Folgefonna National Park, Norway

At the top of a crevasse

I spent three weeks backpacking in Europe in celebration of my 30th anniversary.  It was a relief to escape sensational headlines and the frustrations of the writing world, namely waiting.  Aside from Walt's iphone, I disconnected from technology.   The experience left me feeling free, like I was living life to the fullest.  I climbed out of a crevasse in Norway, danced a medieval dance in Germany, watched the moon rise in Austria, and rode a vaporetto in Venice.

Climbing out of a crevasse

I figured time would stand still in the writing world.  I figured wrong.  In three weeks time, I received two rejects, a clip in Fun for Kidz (a reprint of an article first published in 2007), a request for photographs because an editor is interested in buying an article, and notification of a possible school visit.  I also had to  review a summary for a presentation in November.

We watched another group move, roped together for safety.

We hiked a lot in Europe, so I'm starting an International hikes segment of this blog.

We did a glacier hike in Folgefonna National Park in Norway.  What an exciting adventure!  We were roped together with a family from Britain, a Chinese man who called himself Ken, and a couple from Stratton, Vermont.  In helmets and harnesses we crunched across the ice as our guide, Knut, led the way up the glacier.  At the top, we were treated to a magnificent view of nearby lakes and the fjord far below.  We got a taste of ice climbing by scaling the ice in a shallow crevasse using ice axes and carabiners.  What fun!  Then we crouched down to explore the perfectly rounded walls of an ice cave.  Water trickled down from the top as we inched our way deeper in the dark, frigid hole.  Perhaps it was my trust in our guide or maybe it was the Norwegian spirit, but I was not afraid at all.  I learned that Norwegians are exceptional hikers and fearless too.

In the ice cave

                  

Adam's Mill Trail, Manchester

In mid-July, I noticed a small error in a research paper that was an in press, corrected proof.  The paper was dated August 2013.  The third word in the introduction was the date of the discovery.  It was off by ten years, but the discovery was not the subject of the paper.  It left me pondering, so I contacted the journal about it.  I heard back from the publisher and the journal manager.  Recently I received this email:
        

the banks of the Hockanum River

Dear Dr. Zajac,

Can you please confirm, what is your preference? Do you want to have the article updated online, or do you prefer to publish a corrigendum in the issue it will appear? 

It was exciting crossing this old railroad bridge.

I responded by saying I didn't feel as though I was in a position to make that decision (what's a corrigendum!) and that they should do what works best for them.  It seemed to me that if it was still considered to be "in press," then maybe they could correct it before it went in the journal? 

the ruins of an old paper mill

I am purposely not mentioning the paper, the scientist or the journal because my intent was not to discredit anyone.  Last night, I thought about the folks that try to punch holes in climate science papers.  They do it to discredit scientists and climate science.  It takes time and effort to read research papers and review the science, so I wondered if someone (like big oil) paid these scientists for their time?

Walt congratulated me on my degree.  Lol.  He asked if I wished I was a scientist.  I've been asked that before.

The answer is no.  Certain aspects, like dealing with wildlife sound quite exciting, but the job lacks the creativity that I enjoy when I write.  However, I do find that scientists are very open-minded and sometimes find creative ways to solve their problems by using the latest technology

These photographs of the Adams Mill Trail in Manchester were taken months ago, in early May.  It was a flat, short trail that followed the Hockanum River.  We came upon some interesting historical structures, like the ruins of an old paper mill. 

Bigelow Hollow State Park - Breakneck Pond Loop

The dog loves water and chasing sticks.

After a week of house guests, I was eager to make up for lost time on Monday.  Everything I tried was such a struggle.  Fallen branches and a downed tree interrupted a four-mile run.  Mosquitoes were biting once I got writing.  Exhaustion and a boulder of a headache rolled in.  Tuesday's progress on an article due August 25th was a welcome relief.  It has thankfully passed the kitty-litter stage--it was so repulsive I didn't want to pick it up.  

Mountain laurel was in bloom.  I've never really been fond of their bland color.

Yesterday's words of wisdom from an editor echoed in my head as I tried to sleep.  I might as well have been pacing the floor.           
"No one can teach writing, as they say. We all have to learn it on our own, alone at the desk. Only the tough, determined, and persistent can get through that! Remember that."

Walt went up and around, while I went right over the debris, in my typical manner.

The rougher side of the pond.

Why not turn the "Os" into a happy face?

June 28th, I pushed it hiking about 6.8 miles around Breakneck Pond at Bigelow Hollow State Park.  At the time, I figured I could do about 7 miles on the ankle I'd sprained a week or two before.  On the other side of the pond, loose rocks did a number on my foot as I picked my way across them.  By the time I got home, I was exhausted and the ankle was beat.  
  

While I was snapping a photo of the flowers, the mud-soaked dog  did the wet-dog shake all over my legs.     

Nipmuck Trail, Mansfield

Even dogs stop to admire the scenery.

During the outdoor around-the-world dinner at the conference (see prior post) I was fortunate to sit at a table with former and current editors of Time for Kids.  It was a great opportunity to ask questions about one project I'm working on.  I learned they weren't interested in submissions of this sort.  Wham!  Then I learned that this idea of mine wasn't going to work.  Double wham!  Despite the negative news, it has helped me reshape the idea into something better, something that I think will work.  I hope to finalize and ship out that unique project next week after my critique group meeting.

At the conference, I learned that kids like to see photographs of writers having fun.

Lately, vacation planning has been taking an inordinate amount of my time.  During the past two weeks I've booked three flights, a ferry, a train, and a hotel.  It has been a real challenge with bank credit card locks and other safeguards, online booking sites in a foreign language, Google translate, required phone fields that begin with +, and calling a foreign country.  Now I know why people take tours.  

We walked alongside the Fenton River.

Beaver?

 I've got a backlog of photographs to post.  This batch

This unknown species reminded me of a churro.

from the Nipmuck Trail dates back to April 18th.  The first time I tried this hike, I had a bug that made me come real close to losing lunch.  It was an enduring feat getting back to the car.  The second time, I hiked nearly nine miles.  Conquest!    

21st Century Children's Nonfiction Conference

What a lovely morning!

When I first started writing, my native language was COBOL.  I know that because recently I revised an article that I had written nearly a decade ago.  It was a really nice article, but lordy, it needed work.  Back in those early days of writing, I was a logical, orderly thinker because of my experience designing, coding and testing computer programs.  Given my thought process in those days, if I had known I was such a train wreck, I know I would not have pursued this challenging, competitive field.     

A male mallard duck waddled by the pond

At the 21st Century Children's Nonfiction Conference, I heard over and over that back matter matters.  I first heard it from Jason Wells of ABRAMS.  Then I heard it at a lecture by bookstore owner, Jackie Kellachan and Amie Wright, New York City librarian.   I heard it again, when author, Stephen Swinburne spoke.  So, after returning, I spent a great deal of time plumping up the back matter in three picture book manuscripts.  

Ducks were sitting along the edge of the pond.  A turtle, the size of dinner plate, scurried in the water before I could snap a picture.

Saturday morning while I was at the conference, I made my way to the Student Union.  As I walked across the bridge between the ponds, the sun was out and the songbirds were singing in the brush.  Oh, how I wanted to go for a walk, but taking a walk was going to cost me.  It would cut social time and would likely fatigue my freshly sprained ankle.  I looked at the building, then at the ponds, then at the building again.  Thinking.  Pondering.  Deciding.  Was it worth the risk?

Sunday morning, I spotted this great blue heron on my way to the Student Union.

          

The 21st Century Children's Nonfiction Conference, SUNY New Paltz

There were a lot of intriguing sessions listed in the program.

Despite a freshly sprained ankle, I had a remarkably good time at the 21st Century Children's Nonfiction Conference at SUNY, New Paltz.  I drove to the conference wearing flip flops and with an ice pack strapped tightly around my left foot.  Once I got there, I never iced it again because I didn't want to miss anything.

All the sessions I went to were really good and helpful to me.  They gave me fresh markets to pursue, great ideas for school visits and different perspectives for developing quality books.  The faculty was quite diverse.  There were authors, editors, illustrators, digital media developers, app developers, the publisher of a daily app newspaper, the owner of an independent bookstore and a librarian from a major library.  It was interesting hearing how publishers are adapting to the changing and evolving digital world. 

David Aguilar did an excellent job of story telling with his captivating  account of the  "Big Bang."  I was fascinated watching the 3-D printing demo and totally amused when they scanned and printed out Roxie Munroe's head.  It was a weekend to make new writing friends and catch up with old ones.  I made it a point to sit with new people at every meal.  The first night we had a wonderful buffet dinner outside.  It featured the potato martini--mashed sweet or white potatoes in a martini glass with toppings.  It was such a creative idea and perfect for a conference of creators.

This 3-D printer melted plastic at 240°C

Roxie's head and shoulders were scanned..

The 3-D printer made little Roxie......

....and these too.  The skull and hinge (corner of hinge is on right)  had moveable parts.

What a shame this didn't come out right!  One man's junk was another man's treasure (see top photo).

By Sunday night, after a weekend of neglect, my ankle was as bloated as a bullfrog.   I discovered ice cold shower water (foot only!) worked wonders to reduce pain and swelling.

  

Hazen Park, Avon

black bear track!

This coming weekend I'm driving to the 21st Century Children's Nonfiction Conference at SUNY, New Paltz.  Last year, I had a great time and I was glad I went.  I expect this year to be even better.  The conference has quite a collection of sessions on new media which sound intriguing.  I am also eager to see the 3-D printing demo.  It fits right in with my background and interest in cutting-edge technology and science.

quail

A couple weeks ago, we hiked to the Heublein Tower via Hazen Park in Avon, CT.   The trail started out at a gradual incline and got very steep near the top.  It was quite exciting when Walt discovered the fresh bear print in the mud.  Bears are often spotted in Avon.  I would have loved to have spent more time looking for other prints, but I was busy as the host of a whine and mosquito tasting.

Elizabeth Park, Hartford/West Hartford

great blue heron

I wrote a short editorial about climate change that was published on May 27th.  It led to a weeklong  email exchange with my "fans."  Lol.   I really appreciated that not once did the subject of politics or Al Gore enter the conversation.   Those that I exchanged emails with were highly educated in physics, chemistry and meteorology.  Although they were skilled in their fields, no one was a climate scientist.  Another "fan" sent me Jehovah Witness pamphlets and a note. Yep, quite the week.

male mallard duck

Ninety-seven percent (actually 97.1%) of climate scientists believe burning fossil fuels is causing climate change. They believe we need to cut our carbon emissions to stop the climate from warning.  The sooner we take action, the better.
IF THEY'RE WRONG:  We will have reduced carbon in the air and invested in wind and solar technologies.

roses

Those that believe the climate is changing from natural causes, think the warming won't continue.  They think the oceans will cool and CO2 will drop all by itself. 
IF THEY'RE WRONG:   
We will have lost valuable time to reverse spiraling CO2.

sparrow

On the outskirts of the city, we stopped at Elizabeth Park to see roses.  For the most part, the yellow ones were the only ones in bloom.  In less than ten minutes time, we spotted the great blue heron at the pond, perched like a statue.  It waited there for a long, long time.  I was thrilled to be so close. As I watched the heron, the mallards coasted by.  I could see fish in the water and thought for certain the heron would try and nab one, but it remained silent and still.

great blue heron

Upper Bolton Lake, Vernon

A nest!

Yesterday, I had a Twitter exchange that is a classic example of how the denier camp (those that deny that humans are responsible for climate change) works.  First, notice that my wording is altered ever so slightly.   Secondly, he calls me an alarmist after he's changed my wording.  Finally, he rips apart the scientists by calling their work bull.  This is so typical of what I have seen.  Another thing I've noticed is that no matter how many research papers you may produce, they will pick them all apart, but they don't produce a single shred of their own evidence. 

My Tweet:
Up the CO2. Down goes zinc & iron. Less healthy food MAY be on its way. #climate #climatechange http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/08/global-warming-food-nutrients-idUSKBN0DO1LL20140508 … …

Him
Claim: As CO2 levels rise, some crop nutrients will fall

The soft colors, arched neck and glassy lake looked like a painting to me. 

Me:    Don't change my wording
Me:    I wrote MAY fall not WILL.
Him:   This is just alarmist
Me:    No, it's the results of a research study on what happens to crops when CO2 levels are raised.
Him:   Cereals have never been a major source od dietary iron. That’s why you’re supposed to eat your spinach.
Me:    I love spinach and salmon too and I don't care much for cereal.
Him:   There is an alleged slight drop in some minerals! #OMG
Him:   It is BULL SHIT
Me:   You have a foul mouth.

Knock, knock Mr. Beaver.

Some friends of mine are so kind, they invited me to go kayaking with them.  The day they picked started out pretty rainy, so I wore my fleece pants and Walt's hat.  It turns out the hat was waterproof.  Yes!  Anyhow, despite the gloomy day, I had the best time exploring Upper Bolton Lake.  We discovered several nests and a beaver lodge.  I maneuvered right up to that lodge entrance and peeked inside.  I wish I had a flashlight. 
  

Bird houses were attached to a number of trees.

It was a lot of fun paddling hard to bust through a beaver dam.  I got stuck and had to back up and try again several times.  In the distance there was a rare Atlantic white cedar forest.  When I got out of the kayak, I was pretty soaked, but it sure was fun. (Photos courtesy of Steve T) 

Painted turtles

This writing world is a strange one.  Ten years ago, I wrote an article.  On Monday, an editor called and asked for revisions to that antique.  I have no idea what prompted him to dig in the dust to find something I'd given up on ever seeing in print.  That piece is a great example of how writing evolves over time with the help of good (and exceptionally patient) editors.    

We kept the cars away and called some little girls over to take a look.

It turned out to be a Northern water snake.

It was a splendid day for a picnic lunch on the rocks.

We even saw horses and

a black-capped chickadee.

These photographs were taken at Shenipsit Lake in Ellington, CT.  It was a great day for wildlife sightings of all kinds.  Since the snake was on the gravel road, we kept the cars from running over it.  When it slithered in the water, it stayed near shore, so we got a great look.  I must have startled it when I climbed on a boulder, because it swam away real fast.      

Laurel Marsh Trail, Manchester

Dewdrops clung to spider webs, glistening in the morning sun.

Canada goose

Today was such a great day of accomplishment.  I put the finishing touches on two separate pieces of writing, read them aloud, shoved my fist in the air and shouted, "YES! AWESOME!" twice in one day. 

Canadian geese flying off

Did you catch the CNN interview with Bill Nye and "Slow" Loris from the Heritage Foundation?  The guy from Heritage said sea ice was globally increasing.  Take a look at the graph of  Arctic sea ice on the National Snow and Ice Data Center website.  Clearly he is wrong.  How can he look himself in the mirror at the end of the day and think he's done a good job?

young grackle

The reality is....
 
1. Arctic sea ice is declining
2. The Heritage Foundation is linked to big oil (scroll down about halfway - They've received $$$ from the Koch Foundation and ExxonMobil)

3. Compared to other countries, Americans have a much lower concern about climate change

With such great efforts to misrepresent the facts, it is no wonder Americans are not as informed as other countries.


I took these photographs at the Laurel Marsh Trail in Manchester, Connecticut. 

mockingbird