Good News!

I have some good news that I'm just dying to share but can't...not yet. Aaargh! Patience has never been one of my strengths so I've been trying to avoid blogging so I don't spill it. Have to wait until we get some confirmation. So, until then, I keep writing. Always prepare for the worst, I say.

Keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

Writing Conferences

I never used to believe that there was much to be gained from a writing conference that I couldn't learn by myself. But then I never believed in critique groups either. Now, of course, I know differently. A critique group in invaluable. I don't know how I ever wrote poetry without my poetry group and I lean heavily on my fiction writing group to point out my WIP's shortcomings.

I've learned that writing conferences are invaluable if for no other reason than to find fresh inspiration and new input into work you've stared at for hours on end and can no longer find anything wrong with or know what to do with. So, after swearing off any more writing conferences until I finish my WIP, I've been drooling over this one -- The Bear River Writers' Conference in northern Michigan. How I'd love to go! It's not a writing workshop for children's writers, although I suppose a YA novel might be perfectly acceptable.

For one, it's situated in a beautiful part of northern Michigan and secondly, they've assembled a great staff of workshop leaders. I know Keith Taylor from college. I took several fiction writing courses with him, taught by the late George Zorn (how I loved that man!). It was the only college course I ever took where people smoked in class (including me at the time). We used to pass the butt can around. Keith is now the director of the undergraduate creative writing program at the University of Michigan. He writes pretty amazing poetry, for you poetry lovers out there (but not poetry for kids).

My biggest problem is that the conference is so far away. I'd have to fly there, doubling my expenses. So, maybe. It's something to think about. Anybody attend any recent conferences that you found outstanding? If so, please share!

Jacqueline du Pre - Saint-saens Concerto in A minor

In stark contrast to the previous post, here's the late great Jacqueline Du Pre playing a small portion of Saint-saens' cello concerto in A minor - one of my favorite pieces. She plays it with such precision, passion and intensity it brings me to tears. My youngest, Sean, played this piece for NYSSMA one year before he injured his bowing hand. How I miss the cello's soulful song!

Muppets - Mahna Mahna

It's Friday and this is sort of how I'm feeling.

The Way Things Look

As my blood sugar has dropped, my vision has become blurry. The doctor said this is normal and to be patient because it will clear up in a few weeks. A few weeks! It's hard. So much of what I do and love to do hinges on being able to see clearly. I love to read (and read and read). I love to write. I love to draw and paint and do crossword puzzles. Now most of that is just about impossible. Even writing this is a challenge.

So, I've been taking walks with some running mixed in (good for my blood sugar), watching tv on the big screen and listening to music and the radio. I've lost about 10 pounds. It's hard to take in enough calories on this restrictive diet.

But, it could always be worse. And with stem cell research, perhaps the cure for diabetes is in the near future.

Five Things On a Friday

So, here it is, Halloween and I have just a few random things to share.

1. I am so tired of needles. I was recently diagnosed with diabetes. We're not sure what kind yet (more blood work is needed) but it is genetic. I am not overweight, I exercise, watch what I eat so how did I get this? Genetic predisposition, says my endocrinologist. My father had type 1 diabetes for over 40 years. But, as my doctor reminded me, this is not my father's diabetes and he thinks a cure is on the horizon. Once we get the Bush administration out of office, perhaps we can once again hope that stem cell research will receive funding.

2. Scientifically, the Bush administration has set this country back to the Dark Ages. Take The Creation Museum in Cincinatti or George Bush's disclaimer that global warming is all nonsense. I'm sure we must be the laughing stock of the civilized world when it comes to science.

3. My husband made gravestones out of leftover wood and set them up on our lawn. I don't like them, especially after my diabetes diagnosis. But hey, it's Halloween. Lighten up, Stella.

4. When you have diabetes, you feel guilty passing out candy to little kids.

5. I wish I could do NaNoWriMo but when you work 5 days a week, you don't have time. Anybody participating in this? I really wish I could. it would be a great way for me to force myself through to the end of my novel.

Have a good weekend everybody.

Books Clubs and Reading Quotes

I'm starting something new this year -- book clubs for my fourth, fifth and sixth graders. I've never had time in my schedule until recently. I didn't expect many students to show much interest in a recess reading club but, with the encouragement of the teachers, the kids have been signing up. So, I am excited at the prospect of introducing them to some really cool books.

Here are a few of the titles I'm considering.

The Magic Thief, by Sarah Prineas
Rules, by Cynthia Lord
No Talking, by Andrew Clements
The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall
Replay, by Sharon Creech
The Underneath, by Kathi Appelt
The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan
Hugging the Rock, by Susan Taylor Brown
Holes, by Louis Sachar
Crash, by Jerry Spinelli
Autumn Street, by Lois Lowry

I know I need to find more titles for my fourth graders. Maybe Frindle, by Andrew Clements or Fourth Grade Rats, by Jerry Spinelli.

I recently found a good source of decent quotes about reading. I hope to introduce the kids to a new quote each time we meet. Maybe the students can even take turns reading them on the morning announcements. Brainwashing at its best! Here are a few of the quotes I like.

Books....are like lobster shells, we surround ourselves with 'em,
then we grow out of 'em and leave 'em behind,
as evidence of our earlier stages of development. (1928)
~ Dorothy Sayers ~

Read the best books first,
or you may not have a chance to read them at all.
~ Henry David Thoreau ~

Books--the children of the brain.
~ Jonathan Swift ~

A great book should leave you with many
experiences and slightly exhausted at the end.
You should live several lives while reading it.
~ William Styron ~

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
~ Richard Steele ~

The more that you read,
the more things you will know.
The more that you learn,
the more places you'll go.
~ Dr. Seuss ~

Reading makes immigrants of us all.
It takes us away from home, but more important,
it finds homes for us everywhere.
~ Hazel Rochman ~

It is not enough to simply teach children to read;
we have to give them something worth reading.
Something that will stretch their imaginations-
something that will help them make sense of their own lives
and encourage them to reach out toward people
whose lives are quite different from their own.
~ Katherine Paterson ~

Outside a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside a dog, it's too dark to read.
Groucho Marx

Books to the ceiling,
Books to the sky,
My pile of books is a mile high.
How I love them! How I need them!
I'll have a long beard by the time I read them.
Arnold Lobel

Do you have a favorite quote about books or reading? If so, please share it!