What I Did on my “Summer Vacation”

This June, after a couple months of manageable aches—which were probably aggravated by aquacize, carrying heavy groceries, and a very aggressive therapeutic massage—I was suddenly in agonizing pain. And that surprised me, because I thought I was “doing everything right”. In January I had decreased my work week at my job from 5 days a … Continue reading What I Did on my “Summer Vacation” →

The Institute of Children’s Literature

The Institute of Children’s Literature Long, long ago in the spring of 1996, I found an ad about the Institute of Children’s Literature in West Redding, Connecticut, offering their course on writing for children. I was impressed that they required their students to take an aptitude test before accepting them, so I decided to take … Continue reading The Institute of Children’s Literature →

Best Children’s Books and Much, Much More

While browsing around for children’s books (to read and study for word counts, language, etc.), I naturally googled “Best Children’s Books”. That took me to a wonderful website by that name. It is so full of useful information that even after an hour or so of browsing I feel like I have only scratched the … Continue reading Best Children’s Books and Much, Much More →

Sitting–the new smoking?

A recent article in the newspaper announced that, according to researchers, sitting is the new smoking? Huh? The sub-title explains: “Sedentary behavior raises health risks.” And don’t I know it! (Although I do think the health risks from smoking far outweigh those from sitting.) I am writing this while standing, and hope that my knees … Continue reading Sitting–the new smoking? →