Friday, October 31, 2008

The Devil Made Me Do It

As ghosts and goblins gathered to swoop down upon the Smalley cabin on Halloween night for tricks and treats, the feline monsters prepared to strike back.

Junie wore her devilish best, while Ammy attempted to blend in with the mice in the cabin. (Adirondack mice are part of the decor. They just don't share that little secret with you in Log Cabin Living.)

We know that Junie is really an angel in disguise, and the two of them will one day not only catch a mouse but do something with it other than play soccer. (They need to earn their keep!)

Yes, many people would consider this animal abuse! The terror lasted for only a few minutes, however. The kittens are now happily enjoying a platter of fresh-cooked turkey, while the rest of the family is feasting on Pennsylvania Dutch turkey pot pie. Yummers!

Happy Halloween to everyone!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

A Scene from The Office

Yeah, I know! You were expecting something a little more exciting from the show based in Scranton.

Welcome to October in the Adirondacks, where it is a chilly 20 degrees today. But, the good news is the sun is out and the skies are blue.

This is a scene from my office window. I'm itching to go out and take photos of this snow-flocked autumn day, but the little kidlet is hugging her pillow on the sofa. She's been up all night with the flu. With this crazy weather, we'll all be sick. Rumor has it the temps are to hit the 60s in the next few days. Now, where did I put that sun screen?

Bye, bye, Winter. Hello, Autumn! (This is called wishful thinking.)

Carol

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Ho Ho Ho Merry Halloween

Ho Ho Ho ... it's Halloween!

Mother nature is playing cruel tricks on us here in the northeast this week. Here at the cabin, we received about six inches of snow. We were lucky. Some places got whopped with 20 inches or more!

But, come on! It's only October. You know ... pumpkins, scarecrows, trick or treat, smell my ... snow boots?

Last night brought high winds (power outages), heavy wet snow, and even some flooding to small creeks and streams.

Send your warm wishes our way. It's too early for the white.

Carol

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Stretching the Comfort Zone

Most of my works on paper are books, but every once in a while, I stretch myself. Today is one of those days.

Each year, Fulton-Montgomery Community College hosts a Works on Paper exhibit. Artists from around the state of New York are invited to submit their work for consideration. Today, is my day to stretch and submit.

I'm entering two photographs, both in their original, untouched and unaltered, states.

The first one I am calling Mistical Morning Meditation. I got lost (in thought) one cold Adirondack morning and captured this scene on Caroga Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. It reminds me of that peacefulness that surrounds us if we only slow down long enough to allow it to come to us. The mist came and showed me a slower way, if only for a few hours that morning.

The other photo is an evening shot of reflection. I had been observing and writing about a beaver family not too far from my house. There were two parents and a kit. The male parent and the kit liked to torpedo underwater and then splash me close to shore with their strong tails. It's difficult to take good shots of these ingenius builders. They usually don't appear until the last rays of sun for the day, and they are sneaky and fast! I am calling this one Artist or Engineer? It's a diptych, with two parts of the whole asking the question.

As I close this morning's post, snow is in the forecast, perhaps a foot or more. I remind myself it's only October. It's time to fill the bookbag and be prepared for a long winter's rest!

I hope to share a snow shot or two tomorrow.

Carol

Friday, October 24, 2008

Head West, Young Readers, Head West

On the tails of bison and trails of Native Americans, explorers Lewis and Clark search for the elusive Northwest Passage in my latest emergent reader, What's So Great About Lewis and Clark?, published by Mitchell Lane Publishers.

My beach buddies thought I was a bit crazy this past summer, as I read old journals by the explorers and drew lines in the sand to show the trek west and back again. I journeyed with the Corp of Discovery as they faced new challenges, people, and possibilities.

Although the book is written for adventurous elementary school students, even adults will lose themselves in this history-changing trek to Oregon and back again.

Curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and escape. Enjoy!

Carol

Thursday, October 23, 2008

More News from Chocolatetown USA

Thanks to the Hershey Chronicle for this week's article about my two projects at Milton Hershey School.

The clock is ticking, and I'm having fun.

Carol

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Homeward Bound

I just returned from a week on the road and time as an author in residence at Milton Hershey School in Hershey (PA), where I am penning two children's books for the school's upcoming centennial celebration in 2009-2010.

I had a wonderful time with the MHS middle students at Catherine Hall, where I shared a work in progress with them and answered great questions from students and staff.

It was good to plant my feet on Hershey soil, where I was born and raised, and the smell of chocolate reminded me of my roots. Sometimes it's good to be back home among family and friends, if only for a few days.

The Lebanon Daily News did a story on my visit. You can read it here:


Now, the pressure is on. I have three weeks to get a first draft of the picture book to the centennial committee for review. The middle-grade novel is close behind.

Thank you to the staff at MHS for making my visit a rewarding one. I look forward to returning next year to sign copies of the books for each student and faculty member.

And, for those middle-grade students who shared personal stories with me for the novel, I'm enjoying reading your words. Who knows? Maybe your story will make it on the pages of the book in 2009. You'll have to read the novel to fnd out.

See you for the big birthday bash in 2009!

Carol (back in the mountains where the temps dropped well below freezing last night and snow is in the forecast for this week! Brrr!)

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Playing in the Woods

There's nothing better than playing in the woods on an autumn afternoon. To learn more about red oak trees for my picture book for Milton Hershey School (http://www.mhs-pa.org/100years/celebration/photo-gallery/), I spent some time with my neighbor and friend, Tom Shearer. Tom is a retired forester from DEC. He reminds me of one of my favorite children's book characters -- Crinkleroot by Jim Arnosky. Being a "few years older than me," Tom makes me feel like a couch potato as he cares for his many acres of Christmas trees and hardwoods. Today, after stocking his ponds with fish, Tom showed me how to take a core boring of a tree to determine its growth rate, age, and periods of stress. Thanks, Tom! I'll bring back some Hershey Hugs and Kisses to thank you appropriately!

Morning Meditation

Some days, a writer just has to escape. Today was one of those mornings. I awoke before the light and escaped with my camera to capture the morning mist as it rose in the Adirondack Mountains. These are three of my favorite shots from my morning journey of the soul. Enjoy!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Traveling the Scenic By-Way


Here in the Adirondack Mountains, fall foliage is at its peak. On Wednesday, I ventured north with photographer and friend, Judy Olson, to capture some of nature's most glorious moments. Our destination was Paul Smith's College, one of the premier forestry schools in the country. There, I met with Brett McLeod, an instructor of natural resources, to learn more about the red oak tree for one of my centennial books for Milton Hershey School. It was a glorious day. Thanks to Judy for taking this photo (and other photos to document my work on the MHS books) and to Brett for sharing his passion and knowledge with me. Now it's time to plop my butt in the chair and write!