It's winter!

So, the snow that fell sank a bit, but it looks like it's here to stay. This morning, the temp was 11 degrees! Two weeks ago, I was riding in shorts. This is a strange world, n'esct-ce pas?

Noble Newfy to the Rescue!!

Can anybody wonder why and how we fall so entirely in love with our Newfies???http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=882810

Swati Avasthi's SPLIT

I worked on Slider's Son for over an hour this morning. Feels good.

I'm buried in homework--so much to grade (as any reader in any of my classes will attest) that I shouldn't be doing anything but that. However, my soul needs a little reading, and for Children's Lit., I have to keep reading along with the class. Is that my rationalization? Or is that real? That means tomorrow sometime, I'll reread The Bridge to Terabithia, which I look forward to 'cause it's a beautiful, sad, and wonderful book.

But for now, I'm stealing any free moment to immerse myself in SPLIT by Swati Avasthi. It's beautifully written. Wonderful prose, great language; the character has a terrific, believable voice, and the story has sucked me in entirely. I never want to put it down when I have to, and it's one of those books I won't want to end. Jace, the main character, has fled his abusive home in the middle of the night, lands with his older brother who had also run away. Crazy, wonderful YA story about dysfunction and love among people who are smart enough to view the world with care.
I'm not done yet, but I recommend it without reservation for EVERYBODY.

Shorts on November 7

My 20-mile ride today was a breeze compared to yesterday. I could maintain 17 mph heading into the wind by myself, as opposed to the wimpy 10-11 mph yesterday. That was wicked. Of course the ride home yesterday (wind at my back) was like magic--flying. That always maked bucking the headwind on the way out worthwhile. Yesterday was some suffering, and I was tired at the end, but why is it that we love to suffer when it means being on the bike?

Anyway, today was beautiful, and though I should have been grading papers, I took a bit of time off to ride, and to walk Freya and play outside. I may pay all week, but I'm not actually sorry at all.

And I started Split by Swati Avasthi this afternoon. HOLY SMOKE! Wonderful read! I didn't want to put it down. More on that soon.
http://www.amazon.com/Swati-Avasthi/e/B002E43PJS/ref=sr_tc_tag_2?qid=1289183773&sr=1-2-ent

Some reviews/Blurbs

Chasing AllieCat "reviews" on the FLUX Now website:http://www.fluxnow.com/book_reviews.php?ean=9780738721309

Humbling, I guess. But I'm excited for the book to be out in the world. Had a strange and interesting contact from Kirstin Cronn-Mills. She's at the YALSA Conference in Sante Fe (YA LIT division of ALA). She texted me something about Gay content in Jake Riley? She's on a panel for Gay/Bi/Lesbian/Trans content in YA lit, and Jake Riley was on a table of books that have gay content. Interesting--but cool that it's recognized. The content is certainly not a central focus of Jake Riley, but it sure is there.

Sad but true comment on the state of the Union:

Trick or Treaters

HALLOWEEN 2010

Kt always leads her riding students in full costume, bareback, around Tom's neighborhood to trick or treat. We had candy and carrots ready this year.

And then, the little trick-or-treaters at the library made out like bandits--or like Spiderman--at the end of storytime, too. Chuck Schoettler, aka The Dungeon Master, regaled us with "'Twas the Night before Halloween," and we both fed the kids' sugar obsession. My dead skunk was on hand, too.

And then, last but far from least, came Paige and her buddies from Bethany. We had some good laughs.