One year blogging anniversary! And a Birmingham Baldwin’s Bibliophile Bonanza

November 19, 2024 — November is National Picture Book Month! How did I not know this? Anyway, I recently realized that I’ve been blogging for a year. My first post was on Halloween 2023. I’m thinking about blogging less and creating more reels. I started making short reels on Instagram for my picture book this summer. I’d like to focus more on that for now and so I’m considering blogging about once a month. Previously, I aimed for three posts monthly. 

My website doesn’t allow for “likes” or comments on my blog so I don’t receive feedback most of the time. If you’d be so kind, I’d appreciate any comments, input, about my blog post(s) that you care to give, either through the contact page of my website, or on any of my social media accounts that we’re both on. 

On November 9, I was one of the authors featured at the first Baldwin’s Bibliophile Bonanza in Birmingham. What a nice group of people, including the library staff, authors and visitors. The Baldwin Library is beautiful. They had a good turnout and many of the authors, including me, visited fellow authors tables to meet them and learn more about their books. I recognized a couple authors from previous events, something that I’m sure happens more with time involved in these activities. 

I was visiting a table across from mine talking to the authors of their own love story, called Love on Life Support. As COVID appeared on the scene, the husband underwent brain surgery and his wife wasn’t able to be with him. It’s hard to imagine how difficult that must have been and yet, we know there were countless others in similar situations of separation when you most wanted to be with a loved one. When I turned to return to my table, I saw a friend of mine, Nancy Rosen, sitting there! She’d told me about this event, lives nearby, and it was a great surprise to see her! She was my first sale, purchasing a book for a new baby gift. 

I sold another to a nice couple who returned to my table after making their way around and hearing about the featured books. If I remember correctly, they weren’t yet sure who they might gift my book to — and of course, many grown ups love children’s books too! As we began to pack up, Ed Demerly, whose table was just across from mine walked over, and said, “before you get all packed up, I want to find out how happy IS a lark?” I signed his copy with a fun note. He said it’s for “the children at the cabin.” That was so nice of him! His books were First Years: A Farm Boy Faces the Future, A Memoir, about his childhood, growing up on a Michigan farm. His second book, Living in the Ulu comprises letters he wrote while in the Peace Corp in 1967-68. I would have liked to have talked more with Ed. 

Tim drove me to this event and spent the time at our son’s home in Troy, helping with some work around the yard and house. 

The Baldwin District Library kindly provided coffee and “fun-sized” desserts for us, including chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins and frosted sugar cookies. As a staunch believer in equality and fairness, I sampled one of each yummy mini treat. 

We had a flu in our home last week, our son’s been ill since Monday, but is finally much improved. I’d started up some of the symptoms earlier last week, but I’m already better after a little over a day of tiredness and chills. I’m giving all credit to my flu vaccine.

I’m not exactly sure why, but I’ve gotten out of the good habit of going on frequent walks, either around our neighborhood or at nearby parks. Maybe because we go to the gym a few times a week and on other days I do yoga. Anyway, I’m recommitting to my walks, at least a few times a week. After going on a couple walks this week, I’m reminded how much I love walking outdoors. Being outside is invigorating, feeds my spirit and makes me feel connected to nature, the changing seasons, and simply, lifts my mood. 

I would love to see your and/or your children’s activities from the back of How Happy Is a Lark? Please send them through the contact page on my website. With your permission, I’ll feature some in future blog posts and/or social media posts. I’m going to order more surPRIZES for my favorites. While I did gather some at a school event, I’ve yet to receive any through my website. You could be the first and I will be delighted! 

My illustrator will likely be wrapping up his own special brand of magic on book two, Into the Thicket, this month. The next exciting step will be to send the text and illustrations along to BookBaby to pull together into our book and design the cover. We’ll review that together and once we have a final product, we’ll have a minimum of six weeks for presales. I will, of course, keep y’all posted. The book, which centers on a special little rabbit’s rescue will be available just in time for spring (when small rabbits abound and bound around our back yard, and many other places!), Easter and Earth Day. Each of these present some good marketing opportunities. 

In the meantime, How Happy Is a Lark? makes a cute and entertaining gift book for little people in your life. It’s great for baby showers, the holiday season, even to donate to a favorite school or public library, or other places where children gather. I’m here if you have any questions, comments or activity drawings (see just above). 

Stay healthy, friends. Wishing you a peaceful, delightful holiday season that sparkles with comfort and joy.