Not Yet Spring

It started off as a spring-like day--sunny and 45 degrees.  In the middle of the day, I actually heard birds singing, which led me to thoughts of spring.

Alas, it is now gray and cloudy and snowing, so clearly spring thoughts are premature!

For several reasons, I have decided that this year I am not going to plant a vegetable garden.   One reason is that we will be away for a period of time, and not able to tend to it.

Another reason is--this year I have decided that I just do not want to battle with the critters---mostly woodchucks, though deer and bunnies are also destroyers of my planting efforts.

For this year's garden, I hope to be able to identify a bunch of different kinds of flowers that animals will not love to eat.   The climbing climatis that I so wanted to grow up my trellis, is a special candy-like treat for critters, apparently, as it always gets eaten back whenever leaves appear.  I carefully tried to keep it wrapped with saran wrap, so the woodchuck would not destroy it (until it grow tall enough to be out of reach).  Not worth the effort!

I've already planted some bulbs in what should have been the vegetable garden.  In June I will select a bunch of annuals---marigolds,  petunias, and other assorted ones, which the animals will hopefully not eat.

I don't want to spend my spring and summer being mad and frustrated at the hungry animals!   So already, I give them the victory!  Have at it!

Someone I Know

I know someone who needs a blessing this week

Tis a mother and daughter of whom I speak

(though nameless shall they be.)

Single mother from the time her daughter was two,

With more struggles than most of us could do.

They’ve been through a lot; that’s for sure

Emotionally and financially, much to endure.

Of course a mother’s job is never really done—

That we also know is true.

But to send them off well prepared

Is the best that we can do.

College plans are in the works.

From ‘first choice’ they don’t yet know.

It’s the one the mother can afford,

Where hopefully the daughter will go.

Someone I know needs a prayer this week.

I’ll do that every day.

May the answer come, bringing hope to all;

This, O Lord, I pray!

Going Viral

I have learned that once your name gets 'out there' on the internet, anything can happen!  Knowing that my book was to be listed by a bunch of book retailers, I thought that I should Google my name and see what came up!

The book was certainly out there for sure.  I found it listed in almost every language imaginable, in--Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom, Italy, and several  other places where I did not recognize the language at all!  I'm not sure what I think of all of that.

What surprised me most of all was learning that I have published a book of National Geographic Animal Poetry!   (Not!)   It is listed by a company located in the United Kingdom.  It gives no address, phone number, email address, or customer service number.  One could write a book review, which I did, saying: " I did not write this book. My name was lifted from the internet."   I went back later to check, but they did not publish that particular book review!

I am certainly grateful that my name is attached to the National Geographic company  (probably also lifted);  and I am especially grateful that it is children's animal poetry.  Both of those are rather benign. There is a lovely and colorful cover, but I could not copy it, ironically, to paste in here!!  

I do have to acknowledge that it could have been so much worse!

So just for the record, should anyone happen to run into this anywhere----I made no contribution to this collection of poems, and if I could figure out how to get my name off of it, I would.

National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems With Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar!

by Nancy Rehkugler

$23.99 Free Shipping

Released

9/11/12

Book Genre

Grades 3-4 Ages 8-9, Juvenile

A Broadway Weekend

Last night, we enjoyed a wonderful production of Oklahoma at grand-daughter's high school.  She had the lead female role, so of course, that made it all the more fun!

The whole show was very well done.  It was lively and funny.   It had amazing sets.  There was an orchestra that played almost three hours non-stop, with a short intermission.  And the kids did a fantastic job!  How they can remember that much dialogue and lyrics is beyond me.

My hat is off to all the seniors at Newfield High School   Thanks for a wonderful and memorable rendition of Oklahoma!