Although it keeps you away from the smells and the feel of the paper inks and paints, wacom is great! in just a sec you got a hole experiment going on...

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Spring conjures up fluffy bunnies n' chicks. As such, I present to you Rabbit. Described by Neil Gaiman as, "magical and disturbing," it plays out like a Dick and Jane book gone dark. Not a cute little bun bun tale.



Thanks to Neil Gaiman for the link.

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