One Lucky Stepmom
I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you about my incredibly awesome stepson, and me, one lucky stepmom.
Gabe came into my life when he was sixteen.
His parents had divorced, as had I. His Dad, Rob, and I knew from our first date that we would grow old together. Within three months we announced our engagement. With Gabe at his side, Rob (my incurable romantic) knelt and proposed to me. On the eight month we married. Gabe was the best man.
Here’s a verse from a long limerick poem I wrote several years later for Rob’s 50th birthday:
For we were both floating on air,
And soon I became Mrs. Hare.
What great prizes I won -
Both a husband and son -
Whose big hearts I joyfully share.
I was thrilled to become a stepmom. And what a stepson! Gabe is brilliant and great at just about everything: From exhibiting nationally in an origami competition, with an original model, at age nine to becoming a PHD physicist last year at age thirty-one. He is also a natural athlete ( sailor, snowboarder, windsurfer), a great cook and an artist (draws and has a great sense of design).
He is charming, interesting, funny, kind, sensitive and fiercely loyal. He has a heart of gold.
When I came into his life, I was nervous. I wanted him to love me, but I didn’t want to throw myself at him, for fear of confusing or alienating him. We were shy with each other in the beginning, but our bond formed quickly. Gabe was the first to tell me he loved me, mumbling the words softly, for he was scared too. I, of course threw myself at him then, and his sturdy hug squeezed any doubt out of me.
Gabe’s mother died in early 2000 when he was nineteen. Our bond strengthened even more during this tragic time.
How sad that she couldn’t see him grow up. How proud she would be of him.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you good mothers out there!
And in loving memory of all the good mothers who aren’t with us today.
An Hour in an Illustrator’s Day
Linking up with my friends at Monday Listicles . This week’s prompt is an hour in a day:
1) In my studio, I sit down at my drawing table and start sketching a new character- a little Victorian girl. While I have a vision in my mind, I need to do some research on her outfit.
2) I go to my computer to do a google search, but don’t have much luck. Then I remember that book on Victorian fashions and costumes I had taken up to bed last night but didn’t look through.
3) I head out of my studio and see Jambo (my 153 pound African mastiff) on the living room rug, sucking on his little stuffed Pooh bear. I go to give him a pat. He rolls on his back and I scratch his massive chest, and then we play a game of tug of war with his soggy bear.
4) In the stairwell, I notice a big glob of Jambo slobber on the wall. I walk to the kitchen, get a sponge and wipe off the goo. Back to the kitchen to return the sponge, and I decide I need a snack. I open the refrigerator and take a few bites of leftover grilled chicken. Then I dip some crackers into a tub of hummus.
5) I walk back to my studio. Ah, the book. I walk back out.
6) Upstairs, I am reminded to switch the laundry. I open the dryer and it’s full of clothes. I turn on the drier to fluff them, and head to the bedroom for the book. Passing the bathroom, I realize I’d forgotten to brush my teeth, so I do. Back to the laundry room to fold and switch loads.
7) I head downstairs to my studio. Ah, the book. But wait, I glance at my computer, and have five new messages. Hey, it could be an award or review or a contract for movie rights. Alas, the emails are my trash removal bill, a request for a donation, a political ad and yay! two new twitter followers. I check their profiles – one is a prostitute, the other a company selling fishing gear. Thank goodness I don’t auto-follow. While I am there, I check my Facebook page and see that one of my 5 Scrabble opponents has sent a request. I play my move – a double triple word 184 point bingo (not). And, while I’m at it, I check my blog stats. Hmmm…
Off to my drawing table. Ah, the book. I head upstairs to get it. Back downstairs I am greeted by my cat, Sneak, chasing a mouse she has brought in through the cat door. I put the book on the kitchen table, and run for a plastic container to save the mouse in. I chase the mouse and try to shoo Sneak away, but she catches it first and runs back out with it. I head outside but cat and mouse are nowhere in sight. Inside, Jambo nuzzles his Pooh Bear.
9) I want a cup of coffee. I drink it black, so bitter. A little something sweet would be nice. But my husband has taken all the cookies to his shop (to save me from myself). The bottle of homemade maple syrup calls to me from the fridge. I take a swig.
10) I pick up my cup of coffee and head back to my drawing table. Ah, the book…
Mayday Again
A year ago, I agonized over writing my first blog post, May Day.
Today is my blog’s first birthday and I agonized again.
Writing is hard.
Though I have many published children’s books, I never know if I’ll be able to write another one, and it’s always a surprise when I do come up with a salable draft. Oh sure, I have folders full of ideas in progress, half written stories and fully written stories that make me cringe upon re-reading, and which I should probably toss but I don’t because there may be something worth recycling in there. You never know.
Ideas are everywhere. Ideas are constant. But turning ideas into stories? Not so easy.
I felt I had to come up with some brilliant celebratory post for my blog’s birthday, and I thought about it a bit and then quite a bit more as May drew closer, and no triumphal, big ideas popped to mind- just gratitude.
Well, not just gratitude – heartfelt gratitude.
I have learned so much from fellow bloggers I have met here in cyberspace. You wonderful people who tell your stories so bravely, openly, and with words that sweep my breath away. Your stories range from heart-breaking to hilarious: from struggles with depression to the joys of parenting, from the frustrations of trying to publish a children’s book to the comical anguish of trying to fit a post-pregnancy butt into a pair of skinny jeans. From blogs that offer writing tips, to blogs about books. From poetry and prose, to interviews and reviews. Whatever the topic, your entries all share one thing in common- they are told from the heart.
I am grateful for what I’ve learned, what I continue to learn, and I cherish the friendships I’ve made. I love being part of the Monday Listicles link-up and I join that wonderful community whenever I can with my list of 10. So much goes on in the blogosphere, and I wish I could participate more. There are many link-ups and writing prompts and book blogs I’d love to participate in, but time just won’t allow.
My subscribers, bloggers or not, I thank you for your support and your thoughtful comments. And those of you who have visited my little blog and read a post or two, and were perhaps too shy to comment, I thank you as well. Writing is hard. Even writing a comment can be a struggle. It happens to me all the time.
Thank you, my friends, for being here. Thank you, most of all, for your honesty and open hearts. You inspire me!
A Few of My Favorite Picture Books
It has been so long since I’ve done a Monday Listicles link-up that I was starting to get the shakes. Not that I didn’t want to, but I’ve just been so busy with my new bear book promo. But this week’s topic is books, so there is no way I am going to miss it. Here is my list (in alphabetical order) of some of my favorite picture books. Alas, only ten in this list – out of so many great ones. I had a hard time choosing.
Bubble Trouble written by Margaret Mahy illustrated by Polly Dunbar
A preposterous but engaging story about a baby who gets caught in an extra large bubble that his sister blows. The baby floats away and the whole town comes to the rescue- though not without mishap. It is told in flawless rhyme, loaded with wordplay and delectable sounds and perfectly matched with lovely, whimsical mixed-media illustrations.
Can’t Sleep Without Sheep written by Susanna Leonard Hill illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
A wonderfully imaginative story about a little girl who takes such a long time falling asleep (while counting sheep) that the sheep grow exhausted and quit. What a brilliant concept! The other farmyard animals take turns, but chaos ensues. A clever, rounded ending has the sheep returning to their job: “You can count on us!” they tell her. The illustrator also did a great job, with his rich colors and adorable, stylized animals. Susanna’s book trailer is hilarious. A must see!
George and Martha-The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends written and illustrated by James Marshall
These are the sweetest, most heart-warming stories, full of humor and understated messages. They are great for early readers but also for young-at-heart adults. Smiles guaranteed.
Horton Hears a Who! written and illustrated by (the one and only) Dr. Seuss
I love Horton, the kind elephant who exemplifies love, tolerance, compassion, loyalty…Dr. Seuss had an uncanny ability of spreading these messages through his lovable creatures and brilliant, funny , over-the- top rhyming stories. There isn’t a Dr. Seuss book I don’t love.
Hurty Feelings written by Helen Lester illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
I am crazy about all of the books by this dynamic duo. Lester draws on her experiences as a former teacher, to create terrific stories centering on child behavior. They are so funny and so real, and Munsinger’s characters are absolutely irresistible.
Inch by Inch written and illustrated by Leo Lionni
An inchworm saves himself from being eaten by birds when he proves his usefulness in measuring things. He measures the birds’ tails, beaks, legs, etc. and they are all delighted. But when a nightingale asks him to measure his song, the inchworm cleverly inches out of sight. Math doesn’t get better than this. I love the pure, elegant simplicity of the words and art- though neither are the least bit slight. This book is a perfect example of “less is more.”
OMNIBEASTS animal poems and paintings by Douglas Florian
The poems in this book, many of which are shape poems, are witty and exquisite and one stanza long. It’s amazing how much power he can pack into one verse. The paintings are lovely and appealing and enhance, but don’t overwhelm, the words. A superb collection.
Over in the Pink House- New Jump Rope Rhymes written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich illustrated by Melanie Hall
The language and imagery in these poems is nothing short of astounding. They seem timeless, like they have been recited for centuries. Wonderful rhythms abound and the beautiful, colorful illustrations work perfectly with the poems, transporting the reader to a bygone era.
Skippyjon Jones written and illustrated by Judy Schachner
This is the first in a best-selling series and was awarded the E.B. White read-Aloud Award – and for good reason. This book is action-packed, zany and full of fun sounds and hilarity. The Spanish words and wordplay will appeal to not only Spanish speaking readers. The art is vivid and amusing. Her successive books in the series are equally wonderful
Wild About Books written by Judy Sierra illustrated by Marc Brown
In the style of the good Dr. Seuss, Sierra writes an engaging epic poem about “..the Springfiled librarian, Molly McGrew (who) by mistake drove her bookmobile into the zoo.” Well, the animals fall in love with books and all sorts of antics prevail. Another perfect marriage of art and text, packed with humor. I’m wild about this book.
Well, there you have it. And what are some of your favorite picture books?
A Break From Bears – On to Beavers
Well, not a complete break from bears…I had two nice surprises this week: The Bear Went Over the Mountain is featured on Perfect Picture Book Friday at Susanna Leonard Hill’s fantastic blog.
And, a lovely interview with Bola at The Slimy Bookworm.
Walking on our farm a few days ago, I noticed that the stream had flooded. “Funny,” I thought, for we haven’t had a drop of rain in weeks. As I approached the little causeway between hayfields – where the stream feeds through culverts into a pond on the other side – I saw that the culverts were packed with twigs, branches and mud. Beavers.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons More
