Studs Terkel

More about Studs Terkel- who died today at 96.

From Not Too Long Ago...

An image from a Bitty Twins Book I think I did this last spring, but it may have been the fall...This is a very different style than most things I do.

Sunset

Last Saturday's incredible sunset. An awe moment for sure....

Happy Halloween!

Serious pumpkin carving...last weekend's pumpkin carving here at the apartment. The handsome family are our nieghbors- this was their first pumpkin ever...they don't do this sort of thing in South Africa. Perfect pumpkin, don't you think?

Another One...

To pay attention,

this is our endless and proper work.

-Mary Oliver

Quote

The key to change

is to let go of fear.

-Rosanne Cash

Plans

This morning Fred woke up at around 4:30am. He was having trouble swallowing and it really freaked him out- and me. He immediately drove to the emergency room and I stayed here while Tristam slept. Now, Fred is the hardest person to get to go see the doc- he pretty much has to be so ill that it's ridiculous, or he has to be scared...this morning we we both scared. Anyhow...he was thinking it might be tetanus because he had gotten a pucture wound this weekend from moving 3,200 pounds of old wood and misc. construction debris from the house....he came back from the ER with some of his fear eleviated and I was relieved to have a healthy Fred back home....

This is a board that I have up in my studio. On it are little snippets of paper with things we want to do or experince or achieve. There are practical thing up there- things like take yoga classes and relax more, there are family things- like get together with Fred'd grandparents on the east coast and there are dream things like travel to New Zealand....today while Fred was at the doc's I looked at our board of paper snippets with a little more longing and urgency...life is short and it can turn on a dime.

Family Sisson

Projects

To the Beach

The House

We're choosing wall colors....I'm tempted to go very neutral at the moment- sort of Scandinavian and spare with lots of woodwork...

Tristam's room is going to be awesome! We chose these great retro colors for it and last May we found some building plans for a fun loft bed that he can play under but that isn't tall enough for him to really hurt himself diving off of- you knw he will...if you were 4, wouldn't you?

Visit

My parents and Onkel Norbert came to visit last week. We spent loads of time outdoors and a significant part of the time eating and laughing.

Tristam dug hanging out with his family. He discovered on Tuesday that another classmate of his has an "Oma" also. Tristam was overjoyed to learn this fact and proud to introduce his Oma. Oma taught him how to draw people, not just walking heads as he had been doing...at 4, you don't really know where all of your body parts are- really.

First Pumpkin

Images from the last few weeks. Our little parakeet flock..small in size LOUD in volume (sound). The humming birds are back. Tristam's first pumpkin of the season (many more to follow). And Fred last week at Avila Valley Barn.

Today I'm working on the next revision for a picturebook. I'm also preparing for the visit of my parents and uncle tomorrow (lots of odd jobs to get done before they get here).

Progress

These photos are from last week. There have been some changes since then, but I haven't photographed them yet.

Canvas

The Smiling Fish

Multi-tasking

Interesting piece on multi-tasking.

PictureBook Illustrators fo Obama- really.

I just popped over to a favorite blog of mine and saw this with this link.

Choosing a President "Just Like Us"

I don't know anyone just like Sarah Palin... If I did. She would be of those people you don't want your children playing with theirs...Anyhow...Here is a good piece about the history of electing someone "just like us"...except in history that seems to have included them being educated-

J.K.Rowling speaking at Harvard part 2

Part 2...and continuing with my rant- when you fail, you are forced to see what you're really made of- will you blame the world? your parents? will you play the victim and throw yourself a pity party? Will you give up? Will you dig in and take an honest look at yourself (see reality) and put the necessary effort into doing what needs to be done to succeed or choose another path? No one likes to fail or to see their children fail, but a society that shields their children from it is raising a generation ill equipted to live up to their own potentials and contribute good to a greater world, they are doing them a very great disservice...okay, I'm done for now...that felt good!

JKR's Commencement speech at Harvard (Part 1 of 2)

I'm posting this again in reference to my post where I talk about how children are not being given the experiecnce of winning or losing anymore (wouldn't want to make them feel badly...must be happy always...prozac? ) anyhow- This is a speech about the BENEFITS OF FAILURE- Yes! Failing is not always bad...it does things like build character and drive and focus...it helps egnite passion and creativity...Some of the darkest and most challenging times in my life have taught me the most and been far more vaulable and interesting than the successes...

Make Believe Maverick

John McCain...icky poo...that's the nicest thing I can say at this point. Here's a revealing article .

The Tale of Despereaux

Over the last weeks, we have been reading The Tale of Despereaux to Tristam. It was so perfect for reading aloud. We found out after finishing it that it is being made into a movie to be released this Christmas. The trailer for the movie looks charming, but I'm guessing that Hollywood will soften a lot of this story's edges.

Our next book we are starting on this week will be another Kate DiCamillo masterpiece, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

Why So Down?

Okay, well just the first image is a little down...

Today we had another transition day with Tristam. He has such troubles with them. It's got to be tough for a little guy to deal with 2 homes. At least he has no recollection of his biological parents ever living together - well he has 2 memories both dealing with injuries which is why I think he remembers them...well 3- he remembers his father sleeping on the floor of their living room for several months before moving when he was around the age of 2.

Anyhow, up until the transition today, we had a lovely time over the last 4 days and we get to see him again in another 2 days.

I've been a bit grumpy for the last few day. I think it's the general state of things right now and seeing patterns in them...People are getting burned right now for being greedy and living beyond their means and playing risky games. Unsavory mortgage lenders giving loans where they shouldn't have...

People expecting great things for mediocrity and not reaching, stretching and trying their best- their real best. A friend and I were talking the other day and she said that her son plays on a soccer team where no one is allowed to win. Seriously. No one loses or wins...everyine is equal...good luck in life kids, really. Good luck. And then they will be in therapy for the whole of their lives wondering why giving little effort is getting little reward and how mummy and daddy messed them up and why are they so far in debt- after all buying all of that stuff makes them feel better about themselves (since they don't have any accomplishments and haven't had tp experience anything diffecult and come through it)...little victims. Argh! I'm getting started and I need to stop. Karma will catch up with everyone. And with Karma, there are winners and losers.

I hear Mr. Obama being slammed for being an "elitist" because he's educated (when did an eduaction become bad thing??) and meanwhile ms. Palin (who is NOT) is more likable (equals electable??)...and Mr. McCain (who is also not) said (in his own words), "Thanks to my POW experience, I had...a good story to sell."And now we have this financial fiasco of HUGE proportions unfolding and what's happening to the Presidential hopefuls? They are getting nasty and ugly...well 2 are...the canine with lipstick and the guy with the good story. As I said before, I'm not huge Obama fan, but with the low depths that the other two are diving to...

BUT! If I tune out the outside world, life is very good. Lots of exciting stuff going on and almost a glimpse of things mellowing out (with the noise of some of the outside personal stuff)...the house remodel is cruising along books are being illustrated and Fred is coming home tonight. I miss him terribly.

So...it's hot here. My office is sweltering. I'm fighting falling asleep on the keyboard. I better get up and moving or wake up with an unfortunate impression on my cheek!

The Valentines Cat

The next installment of the series that includes Dear Whiskers, Meow Means Mischief, Tarantula Power! and The Perfect Cat-sitter will be out shortly. I just received an advanced copy. Here are some of my favorite images from the book...well my very favorite has to be the hamster....

The previous books have had the following awards and kudos: A starred School Library Journal review, A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award Nominee, Texas Bluebonnet Master List, a ton of other lists and lots of very nice reviews...

It's so great to be a part of these books. The Valentines Cat is another really sweet and funny story.

Nailed it Again...

Fred's Business Trip

Fred is over on Kauai on a business trip. He got to take a little bit of a break yesterday....He drove up into the mountains and went for a hike- the chicken is one of the Royal Hawaiian Chicken that roam all of the islands...pretty, isn't he? After seeing these photos, I think I may have to persuade him to take me with next time!

First Rain

The first rain of the season has arrived. When I woke up the air had that scent of earth and rain and ocean....

How Things Change

Fred back when he was competing in triathlons....We have a new family activity...the Sissons are now rolling...

Balance

Windows

Before, after.

Wild

So, on Monday, I come back fromt he dentist's office to discover this bit of wild nature in the front yard. A beautiful hawk had killed some sort of white bird that was about its size and a big black crow was trying to take it from the hawk....the hawk managed to become airborn with the white bird and fly away.

Sarah Palin Interview with CBS News' Katie Couric- Day 1

Okay...so when I saw the hilarious SNL spoof on this interview, I had no idea that the actual interview was SO close to the spoof...This is it..you won't even believe it what you compare the 2. I'm having a diffecult time believing that this person and the "maverick" are seriously a choice for running the country. That's the joke...and not a funny "ha ha" joke.