Pond Babies

Sample art for proposed project, POND BABIES.

Okay....so I haven't actually seen any babies yet this year, but I keep looking.

The mallard drake has been swimming around and annoying the turtles all by himself the last couple of days, so perhaps the mama-to-be is egg sitting. We've had ducklings on Frog Song Pond nearly every year. The turtles have been out in herds....(hmmm....what's the collective noun for Eastern Painted Turtles?) but I haven't spotted any hatchlings.

Oh, deer...

I am determined to have a successful vegetable garden this year. The summer I was working on Mystery Vine, I had a magically wonderful garden with a bountiful harvest. Then last year, all went terribly wrong. Torrential rains rotted two rounds of seeds, and a parade of critters-- particularly deer, groundhogs, slugs and beetles--gobbled up the third planting. So this year, I'm starting with infrastructure. We had a glorious weekend, with bizarrely warm weather. I purchased a long roll of mesh fencing, foraged the woods for poles, and erected a nine-foot deer fence around my picket-fenced garden. I hope it will convince Bambi's descendants that it really isn't worth the trouble. Festooned with white ties and fluttering ribbons, I also hope it warns the birds away from harm.

A friend of mine teased me about it this morning. "What? Nature girl? Animal Lover? YOU put up a deer fence?" she asked dramatically, a twinkle in her eye. "I love my children, too," I explained, "but I didn't let THEM go wherever they wanted to go either." So there. Next step, a chicken wire barrier to keep out the very fat groundhogs.

UPDATE: Just finished my new gate! Ta-da!

Red in the rain

A dreary rainy day, but then this handsome cardinal arrived to perch perfectly in the red twig variegated dogwood. Soon a little junco joined him, while his mate foraged for seeds kicked out of the feeder by the red squirrels.

Spring!

I usually post photos from Frog Song Pond over on my other blog site, The Daily Frog, but I can't resist sharing the arrival of the first ducks to cruise around the melting ice this morning. I know Mallards are common, but they still dazzle me. Check out that iridescent green on the drake's head, and the hen's dash of bright orange on her beak. In a world of late winter browns and grays, these colors are quite exciting.

A critter book project has made it to a sweet publisher's finalist list, so I'm holding my breath that I'll be collaging and leaf printing soon.

Update, 3/19: Check the frog blog HERE to see who else appeared today!! Very exciting....

OICUR4T!

Phil Hoose, wearing one of his many hats

Kirsten Cappy, in a fabulous hat created by Caldecott Honor Award

children's book illustrator, Melissa Sweet

It's not every day that a winner of a National Book Award and a Newbery Honor brings his band along to play for a surprise birthday party. But then it's not every day that an extraordinarily creative person like Kirsten Cappy turns 40. Phil Hoose, author of the award wining book, Claudette Colvin, Twice Toward Justice, and his spectacular band, Chipped Enamel, got the party rockin' at Zero Station in Portland, Maine.

Kirsten, owner and Magical Genius of Curious City, seemed surprised and delighted to see so many friends, clients and family members who had gathered to celebrate her. Guests had been invited to bring along an "impression on paper" of Kirsten, which resulted in an amazing collection of images from children's book illustrators and others.

Enjoy the party by checking out the photos HERE. Jamie Hogan has more HERE on her blog.

Hearts to you

Happy Valentine's Day!

New Beginnings!

Happy February!

Well, here we are, a month into the new decade. Time to look over the past and plan for the future. Several new book projects have been sent out to publishers with pieces of my heart pinned to the envelopes. After two dozen books, I've been in this biz long enough to know not to hold my breath. The wait time is very long. But just in case an editor --or reader--clicks on this blog, here are some of my published titles. The list to the right has more links.

Ah. Ever the optimist!

Happy Reading.