Linda Zajac

2012-02-11T09:16:00.004-05:00

One day this past week I holed up in an upstairs bedroom and shut the door. Aside from the cat pushing her way in then jumping on my lap a few times, it was a place of solitude and little disruption. I was away from the lure of the computer and other tasks, so I got lots done. It was a great idea, but only when the room is unoccupied.

The picture book I've been busting stones on revising and revising is done and has been shipped off for evaluation. This project that spent the night in the scrap bin, has come a long way. In my mind, I hit the bulls-eye of creating exactly what I wanted to create. That gives me quite a bit of satisfaction. I looked at that project with three sets of eyes: reader, editor, and illustrator. I wanted to make sure it didn't drag anywhere, that a young kid stayed with it. There had to be enough science. Was there enough material for a variety of engaging pictures? I found one spot that I thought might be dull as far as illustration goes, but I have come up with an exciting way to portray those facts. Thus I'm now recording design notes for this project.

Since I'm working on five things right now, I thought it was a good idea to create a small Project Status notebook to keep track of where I am with all of these because I'm constantly moving from project to project for a variety of reasons--edits to be made, ILL books coming due, requirements for conferences.....

2012-02-04T20:15:00.000-05:00

This morning, I was eager and excited to teach a science class to a great group of K-2 kids. I had a lot of setting up to do, so I got there about 1 hour early. At the end of class one parent walked in and asked if the kids had fun. I said, "I did!" The kids learned a lot and everything went perfectly which made me quite happy. One of the hands-on activities they seemed to really enjoy was painting food chain place mats (the only photo I took). Andrew, my teacher's assistant, was a huge help. THANK YOU Andrew!

Friday morning I was at Central CT State University sitting with about 50 other people from various organizations discussing the beginnings of CT Green Ribbon Schools.

2012-01-31T08:30:00.002-05:00

After stressing, stewing, floundering, pondering, designing, writing, shelfing, writing, scrapping, and unscrapping, Houston I have a story! I spent a day working on one idea, but realized that I needed to do more research to finish it, so I put that project on the shelf and went in a different direction. I spent another day taking a MG WIP and whittling it down to a PB. At the end of the day, I decided to scrap the whole project. By sunrise the following day, I resolved to make it work and it is! I am immensely satisfied with how it's going given the rocky start. I've been hyped up trying to keep an eagle eye on the word count with books like Lightship and Wolfsnail in mind. Yesterday, I found Donna Bowman Bratton's post that made me relax about the number of words in a NF PB. Although I've been focusing on being concise, chopping it down too far would be an injustice to the topic.

I made this last week. Guys may need to eat about seven of them, but hey, it was a fast healthy dinner.

I'll be Hungry in an Hour Wrap
Roasted veggies - cut up pieces of pepper, onion, squash, and eggplant drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with pepper, oregano, basil (or whatever spice you like) and a touch of sea salt then roasted at 400 degrees until done (15-20 min)
Wraps
Hummus

Spread hummus on wrap, top with roasted veggies and roll em' Danno.

These photographs were taken at Bigelow Hollow State Park. We snowshoed on frozen Bigelow Hollow Pond, but at one spot it was slushy and ice stuck to the bottom of the snowshoes making them much heavier. At the park, a blue sheet of paper listed the trails and distances. It was missing one piece of valuable information--the distance was ONE WAY! Daylight disappeared fast in that park because the sun went down behind a dense pine ridge. We turned back on a 2.9 miler because there simply wasn't enough daylight. The needles on the pine saplings in the top photo were so light and feathery in contrast to the rest of the forest.

2012-01-25T16:15:00.000-05:00

Next week I'm going to a meeting about Connecticut Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Education's new designation for schools that meet certain environmental criteria. Also, if you are interested in signing up your child for an Excursions in Learning class at Manchester Community College, it's best to do it soon. Currently, I am juggling a number of different things, but my focus is trying to get something ready for that Nonfiction Academy that I signed myself up for.

2012-01-19T15:28:00.002-05:00

Wow, have things picked up. I was quite happy to hear back from the NESCBWI about volunteering at the conference this year. After much thought, I've decided to go for the full three days, but I'll drive up daily with my writing group. This year they have among many other things, a nonfiction academy where each participant brings either a completed picture book or a full manuscript for middle grades. The problem here is that I don't have either. It's impossible for me to try and finish my mid grade manuscript and do a decent job of it in such a short time, so I've decided to turn an existing piece into a picture book since I've already done the research. While thinking about this, I came up with an intriguing idea for a picture book format. I have to think about it some more, but it's definitely a unique idea.

When I returned home from my writing group meeting on Tuesday, I was delighted to rip into some mail that turned out to be a contract for an article in Highlights! In other promising news, a query has also generated interest in a rough draft.

I also participated in a webinar for the CT Climate Change Education and Communication Group (good lord, those folks need a less cumbersome name). The woman that heads up the group emailed my ChemMatters article about climate science to 98 people in this group. Yowzy!

When I stopped at Weir Farm National Historic Site this past weekend, I was delighted to see this table inviting visitors to sketch on the grounds. I simply could not resist. Since it was bitter cold and probably about 15 degrees (high temp 21, low temp 9), I sketched with thick ski gloves and a hat on. The top photograph was a photo taken while I was sitting on a rock. The bottom photograph was my interpretation of the scene. I consciously thought about not putting that rock wall in the middle of the sketch and that's exactly where it landed. Despite nearly freezing to the stone, I really enjoyed myself exploring a new place.

2012-01-11T18:22:00.004-05:00

Today, it came to my attention that I incorrectly assigned the wrong date to one of my quotes. Gasp! The fourth quote down about writing being like building a snowman was actually from a 2/24/09 post (scroll down to find it) not a 3/06/09 post. That February post originated from a homemade holiday card I sent to an editor (12/08). IMHO, it was hysterical. The cover of the card had a snowman in disarray. Inside I wrote, "like everything else I send you, this is going to need a little adjustment." I can't believe I still remember that! Then I wrote this simile in the card, only more eloquently than I did on this website in February. I know it sounds mundane, but I felt compelled to set the record straight on this and to do it today.

Currently, I'm debating about attending the NESCBWI conference and if so, on what days? It's a lot closer this year. I'd better make up my mind soon because it fills up fast.

Regarding my "most edited" article, I'm eagerly looking forward to its publication and I'm quite appreciative of all the time the editor spent working with me on it.

2012-01-08T11:31:00.002-05:00

Clearly the article I just finished gets the award for "Most Edited." I'd like to think that's not because it was a disaster, but because the editor saw some glimmer of hope in the thing. "Light in the Cellar of the Sea," an article about bioluminescence in the deep sea, is scheduled for publication in February of 2012 in ChemMatters.

Lately, I've been polishing a small article, readying it for review by my writing friends. Line #4 was one of those lines that had to be hammered out a zillion different ways. I tried to analyze why the line wasn't working. The action was fluid until it got to that point then it became more like steps. Finally, after reworking it many times (15-20), I heaved the line altogether. It still didn't work. The impact of the last line in the paragraph had diminished. Finally, I found an excellent solution by lengthening the last line in the paragraph (the new line #4).

I posted some more photographs from a hike around Breakneck Pond at Bigelow Hollow State Park. What we both thought was a 4 mile hike ended up taking us 4+ hours. There were ridge trails on either side of this pond that reduced the sunlight faster when the sun set.

2012-01-02T19:28:00.002-05:00

Since I prefer to write outside, I think this research study on whether bird song has an impact on mood, behavior and creativity is interesting. It got me thinking. I have to have a sense of peace when I write. That peace can come from singing birds, babbling brooks, crashing surf or no noise at all. Chirping birds won't do it for me if I'm in an environment where I do not feel safe or if I am in a busy place, such as a city. It will be interesting to read the results of this study.

This past Friday I hiked out of state while circling Breakneck Pond in Bigelow Hollow State Park. Beaver activity was obvious, but when I scanned the pond, I couldn't find a beaver lodge or a beaver dam. On the return trip, the trail was pretty water soaked. In several areas, water rushed across it forming a wide stream that seemed impassable. It was challenging and slow moving trying to navigate the best way across these spots. To get by them, I piled stones and logs into the water, teetered on logs, and swung on a mountain laurel branch. At one wide water logged point, I gingerly stepped across a beaver dam (2nd photo), squishing and crunching on grass covered sticks. Since I have never stepped on a beaver dam, I had no way of knowing if my feet were going to end up in water that looked pretty deep. Once I got across the water, I had to push my way through heavy brush. It was clear that the beavers gnaw trees on one side of the pond and swim across it to construct their piles. There were a lot of challenges getting around "Breakneck" Pond.

2011-12-25T20:14:00.000-05:00

As we move into a new year, I think about all that I left behind and all that lies ahead. I flip through the yellowed pages of photo albums, memories of a time, a place and a lifetime. I think about the past, the future, and the news I shared one August day, before the curtain came down, for good. I think about the course I set in 2007. A steadfast compass still points in that direction--destiny. Onward I march, into a new year filled with promise. Ring it in and bring it on!

Photo - My mother in Mexico, living life.

2011-12-18T20:47:00.002-05:00

The Excursions in Learning catalog is out for the K-2 classes I'll be teaching at Manchester Community College in February 2012. We are going to learn a lot and we are going to have fun!

I noticed you can now listen to a published article in EBSCO. I listened to my article about hiking a glacier and was quite amused at the pronunciation. The article, by Linda Zieyack, was about a glacier in Wrangell "S" "T" (St.) and discussed fearn (firn).

I spent this past week trying to find answers to seven crit group questions. My article is now done and I'm really pleased with it. Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity to interview the scientist. Next up is photo research for two articles.

I took this photograph back in early October at Hammonasset Beach, but I never got around to posting it. These plovers were scurrying along the sand as mega waves smacked the shore.

2011-12-13T16:46:00.004-05:00

Last week, I had additional things on my task list. As if holiday shopping and five projects were not enough, I took care of a preteen and a cat all week. Surprisingly, I got a lot done. Since it saved time and gas, I ended up spending the week in another house and the time there was more like a writing retreat. I didn't do much in the way of cooking and realized that cooking related tasks chew up a lot of time. For some unknown reason, I was able to use the internet, but I couldn't email out, so I didn't spend any time writing emails (except the one day I went to the library). I wrote an article and made some sizable revisions to another.

On Thursday, I spoke out at an Inland Wetlands meeting. They probably don't hear this too often, but I brought up climate change and its impact on songbirds.
Potential effects of climate change on birds of the Northeast
Projected Impacts of Climate and Land-Use Change on the Global Diversity of Birds
Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment
2010 State of the Birds
Some birds have shifted their range northward (Audubon)
In this time, when the climate is changing and carbon dioxide and temperature are rising, why do we allow proposals that hack into water resources like wetlands?

I got a new tripod about two months ago that I used to photograph the cardinals on the back deck. It's lightweight and portable and should easily fit in my backpack.

2011-12-01T11:25:00.004-05:00

I'm getting very adept at working on multiple things, something I could never have envisioned years ago. In addition to some photo research, I've currently got five projects in various stages of completion. Two are large projects and two are small. Lately, I'm yearning for closure on one long article, so I'm gravitating toward short quick writing. One article I'm writing is a really cute story that I've wanted to write about for a couple of years, the other is wildly exciting.

Now that the leaves are down, I am treated to gorgeous sunsets like this one. The tree limb that was hanging over the end of my driveway has been trimmed (a little too far!). The remnants of the oak tree remind me of a towering spear of asparagus.

2011-11-20T20:01:00.004-05:00

I finally conquered the supply lists for my hands-on science classes in February. That took more time than I anticipated. It didn't help that I had some very specific brands in mind. When I couldn't find one product, it took me a while to find a suitable substitute. I know there is a big emphasis on teaching hands-on inquiry based science, but it's time consuming to put hands-on activities together. In addition to thinking up the activities you have to prepare and purchase materials. The time invested in preparation pays off because the classes are way more fun for kids than sitting through a straight lecture. Retention of the material is higher too.

After nearly a year, I finally received some positive feedback on some magazine work! There are so many things I want to write I've got to pick one and get moving.

Every fall, the crimson leaves of my Japanese Maple glow in the sunshine, but Storm Alfred forced them to do backbends. Note: the truck in the top photo is delivering my new fridge!

2011-11-13T18:25:00.005-05:00

Yesterday at the CT Appalachian Club Annual Gathering, I spoke about climate change. The audience was engaged, answering my questions and at the same time asking plenty of their own. They were astounded during the hands-on science portion of the presentation. It was the same reaction I got when I demoed this presentation in front of a group of Toastmasters. Overall, it went well although I plan to tweak a few things next time.

At the Gathering, I enjoyed speaking with Russ from the Conservation Committee. He built a great display of energy saving devices that many people aren't aware of. It seems the biggest hurdle for AMC, the Climate Change Education Communication Group (formerly the CT Climate Change Education Committee) and myself is finding the proper channel to get information out to as many people as possible.

Today, I volunteered at the CT Children's Book Fair at the University of Connecticut. There was quite a crowd. I peeked in as Mo Willems was giving a dynamic presentation to a crowded room of kids. They had a great lineup of authors, Jane Yolen, Tomie DePaola, and David MacAulay to name a few.

Since I didn't take any photographs at either event this weekend, I will post more more on Storm Alfred. The October snowstorm sent trees limbs crashing down all over my neighbor's lawn. I was in the street when I took the third photo--and so was the tree. The storm left so many fallen limbs that now four foot high brush piles line the streets like fences. Despite the destruction some good came out of the storm. I love love love my new energy star refrigerator and we also picked up an LED camping light!

2011-11-05T10:22:00.008-04:00

Last Saturday, a freak October snowstorm dumped heavy wet snow on gold and orange foliage. Tree limbs ripped. Power lines snapped. By the time the storm was over, one half of Connecticut (sliced diagonally) had lost power.

We got pummeled with thirteen inches of snow. On a street 2/5 of a mile long, the storm severed enough tree limbs to damage eight power lines. On Saturday at 9:15PM our power went out and we've been "camping" ever since.

Despite the challenges, I am forging ahead on three separate projects. Nightly, I read and write via booklight. Wifi at the jam-packed library is slow and often reaches capacity. Yesterday, I was in absolute heaven in a sunny cubicle at a less crowded university library.

I miss a hot shower and the freedom to do research at all hours. I like candle time and viewing the pock-marked moon and the stripes and moons of Jupiter through a telescope without any light pollution at all.

The downed wires in these photographs are all within walking distance. The second photograph is of the line connecting our house and the neighbors to the street. One extremely dangerous oak limb (bottom photograph) is hanging precariously over the spot we normally park one car. If that falls, it could kill someone.

2011-10-28T12:42:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, I was in Hartford for the National Science Teachers Association Conference. It's interesting to note that what I got out of presentations often differed dramatically from what I thought I'd get out of them. For instance, there was a workshop about how the NSTA committee picks award winning books that I thought might be depressing (I have lots of magazine articles!). It was excellent. I got a whole sheet of what reviewers look for in science books, things to think about when I write. They spoke highly and enthusiastically about their selections and mentioned subjects they rarely see. Another workshop about how we learn was quite interesting and material about standards made me feel like I'm right on target with my subject matter.

I could have spent more time in the exhibit hall where I entered a dark semi-spherical moonbounce structure, a digital starlab. The larva of a Mexican jumping bean trying to repair its broken bean captivated me for a long while. I viewed it with a microscope that worked like a computer mouse. As a kid, I had jumping beans.

I drove into Hartford on a raw rainy day and came home to find October snow on the back deck. Some of the stuff I got at the conference is in the top photograph. The thin sheets of antibacterial soap were really nouveau, although I surely contaminated them when I pulled them all out. Shhhh. It's my little secret. Anyone need some dirty soap?

2011-10-21T18:00:00.007-04:00

I pored over an outline this week. One chapter was too big and got split. That left me with a new question. Am I losing the story? I think I've got it under control.

Then I shifted gears to work on a chemistry article that needed more chemistry (heaven forbid!). I chose workshops and presentations for a conference next week. That task took a good 1.5 hours because there were so many choices to sift through. Today, I made copies of a brochure and an article that pertains to my talk. I will bring them to the Appalachian Mountain Club Annual Dinner on November12th.

I learned that Columbus Day is the busiest hiking day at Mt. Monadnock and that is clearly evident in the second photograph. Enroute to the summit, I stopped several times to admire the beauty around me. Amidst the sawtooth leaves of the mountain ash were clusters of Christmas berries. White birch, red berries, yellow and tangerine leaves were all framed against a bright blue sky. Simply stunning and I wasn't even at the peak.

2011-10-18T13:24:00.008-04:00

Next February, I'll be teaching two three-hour hands-on inquiry based classes for K-2 at Manchester Community College:

Wolf Tales and Trails on February 4^th from 9am-12pm

BH 101: Bear Hair Basics on February 11^th from 9am-12pm

My outline for a new project is done. Or so I thought. It is so helpful to have another set of eyes, or two, on the material. I understand what I'm trying to convey, but I didn't write it for me. My writing friends loved the hook at the start, but thought the organization could use some adjustment. Hm.....

These photographs were taken at Misqamicut Beach in Rhode Island. The monarchs were flitting their wings in a strong wind. A few days later I read that migrating monarchs were spotted in New York City enroute to Mexico. It made me think of how much wind there is blowing across the ocean and how exhausting that trip must be.

2011-10-11T18:08:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, I spent three hours at the university doing research. I came home with quite a stack of research papers on two topics. Now, I am enthusiastically diving into an outline on a fresh subject, readying it for review by my crit group.

Bolton Notch was a two-garter snake hike. This snake was the first and biggest of the two. As we approached the tree in the bottom photograph, I reached down and picked up a round nut. My friend said, "oh that's a horse chestnut." I looked at it and shook my head. "No, it's a hickory." When I turned to look at the bark, peeling like loose shingles, I knew for certain it was a hickory tree.

2011-10-06T11:35:00.003-04:00

Research on a new topic is going well. Yesterday, I put together an outline. Today, I realized it's not quite right. One chapter actually happened before another, so things are getting shuffled a bit. I have SO many questions. What else is new?

A scientist emailed a research paper. I'm hoping the contents answer all my editor's questions enabling me to complete the final revisions.

At Valley Falls, we encountered this fallen tree that grew on top of a rock. It had a shallow root system making it easier to topple. The unusual butter-colored lichen reminded me of a frozen waterfall.

2011-10-02T20:57:00.003-04:00

I decided to attend the NSTA conference. I couldn't pass it up because it's right here in CT. I won't need airfare or a hotel. As I reviewed their website, words from a wise editor echoed in my head. "Invest in yourself."

Was it worthwhile to become a member of NSTA? Spend $75 to save $5 on admission = no.
Should I go half day or full day? A full day was the better deal.
Which day should I go? That was real tough. It came down to either Thursday or Friday.
What do I want to get out of this? In order of priority:
1. I want to see a presentation by a writer/author to see what they are all about.
2. I want to hear about the standards
3. I want to see the exhibits, presentations and workshops

I've done some preliminary research on two new ideas. The one that is really exciting me came from Melanie's notebook from a college science course. INTERESTING stuff!

Last week, I hiked at Bolton Notch with my friends, Maureen and Emily. I showed them the tunnel, the cave, the flag rock, the cliffs, and the pond. It was the end of September and all three of us took off our shoes and socks and walked into the swimming hole (that was closed for the season) up to the bottoms of our pants (or shorts in my case). In the hot sun, the water was refreshing.

2011-09-29T17:39:00.003-04:00

When I first started writing nonfiction, it was all about research and writing. Now I find myself doing a whole host of tasks that I never realized were in the job description:

1. I will be speaking at the Appalachian Mountain Club Annual Dinner in November.
2. I am once again volunteering at the CT Children's Book Fair. This time, I may be in costume. Think Clifford.
3. I filled out course proposals for two 3-hour hands-on science classes that I've taught before (subject to approval). Before I completed the paperwork, I reviewed my supplies in the cellar just to make sure they were all there. Wow, did I ever prepare a LOT of stuff for those K-2 students.
4. I am contemplating going to the National Science Teachers Association conference in Hartford.

Moments ago, while Walt counted turkeys, I hid behind the Honda and tried to get pictures of them parading through the backyard, single file. It was an eleven turkey evening.

2011-09-24T19:56:00.005-04:00

I will be speaking on November 12th in Cromwell CT at the Appalachian Mountain Club's Annual Gathering. Click on workshops and schedule on the left side of their web page. The presentation evolved from an article I wrote for ChemMatters.

This week, I returned to revisions of my latest chemistry article and it was quick work to realize what the editor has been looking for all along. He told me it will be published in February of 2012.

These shots were taken last Sunday on a hike to Mount Higby. Mt. Higby is in the background in the bottom photograph of my brother and I. With a wake the following day, it was hard to smile for that photograph. We parked at Guida's at the intersection of Route 66 and Route 147 in Middlefield CT. It was a relatively easy hike along a trap rock ridge with excellent vistas. I'd love to go back in a month or so and soak up the colors of autumn.

2011-09-20T20:08:00.006-04:00

It's been a tough week. I'm dedicating this blog post to the memory of my mother.

She was an avid blog reader, but she only read one blog. Mine. After the early loss of my father, she raised 4 kids under the age of 6. Growing up, we heard over and over that we should take every opportunity because it won't happen again. That was the way she lived her life. She loved adventure, travel and her garden of flowers. I see myself in those words. Before she passed, I told her about an opportunity I had. She turned to look at me and her eyes widened with excitement. She will be missed!

I particularly like these photographs because, as my friend said, they show her living life.

2011-09-07T10:46:00.003-04:00

Monday was a day where I sat out front instead of out back and it did me a world of good. It sure helped to be on a dead end where there weren't many distractions. Was it the change in scenery, the backyard activity that was out of sight, the decision not to disrupt my thoughts with a visit to a nursing home (I went the following day) or was I just at that point in the process where the words came easier? I don't know, but I have learned that I write best when I'm relaxed, well rested, and not worried. Easier said than done sometimes.

That one day, I finished the article I was working on and fact-checked probably 85% of it! Woot!(added to the Oxford Dictionary this year). This morning, the Big Kahuna went out the door, but not without giving me plenty of grief beforehand. I made FIVE piddly-buns changes before shipping it out. I read a book once about people that died hiking Mount Washington. It was called Not Without Peril. Why does the title Not Without Grief come to mind?

This, BTW, is a Rose of Sharon.

2011-09-02T20:52:00.005-04:00

This whole week, pulling words out of me was like yanking a knotted skein of yarn. When I was pregnant with twins, knitting was about the only activity I could do during three months of bed rest. I would get up from my three hours of mandatory bed rest and go rake leaves.

Today, it took me all day to come up with 3.5 paragraphs at the start of the article, but they were 3.5 exceptionally good paragraphs. For some reason, I was working backward through the changes this time doing those that came last first. I finished a big chunk of these revisions already. The beginning was saved for the end because it needed a rewrite and I didn't have a clue. Not one clue.

I found this spider's web in the back yard. I was amazed at the spider who traveled from one rhododendron bush to another in a nearly horizontal line (bottom photograph). When I measured the distance, the spider silk stretched over nine feet across! There must have been a strong wind that day. That spider had a long walk home.

2011-08-31T09:20:00.007-04:00

The past few days have been filled with plenty of worrisome distracting things. Despite the hurricane's howling winds, I managed to chip away at some revisions to a chemistry article. The chips were about as big as 10X sugar, but that's besides the point. I posted a few photographs of the hurricane. We were lucky, we never lost power and there were only sticks and leaves all over the yard. Local damage was in the form of downed trees, power outages, roads blocked off, and traffic lights out. The eastern portion of CT got socked with major power outages and on the coast, a few houses slipped into the sea. EEK!

Also, I spent some time pointing out and trying to get to the route of my mother's increasing confusion. Some bozo prescribed anti-psychotic drugs. GET HER OFF OF THEM NOW! I think/hope they've got a handle on the problem now, but geesh, you REALLY have to watch in these rehab/nursing facilities.

I took another look at the large project that I'm itching to ditch. I did some minor tweaking, stuff like jacking up the font size by one increment and indenting one whole space on a few lines. I did find one word that needed to be replaced. That one word made it all worth my while. It was a place and it didn't match the place I listed in the rest of the material. Phew! Spared myself some embarrassment (wow, that's a first!).

2011-08-27T11:34:00.003-04:00

Some times it's a challenge to get any work done as a writer. In the work for hire world you have five days to get your changes in. If you don't get them in on time, then you don't get more work. There was a time in my life that this may have worked for me, but not now. Take this week for example. There was an earthquake, a pulled lower back muscle, a vasovagal response, and a night in the emergency room. If that's not enough, two kids were dropped off at college and a hurricane is on its way. I can see the little note in my file, "forget this one!"

My big project is done and ready to ship out! I hope this one takes me places. A critically important email arrived last week and boy was I ever excited to get it!

There was a turkey convention in my backyard and I slept through it. Drat! The bottom photograph is Melanie's new roommate at college, a handsome fellow named Zach.

2011-08-22T12:06:00.004-04:00

Last night, at 2:43AM, ideas came churning out. I was unable to find my small notebook, so I ended up going downstairs to write down this growing list. Forget about sleep after that.

The to-do list can be categorized as:
1) Chemistry Article
2) Presentation related
3) Other writing

It's pretty clear that this writing journey is taking me in a direction far different than most nonfiction writers. I like that. I think it's much harder to break into the field of narrative nonfiction and stay true to writing stories versus writing nonfiction not in a story format. After hearing about the work-for-hire scene, I came to the conclusion that from a financial standpoint, it seems to me that fiction rewards bestsellers or those with literary merit and nonfiction rewards speed. What's with that?

Here's a photograph of my niece on a hike at the Worcester Ecotarium. I think these fish were expecting some food, instead, on a very hot day, she dumped her water bottle in to give them a drink. How thoughtful. Needless to say, a little while later she mentioned she was thirsty.

2011-08-19T19:33:00.003-04:00

I got my article back again for a second set of changes. Hopefully, I can come up with a better beginning. I am about 97% done with another large project I'm working on. I plan to ship it off on Labor Day with or without the pieces that will surely make it stronger. If I get all the pieces, it will be one small miracle.
One.
Small.
Miracle.

Today, I volunteered to help at the NESCBWI conference next year. If it comes to fruition that would be great. A number of years ago, I volunteered, but was not needed. In 2010, I volunteered again, but oh what a year that was. A dump truck of really awful personal stuff unloaded as that conference was heating up. Like everything else, I have to keep on trying.

I came up with a great idea for another class for kids. I think (have to check on this) that it would be geared for middle school students.

We passed these bald eagles before entering the Worcester Ecotarium. Along the side of the cage, I was able to bypass double fencing and really get my camera lens between the chain links. Such a shame no one was there to stop me. Actually, the spot I was in was well worn so I wasn't the only one with that idea.

2011-08-16T12:11:00.005-04:00

Recently, I was reading an article in Discover magazine by esteemed NASW science writer Carl Zimmer. I was really drawn into the article by the gruesome action packed beginning. It got me thinking. I had an action packed beginning in my chemistry article, but the editor replaced it with a summary. I know the American Chemical Society does a lot of reader tests to get feedback. I'd really love them to test two versions of the article to see which captivates students more--the summarized start or the action packed start. Personally, I think a better place for a summary is in the extensive teacher's guide they produce with each issue.

In New York, I picked up another tidbit of information from a marketing class presented by Mary-Alice Moore of Boyds Mills Press who grew up in here in Connecticut. She mentioned that people spend too much time on blogs, reading and writing posts. I definitely think I do and I've made a conscious effort to cut back on my blogging and focus on writing and research. Instead of posting every other day, I'm cutting back to about twice a week.

It's been three weeks since my return from the workshop and I'm just now starting to feel like I can relax a bit. I still have pages of notes, hours of recordings and piles of books to pore over.

I could have watched the river otters at the Worcester Ecotarium all day long. They were so cute I couldn't stop snapping photographs. Here they look like they are kissing each other. Some day maybe I'll write about river otters and submit some of the better photographs I took.

2011-08-12T20:47:00.005-04:00

I've been moving non-stop since my return from Chautauqua New York. The queue has been jam packed with things to keep me busy. Yesterday, I emailed a revised article, so that's out of the way. In Carolyn Yoder's session, From Research to the Printed Page, I learned that words taken from other sources usually cost money, so I asked about the excellent quotes I found in videos. I was told they are usually not allowed, so I removed them. That was disappointing. Next up, I'll be digging a fat envelope out of the cellar and dusting it off. I can't wait to get back to this one!

About a week ago, I took my niece to the Worcester Ecotarium for the day and took these photographs of a boa constrictor. The snake's dirty laundry is hanging in the bottom photograph.

Roger Tory Peterson Institute

2011-08-06T09:17:00.010-04:00

One evening while at Chautauqua a bus whisked us away to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown New York where we had a barbeque (the salmon was yum). Roger Tory Peterson created the "Field Guide to Birds," first published in 1934. While we were at RTPI we had the option of taking an architectural tour of the building and/or a tour of the archives. Mark Baldwin of RTPI showed us one drawer of extinct birds and held up an Ivory Billed Woodpecker and a Passenger pigeon, both extinct. I couldn't help but think how exciting it would be to be let loose in those archives to open the drawers, examine the birds, turn them over in my hands and feel their tiny feet, but that was a no-no.

The photographs of bird artwork were Peterson's first and last illustrations. He died in 1996. The unfinished illustration left an impression on me. It was a stark reminder of how quickly and unexpected death can be. He was so passionate about his work that he was doing it until the day he died.

If you're interested in getting other writer's opinions of Chautauqua or RTPI, I've assembled a list of blog posts from friends I met there:

Marie Powell-Mendenhall - RTPI
Betsy Devany - how I landed in Oz
Kathy Mirkin - 10 reasons to attend
Gail Handler - The charm of Chautauqua

Here's a place to find information about Chautauqua 2011 alumni

2011-08-03T08:04:00.004-04:00

My final comments about Chautauqua have to do with the publishing marketplace. I heard from a nonfiction writer that nonfiction is not selling right now. I heard from picture book writers that picture books are not selling right now. I got the distinct impression that the publishing industry is partially paralyzed by the changes rippling through it from e-books. They are cautious and waiting, only taking on projects that they know will sell.

I've been revising a chemistry article that took some getting used to after the editor shuffled it like a deck of cards. After looking at it, I realized it's mostly my cards rearranged a bit. Actually, the edits aren't that extensive, so it's moving along.

Although this bee on a coneflower shot could have been taken anywhere, I took this macro shot at Chautauqua one day as I walked back to the hotel.

Chautauqua - the people

2011-07-31T08:16:00.010-04:00

At Chautauqua, the disparity between "them" and "us" was negligible. The faculty and invited authors were approachable and not there to further their own agendas. They scattered among the conferees at mealtime. During one dinner, I was happily sandwiched between Sivu from South Africa and Jerry Spinelli. At another dinner, I sat next to Kathi Appelt. On different days, I had breakfast with Chris French Cully, Carolyn Yoder, and Andy Boyles. At a barbeque I sat next to Juliie Ham, editor at Charlesbridge. It was not so much what will happen from this workshop, but creating the possibility that it can happen by making connections. My roommate, Janet Lloyd Weber, and I were amazed at how gracious Kent Brown's family was to open their homes to us for barbeques on two separate evenings.

The bottom photograph was taken at my dinner table one evening. The middle shot is my totebag from the conference signed by faculty and authors. I had my mentor, Andy Boyles, sign front and center. In the upper left hand corner you'll find the cryptic signature of Tommy James (and the Shondell's). The top photograph is the last morning where I laughed throughout breakfast. So many happy memories of Chautauqua......

Chautauqua - the program

2011-07-29T09:52:00.008-04:00

The program at the writer's workshop at Chautauqua was more intense than I expected. I was quite busy the whole week and that left little time to participate in the scheduled Chautauqua Institution lectures and programs. There were inspirational keynote speeches in the morning and in the evening. In the afternoon, I scurried from one pre-selected workshop to another. During lunch, there were optional Lunch and Learn sessions where I ate and listened to a speaker. I participated in two of these. One was a session on how teachers select nonfiction books and the other was about school visits. At times I found it difficult to focus because of the heat and because I didn't sleep well while I was at Chautauqua. It seemed many people were not sleeping well. We were all caught up in the excitement.

Prior to arriving at Chautauqua, I submitted a manuscript for critique. Critiques were either Mon and Wed or Tue and Thurs. I was real happy with my first critique despite having a critique group that I consider to be quite thorough, I received some great suggestions. The second critique meeting either involved new material or revisions to the submitted material. In order to get those revisions done participants stayed up till the wee hours of the morning or they cut workshops and keynote speeches (that would be me).

There was a lot of stuff crammed into one week. I signed up for an early morning nature walk that I really enjoyed. We found a dead bat (I wish I used the macro setting of the camera!) . One day we went to Roger Tory Peterson Institute and got a tour of the archives and their Ivory Billed Woodpecker. Other conferees participated in a history field trip. Sharon Creech was one of the keynote speakers. The top photograph summarizes the keynoters words of wisdom. What a great conference!

Chautauqua - the place

2011-07-27T15:03:00.007-04:00

Chautauqua Institution is unique. I know of no other place like it. It's not really a town, but more like a gated village devoted to the arts. It straddles Chautauqua Lake. At the front gate, there's a schedule of all the events that happen during the week. Lectures, concerts, animal shows.....all occur in open air buildings. The houses have small yards overflowing with flowers. Jerry Spinelli told me he and his wife bought a house in Chautauqua because they loved it so much. My first impression was that it was quaint.

The bottom photograph is the amphitheater where we saw Tommy James and the Shondells. The middle photograph is the lecture hall where I sat during lunch and also met my mentor, Andy Boyles. Many times during the week I'd walk past the lecture hall and hear someone speaking. The top photograph is the view from the front porch of the Athenaeum where I stayed. It's a magnificent historic hotel that has had many famous guests.

Chautauqua - First Day

2011-07-25T21:15:00.004-04:00

To get into the Chautauqua Institution you have to go through one of the gates. You'd think the President was coming with all the security they have there. Every trip in and every trip out requires a scan of a ticket.

That first day I wandered the grounds walking all four of the streets that ran parallel to the lake. When I found the bell tower, why of course I wanted to climb to the top, but that was no-no. Carolyn Benton, the chimemaster who wanted this job since she was five, asked me what hymn or fun song I wanted to hear from her lists. Since I was there for a writing conference, I selected "I Could Write a Book." Since I was not familiar with what I was requesting, she could have played any old thing and I never would have caught on.

2011-07-24T10:37:00.002-04:00

Last night I returned from Chautauqua. I had a fabulous time. One of the questions I had before I left was what is it about this conference that makes writers love it? I now know the answer to that. I hope to explain that in a series of blog posts about place, program and people and include key photographs. For now, I'm digging out and working on edits to an article.

2011-07-13T08:58:00.004-04:00

I've adjusted to the new reality by looking at things differently. Instead of standing in the street and gazing at the top of a skyscraper and thinking what a devastating fall, I stand in the street gazing at the first floor thinking you can do it. You can get there. One step at a time. It's the same with writing. When you look at the mountain top and see the happy faces they seem so unreachable, but taking one careful step at a time you will move toward that peak and enjoy the journey more. Hopefully, after a week at Chautauqua there will be noticeable improvements all around. I am SO looking forward to getting away, attending lectures, meeting new people, enjoying the arts, listening to feedback and most of all immersing myself in the writing world. I have much to discuss with a mentor.

The top photograph is an Asiatic lily. They are stiff flowers that last a long time in bouquets. The bottom is coreopsis, a profusely flowering plant.

2011-07-11T18:01:00.006-04:00

I've carefully worded my editorial email and will send it out tomorrow when I'm a lot more rested than today. I'm afraid I'm going to make a stupid mistake. Chautauqua is on my doorstep and the suitcase is getting stuffed.

Melanie found this turtle wandering around in the middle of our backyard. Boy, did Walt ever startle me. I turned my head and the feisty creature was dangling real close to my ear. At first, I didn't even recognize it as a turtle. I screamed. I'm not a turtle expert, but I think it was a painted turtle. I picked up the muddy squirming creature and placed it at the edge of the wet woods. Now, I'm wondering if I should have driven it to a pond. It was quite a ways away from the pond in the woods and quite eager to get moving away from me. I can't say that I blame it. When I cropped one photo so it was only the head I noticed what looked like a snail on the shell. Maybe it was a chunk of mud?

2011-07-08T07:08:00.003-04:00

Lately I've been thinking big, big, big. Before I act, I have to do some research and make some decisions. Speaking of decisions, I'm real happy with mine and where they've taken me. I'm leaving for Chautauqua Friday morning and staying in Jamestown Friday night. The way bombs drop around here, I'll believe it when I get there.

This clematis has been creeping through the holes in the lattice and is profusely flowering on both sides of the railing. A fine vine indeed.

2011-07-06T14:36:00.004-04:00

I'm hoping my suitcase can pack itself, so I can collapse inside it. It's been a busy couple of weeks shuttling to the hospital, painting the house and struggling to accomplish something. As a science writer I'm always asking questions. My mother has told me more than once that I ask too many. I shoot them out like gunfire. Yesterday I asked what a dense stroke was. You know, my mother was right.

Yesterday I met with my writing friends for 3 1/2 hours. We meet at an eating area of a grocery store. A sparrow (which I named Jack) flew around inside the store and eavesdropped at the next table. I wish I had my camera! My friend suggested a more inventive word in place of "big." The conversation tanked after that. It wasn't long before the guy in the next booth up and left. I am glad they made me laugh. Today, I spent the day poring over crit group suggestions and revising. I still have the last piece and those emails to finish.

More flowers today--day lilies and clematis.

2011-07-03T12:09:00.004-04:00

All the pieces of my current writing project are done except one. Hopefully, this week I can steal away some time to finish the meat of the thing. It's a powerful package.

Here's another recipe for busy writers. I made this yesterday and loved it. The apricots hold up real well and don't turn brown or mushy the second day.:

Cranberry Apricot Chicken Salad
- Use leftover chicken or grill boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used a grill pan).
- Chop chicken.
- Add chopped fresh apricots, dried cranberries and mayo. Season with salt, pepper and a bit of tarragon
- Serve over lettuce, between bread or eat it straight

I've been shuttling back and forth to the hospital all week. This morning, I picked a bunch of hydrangeas and brought them with me. Would I love them as much if they were pink? The soft blue petals are striking They remind me of fresh fallen snow.

2011-06-30T10:34:00.004-04:00

The bucket of life has spilled once again. I can turn the pail upright, but I'm not sure I can collect all that was lost (can you tell we've been painting the house?). I've been thinking a lot about what the future holds. Well, I don't have an answer. No one does. Despite what is going on with others, I've got to pursue what I'm destined to pursue. In the past, I've hobbled over obstacles by telling myself I'll find a way. I'll find a way. I WILL find a way. I always do.

Needless to say, I've been too distracted to send any emails and part of me is wary of a negative response or no response at all, but I'll get there. I will.

There is no better photograph for today than iris' that were given to me by my mother.

2011-06-28T08:06:00.006-04:00

Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Everything about writing involves making a decision. What topic to pursue? How to approach it? How to organize it? Which word to use? An entire career is made up of decisions, footsteps that propel a person in a direction. My resume reflects my choices.

As I look back on my years of writing I think about what I could have done differently to speed up the motion and reduce the frustration. I never pursued work for hire or an agent. Would that have helped? I never gave any thought to self-publishing. I don't regret that decision. Then there are those things that can not be rushed. Writing needs to season over time and with practice. Lots and lots of practice.

Anyhow, I made a decision, I have a direction. It was based on the question, where is the story? Now I need to ship out a couple of emails, one to a scientist or two, the other to an editor. Before I do, I need to give them careful thought so I include everything I need to include as I continue to move forward one tiny footstep at a time.

These photographs were taken at the Sunken Garden Poetry Festiva l at the Hill-stead Museum where a friend and I sat in a garden and listened to music and poetry. I sat behind this tall clump of statice.My friend brought these wonderful ginger cranberry rolls stuffed with chicken salad because she knew I'd like them. She was right.

2011-06-25T10:02:00.007-04:00

Right now, I'm split down the middle as to which route to pursue. It's one of those times where I wish I had an editor to ask. Oh, it doesn't matter which editor, anyone from A to Z. Hopefully, I can address my questions at Chautauqua. I'm tackling this four year old project piece by piece, starting with the smallest chunks. When I looked at this stuff a year or maybe it was two years ago, I revised and improved it a lot. It's all there, but not necessarily as polished or as clear as I plan to make it.

Aside from that, I have two pieces of writing waiting in the queue for my next crit email date early next week. One is an action packed revision. The other is that silly piece of fiction.

Walt took these excellent leaping cat photographs with a fast shutter speed and a multiple shots option (click on photos to view in full screen). What I found really interesting was Twinky's tail. Note in row 2 column 1 the tail is behind her, but in row 3 column 1 it is in the opposite direction over her body. I've read that cats use their tails for balance, but it almost looks like it's a brake for the landing.

2011-06-22T07:23:00.003-04:00

Good thing I made those brochures! I had the opportunity to speak a bit about my presentation and handed all of them out at yesterday's meeting. The focus of this meeting seemed to be educating students which is exactly my intention. Another strong theme was collaboration among organizations. I recognized one woman from the CT Envirothon. She asked me if my husband was Roman. I said no and he'd better not be and laughter erupted. My only regret is that I had to leave early to collect Julia on her last day of school and I missed a presentation that I was interested in hearing. Drat.

Aside from that, I've dug out some four year old writing. It's time to strengthen and revise to make this proposal as strong as I can make it.

I found these pieces of hornet's nest scattered all over the deck. Walt pulled them out from underneath the shingles. I don't know if he was kidding or not, but he said there's now a hornet's nest in the umbrella of our outside table, the same table I put these pieces on. Ut oh!

2011-06-20T11:14:00.003-04:00

I still need those photographs and my subject is in camp this week. I'll get them. Trust me. This brochure WILL be done by tomorrow morning's Climate Change Education Committee meeting. I'm going to throw out an idea for that committee and see how it goes.

I am overjoyed to see that a dead opportunity has sprung back to life. Years have strengthened my resume. I'm going for it with a full court press because opportunities come, but they don't linger long.

This gorgeous full rainbow was visible from the back deck. It's not often that we see an entire rainbow where every color in the spectrum is visible. For over ten minutes, I couldn't take my eyes off the sky. This photograph doesn't do it justice. The blues, violets and greens are lost in the sky. It was a spectacular sight.

2011-06-18T18:54:00.005-04:00

My brochure is 92.75% done. It came out great, but needs some photographs. It looks like I'll have to plan a swim date with my niece so I can get myself a real life model of the appropriate age. I'm quite content that now I have something, something concrete to show people. Ahhh. I've tried and I will have to keep on trying because I intend to honor my part of the bargain.

I received a 21-page emailed pdf file (e-book) from the Highlights Foundation. Inside were short biographies for all one hundred writers/illustrators attending from all over the United States, Canada, India and South Africa. As expected, there weren't many men, but there were lots of teachers and lots of people who loved being outdoors. Of course they loved writing/illustrating too.

I've posted more photographs from the National Museum of Natural History. These were taken at the dinosaur casting area

2011-06-16T17:15:00.002-04:00

Now that my article has been emailed, I've set a new goal and given myself a new deadline. I want/need to complete a trifold brochure by Monday night. There is a committee meeting next week and this brochure is coming with me. The thing that might hold me up is the photographs, but I'll get it done. I will.

Now for last post's question, "why is this article that I emailed important to me?" I consider everything I write to be a stepping stone, one notch further than the prior piece. I have high aspirations for this one.

I love the vivid blue color of a mound of lobelia. Yellow flowers are a dime a dozen. Dandelions are yellow, buttercups are yellow, black-eyed Susan's are yellow, but blue is not so common in the wild, at least not around here.

2011-06-14T07:49:00.008-04:00

Yesterday, I worked from 9:30AM to nearly 9:30PM checking my work for accuracy. When I finished (ring the bell, I'm dun dun dun dun!!!!), I went straight into thinking mode. I wondered why I worked so hard. My first thought was the tag along the right side called "asylum." Then I thought about drive and what makes a person driven. Without looking at any research on the topic, here's what I came up with. To be driven to meet a goal a person needs:

1. A specific goal - With nothing to work toward, your efforts are scattered versus focused.
2. Belief that you can meet this goal - I call this mental toughness. Marathoners say this is a huge part of their runs.
3. A realistic goal - If the goal is unreachable, it's not going to happen.
4. An important goal - The goal must be important to the person.
6. A deadline - This is what pushes a person toward a goal at a faster rate than they would normally move.

I still have questions. Why is this article so important to me? Why did I push myself to finish it all in one intense chunk of time? The editor didn't give me a deadline, I gave myself one.

To fuel my writing fire, I didn't spend much time on dinner. Chipotle Black Bean Burrito's were Mexican, healthy, veggie, fast and yummy. Perfect for busy people.

I noticed a paper of mine is now on Google Scholar where you find research papers. I don't know how long it's been out there, but I kind of liked the company it's keeping. That set me off wondering how it got out there. The publisher submits it.

The bunny is back again searching for a garden to flourish in. It has yet to find one. Maybe some day soon.

2011-06-12T11:55:00.006-04:00

Time is ticking fast lately. Crit group suggestions are nearly complete. Then it's back to fact-checking. I hope I can get the article out the door by the end of the week.

I learned the name of my Chautauqua (is that the hardest darn word to say or what?) workshop mentor and I'm uber-delighted. The forty-five workshop descriptions that arrived via email were more detailed than those on the website and they included who the speaker was. For example, there was a workshop on e-books (by Harold Underdown) a workshop called "200 words or less" and another called work-for-hire. I got to pick 15, at times that was tough. Many of us on the Chautauqua discussion board plan to swap notes. So, I have to remember to write clearly and neatly (or I'll have to retype, ugh).

Squirrels are so common out here. This one is clinging to our oak tree out front. Earlier today, Walt took some awesome fast shutter speed images of the cat leaping. I'll post them another time. I have to read the owners manual to learn all its capabilities........but reading manuals is so bbbbbborinnnngzzzz.

2011-06-10T07:14:00.005-04:00

Currently, I'm answering some questions for a blog interview. Hopefully, I can finish that up today. Some of the questions are unusual, but I think that will make it interesting to read when and if it gets posted.

I will probably set myself a deadline to finish this article because I want it out of the way before I skip off to a conference in July. Also, I've been running some tests by simply making observations of how things are valued. Yep.

This, BTW, is my first butterfly of the season, a swallowtail.

2011-06-08T10:48:00.004-04:00

I spent the morning incorporating most of the changes that my critique group suggested. They are so helpful! Nobody was too thrilled to have their picture taken so I didn't take one. We also changed our meeting location from a park to a patio. Writing time is getting tougher to find as my social calendar heats up with the thermometer.

I love this purple and white Iris that originated from my mother's garden. Close up, this frilly flower reminds me of a preschool coffee filter project where water and deep purple paint blend and wet edges ripple.

2011-06-06T15:57:00.006-04:00

I spent the whole morning fact checking an article and there's much more to do. Amazing all the piddly little things you find to clarify points and add precision. I also need to create a brochure and I need to do it soon.

Tomorrow, I'm getting together with my writing friends and we are taking it outside this time. YEAH! I'm bringing my camera so maybe, if my human subjects cooperate, I'll post a photograph next time. I also plan to post about the Chautauqua Writing Conference in July, but I'm not interrupting the experience by doing it real time. I will write about it after I return.

While I was examining the wilting remnants of invasive Oriental Bittersweet, this robin perched in the oak tree above my head. He looked so stately sitting there that I couldn't resist the photo opportunity.

2011-06-04T09:17:00.004-04:00

I noticed this sharply critical blog post about a wolf article in Highlights magazine and since I also had an article about wolves published in Highlights several years ago, I felt a duty to respond to it. Either something went wrong when I tried to post or the poster chose not to publish my comment (maybe it was too long!). Therefore, I feel the need to get that information out another way, right here.

The blogger questioned the scientific accuracy of the article by asking for the names of the researchers. Although I can not speak for that writer and their research, I can write about the five articles that I've had accepted for publication by that magazine. They were all based on research papers and consultation with an expert. Not only that, all the editors at Highlights review every article so there is absolutely no way they would publish any nonfiction without it being based on fact. No way. No how. Not happening.

Anyhow, I explained that in my 800 word article the bibliography was two pages and I consulted four research papers, one from a study in Montana and three from a study in Banff National Park. Additionally, the finished article was reviewed by the expert.

In my article, wolves were scared out of the park by park rangers who used to shoot them. They returned to the Eastern and Western portions of the park, but not the central region. For fifteen years, scientists studied the ecosystem in all three areas. They counted elk by helicopter, they examined aspen and willow trees, they monitored songbirds and beavers. They also followed wolves on snowshoes and on cross-country skis to learn where they went and what they ate. In the central area of the park, where there were no wolves, elk populations had grown out of control. They wandered in the roads, gardens, and on soccer fields. They chewed through aspen and willow, killing some trees. Songbirds nest in the trees so there were less songbirds. Beavers used the willows to make their lodges so there were less beavers. The bottom line was that without wolves, the ecosystem was out of balance.

I then commented that he was lucky to have received such a long letter from a busy well-respected editor. Many writers yearn for such feedback.

If the blogger was truly interested in reading the research paper(s), he/she could easily type in some keywords on Google Scholar. Words like "wolf" or "wolves", location, and researcher last name should be enough to find the paper. I haven't read the article, but the controversy has certainly captivated me to want to.

2011-06-03T10:01:00.004-04:00

Thankfully, the internet technician finally arrived and was able to pinpoint the problem. He suggested we do a test to see if the problem was inside or outside the house:

He suggested we connect a long phone cord out the window or door from the computer directly to the jack-in-the-box (phone box) on the side of the house, thus bypassing the inside lines. Who knew there was a phone jack in that box? Anyhow, full signal outside. + awful signal inside = inside problem. To circumvent the problem, two jacks (out of three) are not being used. The computer is now humming along with great response times (HALLELUJAH!!!!), but the casualty is that I record interviews using the jack upstairs. I've lost that ability. Deep sigh. This problem needs to be addressed.

I sent ten pages to my critique group, so there was no room to include that fun little fiction piece. Next time. We meet early next week. I finished reading the book on writing which had some good advice on revising and made me feel right at home. Now, I'm reading two science books that make me think a shredder went off.

Today, the search website BING features the Montgolfier brothers and the first balloon ride. I thought I'd post my photograph from the National Air and Space Museum.

2011-06-01T07:29:00.003-04:00

I was quite happy to get the mail yesterday. An article I wrote earlier this year placed in the 2011 Writer-editors Network International Writing Competition. It competed against poems, picture books, YA book chapters and other works of fiction and came in second. The article is unpublished and unpurchased. Granted, I'm about the only one that is delighted as I've read this kind of news is of little fanfare to agents, editors and publishing houses. For me, placing in a contest is something to strive for, a challenge to meet. I don't think I'm alone in my views. Last year, the PEN committee selected my chapter as a winner and so did this same contest.

I should finish my book on writing today. It has helped me clean up some superfluous wording. Yesterday, I removed four adjectives and today I revised the ending once more by rearranging and revising some sentences. One of the questions I want to ask my writer friends is if the organization should be changed. Currently it looks like a sandwich with scientist 1 being the bread: Scientist 1, scientist 2, scientist 3, scientist 1. I'm wondering if the stuff at the end should be put together so it would more like an open-faced sandwich: Scientist 1, 2, 3. I've got about a week before I get input. The scientist 1 stuff at the end is pretty exciting, so I'm thinking it might be a letdown to move it up.

2011-05-31T06:33:00.005-04:00

Internet service (if you want to call it that) has been so poor that it has been impossible for me to do any research lately. Thankfully, I'm writing and revising at this time. Walt, a software engineer, insists that it is NOT a virus. He says how can FIVE computers all have virus'? He's also rerouted the downstairs computer to bypass the phone line and replaced/disconnected filters. I dug up a 3/20/11 email from the phone company (hint: begins with an "A") about changes to terms of service:

1. Added language to allows us to convert customers from DSL to U-verse, where available (the next door neighbor has this).
2. We have added language that you are responsible for paying collection agency fees (are they anticipating people will not be paying their bills? Why?)
3. We have added language that allows us to terminate customers who harass or abuse our employees (are they expecting to get harassed and abused? Why?)

I did a broadband test. When the light was flashing orange I called the phone company. THREE times the light turned green while on the phone. The minute I hung up it turned orange.
I'm paying for a MONTH of internet service and not getting it. I think this is wrong. All wrong. Is giving bad service an acceptable means of doing business? Why do they feel they need to take this approach?

As for my article, I've stripped away about 7 lines that were interesting, but off topic. I think they dragged it down. The quotes that I have from two scientists are in, but I'm still waiting on the third. I'm about halfway through the book I'm reading and entering a chapter on love scenes. Oh yeah, as a writer of nonfiction science, I have so much use for that chapter. But I'll read it. I'm one of those writers that TOTALLY avoids animal love scenes too. I'm eagerly awaiting the chapters on writing nonfiction.

I thought a nice flower photograph should accompany this whiny post. Again, this is spring in D.C.. Hopefully, I can post this before my internet service grrrrrrrrinds to a halt again.

2011-05-27T06:37:00.005-04:00

The ending of my article is moving along, but it's still not there. I have six more days before I pass it off to my critique group. Hopefully, it'll be rocking by then. Currently, I'm reading about writing. This book feels like it has opened another door—the door to the first day of college. It's probably because of the chapter on characterization for fiction. I suppose I could have skipped it and gone straight to the nonfiction parts, but I wouldn't want to miss any savory nuggets in between.

Since the Mars rover Spirit has been in the news I thought I'd post my photograph of a Mars Rover taken at the National Air and Space Museum. Here's a letter from the head of the Mars Exploration Project Manager to his team about the end of Spirit's mission. NASA's Spirit was sent out for a three month mission that lasted over six years.

2011-05-25T13:46:00.007-04:00

The article is now done, but I'm still tweaking and I have to add quotes. The last line isn't packing the punch I'm looking for. Yesterday, I went into a little panic attack that maybe I ventured down the wrong path with the chemistry concept. There is nothing quite like finishing an entire article and realizing it's not what the elusive editor is looking for. Well, the concept I picked is most certainly in my daughter's high school chemistry book, so there.

I enjoyed watching the panda at the National Zoo and I guess I'm not the only one. Scientists study the panda using the panda cam. The panda was kind of buried in bamboo for a while (top photo) and not moving much. When I got to the panda cam, I noticed the panda had risen and left the viewing area. Such excitement! I ran back to get a much better view and to take better photographs (not shown).

2011-05-23T08:19:00.006-04:00

My internet connection is still slow and spotty. They told us three days ago it would be fixed in three days. This is getting old.

I spent the weekend doing a great deal of revising and now the article is much more polished although the last two or three paragraphs still need work. My daughter picked it up and snickered at the title so I am trying to come up with a new more enticing one for this wildly exciting topic.

I'm waiting for a book about writing to arrive. In the meantime, I've been reading lots of books by Chautauqua faculty. Some of my favorites are:
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt - beautifully written.
Gator Gumbo by Candace Fleming - SO cute and flavorful language. Great illustrations.
Where Horses Run Free - by Joy Cowley - A really nice story where you really feel for those horses
Time Flies by Eric Rohmann - A fast read (no words!). Neat idea to pair the now with the then.
The Prairie Builders - by Sneed Collard - Nicely written unusual story about rebuilding a prairie.

"The Battle Against Invasive Species" by Sneed Collard came to mind as I yanked up Asian bittersweet yesterday. I've seen those orange roots before, but I always thought they were the roots of my Rose of Sharon (which I have taken to calling the Rose of Linda!). I noticed the invasive plant had snaked around a branch, choking the life out of it. A couple of branches of bittersweet had worked their way to the top of the "Rose of Linda" and reached up into our oak tree (bottom photo you can see it coming in from the right). I sawed and snipped the stalks. Now what's left of bittersweet has been severed from its roots. For now, I win this one.

2011-05-20T17:37:00.003-04:00

This morning the songbirds kept me company while I worked outside wrapped in a snuggie blanket. That was SO pleasant. Somewhere along the line my writing friends and I got our dates crossed as far as when we're meeting next. I think what may have happened is that we inadvertently set our meeting date an extra week ahead and one of my writing friends noticed this. Anyhow, my new self-inflicted deadline is June 1st.

My article is in really good shape. There's still plenty left undone, the final section and ending to untangle, all the quote stuff to contend with and the fine-tooth scrutinizing for accuracy. Aside from that it's an exciting topic that I'm enjoying and it's much less complex than others I've chosen.

Here's a shot of a sloth bear at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. They live in India and Sri Lanka and eat ants and termites. Delicious. Apparently they like cantaloupe too.

2011-05-17T14:42:00.006-04:00

I've been having internet problems since May 1st at about 2:30PM (not that I'm keeping track at all). Today the phone guy was here to look at the line. He found some corrosion down the street so hopefully it's fixed.

The chemistry article is now about 2/3 done. I reread it this morning and when I got to the chemistry part it felt like the words fell off the paper and into a tar pit. That part was lousy. So, I looked at it and tried to figure out why it dragged. I finally concluded that the writing was generalized. It helped immensely when I related it to the specific topic I was writing about.

My next crit group email date is June 8th so that now becomes my deadline to finish this article. Getting questions together is my new priority. Hopefully, (this article - bibliography) + the fiction piece is < or = the 10 page maximum we set.

These photographs are from the National Museum of Natural History. This room is where scientists examine fossils. I once did an archaeological dig with my youngest daughter. No one in the group found anything terribly noteworthy. It must be so exciting to scrape away the dirt and find a 15 million year old bone. Note: Click on the top photo and you can read the note easier.

2011-05-15T12:46:00.006-04:00

I lingered in the orchid room at the Botanical Gardens admiring the flowers and pondering the lure of their petals. I am not certain if all of these are orchids though.

Today, I will spend the day pouring through the _ _ _ ing (rhymes with pouring) pages of my daughter's high school chemistry book. Zzzzz. About 1/3 of my article is pretty polished.

I don't know what it is about that little 500 word piece of fiction that keeps me coming back for more. There is a lot in there--a humorous (or so I hope) main story, a connection to curriculum and a third little thing that leaves a reader wondering. I am pleased with it and I do think it's done (until I pick it up again).

Another thing I need to do soon is to review the Chautauqua workshops and start making some preliminary decisions about what classes I might want to take. Fun fun fun!!!

2011-05-13T20:51:00.005-04:00

When I read The Orchid Thief, it was a turning point in my writing. I doubt this creative nonfiction book would have any significance for anyone else, but it did for me. It made me realize a key thing I was consistently getting wrong. I was reminded of that great book when we toured the U.S. Botanical Gardens in Washington D.C. After climbing flights of stairs, I walked along the inside perimeter of a 93-foot dome in the Conservatory. Essentially, I was in the mezzanine, the steamy tree canopy of a tropical rain forest. I loved the Botanical Gardens.

It's only fitting that I post some photographs and a link to a video tour that is more representative of what the place really looks like inside.

Currently, I'm working on three things, the chemistry article, a revised first chapter from several years ago (wow, WHAT an improvement), and that piece of fiction that I am enjoying tinkering with. Now that I really have a handle on the article (or so I think), I need to come up with questions for the three scientists. I'm happy to say it's pretty much down on paper, the beginning is really polished, but it loses steam quickly.

2011-05-11T17:48:00.001-04:00

I spent four and a half hours today at the University library picking through the abstracts from a myriad of research papers. For others, I knew exactly what paper I wanted. The time slipped by unnoticed. I got quite a stack, I think I might have killed a tree. Wince.

Here is a photograph of a Tyrannosaurus Rex at the Smithsonian Museum National Museum of Natural History.

2011-05-09T15:23:00.003-04:00

Lots of progress today. All day I read research papers, wrote and jotted down the papers I couldn't find online. I needed a huge hunk of time to get myself back into this project. By working outside, phone calls didn't interrupt me, butterflies did. I ran for the camera at the sight of a swallowtail.

Word count is now hovering about 700 words short of the target. Sometimes working an hour here or there simply does not cut it.

I received a nice email from a NJ teacher whose class enjoyed my beavers article (2007) during state assessment testing. How cool is that!

Probably the most stunning thing I've accomplished during the weekend was that I've written a PB, my first ever. If that's not enough of a shocker, the thing is a work of fiction. No, I don't expect this to start a trend. I'm interested to hear what my writing friends have to say about this--after they recover from their heart attacks.

The photograph of the day is the marine research center at the National Zoo in Washington D.C.

2011-05-06T19:17:00.008-04:00

Today, I'm posting photographs of Common Ground, Connecticut's only charter high school focused on the environment. I was there with a small contingency from the CT Climate Change Education Committee. One woman described the group as an eclectic mix and they definitely were, but they were all involved with education in one way or another.

At the school, we listened to some presentations about the place then four students stood up to talk about the projects they were working on which all centered around conservation/reduction of the school's resources, specifically water, energy, waste, and food. We applauded them on the content of their speeches and their excellent presentation skills. Then we toured the facilities. I loved the outdoor amphitheater where the drama class practices and entertains. It reminded me of something you might see at a National Park. The school runs a farm and eats, sells, and donates what they produce. It was a school vastly different than any other I've ever been to, a place where the outdoors was integrated into the classroom. In addition to passing out a few business cards, I did talk to one person who gave me a different perspective on the speaking scene from the viewpoint of a school and their needs of time and curriculum. Before I left, I gave the school one of my five contributor copies of ChemMatters (2/11 water issue) . One student and one faculty member had mentioned how passionate they were about the topic.

I thought I had pretty stylish science writing until I started reading The Underneath by Kathi Appelt. It is fiction, but the lovely lyrical writing is making me feel like the Plain Jane of writers.
In my defense, when you write for magazines, there is no room for excess words that add to the drama. They will inevitably be trimmed out and more science will be stuffed in their spot.

Next week, I anticipate making a trip to the university library for research papers. Many are online, but not all.

2011-05-03T15:21:00.004-04:00

I'm writing about a fascinating subject and I'm really happy with the way this article is coming along. My enthusiasm for a topic grows as I get deeper into the research. I have high hopes for this one. Tomorrow I'm converging with my writing friends, but we won't be discussing this article because I still have another 1,000 words to write and the whole thing needs plenty more polish.

While on the whirlwind campus visit tour, we stopped at a college in Baltimore Maryland. While we were there we walked to Edgar Allan Poe's grave. In 1865, there was a movement, called Pennies for Poe, to raise funds for a new monument(bottom photograph) to replace his neglected grave. Today, people still leave pennies on his old grave (top photograph). If you look closely, you can see the glint of copper by the raven.

2011-04-30T07:51:00.005-04:00

With about 25% of this article written, I'm trying very hard to stay on track. If there is one thing I've learned (the hard way) it is to write about the specific topic the editor wants me to write about and zero in on that. I'm still trying to make this a story by zeroing in on one scientist.

Here are photographs of two very different left hands. The top is an orangutan hand taken through a filthy window (at the National Zoo). The bottom is my hand holding a green tobacco hornworm at the National Museum of Natural History. This website details the difference between the tomato and the tobacco horn worm.

2011-04-28T07:04:00.005-04:00

I'm off and running in one direction on this article, whether it's the right one remains to be seen. It all depends on the concept they want to convey. I've got a pretty decent first couple of paragraphs that I think can withstand any change in focus of the article. The new printer is here and very much in use printing research papers and everything I need to critique (done!). Twinky has made nine blank copies, but she doesn't seem interested in reading them.

They say the climate is changing and spring is arriving two weeks earlier than it used to. During April vacation, it was beautiful to experience an early bloom by traveling to D.C. Mass plantings of tulips were everywhere. The bottom photograph, "the citrus collection," was taken while passing the beautiful grounds of the Marriott enroute to the National Zoo. The Cherry Blossom Festival had passed and there was one lonely tree by the Tidal Basin that must have been sleeping during the festivities. It's great to come home to a second bloom that is just starting here in CT.

2011-04-26T07:58:00.005-04:00

This rather boring looking boxy device is a mass spectrometer/gas chromatograph. I couldn't help but take a picture of the thing because it's such a useful tool in chemical analysis. One way a mass spectrometer is used is to compute a radiocarbon date by counting carbon-12 and carbon-14. A gas chromatograph can separate out and analyze the components of a compound. One way scientists use it is to analyze the atmosphere of the past.

Since today is the email date for my crit group and I'm not anywhere near done with my article, I took some time and revised some vintage material from 2008. Oh, what an improvement! I changed the whole thing from past tense to present tense and that made it more immediate. I also grouped the action into two sections and didn't disrupt it with explanation. I've learned a lot in two years. Now, I'm interested to hear what they have to say.

2011-04-24T18:34:00.003-04:00

While in D.C., I thought I would finally get to meet the editor that I've worked with for the past three years. Enroute to the National Zoo, we strolled up to the building which was across the street from National Geographic. I figured I'd go in, introduce myself and drop off my new business card. I figured wrong. The security guard at the front desk told me, "we don't operate like that. You have to have an appointment." I decided it was not in my best interest to sneak by him (not that I would do such a thing). I wasn't exactly dressed in business attire either, so it probably was a good thing.

Needless to say, all this college visit stuff and Easter has made me feel like I've accomplished nothing this week (which is pretty accurate). This coming week, I've got to pour on the steam to make up for lost time. Currently, I'm researching printers because we need a replacement soon.

2011-04-22T11:18:00.006-04:00

While looking at colleges in the Washington D.C. area this past week we had some time to see a few things. I was hoping to catch the Supreme Court in session on Tuesday, but they were only in session about an hour and I heard the line was really long. On the agenda was a climate change case concerning my home state of Connecticut, et al. versus American Electric Power Company.

Happy Earth Day to all!

2011-04-15T08:27:00.005-04:00

While at the library last week I happened to find an oversized book on the topic I'm writing about. This thing is a great resource. The photographs are exceptional and the essays are all interesting and written by top researchers in the field. I was delighted that some of the researchers I plan to write about had written essays for this book.

I've been looking into some different ideas on where to give presentations. One website suggested Toastmasters (check), clubs and speakers bureaus. Since the program is for elementary aged kids, the Lions and Rotary Clubs are really not appropriate. However, if they were interested I'd be happy to present. I looked up environmental clubs in CT and noted that these clubs exist at the high school level, but there does not appear to be much going on at the elementary age level (that has a web presence at least). I was happy to find a whole list of speakers on one website, but I wondered how much traffic that site gets. Thus my first thought is local and small. If my kids were still in elementary school I think it would be easy work to convince a teacher since I used to volunteer in their classrooms all the time.

Here are a couple more photographs of the Seven Sisters. I regret that Walt and I did not pretend to hang on like we were falling off a cliff (grin). Actually, the rock sloped downward and was a perfect set up for the camera to take the photo without a human holding it. We noticed a couple of these boxes with log books in them.

2011-04-13T12:04:00.005-04:00

Since I have quite a few posts and photographs about different hiking spots, I thought this blog/website might be a good resource for others. Two days ago, I painstakingly went through 515 blog posts since 5/28/07 and added labels to many of them. Now, down the right hand column of the site, entries can be viewed by category (museum, aquarium, hiking, wildlife photos...). One thing I realized was that I spent a lot more time preparing for and writing about presenting than actually presenting. This is something I really need to work on. I couldn't help but categorize two short posts under the title "asylum."

Here are three more photographs of the Seven Sisters. I find it entertaining to encounter trail markers that lead a hiker through a vernal pool. Nice try, but not goin' that way! In the second photograph, note the rope hanging from the cliff. Two guys went down that way. The bottom photograph is where they climbed to. The horse caves are under the overhang.

2011-04-11T13:26:00.005-04:00

I changed my mind. That package of stuff that I was going to mail early next month is going out in today's mail. No sense holding it up for one or two line items that may or may not happen. It's better to get it out of here and checked off the list. I decided to redo the entire online application because it looked unformatted and messy after I hit enter. Maybe when they print it out it will look beautiful, but why take the chance? I also went with color clips this time.

My goal is to secure a location for this presentation by month's end. I have a couple of ideas.

I've been digging deeper into research on my article. Quite by luck I found a handsome oversized book when Julia and I were at the library on Saturday. Great photographs!

Speaking of photographs, these were taken at Seven Sisters in Massachusetts. Here is the trail map for the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail which took us up Long Mountain (fitting name), then Rattlesnake Knob, then up Mt. Norwottuck then back again. The top photograph is the view from the tallest peak, Mt. Norwottuck. The bottom photograph is a view from Long Mountain looking out at Mt Norwottuck, a long hike away.

2011-04-09T19:11:00.005-04:00

I submitted an online application today and early next month I'll mail the rest of the stuff that goes with it. I was getting a little anxious because I haven't received my clip for a February article, but thankfully I found a work around. At the end of February, after a webinar, the editor sent an email with THIRTY attachments. My article in the February issue was included as an example in that email, so I was able to gather all the clips I needed. Phew! I'm holding off on this mailing hoping that my resume will need modification by month's end. If not, so be it. Fingers crossed!

The other day, I couldn't help but marvel at the Naples yellow golden sun that lit up the distant hills and the tops of the trees in the backyard. It put a warm glow in a stormy sky.

2011-04-07T19:11:00.002-04:00

Last night, I had a dream about an opportunity that I was waiting for. It never came. So, today I went looking for another opportunity. I am absolutely delighted that I found one. I've noticed this one before, but the requirements got a whole lot easier. They no longer involve letters of recommendation which editors don't have the time for. I don't have to rely on anyone else. YIPPEE!

Today, I separated the writing resources from the science resources on this website. It was a bit of a challenge trying to remember how to edit the list on the right (about me, writing, videos....), but I figured it out. It's so much more straight forward and you no longer have to scroll down past science stuff to get to the writing links.

SCIENCE RESOURCES

2011-04-07T11:14:00.003-04:00

FOR KIDS
BBC science - All kinds of stuff for ages 4-11 (Note: Learning zone broadband is composed of short video clips, but unfortunately, came up with a "not available in your area" message). This site also has English and math activities and teacher lesson plans. It looks like it could be lots of fun.
Websites for kids - All kinds of choices (animals, the arts...) by American Library Association
Science for kids - American Association for the Advancement of science - latest research results
Science news for kids
DNA matching gam e on the Nobel Prize website
Interactive science videos with great sound effects (lightning, crack of a baseball bat) that show the best temps to grow snowflakes, the arc of a baseball, making rainbows, tornado damage, lightning.
Fish that glow in the dark. They're only $5.00. The fish have been transformed with green fluorescent protein. At night, under a black light, they glow in the dark. Who needs a night light?
Cool Science - Howard Hughes Medical Center. Ask a scientist. Science activities.
Childrens Vascular Health Activity Book - ages 5-12. A free activity book for kids!
Ask a Naturalis t - Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History

FOR ADULTS
FREE books about cells and genetics The books are really nice! EXCELLENT pictures.
FREE CD for high school and college faculty - about green fluorescent protein (GFP) that originated from bioluminescent crystal jellyfish. I haven't looked it over, but I read Marc Zimmer's book (Glowing Genes). GFP is an amazing scientific tool.
Utah Genetics - Undestanding DNA, addiction, stem cells.....
Cool Science - Howard Hughes Medical Center - teacher resources

2011-04-06T19:20:00.003-04:00

It's now 7PM and I haven't accomplished much all day, but I think I finally found the answer! How to knit a bunch of scientists together to make a story? A wave of relief has washed over me. Now I need the editor to buy into this (good luck with that!).

When one door closes another one opens. I didn't expect it to open this fast. I may be doing a presentation in November. It seems like every time I mention any details the whole idea falls apart so I think I will keep a lid on this for a bit.

2011-04-05T15:49:00.003-04:00

It's been challenging trying to expand an article on one scientist to include many scientists and find some thread to weave through it to make it a story. I don't know that I'm there yet although I've done a lot of rifling through online research papers, websites, and searching for (and not finding!) adult books on this topic.

Apparently, there was some misunderstanding about the location I was looking into for a presentation. Paying to rent to give a free presentation is simply out of the question. Thus, I'm once again searching for a start.

Although I hear them quite often, mourning doves don't often stop to eat seed by the deck. The other day this pair pulled in for a landing. It's getting much trickier to take photographs, especially when Twinky (cat) decides to play with the camera strap while I'm focusing.

2011-04-03T11:43:00.009-04:00

By changing the settings I mentioned in the last blog post, I inadvertently fixed a problem I spent too much time trying to figure out. I have been using Google Reade r to read a few blogs of interest. In Google Reader, I subscribed to my own blog. I wanted to see if it showed up on blog stats. I was quite dismayed that I couldn't see my whole post, only the first 3-5 sentences and no photographs. Try as I might, I couldn't figure out how to see the rest of my blog posts. One of the settings that I changed a couple of days ago has fixed this problem! BTW, reading a blog in Google Reader appears to be invisible to sitemeter as it does not increase the number of times the blog has been viewed.

Over the years, I've built a small campfire that has weathered the howling wind and stormy skies. Lately, it seems no matter how hard I try or what direction I go in, I end up circling that fire, round and round. Poking it with a stick isn't much help either, so I'm trying to find a way to stoke it. I suspect by the time I get to Chautauqua I will be a sorry sight, the lost hiker in tattered clothes and without food.

Currently, I'm trying to rework this outline to incorporate more scientists and still maintain a story line. Although I'm not quite sure why more is better when one by itself is quite exciting. I'm starting to wonder about a few things and think maybe they aren't quite as certain as I thought they were. Time will tell.

These photographs are from Mansfield Hollow State Park. On a bitter cold day, Walt and I hiked around the upper portion of the lake then out to the levee. The wind was fierce by the dam and used all its might to force us back.

2011-04-01T09:29:00.006-04:00

Blogger has a nifty new feature where it can display a collection of blog photographs all at once.
Here's a look at the snapshot option which I really like:

http://lindazajac.blogspot.com/view/snapshot#!/

On the upper right portion of the screen there is a drop-down button where you can choose other display options like mosaic, flipcard, sidebar, and timeslide. Check it out!

To enable my blog to be displayed in these formats, I had to change a few settings:

The blog feed had to be fully enabled. In the Settings | Site feed tab, enable either Full or Jump Break for the Post Feed.

I had to enable dynamic views. In the Setting | Formatting tab, the option for Enable Dynamic Views is set to Yes.

This feature only works for public blogs where the reader doesn't need to sign in.

Aside from those unexpected finagling with settings this morning, I've been working on a chemistry article. It's coming along well, but needs to be at least five times bigger than it is.

I'm still waiting on a number of things--a clip, an opportunity, and approval. It would be nice if all three came through.

A fox trotted through our front yard this morning. The only thing I saw were the tracks.

2011-03-28T19:49:00.006-04:00

Before I write, I spend a lot of time watching and rewatching videos of whatever I'm writing about. This morning, I hit the pause and play button repeatedly, taking notes, jotting down descriptions and transcribing quotes. I found some great quotes.

Thank you Denise for nominating this blog for the "One Lovely Blog Award." That was a nice surprise (see comment 2 posts before this one).

These photographs were taken on a hike with my brother in Macedonia Brook State Park. As you can see in one photograph, the blue marked trail took us down a very steep rocky face. I had to laugh when Dom said, "I CAN'T believe they made the trail down this way." Naturally there was ice in the crack in the rocks. At one point I took out the map to check where we were only to realize the map had fallen out of my back pocket. Stellar. Good thing I wasn't carrying the keys! Little did I realize, a hitchhiker made it all the way home with me. It wasn't until the following day that I discovered the sore in my side was actually a dog tick burrowed in my skin. It's been a week and there is still a wound from that ugly beast who was flushed for exceptionally rotten behavior--and I mean rotten. I AM NOT TICK FOOD, DO YOU HEAR!

2011-03-26T09:27:00.004-04:00

I am almost done filling out a biographical questionnaire for the Highlights Foundation for the Chautauqua writing workshop in July. Those things take more time than they look. It's interesting that I happen to be reading about "the dominant impression" of characters as I answer the "tell me about yourself" question. So it has got me thinking about what is the dominant impression that people get when they meet me? Maybe I'm too afraid to ask.

Here's my shot of the supermoon rising in the forest! The first sight of it was stunning, a glowing orange orb rising in the night sky. I now wish I had captured it from the top of a hill where the view was better. Next time.

2011-03-22T15:03:00.005-04:00

I ordered new full color glossy business cards today. The old ones were circa 2002 and were missing vital information like website, facebook info and the mere mention of the word "science." I chose a background that reflects my most significant accomplishment. Hopefully, it won't make me ill to look at it if things don't pan out.

In Newport, I sat on the shore at this point that juts out right where the Cliff Walk changes direction. Water smashed the rocks at the top and it also came swirling in from the right. I was mesmerized by the waves rushing in and slamming against the boulders creating an ever changing pattern of whirlpools and white froth against a turquoise sea. I could have sat there for a long time.

2011-03-20T13:38:00.008-04:00

I finally finished the outline for another chemistry article and emailed it two days early. I was crunched for time because I didn't realize I'd have the opportunity to spend as much time in Newport RI as I did and I wasn't about to turn it down.

Here are some wildlife photographs from the long walks we took. The seagull was our lunch guest on the Cliff Walk. The top photograph of a llama made me wonder how to distinguish it from an alpaca. I found this information that explains the differences.

2011-03-17T19:26:00.005-04:00

Tackling a new topic reminds me of picking up a rock and turning it in all directions to try and find the most interesting angle. The subject I'm working on now is a lot simpler than the last one I did. I don't need all the upfront explanation (or so I think). It's due in four days, so I really need to get moving on it.

Speaking of rocks, earlier this week, I slipped away to Newport RI for a few fun days with friends. These two photographs of the rocky shore were taken on the Cliff Walk. The top photograph of Emily, I named Buddha on the Rocks. I made her nervous in the bottom photograph.

2011-03-09T20:28:00.005-05:00

I've been hot on the research trail of another scientist who uses cutting edge technology. The more information I find, the more interesting it gets. This evening I found a video that would be perfect for high school students. It's captivating and funny too. I can't recall ever finding a humorous video that I used as a source (at the bottom of the article) for students seeking more information.

I'm hoping to do my first public presentation in celebration of Earth Day in April. Since Earth Day inconveniently lands on Good Friday, that is not the date I've picked. More on that when and if my form gets approved.

Yesterday, I was delighted to get a check from Highlights for the resale of an article (actually it was a game) to another organization. It amounted to getting paid, but putting in no new effort. I am liking that!

2011-03-05T08:52:00.004-05:00

These photographs were taken at Judge's Cave at West Rock Ridge Park.

I had a great week of accomplishment. I put four packages in the mail and all were different-- a contest entry, a grant, some required documents and a written statement for NASW, and a complaint with substantial supporting documents. So, I guess I'm a writer and a fighter and I always have been. I got into this business because I thoroughly enjoyed putting together writing and supporting facts at two different planning and zoning meetings. And yes, the big box proposals were turned away both times! The errors I found in one planning and zoning proposal were enough to sink the ship.

2011-02-28T12:33:00.005-05:00

We went hiking at West Rock Ridge Park yesterday for the first time. It was challenging sloshing uphill through the snow, even though there was much less of it than there is here in central CT. At the South Overlook we were treated to a grand view of New Haven and Long Island Sound! On the way down, we raced the setting sun, leaving much of the ridge for another day. That was a real shame.

Today, I've been doing some online research for a magazine article. trying to tie it to high school concepts. In the back of my mind, I have an educational entertaining presentation that I fear will get rusty if I let it sit too long. Nothing is easy in this business. Nothing.

2011-02-24T08:41:00.004-05:00

I noticed yesterday that my article, From Copper Town to Ghost Town, has been published by Viatouch. It's a history article about a ghost town in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska.

There are plenty of interesting articles on the Scientific American website. Here's an article about misinformation on the web, but this time it's not climate related, it's medical information. I have always thought there needed to be controls on self-published nonfiction. Right now, any writer can self-publish any crock and claim that it's true. Web content is far different though. It's more like an octopus and difficult to monitor the facts.

Here's another article that I found really interesting. It's about why Americans are misinformed about climate change. It reminded me of that very stupid greeting card I opened one day. Outside it said, something about global warming and inside it pointed to reducing the candles on your birthday cake. I should have bought it to get it off the shelf. It was supposed to be funny, but I thought of it more as mocking science and the facts.

2011-02-22T14:22:00.006-05:00

Last Friday, I went cross country skiing at McLean Game Refuge. I've been there twice and I still haven't seen the whole place. The woodsman road was wide and gently sloping, perfect for skiing even if the messy pines left their needles and pine cones all over the snow. Someone in the parking lot mentioned seeing what they thought was a bear. It was an exceptionally warm day and there are bears in the area, but I just read they den from late November until mid-March, so who knows. That tall box on a pole is a bat condominium.

Today, I should finish improvements to the end of the presentation. I made some minor modifications to a Halloween costume and found some dazzling glitter foam. I LOVE this foam. It's so kid-friendly. Once that is done, my next conquest will be finding a new venue.

2011-02-19T18:27:00.005-05:00

As part of holiday decorating, Walt had woven the lights in and around the bamboo. I took this photograph of the deck and moon last night after a strange mix of winter thunder and lightning. The moon and wet reflection caught my eye. I'm not sure we'll ever untangle these lights, but maybe that's not a bad thing.

We've scrapped plans to head to the D.C. area to look at colleges. I'm disappointed I won't get to a science conference, but I think Julia is more disappointed. We'll do it another time, but unfortunately there will be no conference then.

Today, I polished up the 500-word statement that I'm required to write. I've FINALLY come up with a great idea for the ending of the presentation. YEAH! It led to a better presentation name. Now, I need to make it happen with a few more props.

2011-02-17T08:35:00.005-05:00

Tuesday, I drove up to Mansfield Hollow State Park intending to cross country ski. It was a shivery morning and the snow was iced over. Wind chill sunk the temperature to the teens and single digits. Thankfully, I brought my snowshoes and did that instead of trying to maneuver in slippery conditions. I had difficulty finding my location on the park map and wondered at one point if I'd still be wandering around the woods the following morning. It would be nice if they put that school on the map! A couple of times the frosty forest opened up to a breathtaking vista of a frozen lake. At another point the trail divided in two directions, the left was a flat route and straight ahead was a steep slick hill. Naturally, I had to take the more challenging route. The top photograph is the view at the top.

I want to keep the momentum going with this presentation. It occurred to me after speaking with the librarian that the programs there have more to do with the arts or live animals than science. She mentioned the possibility of a presentation during the summer. I can't let this sit until the summer. It is fresh in my head and too important to bottle up and stick on a shelf. My focus now is trying to find a place to present it so it becomes more ingrained in my memory.

2011-02-15T20:14:00.005-05:00

Last week, I went to the Hill-stead Museum in Farmington CT. The grounds were so nice, set high on a hill. I was quite impressed with the artwork hanging on their walls, especially the pastel speckled Monets. Who knew?

Later this year, when the weather warms I plan to explore the trails. Maybe I'll return for another poetry reading in the garden, hopefully with a violinist like last time. It is such a pleasant relaxing thing to do.

This past weekend I received a check for Chautauqua and mailed that in. YIPPEE! That was a nice cheery piece of mail that I thoroughly enjoyed ripping into. This week, I've been working on the 500-word statement, part of my end of the bargain. Tomorrow, I hope to get a firm commitment on a presentation date. I'm not sure why I find this getting dates stuff hard to do.

2011-02-13T20:22:00.003-05:00

I've been revising the presentation, taking suggestions that were offered. It's much better now. This required moving some slides around. Now instead of me talking about a scientist, I'm going to get a student volunteer to BE the scientist and act out the part with a few simple props. I made a collection of short cue cards for the student and the audience to read. The audience will also assist by making noises that correspond to the action taking place. I also added a new attention-getter first slide that is a whole lot more impressive than what I was using. I must say I truly enjoyed smothering an old hat with glue and sticking things to it. It came out great! I know the kids will enjoy the participatory parts of the presentation, but I'm still trying to come up with a better ending. Hm.