Brussels Sprouts, Favorite Painters and "From Scroll to Screen" Lev Grossman's article on Pubbing Revolutions

I'm posting random treats!

First, thanks to Sam de la Pena and Mel Corbett for gifting me with two Versatile Blog Awards. Sam describes himself as an author/nursing student/bleeding heart heretic. I've really been enjoying his posts. Visit his witty blog here. Mel writes speculative fiction. Take a look at her blog here. As for the Versatile confessions that I'm supposed to reveal when granted this award, I'll give you a few. Um... I love Brussels Sprouts sauteed with peanut butter; I love the shows Louis CK and Celebrity Rehab (I know, I should be ashamed of the latter, but Dr. Drew is addictive). And, some of my favorite artists are Janet Fish, Charles Burchfield and Alexis Rockman, two of whom have seen my paintings, which is amazing in itself. One of my prized possessions is a Burchfield drawing of thistle my hubby gave me. Above, from left to right, is Burchfield's Four Seasons, and a Janet Fish painting. On the bottom, is an Alexis Rockman, who speaks to bio-tech and climate change.

Next, here's a link to author, Lev Grossman's New York Times article "From Scroll to Screen" on revolutions in reading that include the ancient use of scrolls, the invention of the Guttenberg Press that spawned an explosion in "codex" literacy, and the rise of eBooks that democratize the publishing playing field. Read it here. Lev has written The Magician and The Magician King.

A Collection of Thirst-Quenching Thoughts

I’m still in summer mode so my inspiration is firing at random, and mostly in between summer activities such as croquet, fishing for trout, and general lazing about (I even tried shooting at clay pigeons with my sons! My favorite part was getting to drive the electric golf cart). Otherwise, I'm either on my city deck or my country porch. I’d wager a bet that others are in this mode as well. That’s why I’m posting a shortlist of musings.

First off, I want to thank Julia Hones for granting me a Liebster Blog Award. Julia is a very insightful writer and it’s well worth a hop over to her blog, My Writing Life. In her latest post she discusses three powerful short stories.

Next, I’ve been compiling books and essays and novels about writers, artists, filmmakers and other people involved in the creative process, for a freshmen college lit course. If anyone wants to recommend a book or essay that deals in this realm, I would welcome it! To pass muster with my department head, it has to be written by a well known and well-regarded author. For instance, I’m reading Kurt Vonnegut’s Bluebeard, an unflinching satire of the art world in the sixties and seventies. It is absolutely spot-on, and I’m sure my freshmen art students will get some real belly chuckles out of it (plus helpful insight into the corruption and posturing that goes on).

Have you read a book this summer that has blown your mind, or changed your perspective on the world, yourself or an aspect of something you think about a lot?

Lastly, here’s a cheapo drink that rivals Fizzy Lizzy or Snapple or any summery tall sippa chill. Mix cranberry juice and seltzer, and top it off with a liberal tablespoon of Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice. Add crushed ice. Yum. If you like iced tea but hate all the sugar in mixes, make your own. I add a mix of teabags to a quart of boiling water: usually chai with black tea, again, with a spritz of Rose’s. Or cut up a few slices of an orange and let that steep in the mix. You can drink glass after glass with no calorie worries. Twinings has put out cold-brewed ice-tea bags. Not bad, but never quite as strong as tea that’s been boiled and chilled. Good while on the run, though. You can stash a teabag or two in your pocketbook for travels. What are your favorite summery mixes?

Versatile Blog Awards! And Angst over a Crashed Harddrive

Hi all! I am relieved to say that I am back online after dealing with a hard-drive crash (new hard drive installed, covered by the warranty-phew!). This mishap was followed by spending some time in the Catskills with a downed Internet. Wahhhh!

Anyhoo, I was awarded a versatile blog award by the fabulous T.G. Ayer, otherwise known as Tee. I thank her and urge you all to check out her blog. As part of paying it forward, I want to give out Versatile Blog Awards too! But first, the rules stipulate that I reveal 7 things about myself, so here goes:

1. I've seen James Brown in person five times, and John McLaughlin four. Hear, hear to soul and rock fusion.

2. I had a serious painting career before getting published in children's fiction. See one of my oils above. The one with the hedgehogs. It's called NECTAR. Don't ask me why! Can you figure it out?

3. I am rather obsessed with birds. I've painted at least 25 bird paintings. Thinking about designing a bird calendar for 2012. Maybe sell on my website? Stay posted.

4. I stabbed a mouse that was stalking my apartment with a giant screwdriver. I know, I know, very gross! And disturbingly impulsive. But it was even more disturbing that it was setting up house and terrorizing me every night.

5. I love to line edit. And fold laundry. Hey, if you are in the market for a good line edit or manuscript evaluation, I am probably less expensive than most, so shoot me an email describing your project. No, you can't hire me to fold your laundry.

6. I despise squishy food like custard, cream pies, and soft breads--yeeeccchhhh. Give me something really crunchy, even scorched toast.

7. I love the outdoors. Could spend all of my time outside if it never snowed, hailed, rained or thundered.

And now, DRUMROLL, please!!!

I grant the next seven Versatile Blog Awards to...

1) The amazing illustrating blogger, Lynne Chapman's An Illustrated Life for Me.

2) The Book Rat, because I love the reviews, the topic of YA spec, her Fairytale Fortenight, and let's face it, hers has got to be the coolest banner around! Check it out here.

3) Alison DeLuca's Fresh Pot of Tea, because indie authors rock too. Take a look.

4) From Sarah with Joy, because she's another cool indie author with brave posts.

5) Helen Mallon's thoughtful blog WritingNurture. She is also a kick-butt author of literary fiction. Welcome her into the blogosphere as she redesigns and builds her world.

6) Moving on to PK Hrezo's Fiction Addiction with major swag and sass. She will not disappoint.

7) Miriam Forster's Dancing with Dragons is Hard on Your Feet. I mean, the title alone is worth an award!

8) Love this one too: YA Authors You've Never Heard Of. There is power in numbers for these small press YA authors. Though they may have to change their title to Authors You Have Heard Of, if they keep up the good work.

And there you have it! Come back and drop a line, tell us what you think.

More Blog Awards, On Target, Pay it Forward

A few days ago, I was awarded the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award by Kelly Hashway and since it’s a play-it-forward kind of award, I decided to go for it, and mention 6 blogs (Plus 2 bonus ones!!) that I really enjoy. Since it’s no longer Valentine’s Day, I’m taking the liberty to rename the award the On Target Award. Here's how it goes, should you choose to pay it forward:

1. Thank and link back to the person that gave this award.

(Thanks, Kelly!)

2. Share 4 guilty pleasures that you have.

3. Pass the award along to 6 other On Target blogs.

Guilty Pleasures:

1. Reading trash rags like People and the NY Post, and watching trash TV like Housewives of Beverly Hills

2. Banana Powerbars, coffee ice-cream and basically anything involving cocoa beans

3. Staying up more than half the night

4. Traveling to vaguely dangerous places like Moscow, Camden, inner city Detroit and, on my wishlist: Afghanistan

On Target Blogs

(It was sooo hard to boil down the many blogs I follow. I couldn't list any used in other award lists):

1. Lauren Hammond’s Living in Literary La La Land. She’s a YA author AND an agent. Look! .

2. Tracey Neithercott’s Words on Paper: Her posts are always thoughtful & lyrical. Read her posts.

3. Sarah Ahier’s Falen Formulates Fiction: Perfect if you’re itching for a fix of amazing humor & lots of whacked out animal pictures: Take a look.

4. Susan Dennard’s Susan Dennard: Her banner alone is outstanding. But seriously, folks, she’s always discussing timely matters, such as Steampunk in lit. Check it out here.

5.Teacher Kathy Martin’s blog, Ms. Martin Teaches Media, because everyone should follow a teacher who’s such a committed book blogger. Wow.

6. Livia Blackburne’s, A Brain Scientist’s Take on Writing. I mean, what could be cooler than that? Livia has a unique view of books, writing, and the world. Read on.

7. BONUS BLOG: Ezmirelda’s Dreamz of a YA Writer. A teen, passionate about books, music and blogging. And she’s already written 5 novels in high school! Visit her.

8. OMG, I forgot one! Here's a bonus, bonus blog: David McGrievey’s An Illustrated Life. For any of you out there who are author-illustrators. David’s illustrations are some of the most elegant around. Yes.