The Miniature Earth Video (link below)

This is a great, updated, video to watch, even if you've seen it before (it's very short, and well worth it):
http://www.miniature-earth.com/me_english.htm

Good Reads

Does everyone know about Goodreads.com?  It's a great way to list the books you've read and those you want to read, review and rate them, and see what others are reading.  The photo shows a partial pile of this week's books borrowed from library and friends, which is pretty much a joke because my eyes are way bigger than my capacity to read.  I am NOT a fast reader, sadly.  Most of these will have to go back unread BUT I'll put them on my GoodReads.com "to be read" shelf so I don't forget them!

TRACKING DADDY DOWN

Here's the link to Marybeth Kelsey's blog and a chance to win the above book!  I LOVE the sound of this story and can't wait to read it!

http://marybethkelsey.livejournal.com/  Blog entry is copied below:

A GIVEAWAY

Aug. 23rd, 2008 | 06:49 am
mood:  excited

Whoohoo!

Guess who just blew into town?!?




and she's here 

to take care of a few things.


Billie Wisher's daddy isn't a no-good bank robber . . . is he?

Billie's daddy is on the run. If the police catch him, it's off to Pendleton Penitentiary for sure. And she just got him back, after he spent years away in California. She had big plans for the summer--plans that won't be any fun without Daddy.

It must all be a mistake. Daddy didn't mean to rob that bank. If Billie finds him before the cops do, she can help him put everything right. She has an idea where he might be holed up. But Mama keeps asking what she's up to, and BIllie's new stepfather, Daddy Joe, is always around, poking his nose in her business.

With her family at stake, Billie's determined to track Daddy down at all costs--but will anything turn out the way she expects?

Here's the box 

with the author copies.




I'd love to give a couple of signed copies away!

It's so simple!

1. Comment on this post and let me know you're in.
2. To get your name in twice, paste the link to this livejournal, or copy this post into you blog.
3. Wait until September 6th, when DS will draw the winners.

Thanks for playing along!

Thinking of those in Florida and flood areas . . .

Sign reads:  "Due to high seas road may be covered with water or debris.  Use at own risk."

It's in northern Canada but applies to southern U.S., too.

Wishing everyone well.

Laughter

This morning I was greeted in my kitchen by funny notes galore from my son --

on the kettle, "Caution:  hot!"

on the oven clock, "Can't tell the time,"

on the coffee pot, "Mom, you can wait,"

on the sugar bowl, "Dad, this is bad for you,"

on the utensil drawer, "Nope, you have to use your hands!"

inside drawers, inside the fridge ("Dad, don't even think of taking this for lunch!"), on the floor, dishwasher, you name it.

Having woken up with the ticker of chores running through my head, feeling overburdened, I needed this laugh.   I had to get past the notes on my laptop to post this, though:  

outside, "too much computer time today"

and inside, "I see you!" 

It was a great reminder that a little humor goes a long way.  Like this mailbox that cracks me up every time I drive by.  I finally had to take a picture.  Take time to enjoy the day and have a laugh. 

Strike a Woman, Strike a Rock -- Women's Day in South Africa

August 9th commemorates the women who spoke out against pass laws in South Africa over 50 years ago in 1956.  The pass laws, part of the apartheid regime, restricted movement by requiring blacks to have permission to be out and about anywhere.  Kudos to the brave women who stood rock hard in their protest over 50 years ago.  You were part of the driving force of change.  Thank you.

(The slogan, "strike a woman, strike a rock," comes from the song written and sung for the protest.)

How to Recycle and Make Music

Love this Leopard

Can you see me?

Can you see me now?

This is how I look when I'm stuck on a writing problem.  Like now.  I am the leopard.

Fortunately for me, a little spot of chocolate greatly improves my mood.  :o)

Great bookstore, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada

One year ago, almost to the day, I was at Granny Bates, a children's bookstore in Canada where I used to live.  Apart from being truly adorable (and well stocked), it carried my latest book!  I was so impressed!  Kudos to all the independent bookstores out there . . . it's not easy making a living competing with big box stores, Amazon and computer games.  Thank you for being there!

 

Free Books

Really.  It's the World Ebook Fair and you can download free books!  At least until tomorrow.  Check it out here:  

http://www.worldebookfair.org/

Gotta love that Project Gutenberg and others like them.  I know they have their critics, but at a very basic level they're getting literature out there that some might not be able to access otherwise.

Why we have the Olympics

Education.  Really.  Cultural education.  That's what the Olympics is all about.  I mean, I didn't even KNOW there was an Iranian women's rowing team (and they get lots of money and support, and they don't mind wearing a lot of clothing even though it's hot).  Or that one of Iran's top female competitors is in Taekwondo.  Cool!