Kirby Larson's Blog, page 53
April 3, 2012
Old Dogs CAN Learn New Tricks
Winston supervising me learning new tricksI got an email this morning which looked like it was sent from Apple (I'm a Mac user) notifying me that my password had been reset and that if I had not initiated that action, I should click on the link they provided to the Apple iforgot site.
So I did what I always do when I have a computer question. I emailed my son-in-law. He shot me a reply right away that it was 100% spam. How did he know?
He told me that, if I moved my cursor over the link -- not click on it, just move the cursor over!-- I could see the actual address. I did that and it turned out to be some Chilean website, oozing with anticipation at either uploading a virus onto my computer or hooking some vital information.
I may be the only one in the world who didn't know this trick. But just in case I'm not, I'm passing it along!
March 29, 2012
Shaw Island
A week ago today, I spent a wonderful afternoon on Shaw Island with three schools' full of kids -- fewer than forty children! Each of these schools is nestled on a charming island in the San Juans, but gather several times a year. This time, we talked reading at writing at the Shaw Island school, the oldest school in continuous operation in Washington state! Everyone was bubbling with questions and comments and the time passed much too quickly. I wish I'd remembered to take more photos but at least I got snaps of these delightful posters representing the four girl characters in The Friendship Doll.
If you ever get invited to visit one of these island schools, do go! But make sure you get on the correct ferry heading home otherwise you might have an unplanned mini-vacation in Friday Harbor.
(Note to self: ask where the ferry's going BEFORE boarding).
If you ever get invited to visit one of these island schools, do go! But make sure you get on the correct ferry heading home otherwise you might have an unplanned mini-vacation in Friday Harbor.
(Note to self: ask where the ferry's going BEFORE boarding).
Thursday's Thought for the Day
"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~
March 28, 2012
Dear Friend in Town
A million years ago, I met Tricia Gardella at a writing workshop at Centrum, near Port Townsend, Washington. She's like a powerful magnet, pulling everyone she meets into her force field! For some reason, Tricia decided to take me under her wing. Not only was she an amazing (and essential) cheerleader in my early writing days, she invited me to join a group of women who were gathering prior to the annual SCBWI meeting in Los Angeles. It didn't faze Tricia that she was inviting a newbie, nor did it faze her that she was inviting me (and a couple of other women) to stay at the home of another woman we'd never met!
Working hard! L to R: Tricia, me, Helen, Dian, Vivian, Mary and Ann
But you don't say "no" to Tricia and those few days led to the forming of the Write Sisters -- Tricia, Helen Ketteman, Mary Nethery, Dian Curtis Regan, Vivian Sathre and Ann Whitford Paul, whose house we invaded. Vivian's now painting rather than writing and Tricia owns and runs two restaurants in her hometown of Jamestown, California, but we are all still the dearest of friends.
Me, Helen, Tricia: gotta love the 90s hairdos!
So you'll forgive me if I run away for a day or so to Shangri-Lar with Tricia, who is popping into town for a few days before flying to Spokane to watch her granddaughter play basketball.
Working hard! L to R: Tricia, me, Helen, Dian, Vivian, Mary and AnnBut you don't say "no" to Tricia and those few days led to the forming of the Write Sisters -- Tricia, Helen Ketteman, Mary Nethery, Dian Curtis Regan, Vivian Sathre and Ann Whitford Paul, whose house we invaded. Vivian's now painting rather than writing and Tricia owns and runs two restaurants in her hometown of Jamestown, California, but we are all still the dearest of friends.
Me, Helen, Tricia: gotta love the 90s hairdos!So you'll forgive me if I run away for a day or so to Shangri-Lar with Tricia, who is popping into town for a few days before flying to Spokane to watch her granddaughter play basketball.
March 27, 2012
South Carolina Wrap Up
The fact that I've been slow to post in no way reflects on the lovely (but too-brief) time spent in Greenville, South Carolina with the SC Association of School Librarians. In addition to being the hometown of Barbara O'Connor, Greenville is one charming place. During a short break in the action, Mary and I commandeered the Hilton's shuttle and driver and finagled a ride to Reedy River Falls, and the darling downtown. Mary and I did our bit to contribute to local economy!
Reedy River Falls -- the park is just lovely!
This building was straight out of Italy!
Librarian Susan Dicey and her sweet husband picked Mary and I up at the airport and took us out for a wonderful Italian dinner. Then it was straight to bed to pretend to sleep before our oh-dark-thirty wake up call. We kicked off the day with a joint presentation about our collaborative writing process, which was well-received. We did, however, get the usual "scoldings" after our talk for writing two books that make people cry.
Kathy and I bonding over the fact that we both have spaniels named Winston
Librarian Cindy Haggerty patiently waited in our long line for autograph and photo
In addition to the warmth and hospitality, one of the remarkable things about South Carolina is that their awards committees are required to have kid members. I think that is absolutely perfect and fitting. Miss Hailey was a second-year member of the picture book award committee and we were honored by having her present us with our award. Though she had to stand on a chair to reach the microphone, there was nothing small about her! Such confidence and poise -- I'm thinking a Hailey for President campaign in 2037!
Us with Hailey
The award sticker!
Though it's never long enough, Mary and I cherish these times that we can present together and especially to such an appreciative and kind group as the SCASL. And our heartfelt thanks go out to Follett (especially Joe Keeton) for supporting our appearance!
Reedy River Falls -- the park is just lovely!
This building was straight out of Italy!Librarian Susan Dicey and her sweet husband picked Mary and I up at the airport and took us out for a wonderful Italian dinner. Then it was straight to bed to pretend to sleep before our oh-dark-thirty wake up call. We kicked off the day with a joint presentation about our collaborative writing process, which was well-received. We did, however, get the usual "scoldings" after our talk for writing two books that make people cry.
Kathy and I bonding over the fact that we both have spaniels named Winston
Librarian Cindy Haggerty patiently waited in our long line for autograph and photoIn addition to the warmth and hospitality, one of the remarkable things about South Carolina is that their awards committees are required to have kid members. I think that is absolutely perfect and fitting. Miss Hailey was a second-year member of the picture book award committee and we were honored by having her present us with our award. Though she had to stand on a chair to reach the microphone, there was nothing small about her! Such confidence and poise -- I'm thinking a Hailey for President campaign in 2037!
Us with Hailey
The award sticker!Though it's never long enough, Mary and I cherish these times that we can present together and especially to such an appreciative and kind group as the SCASL. And our heartfelt thanks go out to Follett (especially Joe Keeton) for supporting our appearance!
March 22, 2012
Thursday's Thought for the Day
" A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn." ~Author Unknown~
March 19, 2012
Catching Up
[image error]This is Mew, no longer with us but still providing writing inspiration
I'll have a post soon about my lovely trip to South Carolina . . . after I get my laundry caught up. In the meantime, check out the latest Mew's Rules from my friend, Lois Brandt. It's chockfull of great writing tips each quarter and the current issue about Mew's Rule #3 -- When Dinner is Late, Attack -- is not only funny, it's rich with great advice.
I'll have a post soon about my lovely trip to South Carolina . . . after I get my laundry caught up. In the meantime, check out the latest Mew's Rules from my friend, Lois Brandt. It's chockfull of great writing tips each quarter and the current issue about Mew's Rule #3 -- When Dinner is Late, Attack -- is not only funny, it's rich with great advice.
March 15, 2012
Thursday's Thought for the Day
"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning." ~Ivy Baker Priest~
March 14, 2012
South Carolina, Here I Come!
Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I hop on a plane to Greenville, South Carolina, for the SC Association of School Librarians conference. There, I'll meet up with my partner in literary crime, Mary Nethery, and in one of our rare joint appearances we'll meet with the librarian attendees and then, gratefully, accept the South Carolina Book award for Two Bobbies.
Mary and I felt, from the moment we heard the story about these two buddies who survived Hurricane Katrina by lending one another a paw, that this was something special. And we continue to be amazed at how those two little creatures keep touching hearts, year after year.
Sometimes, I have to pinch myself: how could I get so lucky to tell this amazing story of two good friends with my good friend?
Life is good.
Mary and I felt, from the moment we heard the story about these two buddies who survived Hurricane Katrina by lending one another a paw, that this was something special. And we continue to be amazed at how those two little creatures keep touching hearts, year after year.
Sometimes, I have to pinch myself: how could I get so lucky to tell this amazing story of two good friends with my good friend?
Life is good.
March 13, 2012
An Abundance of Blessings
Three bits of good news for The Friendship Doll: The NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Committee has selected the following titles to be included in the Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2012 master list, a cooperative project of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Children's Book Council (CBC). Also on the list, my good friend Dori Jones Yang's Daughter of Xanadu! Yesterday, I learned the book was selected as a NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Book in the English Language Arts AND that it had been nominated for a Maine Student Book award (news to be formally announced April 2). Can I get any luckier? Hard to imagine.
