At least 10 years ago, I read Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. I think it was in this story that I first learned of the American Chestnut and how the trees had vanished from a blight about 50 years ago. I remember the deep sadness I felt for that loss. Towering trees that had filled… Read more
2013
Every now and then I’ll find a great book in a quick moment. My discovery feels like spotting a nugget of genuine gold in a stream full of fool’s gold. I was at the library when I spotted my latest book while returning books, paying my usual fines and supervising my three year old in… Read more
This past weekend I helped my sister move into a much better home in hot dry Eastern Washington. The current heat wave on the west side of the mountains feels like an everyday hot in the Tri- Cities. The temperature routinely climbs to 90+ degrees and, even though it is dry, the air hits me… Read more
I know I once saw Ivan the gorilla at the B&I shopping mall on South Tacoma Way. My mother used to love to shop for art supplies at the sister store near that funky little mall and we went inside the bigger mall for relief after what seemed like hours of tedious waiting on mom’s… Read more
“Look!” I said when my contributor’s copies of the Alive Now Creativity issue landed in my mailbox. “I’m in the same book as Madeleine L’Engle!” My husband looked at me and said, “Who’s that?” A few hours later my son said, “Uh, I don’t know what that is, but I’m guessing it’s a famous author.”… Read more
Happy Numbers Three ladies. Hundreds of pictures. Irises in Ginny’s garden. Two turn out. And the three ladies, They rejoice. … Read more
This past week I decided that to become a better teacher, I needed to commit to a language again. This has been on the back of my mind for some time. I’ve had several excellent excuses for not working on my own language learning, including an infant who was not fond of sleeping or letting… Read more
On May 14th, I went to a book signing. My friend Wayne Osborn works with the Washington Library Media Association, Mt. Rainier Region and invited me to tag along. Every time I go to a book signing I learn something and find new inspiration. I’d love to win a Newbery award from the American Library… Read more