Kirby Larson's Blog, page 72
June 7, 2011
Winston Wonders
I will never, ever understand humans. My two have an absolute conniption fit when I want to roll on a rotting fish on the beach. Don't even get me started on how they wouldn't let me near that dead mole. And I found it first!
So why on earth is Kirby allowed to keep this foul matter that came in the mail the other day?
It doesn't even smell interesting.
June 6, 2011
Mostly Monday
Yes, the day's drawing to an end but it started on a lovely note (no pun intended) with my first ever spying of a red-breasted nuthatch in my yard. He was under the birdfeeder, balanced on a peony stalk, nibbling on seeds trapped in the leaves that other birds had missed. I love his bandit mask!
June 3, 2011
Thought for the Friday
"In my view, nineteen pounds of old books are at least nineteen times as delicious as one pound of fresh caviar."
― Anne Fadiman
― Anne Fadiman
June 2, 2011
Lovely Coincidences
I am so lucky to have nice pals -- some I haven't even met yet -- in the kids' publishing world. One of them is Lillian who emailed me this morning to ask if I knew of Mitsu Takami. And I do! Mitsu and Mary Calvert posed together with their dolls way back in 1927 and that photo made the front cover of a book I treasure, Dolls of Friendship: The Story of a Goodwill Project Between the Children of America and Japan (I own the second edition), written by Dr. Sidney L. Gulick. This is the book that helped focus my research for my newly released The Friendship Doll.
Though I truly don't know Mitsu, I have studied her sweet 8-year-old face so often, I feel as if I do know her a bit. Such delightful book world serendipities are the icing on the cookie of my writing life.
Though I truly don't know Mitsu, I have studied her sweet 8-year-old face so often, I feel as if I do know her a bit. Such delightful book world serendipities are the icing on the cookie of my writing life.
May 28, 2011
All A-Twitter
I feel really, really bad. I opened a Twitter account a bajillion years ago but have never, not once, posted a tweet. In the past few days, I've received notification that several different people are following my tweets.
Which will be very, very boring for them since I don't tweet.
What to do? What to do?
Which will be very, very boring for them since I don't tweet.
What to do? What to do?
May 27, 2011
"There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend."
These are the words of Jean Jacques Rosseau and, boy, do I know how true they are.
Last night at 3rd Place Books, I could look out on the faces of so many good friends, all of them radiating love and support back to me. How did I get so lucky? There were friends who've known me since I was in grade school and junior high (that's you, Rick, Barbara, Lucille and Brad), friends from writing (too many to name but a special shout out to Kevan who shares my passion for the Alzheimer Association cause), neighbors, partners in crime (that's you, Brooks!), brand new friends (bloggers Jenny and Ruby), and even four legged friends (Vega, a guide-dog in training who brought my favorite family ever, Tim, Amanda and Emma Atkinson).
I've been doing this so long, I can do it with my eyes closed
me with me with Miss Kantoshu, the Friendship Doll at the Rosalie Whyel Doll Museum, Bellevue, WA
Jane Morck of 3rd Place books was my gracious hostess for the evening and warmly introduced me. I shared what had inspired me to write this book and even confessed that I'd had to scrap one version all together and start over from scratch. Of course, I signed oodles of books which made me feel doubly glad -- not only am I donating 10% of my royalties to the Alzheimer Association, but last night those great 3rd Place folks were also donating 10%! Good deeds were done by all.
Sharing a laugh with Merna Kochel, whose mother-in-law's diary was a resource for me in writing Hattie Big Sky
Thanks to everyone who came last night and to all the friends who were there in spirit.
Last night at 3rd Place Books, I could look out on the faces of so many good friends, all of them radiating love and support back to me. How did I get so lucky? There were friends who've known me since I was in grade school and junior high (that's you, Rick, Barbara, Lucille and Brad), friends from writing (too many to name but a special shout out to Kevan who shares my passion for the Alzheimer Association cause), neighbors, partners in crime (that's you, Brooks!), brand new friends (bloggers Jenny and Ruby), and even four legged friends (Vega, a guide-dog in training who brought my favorite family ever, Tim, Amanda and Emma Atkinson).
I've been doing this so long, I can do it with my eyes closed
me with me with Miss Kantoshu, the Friendship Doll at the Rosalie Whyel Doll Museum, Bellevue, WAJane Morck of 3rd Place books was my gracious hostess for the evening and warmly introduced me. I shared what had inspired me to write this book and even confessed that I'd had to scrap one version all together and start over from scratch. Of course, I signed oodles of books which made me feel doubly glad -- not only am I donating 10% of my royalties to the Alzheimer Association, but last night those great 3rd Place folks were also donating 10%! Good deeds were done by all.
Sharing a laugh with Merna Kochel, whose mother-in-law's diary was a resource for me in writing Hattie Big SkyThanks to everyone who came last night and to all the friends who were there in spirit.
May 26, 2011
Lunch!
Good friend, Jenni Holm, managed to carve out some time for lunch on her recent whirlwind tour with brother Matt to promote their latest creation, Squish. We dined at Haslet's Cafe, manned by the king and queen of hospitality, Bill and Chauni Haslet.
Jenni, Chauni & Bill, Rene Kirkpatrick from 3rd Place Books, Matt & Diane Duthweiler, Media Escort
Chauni's Button Bouquet
Chauni & Jenni
me, Chauni, & Jenni -- photo credit Matt Holm
We admired Chauni's handiwork (she needs something to do to keep busy now that they no longer have All for Kids Books and Music!) -- bouquets made from old buttons and repurposed phone wires -- and enjoyed her delicious shrimp salad. But mostly we laughed, got caught up and were reminded of the sweetness of friendship.
Jenni, Chauni & Bill, Rene Kirkpatrick from 3rd Place Books, Matt & Diane Duthweiler, Media Escort
Chauni's Button Bouquet
Chauni & Jenni
me, Chauni, & Jenni -- photo credit Matt HolmWe admired Chauni's handiwork (she needs something to do to keep busy now that they no longer have All for Kids Books and Music!) -- bouquets made from old buttons and repurposed phone wires -- and enjoyed her delicious shrimp salad. But mostly we laughed, got caught up and were reminded of the sweetness of friendship.
May 25, 2011
Winston Wonders
Dogs, of course, have nothing to be humble about, but two-leggeds, overall, are no great shakes. Have you ever seen Kirby try to fetch a ball? Let's not even get started on her bone-burying skills. I'm just hoping that reviews like this won't go to her head.
(thank you, ReaderKidz!)
May 24, 2011
Make New Friends, But Keep the Old. . .
"If I had a flower for every time I thought of you…I could walk through my garden forever."
― Alfred Lord Tennyson
My family moved around a lot when I was growing up and in 8th grade I was once again the new kid. But that left-out feeling didn't last long when a girl wearing a blue dress and a sweet smile greeted me, making me feel right at home.
On the outside, she and I look a tiny bit older than we did at 14, but inside not much has changed. That darling friend, Debbie Dustan, now teaches at Frye Elementary in Chandler, Arizona. And finally, finally, finally, I got to visit her school after my weekend at the COD Ranch writing retreat (more about that soon).
I met all four classes of second graders (I think!) and we had a great time. My talks about the Bobs and Nubs led to lots of pet story sharing-- stories which master teacher Debbie then had her kiddos write about in their writers' notebooks. Deandre was a bit stuck so he and I partner-wrote about his cat, Bella. He started out a reluctant writer but warmed my heart with his description of his favorite thing about Bella: that she rubs her head against his arm. He came up with that all by himself!
Here is one photo that shows how much fun we had.
Deb, my flower garden of friendship blooms with sweet thoughts of you!
― Alfred Lord Tennyson
My family moved around a lot when I was growing up and in 8th grade I was once again the new kid. But that left-out feeling didn't last long when a girl wearing a blue dress and a sweet smile greeted me, making me feel right at home.
On the outside, she and I look a tiny bit older than we did at 14, but inside not much has changed. That darling friend, Debbie Dustan, now teaches at Frye Elementary in Chandler, Arizona. And finally, finally, finally, I got to visit her school after my weekend at the COD Ranch writing retreat (more about that soon).
I met all four classes of second graders (I think!) and we had a great time. My talks about the Bobs and Nubs led to lots of pet story sharing-- stories which master teacher Debbie then had her kiddos write about in their writers' notebooks. Deandre was a bit stuck so he and I partner-wrote about his cat, Bella. He started out a reluctant writer but warmed my heart with his description of his favorite thing about Bella: that she rubs her head against his arm. He came up with that all by himself!
Here is one photo that shows how much fun we had.
Deb, my flower garden of friendship blooms with sweet thoughts of you!
May 20, 2011
Hasta La Vista!
I'm off this morning for the COD Ranch, for the Arizona SCBWI retreat, hoping Regional Advisor Michelle Parker-Rock was just kidding when she said to bring insect repellent.
The weekend is about renewing the creative spirit and also about revising -- it promises to be a nice mix of reflection and work. And just a little bit of fun.
The weekend is about renewing the creative spirit and also about revising -- it promises to be a nice mix of reflection and work. And just a little bit of fun.
