Sharon Creech's Blog, page 27

Small Figures, continued

Continuing from last post:  more 'B-movie figures' with small animal figures, a sample scene the grandchildren concoct.

Think of all the possibilities for dialogue . . .

I admit that even when the grandchildren are not here, I set these up around the house.

I bet you'd do the same.  Right?

Small Figures

My grandchildren love small figures (my grandson calls the human ones his 'guys') that they manipulate in various dramas.  They've done this since they were old enough to talk. It fascinates me how well young children become story-teller, director, animator, stage and prop hand, camera man/woman - maneuvering among these roles with ease.

Often we film these mini-dramas (I take photos & compile in slideshows; lately they're doing their own with a Flip camera.)  On our recent trip to Maine, we took along some 'B movie figures' that I had found (like the man on the left above) and a couple artist models (like the one at right.)

The figures went everywhere with us and the grandchildren:  to the dock, to the lawn, to the picnic table, in the car.  I brought some home with me.  They're like book characters - set them up and see what they say and do.

I've lost my mind, right?

Exploring Maine

Even though we live on a lake (in western New York state), we were lured up to a lake in Maine for the past two weeks. Our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren have been singing Maine's praises for several years, and so we joined them, and we saw what all the fuss was about.

Clear, clear, clear water, in abundant lakes with granite islands, perfect for kayaking and swimming.

Miles and miles of coastline jagged with bays and coves and rocks.

Masses of blueberry hills and hiking trails and vistas of green mountains and blue-gray lakes and ocean.

"Lobstah!" Fresh, tender, sweet lobster.

And it was all fine, fine, fine.  But finest of all were the grandchildren: the joyous, energetic, healthy, loving, imaginative grandchildren.  For them, I would go most anywhere.

You been to Maine? Have a favorite spot there?

P. S. Brattcats: we loved having time with you en route. Thank you so much for your warm welcome.

P. S. Birdman and Elenka: we had all intentions of tracking you down (with forewarning), but were swallowed up by all of the above. Next year?

Small Critters

 Mini critters seem to be multiplying here.  We're not able to keep real animals inside (because of travel and allergies), so these are stand-ins. I'm not quite sure why, but turtles, squirrels and birds are regarded as lucky in this house.


We'll be immersed in/with grandchildren the next couple weeks, so my blogging may lag behind.  Be well, everyone  . . . and may the good-luck critters be with you . . .

Do you have any good-luck tokens?

Fishing in the Air

This is a poster made from Chris Raschka's artwork for Fishing in the Air, a story about a father and a boy going fishing. It is also about how our imaginations are shaped, and I was stunned by how Raschka so beautifully captured that abstract concept.

Did you ever go fishing with your one of your parents or grandparents? Do you think you caught more than fish?

The Blue Kayak

One of my most favorite places to be: in my blue kayak on the lake. I've had this kayak for over twenty years. It's a sit-on-top kayak, perfect for these hot days, when you can dangle your legs over the side.


My husband has his own kayak.  We like to explore coves and creep up close to fallen tree trunks.  Ducks and chipmunks scurry in and out, birds swoop through the branches above.


The quiet of a kayak skimming through the water - so serene, so peaceful, so restorative.
Have you been in a kayak? 

Hydrangeas

(Click to enlarge)
The hydrangeas are blooming: most bushes are putting out blue blooms, one offers pink, and one offers white. I've heard the ph of the soil determines the color. True? 
Go ahead, put your face right in there.  Mm, mmm.

Harvest

(Click to enlarge)
Today's harvest from the mini-garden (above) - I can hardly stand how happy this makes me.


I am not normally a lover of peas, but these (above) are so sweet and tender. They are barely rinsed off before:


Gobbled up! Every single one. They were so good.
Husband comes in. Eyes me.  Eyes the empty pea pods. "Good thing I didn't want any," he says.
Good thing.

Chasing Redbird

Cardinals, those surprising flashes of red in the air or the trees, suggest something both stunning and illusive.

Fifteen years ago, I sat down to write a book with only the title in mind: Chasing Redbird. On one level Chasing Redbird is the story of a girl uncovering a trail one summer, of finding her place in her family and the world, but on another level it is about the process of creation, of uncovering the trail of the story.

With every story I write, I feel as if I am chasing a redbird, and I hope I will find it. I don't have to 'catch' it; I just have to find it, see it, and show it to you.

Dog Love

(Click to enlarge)
The photo says it all, mm?