Monthly Archive: May 2014

Friday I attended the Cedar Valley Career Day for students grades 4-6. It provided an opportunity to talk about being a writer and writing. I teamed up with a translator and an Amazon editor. Both had great info for the kids of potential careers. Together we share the importance of school, being organized and finding things that interest you as starting places for potential ‘jobs’. Today I’ll enjoy my book event at the Barnes and Noble in Silverdale at the Kitsap Mall. Old home week being back near Bremerton where I grew up. Haven’t moved far from that family home...

Do The Arts in Education matter? Personally I believe they are invaluable. Luckily I am not alone in that belief. Educators and brain researchers agree; the arts play an important part in the total education of individuals. Here are a few facts and my personal notes: 1.  The arts improve motivation, concentration, confidence and teamwork. 2.  The arts develop the sense of community, personal  their values and human connections. 3.  The arts are associated with educational gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking and verbal skills. 4.  The arts aid students on achievement tests by developing their creativity and...

Tomorrow is Career Day at Cedar Valley Community School. I’ve been invited to join a panel for a second year to speak to writing and being an author. I’ve decided to  bring a poster with a skeleton to remind the students that writing needs a framework (skeleton) to give a story shape. My handout will share the other stages of organizing for writing: the skin (problem) and clothing (details). It’s a simple but memorable graphic that I hope will stick with the kids. If you’d like the details and a copy of my handout, send me a note via a...

On Day 53 I asked you to to tell me what traits you found in Marta as you read 84 Ribbons. We covered traits from A-H. Now lets finish the alphabet of traits and consider I-W. Feel free to add your own ideas as well.   A. inconsistency          B. impatience          C.  insecurity          D.  jealousy          E.  loneliness          F.  love          G.  nostalgia          H.  panic          I. peacefulness          J.  pride          K.  regret...

You are cordially invited to join me Saturday, May 31st at the Kitsap Mall in Silverdale, WA for a book event. I’ll be there from 2-3 PM talking about 84 Ribbons, sharing info about writing, Marta and dancing as well as signing books. There will be drawings for gifts as well as lots of free ‘stuff’. Hope to see you! If you live outside the area of the book event, send me a note and I’ll be glad to send you my free materials. And, if you have a book club or a group that wants to Skype me for...

Today is Memorial Day. Take a moment to honor those who have gone before,  given up their day-to-day lives, to defend the United States and others against forces that would destroy democracy and human rights. We remember and appreciate your service

Based on their levels of performance and the quality of the actual company, these are commonly considered the World’s Top 10 Ballet Companies. Notice the longevity of these cultural icons. ** American Ballet Theatre founded in 1940 in New York City **  New York City Ballet trains its own dancers and creates its own works **  San Francisco Ballet founded in 1933 is USA’s oldest company and the third largest **  Boston Ballet founded in 1963 **  National Ballet of Canada founded in 1951 and based in Toronto **  La Scala founded in 1813 and associated with  La Scala Theatre (1778) in Italy...

  1. Do you see yourself in any of the characters in 84 Ribbons? Bits and pieces of me are in what I write. I share a love of family time, ballet and trips to the mountains as my protagonist, Marta, loves as well. For a while I was like her in that I used our family’s garage for practicing since we had no car until I was ten years old. I also danced around in the family living room and performed for myself and the gold gilt mirror. I see Lynne, Marta’s best friend as my alter ego. She’s able...

As the songs says, ‘Everything old is new again’. Yesterday I revisited several sites used in 84 Ribbons: The Rims, Rimview Inn (exterior), the train station, Lake Josephine and downtown Billings. The day heated up to 88 so I wilted like an under-watered plant. So did some of the teens for the book/activity event but those who came enjoyed making personal vision boards. I began my drive west (and home) along I-90. The late afternoon slant of sunlight highlighted the green, green fields and hills and misty-fied the mountains. Spring green Montana is truly beautiful. It’s been an excellent chance...

The drive from Bozeman’s valley surrounded by mountains to Billing’s plain is a causal drive. Yesterday I visited the artsy town of Livingston’s bookstore: Books, Music and More and met Nan, the owner. Lovely shop with lots of music-related materials as well as books. She bought two books and wished me success with my novel. Once I reached Billings, I had a tour of the new state-of-art Billings Public Library. Books are returned thru slotsthen go to a conveyor belt and are partially sorted into bins (via their cover code). They have 2 floors, well-lit wide open spaces and lots of cubbies for...