mary e. pearson

of November. I know you didn't want to hear that, but there you have it. Somewhere in the year there must be a month that crawls by, don't you think? Maybe February? That must be it. That's why they only gave it 28 days, to help it along. But not November, that's for sure. It's a zipper.

I think having a conference backed right up to Thanksgiving helps make it a whirlwind. I had a great time at ALAN. It was my first time to Philadelphia, and I used that to my advantage to get my stomach stretched out for Thanksgiving. I am a true multi-tasker. Yep, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches (I had no idea that they were a foot long!) warm soft pretzels, Amish Horseradish Cheddar Cheese, and the dinner my publisher hosted had food that never stopped. Dish after delicious dish served family style which was fun, and even though we all moaned we couldn't eat anymore, we still managed to.

My husband came to Philly with me because he had some work there too and when we had free time you can see we frequented more food stops. This is the Amish store at the Reading Terminal Market where they sold various cheeses and snacks. They also had a fudge store, pretzel store, and several more. The Amish may go without a lot of the creature comforts, but food isn't one of them!


Of course, when I wasn't eating, I was enjoying the conference. I finally met joknowles ! I felt like I already knew her, but it was great to finally meet in person. And I saw a bunch of other LJer's there--too many to name them all. And I really enjoyed listening to the speakers. From gutsy girls, to censorship, teens growing up with war--the topics were varied, important, and enlightening. Jeanette Walls, author of the memoir The Glass Castle, shared how a teacher had made a difference in her life, accepting her as she was, unbathed because she had no indoor plumbling. She said that even if a student doesn't acknowledge a kind word or action, it makes it no less powerful as, "The ones who need to hear it the most, are the ones who can thank you the least." It was inspiring to hear her share how her life was impacted by books and teachers.

My panel with my editor, Kate Farrell and four other author/editors pairs, Sara Zarr and Jennifer Hunt, Rebecca Stead and Wendy Lamb, Elizabeth Scott and Jennifer Klonsky, and Tim Wynne-Jones and Liz Bicknell was fun. We all had so many different styles and relationships with our editors. It goes to show you there are so many different ways to hatch a book. Kate and I talked about the ups and downs of choosing a title for The Miles Between (original title that we loved but didn't fly: The Baboon Heart of Destiny) Many thanks to Angela Johnson of Wright State University for moderating our panel.

~~~Turkey toss
So we get home the day before Thanksgiving. Yikes. (At least my stomach was well-stretched and ready for it.) My daughter Jessica made the turkey--her first. It was a very small Thanksgiving for us this year so it was a good time for her to attempt this. And it came out beautifully. I'm passing the baton, Jessica, ya hear? Wait, don't run away . . .

~~~ Kirkus!
I also came home to learn that The Miles Between made the Kirkus Best Young Adult Books of 2009 list! Cheers to the other LJer's who are on the list: melissawyatt , halseanderson , thunderchikin , sarazarr , and Kerry Madden.

~~~iphone
I didn't participate in Black Friday, but I did have a sort of black Saturday. I can blame my editor. While we were at ALAN she was showing me her iphone and told me I had to get one. Yes, had. And I always listen to my editor. Or maybe it was that my phone is old and needed a new battery so I went ahead and took the plunge. Now I am trying to get up to speed with it. If you have an iphone, is there an app that you love? As you can see, I am easily influenced so if you say I HAVE to get it, I likely will.

~~~ Warning--Another Proud Mama Alert:
As I have often mentioned, I am not a good numbers person. I just didn't get that gene. So years ago when my mother tried to teach me to crochet I could never keep track of my stitches and I failed dismally. But sometimes I suppose genes skip generations, because my mom also taught my daughter Karen to crochet, and she is a dream at it. She makes beautiful scarves and now she is selling them online at Stradabella. My mom would be so proud, though she probably wouldn't get the whole "organic" thing. But I do. Go, Karen!

There, I think I am pretty much caught up for now.

Bring on December. I think.

Getting a few things ready to take off tomorrow for Stockton, California, where I will be participating in their  Stockton Reads!  program--part of national program, The Big Read. 

Their community book is Fahrenheit 451.  I read this in high school and was in awe of Ray Bradbury and his writing.  Years later as an adult and would be writer, I was in awe of him again when I read Zen and the Art of Writing.  Lots of inspiration.  But then years later, I was in awe of Ray Bradbury again, the very nice and real man.  

My family was in Park City, Utah and our paths happened to cross his outside of a hotel.  I pointed him out to my girls and told them who he was.  They were thrilled. A real author!  And a famous one!  They wanted a picture with him.  I was a little nervous to ask, so I approached him very quietly and said, "Are you Ray Bradbury?'  (just in case he was a look-a-alike ; )  He said yes, and I asked him if he would mind if my girls took a picture with him.  Oh, the nerve!  But he was more than gracious.  He put his arms around my girls, smiling and asking them questions and said he would be happy to be their "honorary grandfather" for the weekend.  I snapped a shot of them all grinning, and that day I not only admired Ray Bradbury the great author, but Ray Bradbury the man, filled with warmth all the way down to his bones.



So yeah, I am especially happy to be included in this event and that my book is even remotely mentioned in the same breath with this wonderful writer and man.

I will be speaking at two high schools in Stockton and also at the Chavez Library on Thursday at 5:00.  Will post pics as soon as I can.  I may even experiment with Twitpics on Twitter.  Ah, I guess that means I better experiment today since I leave tomorrow.  So if you see some odd pics on twitter ( @marypearson ) it is me trying to figure it out.  

In other news, check out an interview at the YA Authors Cafe with Carol Lynch Williams about her new novel, The Chosen One! 

And for your revising and editing chuckle of the day, this video is a must.

Love it.

So last night, the kids are all here for dinner, and I ask them want they want for dinner on Easter Sunday.  Usually I always make a lamb and a ham.  But I thought I would forego the ham this year since we end up with so much left over that doesn't seem to get eaten and maybe make lamb and a beef roast (two of our kids don't eat lamb which my husband and I love so I have to have an alternate)  A nice beef tenderloin seemed like a good alternate, right?

Um, no.

Before I know what is happening, they are all gabbing about having something else entirely.  Not an Easter alternate at all.  Not in my world anyway.  Until now.

It seems that on Sunday--the day I usually drag out my China and cloth napkins, we are going to have . . .

hot dogs

okay, I guess my mom isn't going to see this so I will say it again, kind of in the loud voice I used last night:

Hot dogs!?


Yep.  But I bow to the consenus.  They want a whole hot dog bar.  All the toppings from here to there.  My husband was the worst of them, naming about ten different toppings we could have with them.  I mean, how many hot dogs can any one person eat?  hmph, I may still drag out the China and napkins anyway.

On another note, a friend sent me this warning about holiday identify theft this season.  Consider yourselves all warned.  Be careful out there:








Watch our for those imposters!

I hope my husband doesn't see this blog.  Today our Naked Juice goes from "enjoyable" to "drink at your own risk."  He believes at the stroke of midnight all expiration dates go into effect.  Actually, that isn't quite true.  If he sees that it expires the next day, he'll ask me, "you think this is still okay?"  He's a date checker.  (I wonder if I can doctor that oj date into a 29?  Think he would remember that this isn't a leap year?)

.

My daughter, who is married and living in the next town called me one morning asking me about eggs she had that had "expired."  (gad, it sounds like they're dead, doesn't it?)  "You think they're still good, Mom?" I think they were one or two days past the expiration. 

What did we do before expiration dates?  We smelled and tasted and if we didn't gag, it was good.  How much food gets thrown out because of dates on packaging?

Look at our milk.  It is only three days away from becoming highly suspect.



Are you a date checker?  Or do you live dangerously and sniff and taste?

hm, what if WE had expiration dates?  Humans, I mean, but I suppose we all do.  It is one of those inevitable things. Like taxes.  But what if we knew the exact date?  Would you want to know?  I'm not sure I would.  Several years ago, when my mom was sick and given six months to live, she used that time to get everything in order, and she died in three months.  She appreciated knowing, I think, because she was ready.  And it wasn't an exact date, just a time frame.  Sometimes I wonder, what if she hadn't been told?  Would she have lasted longer?

wow, how did expiring orange juice take such a heavy turn?  (the scary mind of a writer--one thing leads to another.)

Anyway, back to my question, are you a date checker? Do alarms go off in your house when food expires?

 

I had my book launch in my hometown for The Adoration of Jenna Fox this past weekend. It was wonderful to share the afternoon with friends, family, and neighbors. My sister took photos of the event including this one she artistically altered. Cool. I wish my book glowed on every table.


Before the signing I gave my little spiel well planned talk, and shared a few insights about the book. There was also a photographer from the Union Tribune there and my sister told me he was on the other side of the bookcase behind me getting a picture of the back of my head. Certainly a much better viewpoint.


Then it was time to sign. See those flowers on the corner of the table? A very sweet young man (thanks Dan!) brought those to me.


And of course a picture with my sis who took all the pictures. And I swear we didn't color coordinate our outfits. There were LOTS of blue clothes that day.


When we got back to my house we celebrated and had a butterfly cake that my darling hubby ordered for me.


Oh! And the surprise at my signing!
Guess who came?! Richard Dreyfuss!

Well, not exactly. He was in the store at the time of my signing and then was an awfully good sport when one obnoxious author exuberant author interrupted his browsing and asked if she could have her picture taken with him. It was a fun "close encounter."

1. Good news! My publisher passed along the news that The Adoration of Jenna Fox has been named a Book Sense "Top Ten" Book on their Summer 2008 Children's Picks List!

2. After much hesitation I watered the "Martha Stewart Bird Home" very carefully. The bird flew out, almost straight into me, but then--whew--went right back. I guess we have learned to live in harmony.

3. A while back I finally parted with the crib that both of my daughters used as babies. It was hard. But as we were throwing it away (since it is probably not safe by today's standards) I saved one panel. I had an idea for it. Before I put it to use I had my daughters pose with their former digs.


And then I planted the two flower vines next to it.



It will make a great trellis that will make me smile in ways an ordinary trellis couldn't.

I had to drive to downtown San Diego this morning. Along the way I noticed a lot of "storage" facilities. Twenty years ago, these places were non-existent. I have to admit, *I* have a storage unit. I am really pretty good about throwing stuff out, but it seems to multiply when I am not looking. Some of that storage is for business of course, but it still seems like I am contantly trying to get rid of stuff (when my husband isn't looking.) It really makes my mind wander to a basic existence on Walden Pond . . . I bet Henry didn't have a storage facility.

Any of you overrun with stuff?

A New Definition of Hip: I have been a bit out of the loop lately, busy adding a new title to my CV: Nurse Ratchett. My husband had a whole new right hip put in one week ago. This was the result of "little" tumble a few years ago that involved a double black diamond, snow, a mountain, and way more testosterone than common sense. He thought it was just bruised, but it went all downhill from there. (Pun very much intended. I am loving this role of Nurse R) He’s doing great and luckily the dogs are scared to death of his crutches so they give him lots of cruising room. Now if I can just keep him confined for a few more weeks. It ain’t easy to keep the knucklehead down. Gotta love him. And I do. Otherwise I'd kill him : )

Going Green: Even though this year I am a bit partial to “blue,” 2008 seems to be the year of going green. I’ve added more of those curly bulbs. They really do make a huge difference in the electric bill. Also saw that Burt’s Bees (they do make the best lip balm) has a goal of not creating any landfill waste. I’m shooting for that too. We already recycle newspapers, junkmail, and lots of other paper and cardboard, plus all of our yard waste, plus cans, bottles and plastics. I keep wondering, what’s left that is still going in the trash? What are you doing to go green?

Book News: Another review of The Adoration of Jenna Fox over at Kid Lit. Thanks Tasha! I really liked what she said about the secondary characters, too. Lily was especially one of my favorites.

Writing Quote: “I think a certain fearlessness in the face of your own ineptitude is a useful tool.”
–Betsy Lerner, Forest for the Trees.
Hm. Works for me.

Work in Progress: Baby steps. Almost done. I feel like I am going to be bloodied and bruised by the time I cross the finish line. Forget the bandaids. Have a margarita waiting for me.

Time has an interesting article on birth order. It doesn't bode well for us last borns--at least according to some studies. I do have to agree that us later children are much more agreeable. Although my older brother and sister probably have their own opinion on that. My husband and I are both the third child. Interesting how that ended up. How about you? Where are you in the pecking order? Do you really think it makes a difference?

oh yeah, that's me in the picture, the cross-eyed butterball in the middle. Maybe Time is right.

I thought I wouldn’t have to get a flu shot now. Wrong. Doctor called yesterday and said this was not “the” flu. That one was even worse. Huh? How is that possible? Five days of chills, raw runny nose, balloon head, and hacking and sore throat? Does “the” flu include oozing boils too?

Anyway, just beginning to emerge from my balloon head existence. A word of warning first: If you see someone sniffling or hacking–stop breathing and run the other direction.

Actually, I got mine from my husband. So I couldn’t stop breathing for that long. No doubt that he was the culprit. And we think he got it somewhere between San Diego and Venice, Italy. Airports and planes are prime suspects. My god, in Rome we must have gone through six checkpoints, passing our passports back and forth while we were scrambling to put shoes back on and make our gate. No time to worry about who or what you’ve touched. All I can say is thank goodness we got sick coming back and not going.

On to happier matters . . .

My daughter and I went to Paris before meeting my husband in Rome. Three days, two women, Paris, and credit cards. Dangerous and fun.

Jess knows a great shopping street when she sees one. We had a great time eating and browsing our way along the Champs-Elysees.

A new perspective of Versailles:

I had been to Versailles before, but I had never ventured out to the outer boundaries where Marie Antoinette had a little “farm village” created for her by Louis. For me, it was even more impressive than the palace. Absolutely gorgeous. But it is a long walk. Not too many people make it out that far–but it is worth it. If you’ve seen the Marie Antoinette movie, this is the farm area where part of the movie takes place. There are ponds everywhere with catfish the size of small cars.

From Paris we went to Italy. First Rome, then Florence, then Venice. I had never been to Venice before and I realized it is the perfect city for someone like me:

Yes, this is a street--not an alley--with a good and proper name. There are a million narrow streets to explore in Venice and it is okay to get lost, because it is an island and you can’t get too lost. Sometimes I am directionally challenged (at least that is what my husband claims. Hmph) but I had a great time exploring these tiny streets and taking at least a zillion pictures. I am known to take pictures of doors, windows, hinges, knockers–you name it. I like remembering the details and textures. And who knows, some of that will surely end up in a book someday.

There are thousands of lions in Venice.

Not the real kind, though I am told at one time Venetians did keep them in their yards. They had a thing for them. But the winged lion is their mascot of sorts. The city was built around St. Mark’s square and the winged lion is the traditional symbol for the apostle.

And then there were the real live winged creatures:

Dennis and Jess at first said, no way. They weren’t going to feed the birds. But you can’t go to St. Mark’s square and not feed the pigeons. Be brave! What harm can a little pigeon poop do? Once they saw me being attacked, they gave it a shot. One bird got very comfy on hubby’s head. Mine too.

And we all came out poop free.

I've been tagged by kimberleylittle for 8 facts about myself. Let's see . . .

1. I surfed in high school. Waves, not the web.

2. Every few years I host the Pearson Labor Day Wacky Olympics. The guests come in the sporting attire of their choice. Here is how one guest arrived last year:


And here are athletes lining up for one of our extreme sports: the very dangeous, Grapefruit Bowling.



3. I am married to a wacky man, which explains the above. It has rubbed off over the years.

4. I used to be very short. When I was a child my mother even took me to the doctor to see why I wasn't growing. I eventually did and now I am very tall: 5'2"

5. When we first moved to our house, I fed the mice in our garage. I was a city girl and thought they were cute. They even had babies. I am not a city girl anymore.

6. Every year when the family gathers at Christmas we play Balderdash. It has become a tradition that my nieces and nephews insist on, that I emcee the first round, because I pretty much can't do it. I laugh. I am talking, embarrassing laughter. Tears streaming down face and snot spurting out nose. Yep, that kind. And my dear family always makes sure that the first round of definitions are tear-worthy.

I only made it to six facts. That's enough for a Friday.
Have a great weekend everyone.

I can't believe it is September already. Where did the summer go? Wait! It IS still summer. For 15 more days, thank you very much. And I am going to pretend I am in the middle of it right up until the 21st. Summer is my favorite season, and I hate to let it go.

But I have to admit, I see the signs. Back to school for one thing. Of course, I don't go back to school anymore, and my kids have both graduated from college (yay!) but I still feel that the "real" year begins in September--not January. Back to school signals a new season, year, and goals. (and no more flip flops)

And there are other signs too. My garden is starting to look like it is going to sleep. Fewer blooms. More brown. And even the liquid amber are dropping yellow leaves. It is too soon! Stop!

And of course this year, we had our sometimes annual Pearson Wacky Labor Day Olympics which truly marks the end of summer. Sort of our last blowout of the season. It is as wacky and silly as you could possibly imagine, with relay events such as Grapefruit Bowling and Poop the Potato. I have some great pictures to share--and I will--but right now my computer is on the edge of disaster. No uploads, downloads, or anyloads for me right now. In fact, if I make it through this post I will be lucky. But about an hour ago, the UPS man brought my life boat - a new computer! So soon I will begin the process of trying to tranfer everything from this computer to that one. I tell ya, I am going to guard this new computer like a pit bull. No crap will go on it. It will last forever . . .

Luckily, lately I haven't been under any deadline pressures. My latest manuscript, THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX is with my editor, so until I get a revision letter, I am free to dally. Next week I will really be dallying. I am going to Maui for a much needed vacation with the man of my dreams. But I will be home in time to say goodbye to the last day of summer here. Sniff.

And then it will be time to get back to work.

I'm still recovering! I met and talked with SO many people I know I will leave out half the names if I even try, but here is the tip of the iceberg and a recap:

Day 1:
To start the day off, the faculty paraded across the stage with "one word" to inspire. Oh boy, I didn't know about this. Luckily I am at the end of the line with Lisa Yee so we have plenty of time to throw words back and forth. But it doesn't take me long to think of one. "Possibility" of course! But about halfway through, someone else says my word! Help! So I scramble to think of another one and hope no one else says it! "Sold!"

Jacqueline Woodson's opening speech was inspiring, and then it was fun to sit in on Sarah Darer Littman's and Debby Garfinkle's workshop in the afternoon. They had lots of great tips--and were funny!

In the afternoon, the San Diego chapter of the SCBWI had an amazing reception for me in the Regents dining room to celebrate winning the Golden Kite Award. I was really blown away. Flowers! A beautiful cake! Food! And of course, lots of chocolate! They know how to throw a party! Here I am with Grace, Arlene (the chapter RA), and Nicole, ready to dig into the cake.



That evening, I went to a cocktail party poolside, and there I met so many people, that honestly, only later I started connecting the dots and putting screen or LJ names together with real names and faces. It was so much fun. The lovely and talented marperez organized the whole thing, and she had her work cut out for her, because ahem, some authors can't remember directions or tell the difference between "lobby" or "poolside."

Day 2:
On Saturday, my husband and daughters drove up from San Diego and we went to dinner at McCormick & Schmitt's in Beverly Hills. Our maitre 'd was a dead ringer for Richard Gere--maybe it was him! After dinner we went back to the hotel for the Jade Jubilee. Jessica, my younger daughter, expected some sedate music or something along the lines of "smooth jazz" as she called it. She was pleasantly surprised that these writers know how to party. We all danced until we dropped.



Day 3:
Sunday was the Golden Kite luncheon. I was a wee bit nervous--I mean, have you ever seen the Century Plaza Ballroom??!! It's like, three freaking footballs fields big! And I was last to go up which kind of builds the tension, if you know what I mean (translation: I hardly ate a bite of my lunch) but then when I got up there, someone (will the guilty party step forward?) jumped up and hooted my name which made me laugh, and then right after that, jo_no_anne, organized a WAVE with d_michiko_f, and sruble which totally cracked me up and made me forget I was nervous. Thank God I never turned around and saw this, my head as big as a Volkswagon on the screen behind me (Honey, why didn't you tell me about that big piece of spinach in my front tooth?)



Here I am with my family, Jessica, Karen, Dennis, and Ben when it was over. It looks like my husband is smiling because of the award, but he is giddy with relief that when I gave my speech, my last word . . . fffff turned into fabulous instead of a word that Zoe might use. I love playing with his mind. : )


There wasn't much time to think (or to jump up and down like a kid) because immediately afterward I had a workshop to give! The attendees were great and had lots of good questions. And then off to a booksigning for the Golden Kite winners. It was a jam-packed day.

Day 4:
Without any speeches or workshops to give, I slept like a baby the night before. Or maybe it was just that I was so pooped I went into veg state the minute my head hit the pillow.
On this last day, four editors spoke on a panel about publishing and books. Editor, Alvina Ling said that at Little Brown they don't use the term "chick lit" but instead call it "Young women's commercial fiction." Yes! Later when she was in my line to get a book signed, I hopped up and hugged her and told her I hoped her term caught on! I like it so much better. The other editors were inspiring too and it was interesting to hear their insights and the pressures they are under.

And of course, the final goodbye keynote by Jane Yolen was awesome. She had been very sick the night before but still managed to be poised, witty, and inspiring. Cheers for Jane!

Finally it was time to go. I had a two and a half hour drive home in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but it gave me lots of time to think about all the great talks I heard, and people I met (oh my god!), and the funny things people said and did (disco mermaids?) Yes, driving alone in my car, laughing, I am sure helped me get wide berth from the other cars on the road. Come to think of it . . .I did make it home in just under 2 hours. Thank you, SCBWI!

Last Friday while I was sitting in a doctor’s office with my daughter, Karen, she said, “Hey Mom, I noticed you haven’t updated your blog in a long time. How come?”
Ah, the little snit. She knows why. But that’s Karen. No detail ever gets past her–and she let’s you know it. Even on the phone, she can read me like a book. I can’t get a single secret to fly under her radar. It’s infuriating! So I answer her question with a vague, “Been busy I guess.” And she gives me a knowing look. And then the nurse comes in about that time, and hooks Karen up with her next med, and I think I am off the hook.

Noooooo.

A few days later I get a follow-up call. (Yes, Karen does follow-up calls.) “Mom, you STILL haven’t updated your blog. For a “Live Journal” it isn’t very live is it?"

This is the daughter I have raised (but very proudly shaking my head)

So Miss Karen . . .



. . . before I get another “follow-up call” I am getting out of my slump, and becoming “live” once again.

So about here, I will back up a bit. A few months ago–January 19th to be exact–we found out that Karen had a tumor in her chest. You’d think having practice at this (my younger daughter was diagnosed with the same disease six years ago–on the exact same day actually, January 19th, but that coincidence will deserve its own post one of these days) anyway you’d think it would somehow be easier to accept. Not so! I really had major denial–this couldn’t happen again!–but it did. The good news is, Karen is a superstar (as is her husband, Ben. God, thank you for that man!) and her treatments are going really well. And she has had a lot of wonderful friends who have been so supportive too. Her friend, Sarah, is walking in her honor to raise money for the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Go, Sarah!

Next Friday is Karen’s last chemo, then 5 weeks of radiation, and she will be done. Party time. Yes, definitely major celebrating. (Have I mentioned how proud I am of her?)

So . . . in my totally sporadic checking in on the rest of the world (sheesh, I am behind in news!) I have found Dave Barry (no surprise, eh?) manages to somehow find the most bizarre news stories–life IS stranger than fiction–so if you need a good laugh, or just really need to scratch your head, his blog always supplies those opportunities. Laughter--and scratching--I have found, are good for the soul.

And in the writing world there is good news, according to Forbes Magazine we creative writers have Forever Jobs. It’s a nifty little slide show that shows we are right up there with morticians and prostitutes. Ah, job security.

(And speaking of writing–and to stave off another follow-up call--YES, Karen, I did write today, and I am almost done with my book. One chapter left and you and Ben will get first sneak peek. So there.)

Kids. Ya gotta love ’em.

I was watching the news this morning and as they always do at this time of year, they had a retrospective of famous people who had died in the past year, people who have changed our lives in a myriad of ways. I always feel sad to see how many we have lost, many prematurely, sad for the hole they have left, but glad for the way they changed the world, my world, your world, in some way, and glad that they are remembered.

But there are also the unfamous who have left us, those who are not included on a televised retrospective, but who have changed our worlds. I lost my brother-in-law this year. He was a fine man. In the thirty-three years I knew him, I never once heard him say an unkind word about anyone. Truly. He certainly was dealt more than his fair share of troubles, but I never heard him complain. He was soft-spoken, easy to please, and had a work ethic like I’ve never seen before. He didn’t just change his family’s world, or my world, but he changed yours too, even though you didn’t know him. He is like many of the unfamous, who keep this planet on an even keel in their own quiet anonymous way.

He was a humble, quiet man, so I will remember him here in the same way he lived–anonymously. But he will always be remembered.

Here is to the unfamous in my life and in your lives who have left us in 2005. The world may not know them, but they changed the world nonetheless.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

G-R-A-D-U-A-T-I-O-N !!!
This has been the month of “Jessica.” I have been missing in action because SHE has had so much going on! She is (was!) an art major and had final projects, shows and graduation receptions and then a graduation party. Congratulations, honey! And we had just swept up the confetti from her grad party when it was time to celebrate her birthday. Is this the look of happiness or what?



(Now, does anyone have a job for an art major?!)

And while I was away I see a lot of other good news has been pouring in. Picture me jumping up and down and throwing yet more confetti for . . .

Christi,cdaisym and her engagement! Yahoo!

Tanya Lee Stonetanyaleestone and her first wonderful reviews! I know more will come!

David Gillthunderchikin for a fantastic review too! Woohoo!

queen_of_ocd and her amazing A’s! Congratulations!

Lara Zeises, zeisgeist on the arrival of her new pup! We want pictures!

D.L. Garfinkle, dlgarfinkle on the sale of her second YA! She has made a lot of fans happy! I loved Storky!

Debby Garfinkle,dlgarfinkle, Cecil Castelucci rbinder, and David Lubar for being Cynsational Books of 2005 courtesy of the amazing cynthialeitich

Linda Joy Singleton,lindajsingleton at long last moving into her dream house! Wow!

And to Cynthia Lord cynthialord for all the amazingly wonderful things that are happening with RULES, which are so deserved.

I have SO much more to catch up on, but now it seems another little event snuck up on me when I wasn’t looking . . . Christmas! I heard recently about someone campaigning to add an eighth day to the week. Yep, count me in.

But for right now I have a few holiday cards to address . . . .

Cheers all!

What a fun marathon weekend! My niece was married on Saturday and my daughter was one of her bridesmaids. It was a beautiful wedding and the reception was a blast. The young man she married (whom we all adore) is from Peru and much of his family doesn’t speak much English, and much of my family doesn’t speak much Spanish, but boy, we all speak dance, so there was no communication problems out on the dance floor.

From the wedding we went straight to my husbands high school class reunion, and guess what-–more dancing. Yep, dancing all day and all night. I was one tired puppy by the time I got home.

But this morning I was perked up to see a very nice review by kelcrocker of A Room on Lorelei Street for the Des Moines Register.

Yes, that was better than a double espresso to get my eyes open.

A tree drops a leaf on my shoulder and goes back to dreaming. –Jules Renard

The leaves are just beginning to change and drop here. Yes, believe it or not, we do have fall color here in California. I love this time of year. When the kids were little they used to bring me their finds, leaves that were particularly beautiful. Sometimes it seemed we had more leaves in the house than outside. And one of the amazing things is that every year the colors would be different. Maybe the trees are having different dreams? Some years a tree would have brilliant oranges and reds, and the following year blazing yellows.

Last year we took a family photo in our backyard for our Christmas card. I kept reminding everyone, not to rake the leaves before the day that we were getting together to take the photo. Funny, but everyone happily complied ; ) Here is last year’s photo--I love my carpet of yellow and orange



But then afterward everyone kind of let loose. Here is the less composed us:



Everyone got a little too enthused about throwing the leaves. And then when we let the dogs out to join us, it was complete mayhem.

Have to remind them not to rake the leaves again . . .

The ringing phone woke me at 5 am this morning. I think I was waiting for that ring all night long. A new baby girl has joined our family. My niece and baby are both healthy and doing well. After yakking with my sister-in-law about all the details I managed to get back to sleep for an hour or so. And then as if my day hadn’t already had enough good news, I woke for a second time to more! I had an email from a friend that she had sold her first book! I can’t give details because she hasn’t even announced it herself yet. But I will as soon as I can!

On the writing front, I learned unexpectedly that I will have an early signing of A ROOM ON LORELEI STREET!



My publisher has me scheduled to be on a YA panel next Tuesday! So, if you will be in the Huntington Beach, CA vicinity on April 19, come on by. The panel discussion will be at the Barnes & Noble at 7881 Edinger Avenue. I will be presenting with four other YA novelists with new books out: Jennifer Kogler, RUBY TUESDAY, Melissa de la Cruz, FRESH OFF THE BOAT, Evan Cooper, UM, LIKE... OM!: A GIRL GODDESS TO YOGA, and Natasha Friend, PERFECT. I think it is going to be a lot of fun. I love doing things with other writers.

I also found out that the Reading Group Guide for AROLS is now up and available at the Henry Holt website. Thanks, cawriter for telling me this!