Rifugio Lagazui, Passo Falzarego in the Dolomites, Italy

What a delight to receive all these enthusiastic thank you notes! 

When a friend asked me to speak to her three eighth grade classes, I put a lot of thought into how best to present the material.  My goal was to create a presentation with information that would sink in and stand the test of time.  On December 8th, I spoke to all three classes at Timothy Edwards Middle School in South Windsor.  The enthusiasm and the feedback I received were so positive that I really want to get this valuable program on writing, revision and research into more schools.  I plan to put a flyer together after the holidays.

We hiked to that little building on top. 

Look at that, you don't need to sweat or strain, the chairlift (left) is next to the hut. 

In the morning, we lingered, not wanting to leave.

On September 11th, we hiked to Rifugio Lagazui (a hut) in Passo Falzarego in the Dolomites.  Limestone chips and chunks slid beneath our feet as we hiked this steep, rocky, strenuous trail.  As we got higher a cold, metal railing aided our steps on precipitous ledges.  I was slow and careful hiking this baby, but it was

WWI tunnel 

oh, so exciting.
There were remnants of WWI scattered in the towering spires.  After trekking uphill for some time, we came to one--a tunnel!  Limestone slurry trickled down steep steps as we gripped the icy railing and made are way up the mountain in darkness, aided only by headlamps.  At a nearly 45 degree angle, the steps were exhausting.  Every now and then we'd pass a window.  We hiked in darkness for close to 45 minutes.

Near the top, we peered in a rocky room with bunk beds and leftover warfare.  The tunnel was narrower, so we had to watch our heads (this might be a helmet recommended hike).  The rifugio was perched on a cliff, so it had a magnificent view.  At dinner we sat next to Ed and Sarah from San Francisco and Steve and Terry from Maine.  It was great to be at a table of Americans for a change.

Golden spires at the top

The view as we hiked up...simply breathtaking.

 

    

Alpe di Suisi, Castelrotto Italy

Searching for Monkeys, December 2014

Yesterday, I received the December issue of Highlights for Children.  My article about a scientist who trekked through the rainforest in Brazil to study beautiful golden lion tamarins, was published on page 16 and 17.  That article was submitted in 2005 and I had given up ever seeing it in print.  Needless to say, I was quite pleased.  Time has improved the piece. 

At yesterday's Appalachian Mountain Club Annual Gathering, my presentation was after one that included live birds, a tough act to follow.  There were twenty-two people in the room, which was a smaller crowd than I expected.  It was the first time I had ever stood in front of a room without my heart beating fast and furious.  I was calm, and as a friend who was in the audience said, "I interjected humor."  The only issue I had was that I was unable to connect to the internet and play two short videos.  This did not surprise me.  Thankfully, I had downloaded four sound clips to my laptop and was able to play those.  Aside from the videos, the talk went really well.

When we got off the cable car,  we strolled down wide trails through a rich green meadow.

Add caption

While we were in Italy, we spent two nights in Castelrotto (the Germans call it Kastelruth) in the Dolomites. It was not nearly enough time to explore the vast spring-green meadow high in the mountains.  There were many ski lifts that allowed easy access to peaks that would wear out the strongest hiker.  We got up to the top later than I would have liked.  By then the gray clouds had rolled in.  We walked in the gloomy rain and fog, down paths that smelled of hay, past cow bells tinkling and horses grazing on wet grass.  The clouds had cleared when we arrived at a 200° panorama at a lookout called Engelrast.  What a phenomenal view!  As the sun sank lower in the sky, shadows on the jagged limestone peaks became more pronounced.  Light on the mountains glowed on the pink coral of an ancient sea. 

Add caption

The Dolomites are a hiker's paradise.  The Alpe di Suisi is better suited for those who like walking on rolling hills versus the steeper inclines at Cortina D'Ampezzo.     

Riverfront Earth Day - Hartford

Driving on the one lane pedestrian walkway on the Founder's Bridge

Last Sunday, under bright sunshine and chilly skies, I manned my Earth Day booth on Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Hartford.  I was glad I wore fleece pants and brought some revision work because I got there several hours early and cooled down from sitting still .  Since this was the first year of this event, there wasn't a huge crowd, maybe one to two hundred.  Aside from a couple of speeches, a band played the entire time.  The wind was stronger than I anticipated and even though I planned for it, I didn't expect it to gust quite so much.  I used a 10 pound weight to hold down the easel, but the wind knocked it over a couple of times.  I ended up tying it to a tree.

Climate science exhibit

I really enjoyed talking to the crowd about climate science.  People of all ages listened and participated.   Daniel Esty, Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, stopped by and asked a few questions.  "What's this booth about?"  "Why are you here?"  I told him I didn't think the general public had a good understanding of this science.  He agreed and thanked me for coming.  I'm sure he thanked all the participants. 

From front to back:  a solar oven, the Sierra Club booth and the Science Center 

The best thing about the day was that I really felt that everyone that I spoke with got the message when they left.  They did the activity, then I explained some things, then I brought out the carbon dioxide chart and showed the adults.  Some of their faces cringed when I said, "this is where we are now."  In general, the crowd was environmentally conscious and educated.  I spoke with an  English professor, a history professor and a scientist who had done research in a remote location.  His work was quite interesting.

Protestors arrived

I am still pondering how to reach the segment of the population that doesn't attend events like this.  Those are the people that need to be informed.  

 I found this article about the protest and noticed in the second photo my climate display appears to be right on top of Commissioner Esty's head.  I am conveniently hiding behind that "Hey Esty" sign.  Such a shame really.:)

Riverfront Earth Day - Hartford

Driving on the one lane pedestrian walkway on the Founder's Bridge

Last Sunday, under bright sunshine and chilly skies, I manned my Earth Day booth on Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Hartford.  I was glad I wore fleece pants and brought some revision work because I got there several hours early and cooled down from sitting still .  Since this was the first year of this event, there wasn't a huge crowd, maybe one to two hundred.  Aside from a couple of speeches, a band played the entire time.  The wind was stronger than I anticipated and even though I planned for it, I didn't expect it to gust quite so much.  I used a 10 pound weight to hold down the easel, but the wind knocked it over a couple of times.  I ended up tying it to a tree.

Climate science exhibit

I really enjoyed talking to the crowd about climate science.  People of all ages listened and participated.   Daniel Esty, Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, stopped by and asked a few questions.  "What's this booth about?"  "Why are you here?"  I told him I didn't think the general public had a good understanding of this science.  He agreed and thanked me for coming.  I'm sure he thanked all the participants. 

From front to back:  a solar oven, the Sierra Club booth and the Science Center 

The best thing about the day was that I really felt that everyone that I spoke with got the message when they left.  They did the activity, then I explained some things, then I brought out the carbon dioxide chart and showed the adults.  Some of their faces cringed when I said, "this is where we are now."  In general, the crowd was environmentally conscious and educated.  I spoke with an  English professor, a history professor and a scientist who had done research in a remote location.  His work was quite interesting.

Protestors arrived

I am still pondering how to reach the segment of the population that doesn't attend events like this.  Those are the people that need to be informed.  

 I found this article about the protest and noticed in the second photo my climate display appears to be right on top of Commissioner Esty's head.  I am conveniently hiding behind that "Hey Esty" sign.  Such a shame really.:)

Plantar fasciitis strikes again.  I stuffed a sock under that ace bandage for arch support.

It has been a painful week.  ow, Ow, OW!  Every night, I wrapped my left foot and tucked it into bed.  By morning, rigor mortis of the arch and heel had set in.  Running made matters worse, so I stopped running, which made matters worse.

Then I got the phone bill.   One call to a scientist in another country was billed at a jaw-dropping  rate--$232.70!  How could I have been so stupid?  I thought we had international coverage when Melanie studied abroad.  That grossly inflated phone call had the potential to chew into my writing income.  Thankfully, one call to AT&T fixed the problem.  THANK YOU RON from New London! 

I'm done with my Earth Day display and I am immensely pleased with how it turned out.  It's colorful, interesting, readable, and to the point.  I'm digging out two costumes and we are going to have a good time on that Riverfront.  The big test will be how many people stop by and how easily they comprehend the science.  I don't think they're going to have a problem.  It looks like I will be driving over the pedestrian bridge to get to the plaza.  That looks a little dicey.

The Belden Wildlife Preserve

This "cardinal" was upside down on the branch, so I thought it was dead.  Instead, it was fake.

 

All week long ideas have been forming, evolving and changing as I prepare a booth for the Earth Day Festival in Hartford on April 21st.  I want to share information that is not well understood, but important in understanding climate science.  The booth has got to be fun and the facts easy to digest, all of this while not breaking the budget.  It also has to withstand wind and preparations must be made in case of rain (I will borrow an open tent).  Adding to this is the uncertainty of the number of attendees.

All that is left of the cabin in the woods

These photos were taken while snowshoeing at Belding Wildlife Preserve.   There were little surprises in the woods:  a tree with a big red bow at the top, the red "cardinal", a wreath on a lone chimney.  In the spring a beautiful field of wildflowers blossoms at the start of the trail.  Some of the trees and historical areas are marked.  Here is a list of birds at the site.

Carolyn, a trail running friend

One time when I was hiking there with Walt and my brother, a man approached us and asked if anyone was named Walter.  He handed Walt his license which he'd unknowingly dropped somewhere by the wildflower field, over a mile away.  It was such luck to a) find the license and b) find us in the woods. 

Pitch pine

Site of an old dam

 

Saturday I taught a K-2 science class called Razzle Dazzle Jellyfish.  It was great fun!  I told stories, asked questions and explained hands-on activities.  The kids were enthusiastic and eager to answer questions.  They don't realize it, but they learned some pretty sophisticated science.

On 11/15 and 11/17, I'll be running a grizzly bear science class. If the weather is suitable we will be going outside for a little bit, so dress warmly if you are participating.

Also, I hope to schedule a free hands-on science program for kids.  Parents are welcome too.  I'll post those details when I arrange the class, hopefully real soon!

Yesterday, I got together with my writing friends.  One thing that was brought up was the Flesch-Kincaid readability level of my manuscript.  After struggling to reduce this number, I emailed my friends:
"I've decided I don't like Flesch and his buddy Kincaid is no fun either."
In the email, I called them names like Flesh Kinky and Flesch eating bacteria Kincaid.  Then I made up my own formula which was sure to please only me.  In my formula, I subtracted 300 from the result, that way I was assured of being in the ballpark. :-D 

Thus my focus today has been on making this manuscript more readable for the little guys and girls.   I'm having more success making sentences smaller than finding simpler words.  I guess I'm used to middle grade writing.  

My entire writing crew is volunteering at the NESCBWI conference this spring, so that should be fun.

This was the feedback I received on my last Toastmaster's speech about a hiking adventure at Bigelow Hollow Park.  In early January, I blogged about it.  There were no other speakers, so if I didn't get that best speech ribbon, it would have been really bad.  There was a record crowd when I gave the speech.  I've come a long way with this organization.  My heart no longer beats like a banshee when it's my turn to talk. 

Seven Sisters, Massachusetts - part 3

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.

Last night, I demoed my presentation in front of eight adults at Toastmasters, a record crowd. This time, I wasn't nervous, I was raring to go. It was GREAT to have a forum with all kinds of comments and suggestions before going live with this. One of the big suggestions was to get the kids more involved in the parts of the presentation where I was droning on too long. Someone suggested I have them act out a story or stories. I can do this easily at the beginning, but the end will require more thought. Someone else suggested having the kids do an action that I did. That would be very easy to do. Another person suggested having notes in front of me versus reading the Powerpoint screens. I took notes as they commented around the room:
"Confident"
"extremely knowledgeable"
"passionate about the subject"
"educational"
"entertaining"
"kids would absolutely love the hands-on part of the presentation"
Now I've got to think about the best way to make it better.

Today, I created a Facebook fan page called "Linda Zajac." I had always thought when I hit my 5,000 maximum of Facebook friends, I'd get a fan page going. Although, I am pretty close, I'm not there yet. I developed the fan page primarily as a means of interacting with kids who may have questions or comments that I don't have time to answer during presentations.

Aside from that, I'm pretty much gearing up for the presentation by putting together talking points, nit picking at slides, and getting presenting questions answered. I prefer to talk to myself (i.e. practice) when no one is home and with school cancellations every other day, well, I'm still waiting for that opportunity. I did finish the Toastmaster's book and noted a few things to mention, like quotations if I have any good ones. Crit group is now set for Thursday, so I'm still awaiting comments about my article, but I wish I could change it and email them a new copy!

The way this cardinal was angled reminded me of that lawn game, Jarts. I thought it was interesting how folded its legs were when it bent over to eat.

I have a commitment to speak at the next Toastmaster's meeting in two weeks. Now, I HAVE to practice this presentation! I am going to read the entire Toastmaster's book real soon because it has been helpful. For example, last Thursday I read that it's not a good idea to make a presentation entertaining and informative so I removed some humor that I had not yet added. I'm also removing two slides and starting with a question as has been suggested to me by the head of the Vernon Toastmasters. That will plunge me right into the topic, a better idea.

I finally shot a decent picture of the bluejay that often feeds on the back deck.

I have been immersed in Powerpoint lately, adding transitions, animation, color, maps, and photographs. The presentation with hands-on science is ready to go and looks great! I'm not sure if I want to invest more time dealing with sound which I was unable to get to work. Hm.

Today, I'm diving into research papers and I think I might be able to work simultaneously on a bigger project and on a magazine article on the same topic.

The headpieces are done. I need to sew on the other side of the velcro and I should be all set with the props for this school program.

Every now and then I come up with a quotation I like so I've added those to the "About me" section. Here's todays quote that I posted on Facebook.

"If we accept the facts as facts then we lose the ability to uncover inaccuracies" ~ Linda Zajac

I will be rewriting that "bio" at some point, hopefully sooner versus later.

I received an email about the wolf class I teach at Manchester Community College Excursions in Learning Program. The class will be held from 9 to 12 on Saturday, February 6th 2010. Last year the class was sold out!

I'm still working on these costumes. Sunday I trimmed armholes because I'm afraid they are going to rip if little arms are pushing in and out of them. I sewed up one side so now they look like long painted vinyl muscle shirts. Lovely indeed. Since there was no velcro in my basement, today I ventured to the fabric store for 2- inch sew on velcro.

There was a bit of excitement there. The key broke in a door in the back and the alarm was screaming for help. I wanted to hit it with a hammer. Then I spotted the clearance stuff (75% off!). As I pulled out a wig, a misplaced Christmas tree ornament fell to the ground and smashed. OOPS! I got the sales lady to help with clean up. Christmas stuff did not belong in that bin.

Anyhow, I was looking for something to fashion the headpieces out of and saw those wigs. Perfect. The thought of putting the pig-tailed ribbon-tied "Dorothy" wig on a male volunteer totally amused me.

Today. I was pleasantly surprised to find this online post by Gwendolyn Hooks that mentions why websites are a good idea for writers. My website is mentioned.

I've been trimming armholes and I just finished sewing shoulder seams using six rows of stitching across each. They should be pretty strong. What started out as a tube costume that closed in the back is now an over-the-head costume that closes on the sides. Hey, it works for me! Next, I need to put velcro on the sides and I'm toying with adhesive (which we have in the cellar) or sew-on velcro. Adhesive is much faster, but will it come loose? For a science and technology program, there is a lot of art in the homemade costumes, painted and sewn. While making alterations, I tried the costume on a number of times. At one point I was kneeling, trying to gauge how it would look on someone much smaller--much better!

I've also started playing with Windows Media player in hopes of posting some St. John videos of animals. I'm quite rusty with that.

One day on the way to Waterlemon Cay, a great snorkeling place on St John, we stopped to explore the ruins of Annaberg Sugar Plantation. But it wasn't the ruins that I found most interesting, it was the plants in the area. Thankfully, many had markers. The reddish peeling bark of the turpentine tree is real easy to distinguish. A man we were talking to offered me a genip that he pulled from the genip tree. The fruit is like a large leathery green grape, mushy and golden inside with a pit that reminded me of an unshelled almond.

Yesterday I painted 2 of 4 3x5 feet pieces of vinyl and I'm real happy with the way they are turning out. Ideas need freedom to roam and flourish, but "curriculum" is the leash that restrains them. Grumble. Today, I reviewed the standards and decided this should be a grades 3-5 presentation, but I know that younger kids would enjoy it too!

Scientific American posted an interesting article about what can be done to improve U.S. students standings in math and science.

I dug a whole ton of research material out of the basement and decided to continue working on a topic I've already started versus starting anything new. Glory will be the day that I get to finish some of these works in progress.

Yesterday, I returned to working on a school program I've been thinking about. I went out on a limb and purchased some on-clearance vinyl versus felt that I initially had in mind. On the ride home, I began to regret this purchase, thinking that acrylic paint would crack on this material. At home, I did a test run of acrylic on vinyl and was pleasantly surprised that the surface is much easier to paint than felt and the paint doesn't chip. It works for me! I'm heading back to buy more today.

I'm in the midst of developing a school program, but naturally I can't just do a Powerpoint presentation like everyone else. I believe in what I'm creating, but I'm wondering how it will be received. It's innovative in a way. Generally, if money is involved, in a choice between the tried and true or something new, I find a lot of people stick with what they know. I've had some really informative discussions on school visits with other more experienced writers. This has left me with several questions:
1. How many kids can the presentation accommodate? My original thought was one class at a time, but now I'm hearing that schools on tight budgets expect assemblies for an entire grade.
2. Is it me that prefers smaller presentations (true) or is it the nature of the presentation?
3. The presentation includes one hands-on activity. Can all the kids do this activity or should I scrap the idea?
I know this presentation will be educational, memorable, and fun.

And I have more questions swirling around in my head about my next project. The ole squirrel in the middle of the road issue. Maybe escaping from this scene will let me see through the facade.

It's killing me to take Motrin with every meal. I've heard excessive Motrin is linked to acid reflux disease. Thus in my mind I see this connection:
smoking : lung cancer :: Motrin : acid reflux (notice the "excessive" has been removed).
I'm happy to report that after 3 days of using crutches (at home only), I'm finally starting to walk close to normal again. Hallelujah! I also avoided a shot which the doctor admitted, "it hurts."

Now that walking is not so pained, I can head into the cellar to review my extensive supply of program materials today. The presentation has got to be the best it can be. Nothing less. But I'm seriously thinking of scrapping my second presentation idea. After spending a day digging deeper into the research, I'm not finding a whole lot I can work with.

I'm eagerly awaiting publication of three articles, one in December(ChemMatters) and two in January(both in Fun for Kidz).