Bologna Photos

French Children's Books

Bikers at the Bologna Resistance Memorial

Bologna's Main Square

Typical Covered Sidewalks and Arches in Bologna


Since the Facebook photo link seems to have expired, I've uploaded a few of my Bologna pictures, in case you didn't get to see them.

Mom and Me

This is one of my favorite photos. Gives me a peaceful feeling every time I look at it.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM.

Crouching Murphy, Hidden Chew Toy

This is one of Murphy's favorite positions when he's gnawing on his chew toy. Still cracks me up. The canine yoga stance.

Bologna Writer's Panel

I promised to write more about Bologna (oh, only a week or two or three ago!)-- so rooted around in my notebook to find stuff to pass on.

The second day there, I attended a writer's panel. A few ideas that were mentioned:

As a reader, I love -- prose like music; a sense of yearning; writing that casts a spell so strong, I forget I'm reading; caring deeply about the character and any adversity they encounter.
--Susan Fletcher

We are truth-tellers. That's our job.

Young adults will read a book five or ten times. They're searching for connections, for places to help them choose, find direction.
--Susanne Gervay

Don't describe what people will assume. Describe what they won't assume.

I think that writing is almost a vocation.
--Kathleen Duey

Cake

If you need cheering up, this might do it. I particularly like the baby with big teeth. Brilliant.

Tag!

I've been tagged -- And I think I'm the slowest one in the game...but here goes.

Rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people and post a comment to Angela's blog once you've posted your three sentences.

Nearest Book: COMPLICATIONS: A SURGEON'S NOTES ON AN IMPERFECT SCIENCE by Atul Gawande.

Sentences 6 - 8 on page 123:

"Desperate for a return to a normal life, he agreed to a delicate procedure: brain surgery that would destroy cells in a small structure called the thalamus, which was already known to contribute to such excessive stimulation of the hands.
Taylor had another big problem, though: for seventeen years, he had struggled with a severe panic disorder. At least once a week, while he was working at his computer terminal or was at home in the kitchen feeding a child, he would suddenly be overcome by severe chest pains, as if he were having a heart attack."

My oldest daughter's reading this nonfiction book. I may steal it from her.

Now I'm tagging five of you! These folks are it:
Holly at And Sew It Is
Ruth at Body Soul and Spirit
Natalie at Italian Moments
Beth at Grace Every Day
Spidey at Samwise Gamgee

Out & About

Yesterday, all of Germany abandoned their homes for green areas, at least in our region. No wonder, after the sun deprivation of these last few months. I did the same, walking around the nearby town of Speyer with several friends.

Facebook

If you're on Facebook & want to add me as a friend, go to this link.

I'll post some notes from the conference this week.

Murphy Monday -- For Judy

Judy in Indiana always makes lots of comments about Murphy's pictures, so this one's for her.

Murphy sniffing the tulips that Danielle brought back from Amsterdam a few years ago. He reminds me of Ferdinand the bull in "The Story of Ferdinand," by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson -- a bull who likes to sit just quietly and smell the flowers.
P.S. Although, we shouldn't forget that this sweet-faced canine enjoys chasing cats. And anything else that runs.

Anna Turns Fifteen

I know it sounds cliche, but I can't believe our youngest is fifteen...
Happy 15th, Anna! I like spending time with you, even when you talk my ear off. And I love you more than infinity.

The Illustrator's Wall

Here's a peek at the Illustrator's Cafe in the Bologna Bookfair, where illustrators posted their samples, cards, and other interesting stuff. I enjoyed browsing the wall each day--as you can see, all types of styles!

An Unusually Silent Passenger

I flew back yesterday on Ryanair from Bologna. Most of the seats were filled, so I grabbed a spot with a few vacant places left.

A man seated himself behind me, keeping the window seat for his companion -- a three foot tall Italian chocolate egg, wrapped in shiny orange and gold foil. He'd probably picked it up for a child back home.

So the engines started revving for takeoff, and right then, a cabin attendant rushed down the aisle to our section. "Sir," she told the man sternly, "You must buckle your egg into the seat. Immediately!" At that, everyone around me burst out laughing. He gently reached over and fastened the seat belt around his egg. Later, I saw he'd draped a coat over it.

I imagine his Easter egg needed a good nap before landing...

The Bologna Children's Book Fair

Tomorrow I'm off to the Bologna Book Fair -- and the SCBWI Bologna conference. First time to attend, and I'm excited.

I'm rooming with two writers I've only met online, which is another first for me. One of them emailed me a few weeks ago, "You're not an axe murderer, by any chance?" I emailed her back, "I have a nice machete collection, but no axes." So that should banish any worries.

Also, I'll meet up with Angela, Natalie, and a few other people from Verla Kay's board. When I return, I'll blog more about the bookfair and the city of Bologna. Ciao!

Easter

"Easter Morning" -- by Dr. He Qi, professor at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
All creation joins to say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, O heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Good Friday

On the hiking path between Vernazza and Corniglia--in Cinque Terre, Italy

A Mother's Heart

It does a mother's heart good to know her son was well taken care of on his birthday.

A Tragedy In One Act

Tragedy strikes.

My youngest daughter, who is blind as a bat (like me), cracked her glasses down the center last night. Duct tape currently holds the two halves together, but isn't high on a teen's fashion list...so I'm hoping the optician can rig up some type of short-term rescue.

Help!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

http://www.bostonkiltics.com

The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in self-forgetting that we find;
And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–1226)

One of Many

I've been having a hard time coming up with things to blog about lately, so figured I'd show you our bookshelf closest to the computer. Whenever I go to other people's homes, I enjoy browsing their books, so here's your chance to do the same with me (for a larger view, click on the photo).

At last count, we had fourteen (mostly full) bookcases scattered around the house--and lots of books aren't even unpacked. Time to go through and scour the shelves, eh?

A Dog of Sensitive Stomach

I'm posting another picture for Murphy Monday, since it's been so long between photos.


He's been a "Dog of Sensitive Stomach" this week. While Jeff and I were out of town, Murphy caught some type of bug and is just beginning to return to normal. In the meantime, we've all endured his black clouds of odiferousness...if you catch my drift. Poor dog. But I feel sorry for us too--our rooms need several cans of orange spray and a good airing out!

Thankfully, Murphy's starting to eat again. I figured the BRAT diet (banana,rice, applesauce,toast) worked for our toddlers long ago, and it might work for him too--except I substituted oatmeal for rice.

Writing Assignment

My Gotham writing assignment this week is on "pacing" --

Let's compress and expand time in words. Pick a moment in your childhood that was either especially funny or suspenseful. First, tell about the moment in one sentence. Then, slow time down and describe the moment in detail. But try to keep it under 500 words.

I think I'll write about the evening a lady kept telephoning my father, over and over, asking how to treat a neck wound. She was truly convinced that a vampire had bitten her. Dad told her, "make sure to clean and ice it."

One thing that impresses me, looking back--Dad treated her with respect, even though we (kids) were probably chortling in the background. I don't know what the woman's problem really was, but he asked questions to find out if she needed medical attention and didn't belittle her. The mark of a good doctor, in my opinion..

City Pirates

Never thought I'd see the day when pirates wore polos...

Javier, Have A Great Day!

Today is David's 21st birthday, and he's off celebrating in Samoa, where the study-abroad students stay for three weeks in a small village. So, no internet access.

When you finally see this, know that we love you and sang the birthday song across many kilometers to you, David!

p.s. --For some reason, my singing sent Murphy into a barking fit...
p.p.s.--David's also known as Javier, ever since he used that name in his high school Spanish class.

Sea of Love & Goodness

From Henri Nouwen's The Dance of Life:

"Dear Lord, today I thought of the words of Vincent van Gogh: 'It is true there is an ebb and flow, but the sea remains the sea.' You are the sea. Although I experience many ups and downs in my emotions and often feel great shifts and changes in my inner life, you remain the same. Your sameness is not the sameness of a rock, but the sameness of a faithful lover. Out of your love I came to life; by your love I am sustained; and to your love I am always called back. There are days of sadness and days of joy; there are feelings of guilt and feelings of gratitude; there are moments of failure and moments of success; but all of them are embraced by your unwavering love.

My only real temptation is to doubt in your love, to think of myself as beyond the reach of your love, to remove myself from the healing radiance of your love. To do these things is to move into the darkness of despair.

O Lord, sea of love and goodness, let me not fear too much the storms and winds of my daily life, and let me know that there is ebb and flow but that the sea remains the sea. Amen."

--found this on Joan B's blog

THE ORIGINAL Scary 'Mary Poppins' Recut Trailer

Just watched this recut SCARY version of Mary Poppins and couldn't stop cackling. My oldest daughter kept shushing me--but just watch it and see what I mean.

Listen to the Bells

If you want to hear what I wake up to every Sunday morning, go here, scroll to the very bottom, and play this MP3: "The Bells In Taizé." Church bells are one of the sounds I'll miss the most if we ever move from Germany!

The Taizé song clips and prayers are definitely worth listening to as well--click on "Behüte mich, Gott" for a beautiful German hymn, and on "Seigneur, tu gardes mon âme" for another in French.

Photo Shoot

A glass mural at the Saguaro Museum--

Silhouette at Mission San Xavier Del Bac:

Succulent plant at the Desert Museum:


A few shots from Tucson, Arizona--my mother wanted to see more of my photos. Here you are, Mom.

The Other Land Down Under

Our son David is spending his semester (Feb. to May) in New Zealand, studying biology and anthropology. The program staff and students are posting on their blog, the South Pacific Journal, about everything from blue penguins to weekend road trips. It's still summer in the "other land down under," and quite a nice break for David -- in Michigan, snow continues to pile up!

Charlie Bit My Finger

Have a Valentine's Day chuckle! These brothers are so good natured. When my kids were little, there was a lot more screaming if one sibling took a chunk out of the other's arm...

Snippets of Arizona

A few snippets from Arizona, land of spiky plants and desert rock:




Arizona has a whole different type of terrain than either Oregon, Burundi, or Germany--places where I've spent the most time.

Back in Deutschland...

Back to Germany after a wonderful two weeks with my parents. They spoiled me and I loved it!
Now I'm trying to whip the tail end of a cold...so far, I've dosed myself with zinc lozenges, vitamin C tablets, lots of fresh-squeezed orange and tangerine juice (at Mom and Dad's), echinachea, extra sleep, you name it. Any other tried-and-true cold remedies out there? I'm willing to do almost anything but blend garlic cloves and drink the concoction.

Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and howlet's wing,--
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

--from Macbeth, Act IV, Scene 1

Desert Land

I'm in Arizona visiting my folks, courtesy of a Christmas ticket in my stocking. So each day, we walk past prickly pear, saguaro, and a host of other cacti. Off in the distance looms the jagged outline of the Superstition Mountains. And most of all, an abundance of sun shines down! A neighbor gave us an entire box of home-grown tangerines, oranges, and grapefruit to snack on. I begin to see why Mom and Dad like living here...

My Dog Is A Noodlehead

I'm sorry to say, but sometimes I wonder about Murphy.

It started when we moved to Germany three and a half years ago. Before, we trekked to the end of our Oregon cul-de-sac and grabbed mail from the mail box. Now, envelopes and magazines are shoved daily through a little swinging mail slot in our front door. Sounds great, you say?

Well, think again. Murphy takes it as a personal affront that SOME HORRIBLE MONSTER IS TRYING TO SNEAK INTO OUR HOME! MUST ATTACK! So each time, he charges the mail slot, hoping to dismember an evil sneaker--who's obviously entering to rape and pillage.

He's actually torn the mail slot off the front door...and I'm afraid for the day when Murphy gets hold of a thumb or set of fingers.

We've tried positive reinforcement--one of us restrains the dog while another family member flips the mail slot back and forth--then we reward Murphy for not attacking. But this dog has incredibly short-term memory. Maybe if we spent twelve hours of intensive training, then he'd learn?

He's usually a sweetie. Just not when mail slots are involved.

P.S. In the photo, Murphy's sitting in front of a massive mound of sugar beets, a crop that's harvested in this part of Germany during late fall.

The 2nd Newbery!

Calvin College professor Gary Schmidt just won his second Newbery Honor--I'm even happier because he teaches at the college from which our oldest daughter, Danielle, graduated and where our son, David, is now a junior.

Hooray!

Newbery Awards

Watched the Newbery Awards just half an hour ago via webcam...thank God for technology!

Newbery Medal:
Good Master, Sweet Ladies by Laura Amy Schlitz
Newbery Honor Books:
Elijah of Buxton -- Christopher Paul Curtis
Wednesday Wars -- Gary Schmidt
Feathers -- Jacqueline Woodson

Editorial Anonymous

I've added a new link on the right to Editorial Anonymous: A Blog Of A Children's Book Editor. Lots of good questions and answers about the kid's book business. Take a look. You can even email him/her questions.

2007 Pics

October--Gaudi Window, Barcelona, Spain

November--Leaves & Seeds

December--Strasbourg Carousel, France

More Pictures From 2007

June--Swan Princesses, Oslo, Norway

July--Nürnberg Church

August--Black-Eyed Susans, Oregon

September--Unterlinden Museum, Colmar, France

Pictures From 2007

January--Elephant At Stuttgart Zoo

February--Horse & Buggy In Fields Near Our Town

March--Schwetzingen Garden Mosque

April--Beach Flowers In Sardinia

May--Strasbourg Flowers For Sale

A Blue, Blue Feeling

Another of the famous doors. Blue paint vendors must make a killing in this town.

When Will The Door Open?

In Tunisia, we visited the town of Sidi Bou Said, known for its whitewashed walls and intensely blue-painted doors and window shutters. Paul Klee, one of my favorite artists, spent time in this town, along with many other painters and illustrators.

Perhaps these cats await lunch?

Increasing Tension in Kenya

I just read an article in the New York Times about increasing tension in Kenya after a disputed election last week, which was almost certainly rigged. Back in 1974, I attended Rift Valley boarding school in Kenya (outside of Nairobi) for a year, so I still feel as if it's home, even if only in a small way.

Pray for Kenya and the people of Kenya -- that further violence would be averted, and that the president and government leaders act honestly and with consideration for all ethnic groups.

Remember leaders of other countries too...I know presidential primaries are just around the corner in the US.

For Those Who Live With Depression

Just wanted to say, as we roll over into 2008, that I've gained a greater respect this year for those who live with depression each day of their lives and "keep on keeping on."

For insights from Jon, who lives with his wife Heather's chronic depression, visit Blurbomat.

Milton says, "My depression has beaten me like a rented mule this past week," writing with his usual straightforwardness -- even as he reminds himself and all of us -- "I am not alone."

For any of you out there who fight the beast named depression, know that I admire your guts and perseverance. And your honesty.

On a slightly different topic -- Cynthia recently wrote a very personal post about rape and its aftermath -- required reading for anyone who wants to understand how a victim feels and offer them help. Hint: First, practice saying "it's not your fault. No one deserves to be raped."

Have a Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of you!

See if you can read the sign on the wall next to Anna (click on photo for a closer view). We took a trip to Tunisia over Christmas.
David flies back to Grand Rapids on January 2nd. It's been fun rubbing elbows and getting chummy as a family again.

Oh, in other breaking news--Danielle's appointed to a Peace Corps position in Romania, teaching English to middle and secondary-schoolers. If the rest of her papers go through fine, she departs mid-May for training in the States, and then to somewhere in Romania. Have any of you visited or lived there?

Here's a family picture, now that we're all five together. It's taken in Carthage, which I never realized belonged to Tunisia. Piles and piles of Roman ruins all around the country.

A Christmas Poem

"In the Bleak Midwinter" is a poem I've always liked, and this seems an appropriate time of year to post it.

In the Bleak Midwinter

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.

Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air,
But only His mother
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

--Christina Rossetti (1872)

Little People Art

For your enjoyment, two different links I've come across with miniature people posed in artful ways...

Little People--A Tiny Street Art Project (little handpainted people, left in London to fend for themselves)
and
another group of photos, with little people and food (can you really mow a kiwi?).

Better Than Crack (Ha Ha, Mom)

A great cookie recipe. My oldest daughter baked two separate batches this week and they both disappeared within 24 hours.

Raspberry Chocolate Triangles

Oven -- 350 degrees.

1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter (soft)
1-10 oz. package frozen sweetened raspberries (or add sugar to unsweetened berries)
1/4 cup orange juice (or I've substituted lemon juice)
1 T. cornstarch
1 cup chocolate chips
Melted vanilla chips

Mix flour, sugar and butter.
Press flour mixture in 9 x 13 inch pan & bake 15 minutes.
Mix raspberries, orange juice and cornstarch.
Heat to boil, stirring.
Boil and stir 1 minute, cool 10 minutes.
Sprinkle chocolate chips over crust.
Spread carefully.
Spoon raspberry mix over chocolate.
Bake 20 minutes or until mix is set.
Refrigerate until firm.
You may drizzle melted vanilla chips over the top.
Cut into 3 inch squares.
Cut each square into 4 triangles. Voila!

Weihnachtsmarkt Time

Once again, it's Christmas market time in Germany. Heidelberg has a few different markets along the Hauptstrasse, all offering Glühwein (hot spiced wine), waffles dusted with powdered sugar, pork steak and onion sandwiches, deep fried potato pancakes topped with berries and cream, crepes, and many other food offerings. As you can see, most of them won't improve your chloresterol count...except for the Kräuter Bonbons (herb candy), that is.
Anna said that when we move back to the States (whenever that is...) she's going to miss these Christmas markets. So will I--they're better than glitzy malls and flashing lights everywhere. Portland's Saturday Market is the closest I've seen in the U.S.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

I got Barbara Kingsolver's book--Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life--and am in the middle of reading it. Then this morning, I discovered that Milton (of Don't Eat Alone)just reviewed her book on another site. Check it out.

Happy Birthday to My Baby Brother

Happy Birthday to my brother, Dan--as proof of his craziness, he ran the Death Valley Marathon last weekend. Will the Antarctic Marathon be next??

Love you, Dan.

Free Rice

Free Rice is a fun place to learn new words and help donate rice at the same time. Innovative idea. And Snopes confirms the claim--the rice is truly being donated, it's no urban legend.