Happy 100th Day of School

I celebrated the 100th Day of School with an author visit to Holy Infant School. Here's a picture with some of the 2nd graders who are enjoying KITTY KERPLUNKING: PREPOSITION FUN. They helped Preppy the kitty find every one of the prepositions kerplunking in place in her story.

I also had a great time with two 7th & 8th grade classes, sharing some writing secrets with them and explaining the publishing process.

Guardian Angel Publishing sponsors a wonderful writing contest for students 12-years-old and younger at their Angel to Angel imprint. To find out more, visit the G.A.P. website at http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/angeltoangel.htm

Thanks, Students & Teachers at Holy Infant, especially Mrs. Doege--the school librarian-- for inviting me to visit!

Name That Animal

A couple more vacation photos. I think this one will be easy. This creature is a mammal but lays eggs. Where would you find this strange animal who lives half of the time in the water and half out of the water? If know the answer to this question, then you know one of the countries we visited on our trip.

GUARDIAN ANGEL BOOKS now online at FICTIONWISE

Now you can find GIFTS FROM GOD and KITTY KERPLUNKING, along with all the other wonderful GUARDIAN ANGEL PUBLISHING books at FICTIONWISE, "the Internet's most comprehensive collection of fiction (and yes nonfiction too!) in the most popular eBook formats."
Here's the link for all the GAP books:
http://www.fictionw ise.com/eBooks/ GuardianAngelPub lishingInceBooks .htm
And click on these links to find GIFTS FROM GOD:
http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook55416.htm?cache
and KITTY KERPLUNKING: http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook55420.htm?cache
FICTIONWISE has a special reduced price on the GAP books for a limited time. Only $4.25!

Another Mystery Picture

Dan & Megan are sitting in a famous "chair" overlooking the harbor. This sandstone chair was built by the governor for his wife, so she could stop on her daily walks and enjoy the view.

Hint: If you discover the name of the wife, then you'll know the name of the chair.

Blog Critics Magazine Interview

Thanks to my friend, Mayra Calvani, for her interview of ME posted today on

• Blog Critics Magazine at http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/01/23/202414.php
• Gather.com at http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977238833
• Mayra's Secret Bookcase at http://mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com/2008/01/interview-with-childrens-picture-book.html

Mayra highlights GIFTS FROM GOD and KITTY KERPLUNKING as well as some of my up-coming writings. Now is your chance to learn all the secrets of my writing day. Who really comes up with all my story ideas--my office assistants or me???

And be sure to check out Mayra's new book, THE MAGIC VIOLIN, published by Guardian Angel Publishing. http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/magic-violin.htm

Bridge to Somewhere

Here is a world famous bridge. Do you recognize it?

This bridge spans the harbor of the mystery city, rising 134 meters (429 feet). Sometimes local people refer to it as the Coathanger because of its shape. Just last year marked the bridge's 75th anniversary.

Would you be ready to join other adventurous tourists and climb to its top?

Piping Good

On one departure on our trip, the local band of bag pipers and drummers serenaded us a we sailed away. It was wonderful! Especially their rendition of Amazing Grace. Very touching...and I'm not even Scottish, although my husband is a wee bit.

Does this clue help narrow down our whereabouts or only leave you wondering what bonny banks we were visiting???

Whale of a Tail

While on a whale-watching expedition, Dan took this photo of a Sperm whale's tail during our vacation. This is the whale made famous in Herman Melville's MOBY DICK. For more information on this colossal creature go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_Whale

These whales roam most of the waters of the world.

Any idea where this one was???

Where in the World Is This Active Volcano???

Clues:

• It's between 150, 000 to 200,000 years old.


• It was named by a famous English sea captain and explorer in 1769.


• Its native name means "that which can be made visible."


• Natives used this volcano for its sulphur supplies and tasty Muttonhead birds.


• In 1953 it beame a scenic private reserve, protecting both the land and its wildlife.

We sailed by this puffing volcano, rather than taking a closer look. Any idea where in the world you'd find it?

Trains and Tunnels

Here's another highlight from our trip--a train ride through climbing vistas and numerous tunnels. The longest tunnel on this track is over a quarter mile (437 meters.) This short rail ride also boasts the largest wrought iron structure in the entire country--a trestle over 646 feet long (197 m) and more than 154 feet high (47 m.) The ride takes passengers over 800 feet (250 m) skyward traveling through the "Hills of Heaven."

My son, Dan, and his wife, Megan, are shown sitting in the train passenger car, enjoying a snack. The second photo shows the train winding its way upward. Any idea where you could find this mystery train???

Hands to Work; Hearts to God

Here's another stop on our mystery tour. See if this clue helps you discover our whereabouts--or only throws you half a world away.

This kind woman let me take her picture as she tatted. A nearly forgotten art--lace-making. Her fingers fairly flew as she twisted the bobbins all about, following her paper pattern. You can see the reflection of the stained glass on the table beside her lace. She worked inside the Anglican church, just off the city square. Hmmm...what city might that be???

If you'd like to learn more about tatting, here's a link to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatting

Dolphin Day

Here's another vacation picture. These dolphins are the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world. We were lucky to spot a few on this wildlife excursion. They raced our boat for a bit and frolicked all around us. What a joy it was to see them. Do you know what these rare dolphins are called and where they live???

Amazing New Year!

Happy New Year!--a bit late. Sorry, but I've been on an adventure over the holidays. I'll share one picture with you today--more later. See if you have any idea where I'm rafting...I'm the one in the yellow helmet farthest back. My son, Matt, and his friend, Jordan, are the two up front. Although this looks wet'n'wild, it's only a level 2 white water river. Final clue today, the river starts with an "R"