I haven’t mentioned the dogs I’m fostering for quite some time—it’s something I will continue to do as there are so many dogs out there that need the affection of a safe home while they wait to be adopted. But I’ve had to take a break from it for the past month.
My dog, Zuki, was ill. When I adopted her from a rescue agency, she had heartworm. She was cured of that, but heartworm can lead to future complications, and Zuki eventually developed congestive heart failure. She did not respond to medicines, so I had to make that hard decision of having her put to sleep—a very sad moment for me.
Everyone’s pet is special to them in their unique ways, and Zuki was nothing less than amazing to me. She was my constant companion, often traveling with me—sleeping on a friend’s couch next to me or curling up at the foot of my sleeping bag while we were camping. The bond we had is hard to sum up in words as there where so many shared moments that would only hold meaning to two creatures who deeply understood each other. Zuki was a wise old dog, a great foster mom, and inspired many laughs. She will be missed.
I plan to dedicate my book of pet poetry to her.
May 1st, 2012 | Category: My Dog(s) | Leave a comment
Turtle
My turtle hasn’t come out of its shell for weeks.
I don’t know why.
Maybe it’s shy.
Or is playing a really good video game
And its mother hasn’t
yelled “do your homework!“
or “Go play outside!“
or “Clean your room!“
I’m not sure what to do with my pet turtle
just sitting there
without a care
I suppose I could find other uses for him,
He could now be a pet rock
or a paperweight
or a skipping stone
or a nifty doorstop.
April 20th, 2012 | Category: Poetry | Leave a comment
Mouse
Something awfully smelly
is rising up from the belly
of our house . . .
Did it eat rotten eggs
my brother’s dirty socks
a half-full garbage bag
or the milk I forgot
to put away.
Did it eat stinky cheese
my aunt’s crusty bunions
a cat infested with fleas
or the liver and onions
mom made the other day.
Whatever it is, please
please, don’t let it be Louise
our pet mouse . . .
April 10th, 2012 | Category: Poetry | Leave a comment
For National Poetry Month, I’ve decided to post some poems from a project that I have in the works.
I’ve been talking to an illustrator friend of my, and we came up with a book idea titled My Dead Pets. We’re thinking that it will include humorous, slightly irreverent poems about all those strange and sad things that happen in the lives of our pets.
Below is the first poem. My friend will illustrate a picture to go with the poem, and in this case, to understand the poem, it helps to know that the illustration will be of an old-fashion fan whirling away as feather flutter about the room.
Parakeet
Whhhhiiiiirrrrrr . . . . . . . . did all the feathers come from?
They’re whirling
and twirling
and swirling
all about
my bedroom.
But more importantly
Whhhhiiiiirrrrrr . . . . . . . . did my parakeet fly off to?
April 1st, 2012 | Category: Poetry | Leave a comment
Years after their publication, my Eek and Ack graphic novels are still being recognized. Once again, they made Graphic Novel Reporter’s core list of graphic novels for kids!
March 20th, 2012 | Category: Reviews | Leave a comment
It’s been a busy year for me so far. I had a week’s worth of presentations down in Faribault last month. And last week I was presenting at the Young Writers’ and Artists’ Conference in Mankato.
For me, one of the great things about presenting in Mankato is that it gives me a chance to visit some old friends. I went to school for my MFA in creative writing at Minnesota State University Mankato.
One person I had to make sure to see was Terry Davis, author of Vision Quest. He was one of my fiction writing professors at MSU, M. I actually helped him clean out a pole shed of old motorcycle parts (he also wrote If Rock ‘n’ Roll Were a Machine, a story about a teen getting his first motorcycle). My reward for all the hard work:
After refinishing this chair, I’m hoping to write my master piece from it.
March 10th, 2012 | Category: Events | Leave a comment
Started the morning off at Divine Mercy Catholic School (Go Cardinals!) for a couple of presentations. I absolutely loved their gymnasium. It had an old creaky wooden floor that reminded me of the gyms I used to run around in when I was in elementary school. And then I headed over to Nerstrand (Go Eagles!). I can’t say enough good things about the students I worked with today. They were receptive and smart and creative. Wow!
But there was more.
The day ended at the KC Club with a banquet celebrating 25 years of the Year of the Reader program. I met several of the event’s past authors: Nancy Carlson (she signed books for me!), Carol Gorman (1995), Marsha Chall (2002), Linda Glaser (2005), Debra Frasier (2008), and John Coy (2010). I also saw many familiar faces: Sue, Donna, Lanette, Luke, Ruth, Char, Lisa, Marty, Chris, Kathy . . . (I wish I could remember everybody’s name) many who helped me with my presentations and took good care of me during my stay in Faribault.
Oh, and I had to give a little speech. After spending four days talking to students, ranging in ages from K to 6, the adults were pretty easy to entertain.
March 2nd, 2012 | Category: Events | Leave a comment
Yesterday was a fun day over at Roosevelt Elementary (Go Rockets!). Some great students from the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf also joined us in Roosevelt’s media center. This was the first time I’ve ever had an interpreter signing while I was presenting. Must admit it made me a little nervous knowing how I normally stop and stutter when talking. I just hope all the students had a great time, learned something, and are more excited about reading and drawing.
One of the big treats for me at Roosevelt is that a friend of mine, Lisa Simons, introduced me before each presentation. Lisa and I went to school together. We received our Master of Fine Arts degrees in creative writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and we both published a few book with Capstone Press, which is based out of Mankato.
Check out the mention in Faribault Daily News.
February 29th, 2012 | Category: Events | Leave a comment
Day 2, I headed on over to Lincoln Elementary (Go Lions). It was another day filled with very enthusiastic students and a lot (I mean, A LOT) of book signing. One of the greatest rewards of writing children’s books is seeing those books in the hands of eager readers.
For the presentations today, I had the younger students sketch Eek (below)
The older students worked on creating a super hero (below).
Again, thanks to everyone who helped me through the day!
February 29th, 2012 | Category: Events | Leave a comment
Today, I headed over to Jefferson Elementary (Go Jaguars!) for the first leg of my stint down in Faribault. I knew I was in good hands when I came across Eek and Ack’s spaceship in the school library.
Very cool!
The students were enthusiastic, and I don’t believe I’ve ever signed so many autographs. I had a great time, and I have to thank every one involved in putting the event together.
The day ended with an interview on KDHL, which will air later this week.
February 28th, 2012 | Category: Events | Leave a comment
