Celebrating Bug Spray and Itch Cream

Thank you to Ruth Ayres

for Hosting the Saturday Celebration

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                                  zzzz                                     zzz

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SMACK!

Another one down, but the bite is worse than the bark!

"Honey where's the mosquito spray?  I can't take it anymore!  These bugs are BAD!!"

pchit,        pchit,           pchit,         pchit,         pchit

Nattie and I were playing out at the play park.  We already had several bites before the bug spray!  I guess I was wrong in thinking that the breezey-flowing wind and sunny-sun would limit the attack going on by the vicious mosquitoes that have come to reside in our yard this summer.  They are biting through clothes now!!  And they swarm you in the garage as you move toward the car!  I find it a little ironic that Nat wanted her giant magnifying glass outside with her so she can study the bugs up-close!

We came back inside after playing and picnic...red bumps on our arms and legs.  

"Momma, where's the itch cream?  I need it bad!"

"ME TOO!  Here it is!  (Let's buy stock in it I think to myself).

I here by declare-"NO Mosquito will keep me from enjoying the fun of summer outdoors!  I have bug spray and itch cream!  Take that Mosquito!  Take that!

Celebrating Defense and Resolve!

Celebrating Authors, Illustrators and Books

Thanks to Ruth Ayers for hosting #celebratelu

at Ruthayerswrites.com

One of the highlights of attending the NCTE in Boston was visiting the exhibition hall.  Within the four corners of the hall, books, authors and writing were the source of celebration.  I went in with a budget limit knowing I had to control my spending habits when it comes to books.

The surprise came when I learned about the books being given away as a advance read copies...yes they give the books away.  Or the books are sold a seriously discounted prices!  I enjoyed chatting with people in line to get a few books (more on this later).

One of the books I landed is A Home for Mr. Emerson written by  Barbara Kerley and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham.  It was signed by Barbara.  You can see more about the book here at Barbara's website.  The end papers are filled with many wonderful quotes and advice for writers like,

"Write it in your heart that every day is the best day in the year." 
or 

"LOVE the day.  Do not leave the sky out of your landscape."  

I have a hunch that when the book comes out, it will sell like hotcakes! This book is filled with little gems about Emerson's life!

In all of the latest conversation about writing, writing every day, reading and building community, I made the connection that these topics are really what the book is all about.  It celebrates Emerson's life and friends who supported him in rescuing and rebuilding his house after it caught fire.  I think in the research to make the book as perfect as it could be, Barbara and Edwin captured just the right quotes and moments of the events before and after the fire occurred to make this an interesting and appealing picture book for kids.

So this week, I am celebrating Authors, Illustrators and Books!  I thank my lucky stars that this pair worked together to create such a beautiful illustration of Emerson's life.  In the author's notes, there is a quote from Emerson..."through his books, lectures, even the conversations in his parlor, Emerson encouraged people to 'look at the world  with new eyes.' and going forward after my NCTE experience, that is just what I intend to do!