Since it’s an especially busy time of year for me right now and my little sis is coming to town tonight (yay!), I thought I’d get my virtual Halloween out of the way.
Yes, I did carve this myself. By firelight, no fancy tools.
It is, by far, my crowning pumpkin achievement that I am unlikely to ever match again!
Here is the obligatory reminder to keep your pets safe. Basically it boils down to: Don’t let your pets eat anything they shouldn’t (including chocolate, costumes, or kids in costumes) and Don’t get so caught up in whipping open the door to scare greet trick-or-treaters that you forget you have pets. Your best bet is to probably to put your dogs and cats in another room, behind a closed door, during trick-or-treat hours. If you’ve got an irresistable costume for your pup, save it for a time when she can be the center of attention (check your local shelter and pet stores for dog-friendly festivities).
Now I leave you with the hilarity of Halloween “Huh?”s from the Cake Wrecks blog.
This past weekend, I signed with the amazing and hilarious Barbara Poelle of the Irene Goodman Literary Agency. I guess that makes her the foster mom of Oscar, the canine star of my novel, while we look for the publishing house that will give him a home.
When Barbara first asked to see my manuscript, I sent it off and did my research online. One of the only things I found (which I can’t seem to find again) was an article she wrote about fulfilling a lifelong dream of being the person in the bite suit at police dog training. That’s when I knew she was the agent for me. That was two years ago.
My book wasn’t ready then. After more submissions, sabbaticals from this novel to work on other projects, and a serious round of revisions, I was ready to send the manuscript into the world again. If I had any doubts about Barbara still being the agent for me, they were squashed by her more recent web presence. It also didn’t hurt that she had built up an incredible track record and reputation in the industry.
This time around, it clicked. I’m optimistic that with Barbara’s help, Oscar will find a place to call home.
So, fellow writers, keep at it – this is often a long road for us and our fictional characters.
I just returned from the South Carolina Writing Conference, which was an exciting weekend for both me (more on that tomorrow) and my friend Michelle who is going to rock the YA world. On the flight, as I dutifully waited for cruising altitude to turn on my laptop, what choice did I have but to check out Sky Mall? It never disappoints. Here are the Top 5 Highlights from the Myrtle Beach-Detroit flight:
1) The Telekinetic Obstacle Course (Hammacher Schlemmer $99.95): The course looks a bit like a miniature space age version of the board game Mousetrap. All you do is set this on a table, put on the headband (don’t forget to secure the earlobe clips), stand a few inches away, and stare at it. Supposedly your brain waves control the strength of a little fan that blows a ball around…with just that, and the knob your brain tells your fingers to turn when you need to rotate the gameboard, you navigate the ball through the obstacles.
2) The Video Recording Sunglasses (Hammacher Schlemmer $199.95): A.K.A. The Stalker’s Special. “Glasses with a built-in video camera that allow you to discreetly record all that you see.” Who did they think the audience was for this? It’s not the little old lady on the park bench needing a hands-free way to record the pigeons she feeds without disturbing them.
3) Solafeet Foot Tanner ($229.99): This is for those of you who “always feel like people are gawking at your white feet.” Just slip this foot-size tanning bed under your desk and take care of that golfer’s tan while you work. “Then you can go from the golf course to the clubhouse in confidence.” Tanning isn’t a problem as long as it’s targeted?
4) Remote Control Bumper Cars (#39.95): Doesn’t sound like it should be on this list…until you get to the point where it explains the “eject” button that you’re supposed to bump to send the other little driver flying, “complete with cool sounds.” The catalog photo has little thought bubbles by the drivers. “Ha ha ha!” says the winning dude. The other guy, mid-air, replies “AAAHHH!” This product is a Sky Mall Win!
5) Seat Wedgy ($19.95): Believe or not, this isn’t on the list for the product name.The Seat Wedgy fits between your seat and console to prevent stuff from falling through the gap (okay, I can think of a few people who could probably use this). The best part about this item is the photo caption: “Seat Wedgy saves your phone, keys, even your fries!” Now that’s a list of priorities I can get behind!
Unfortunately, I won’t be taking to the streets with you since October 24th is also the South Carolina Writer’s Conference. So, I’m counting on all of you to carry the torch tomorrow!
Today, all over the internet, on all sorts of blogs, you’re likely to run into posts – much like this one – calling attention to the issue of climate change in honor of Blog Action Day. This isn’t me jumping on the bandwagon (especially since bandwagons and I don’t tend to travel the same roads very often). This is me doing a small part to call attention to an issue that’s a big part of my life. If you only know me online, then you mostly hear about books and animals. But offline, between writing and wrangling, I work for a fantastic environmental advocacy organization, the Ecology Center.
What can you do about climate change?
Like any good twelve step program, the first thing is to admit there’s a problem. Don’t listen to global warming naysayers (the handful of them that are still clinging to their beliefs after most conservative leaders have even changed their tune)…or, better yet, educate them. Don’t ignore climate change because it feels like a problem that’s so much bigger than you. Progress and change comes from individuals who are aware and doing their part.
Hopefully there are little things you’re already doing – like recycling, driving less, and conserving energy. The little things add up, but it’s going to take more than that. It’s going to take government support, policy initiatives, and a cultural shift.
But you can help make that happen, too. How? Stay informed on the latest news, where the action is at, and where your help is needed most. Support organizations, like the Ecology Center, that are blazing clean energy trails with campaigns to stop coal plants and promote renewable energy (among other wonderful, important programs) . Next weekend, join the movement and take a stand on the International Day of Climate Action.
Whatever issue is most important to you – whether it’s animal welfare or poverty or civil rights – it’s all a moot point if our planet is unable to support human life. So spend a few minutes catching up on what’s happening with climate change and making your voice heard.
P.S. And if you’re in southeast Michigan, join the Ecology Center on November 11th with Bill McKibben – author, climate change activist, and the guy behind that International Day of Climate Action.
As many people know, my two male cats were both struck suddenly – and far too young – with cancer, and died about a year apart. They were both amazing cats, and both on opposite sides of the personality spectrum.
Wild Bill lived up to his name. Up until the week before he died, he’d fly through the house like he was still a kitten. He’d stand on the kitchen counter and demand water right from the faucet. At night, he’d fling himself against the wall as high as he could jump (presumably attacking shadows, but possibly exorcising his demons?). He ate more than the other three cats combined, but was as lean and athletic as a cat can be. One moment he’d perch on your shoulder purring loudly, the next he’d scream and take off for no perceptible reason. Even at his regular visits, he made the vets earn their dues. Years ago, one vet witnessed the switch from purring to maniacal screaming and mused whether Bill was bipolar…that was also the last visit anyone was able to handle Bill while he was conscious.
Jebby was Buddha. He was a big, soft cat who lumbered through the house, through the pack of dogs, to settle wherever he felt like it. The dogs loved him and listened to him. He’d play with Turtle (they were close to the same size, after all!). Jeb worshipped Ophelia and cuddled with her and groomed her as much as she’d let him. More so than any other animal, even the dogs, he paid attention when I was upset. He’d come lay on my chest and softly purr as long as I needed him. He liked to be hugged and cradled on his back like a baby (all 18 pounds of him at his peak). He was the kind of mellow, outgoing cat that non-cat-people loved. Most of the time, he didn’t need a carrier at the vet’s office because he would just lay in my arms, watching the world go by.
With both of the boys gone, I had a tattoo designed to reflect their Yin Yang natures:
Today, I caught Moby and Wilbur the foster dog, the current resident boys, sharing the new giant dog bed, as if they were trying to become their own yin yang:
(…though I’d hardly describe their personalities as opposing forces.)
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