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The set up, which I thought would only take an hour, stretched to all morning. Coordinating the set up of an exhibition this size with so many ‘exhibitors’ had Michelle Richards, the Brisbane Central Library’s exhibition coordinator, running a million directions at once, advising as to ‘how [it was something new to a lot of us], finding stands and  suggesting modes of  display, and generally guiding us all through to ‘VOILA!’ – one  fascinating and very varied exhibition!

But there was more – not just the glass cases to set up, but hanging around to do the hanging!  this was not as straightforward as it sounds. We had to somehow attach our paintings to fine dangling wires and – here’s the worst part GET THEM TO SIT $#@*# STRAIGHT!

Cover, "Mending Lucille"

I thought I had probably long gone received the last of the reviews for my Crichton Award winning picture book, “Mending Lucille”. WRONG! Just got the loveliest, very belated review -
RADIO NEW ZEALAND: http://www.radionz.co.nz/search/results?mode=results&q=Mending+Lucille

http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ntn/ntn-20110617-1037-childrens_book_review_with_john_mcintyre-048.mp3

Sarah Davis [my amazing collaborator, illustrator on this wonderful project] sent it to me today. It came out on 17th June this year! Better late than never!

John McIntyre gave a very thoughtful, in depth review citing the use of “Mending Lucille” by the Monash Centre for Grief Education in the training of counselors working with children experiencing grief, loss or separation from a parent.

Sorry to have been the silent bee of late...

It's been busy in the Gibson hive of late. But it's been all good stuff. I post to you from my hotel room in South Beach Miami where I've been since Sunday. Before that, we were up in Clearwater Beach for the wedding my wonderful friend and critique partner, Diana Peterfreund. I can't download my pics yet, but let me assure you, she was the essence of a bridal magazine bride...tres gorgy!!!

But yeah...I missed out on the guilty pleasure post because I was experiencing my guilty pleasure...the beach. For me, it's so much more than just a vacation away from the cold New England weather that's set in. It's a total mind and body getaway. The sun it soothing to me. Yes, I wear sun block, but I've got Indian blood in me and I seem to come alive in the sun. I feel better when I sit out in the sun. The surf...wow...I could sit and listen to the waves all day pounding the shore and slipping back out in to the ocean. And who doesn't like squiggling their toes in the sand?

Here's a view from where we stayed in Clearwater. The sand there is sugar...honestly. White and sifted like flour. I highly recommend a visit there.



And here's a picture of our spot in Miami Beach. Every time we visit here, this is where we plop down to spend several hours. The art deco designs of the whole beach decor is just gorgeous.



So...what is your favorite beach and why?

Hugs,
Marley = )

SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega?
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters
May 2008, Puffin Books
writing as Kate Harmon

Yesterday, R and I went to The Big K to purchase the "camp essential list."

Towels.
Sheets.
Shampoo, soap, lotion.
Flip flops.
A calling card. (No cell phones allowed)
Bandages for blisters.
Wart stuff, just in case.
Advil for sore dancer muscles.
Shaving cream.
Hair ties.
Hair spray.

The last time we went shopping for camp was the summer she got sick. I am trying to treat these last two days with a big smile. I do not have to be nervous. She has earned this moment. She is a beautiful, healthy dancer.

We drop her off on Sunday.

Yesterday, I was asked to speak at the Conference of the New Jerey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) in November at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, NJ. Prior to learning about this spa and resort, the only thing I knew about Long Branch was that they used to have a really cool haunted mansion--at least the mansion was really cool to a 6 year-old who saw commercials for it every ten minutes on WPIX in between games of PIX, PIX, PIX! on WPIX.

Anyhow, my talk, entitled "The Birth of a YA Author...and Avid Reader" will take place on November 15th and will be an hour long. The topic is one I've blogged about a bunch of times and one that author Diana Peterfreund got me thinking about in depth. I will be talking about what it was that got me moving from being a reluctant reader to being an avid reader...and a writer!

I feel honored to be presenting to this group (as well as at the NYSRA conference the preceding week) because I think librarians, teachers and reading professionals play such an important role in the development of our children.