Storystorm 2019- I Can't Wait!!

Tis the Season

It's that time of year, all the best of 2018 lists are coming out. It's informative to see what books each group highlights. Here is a link to the National Science Teachers Assoc. and the list of STEM books that they consider to be the best of 2018.

Picture Book Recap with Matthew WInner

Matthew Winner is a school librarian, hosts a podcast and blogs. He also does a monthly recap of new picture books. Here is a sample...it's a great read.

Picture Book Recap- Oct. 2018

While I Should Have Been Writing-Again

I always get motivated by spending time outside, so it isn't really wasted time, even when I should have been writing. I saw some beautiful moss on a hike and I got to see the start of day two of a 90 mile canoe race through the Adirondacks.

Iron Millipede

This guy was fat and longer than my pointer finger. This North American Millipede is common in the eastern US, but it was the first I've ever seen.

Who is Hatching?

Now the milkweed is really a mob scene. This picture from June shows a hatch of milkweed tussock moth caterpillars....why I grow milkweed....and why native plants rock.

Summer Reading

Though a bit late, it's always great a have s list of suggested reading. These would be some great titles to add to a classroom library.

Horn Book Summer reading suggestions

Why I Grow Milkweed

The milkweed is swarming with butterflies, and not only monarchs. But the reason I grow milkweed in my garden is because without milkweed, there would be no monarchs.

While I Should've Been Writing

I get lots of ideas "when I should've been writing", so I let me guilt go...most of the time. I spotted this gorgeous bobcat while out for a walk.

ADKS

The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”

~John Muir

About now, my thoughts start turning to summer. But first in the Adirondacks, there's mud season.

The mountains are calling and I must go.”

― John Muir

In case you need a smile

A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly… if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.

~ Roald Dahl in The Twits

A Revision Reminder

“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” ~Mark Twain

Garden spider zipper

I love the way this garden spider makes a "zipper" in her web. Is there a story here?
Learn more about the black and yellow garden spider. I found this one in CT.

The "pre-published" author's mantra

Perseverance is failing 19 times 

and succeeding the 20th. 

~Julie Andrews

Corny Vocabulary

So many colors..are there words to describe them all? Ivory, yellow, gray, eggplant, mauve, rose, up close they look a bit like river rocks that have been worn smooth by centuries of icy water. There's one kernel that even looks like an engorged tick, now you can really tell I live in New England!

Farm Stand...and more

I found all kinds of goodies at the farm stand last summer...including story ideas. This pudgy fellow turned out to be a bedstraw hawkmoth caterpillar.

In case winter is dragging on...

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”

~John Muir

“Dawn was breaking over the horizon, shell pink and faintly gold...” ~ J.K.Rowling in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Show Don't Tell

“Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
~ Anton Chekhov

A Gentle Remindar

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.  ~John Quincy Adams

Life is good

Cats manage to procrastinate without guilt.

Inspiration

While doing the Storystorm idea month, so many have recommended going for a walk to clear your head, or finding something that fires your passions/curiosity. I was lucky enough do do all of these at once. Plus I could take a walk back in time to and old graphite mine.

Super Monarch

At last, it arrived. Could this be a super monarch, getting ready for a long migration to tropical places? I hope you're ready little one. Here is a great article about super monarchs.

Almost here

Last summer I waited and checked and waited some more. I didn't want to miss the arrival of the monarch on my milkweed plant.