http://cuteoverload.com/2013/05/23/peopl
http://cuteoverload.com/?p=102557
That’s “Eye-Owe-Ta.” Iota would like you to throw the ball.
Now would be a good time. Does that work for you, Iota?



From Sylvain G.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: puppies
http://cuteoverload.com/2013/05/22/you-k
http://cuteoverload.com/?p=102563
“This is my sensitive boy ‘Knucklehead.’ (Like the motorcycle engine, not because he’s a dummy.) He’s getting ready to take a trip down the catwalk wearing his new (& first ever) bandana.” -Cuteporter Mudbug.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Cats
http://cuteoverload.com/2013/05/22/clove
http://cuteoverload.com/?p=102390
Clover’s back! And better than ever! But, where did she come from?
“I came home one day two summers ago and discovered this little foundling in my fenced backyard. 10ish weeks old, scruffy, no tags, no collar, no chip. Attempts to find from whence she came failed. No one was looking for her, and I finally decided she must’ve been looking for me. She’s called Clover because she popped up in the backyard. And because she’s lucky.”

(“How did she get over the fence?)
The universe sends you a border collie, you don’t ask questions. But . . .I have another, older border collie. My theory is some kids brought home this puppy and when she started to exhibit puppy piddly behavior the parents decided it wasn’t for them. “Give her to that lady down the street; she’ll know what to do with her.” Six-foot fence, but there were no locks on the gates. The other theory is that one of my friends made her acquaintance and thought she’d make the perfect addition to my household. I’ve grilled the likely suspects over the years, but no one has ever fessed up. Attached is another photo of her during that phase when she was figuring out whether she would have floppy ears or pointy ears. I was always a little disappointed she didn’t decide to stick with one of each.”
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Pups
I've approached it both ways. Part of developing a writing process is knowing when to push through a "block" and when to step back and take a rest. Sometimes reluctance to write is a sign of burnout, but other times it's a sign that we're nearing a scene we need to write that will be emotionally or technically challenging, and sometimes it's a bit of laziness that dissipates once we start writing. Sometimes the subconscious needs more time to work on the story, and other times sitting down at the keyboard is the act that unlocks a new plotline.
I show up almost every day at the keyboard. I usually get at least a few words, often many more. Sometimes I can hear the wheels in my head creaking while the muse strains to come up with something, anything. It's kind of comforting to know that not all writers race to the keyboard and type as if they're taking dictation. I've been reading Sylvia Plath's journals, and she records day after day of struggling, doubting, wondering if she really has what it takes, feeling unmotivated. In other words, sounding like practically every writer I know.
http://cuteoverload.com/2013/05/22/im-so
http://cuteoverload.com/?p=102574
I didn’t mean to make fun of your tattoo. It’s very hip and edgy, really.

Via Bagsgroove.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Bunnies
http://cuteoverload.com/2013/05/22/this-d
http://cuteoverload.com/?p=102549
Who turned out the lights?
From DP&F.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: kitties
A while ago I got this email from a teacher:
Good Morning!
I teach 10th grade English to students with learning disabilities, mild cognitive disabilities, and emotional disabilities. It is close to impossible to find a novel that all are interested in and will actually participate in discussion about. I begged and begged my director and she was able to purchase me a class set of your novel, The Compound. It's such a pleasure to teach this novel! ALL my kids listen while I read and have much to discuss, which never happens. They even groan and complain when we have to stop reading or class is over. I've even had two of my copies come up missing and two students who checked it out of the library for their parents to read. I wish I could convey to you how unusual this is! I teach the core curriculum, the same standards, as a general education class and it is very difficult for my students. They are now working on these standards and don't even realize it because they are so excited about his story. THANK YOU!
A few weeks later, I had a library event in her city and she came to see me. She was so sweet and I hugged her and offered to Skype with her students. Here’s the thing: I reserve the right to charge or not charge for my Skypes. This gets me into trouble with other authors, but would you be able to get a letter like that and then not do the Skype simply because they don’t have a budget? I’m not that person and I never will be. So today was the Skype. And those kids were great. They had a million questions and made me laugh, and I made them laugh too. I was so glad I took the time. And then I got this email:
Thank you so much! Of course, after we hung up they started talking a mile a minute. They're such good kids and this is the first time many of them have finished a book or even liked reading. Our system's superintendent and assistant superintendent were here also. The assistant superintendent said she'd have to get us The Fallout so that we can read both next year. I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone!!
I can't thank you enough for the excitement you have brought to English class. This will be a lasting, good memory for my kids who have so few things to be excited about.
So yeah. That was pretty much a really good use of my time. And it reminded me of why I do what I do.

And a bit of dueling titles, dueling type, dueling genres.
http://cuteoverload.com/2013/05/22/bette
http://cuteoverload.com/?p=101881
Lt. Snuggles has two speeds.
Just about to go real fast…

and going real fast.

Lt. Snuggles’s agent, Amy S., tells us, “He’s a 3-year-old spoiled Yorkie who loves being cute, chasing birdies and sneaking bites of kitty roca when Mommy isn’t looking.
“
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Pups, Yorkies
The town of Belmar started construction on its new boardwalk in January. Today, I was invited by the library to attend the grand opening of the new boardwalk - all 1.3 miles of it have been rebuilt, stronger and better than ever - and to read At the Boardwalk to some of the schoolkids on the beach after the ceremony was complete. (All of the school children from the public and Catholic school in town had been bused to the beach, wearing their "Tougher Than The Storm: Belmar/Belmarvelous" T-shirts.) There on the right you can see Mayor Matt Doherty, Governor Chris Christie, and Senator Bob Menendez cutting the ribbon to make it official.I was extremely fortunate that my friend John Rowen decided to make the trek from Pennsylvania to take pictures of me during the reading. He did a really great job, and I'm just going to share a few of the photos with you below.

Here I am getting ready to read to the kindergartners on the beach. With an airhorn.

Here's me, reading to the kindergartners. You can see the ocean in the background.

Here I am again, from another angle. That's Liz Cole from Belmar Elementary holding the book.
It was a privilege and an honor to be asked to attend the grand opening of the boardwalk and to share my book with the kids from Belmar Elementary School. My thanks to the good people of Belmar, and to John Rowen, for a really wonderful day.
- Current Mood:
good - Current Music:Somewhere Over the Rainbow (brainradio)
