George Floyd Was Murdered

There are things I need to say. These things seem obvious and rational to me. But I am a white woman, and troubled by the concept of "silence is complicity." So I will speak, although these things have already been said, and said better.

George Floyd was murdered.

This was a particularly horrific crime, but it is one in a long legacy of similar crimes both remembered and forgotten. The black community has a right to their rage and grief. We must listen.

We all have the right to peacefully protest.

Some protests have become violent. That is wrong.

Some peaceful protests have been scattered by local, state, and federal authorities by violent means. That is wrong.

No one is above the law.

We must do better as a society. We must vote. We must value everyone the same. We must be kind and respectful.

George Floyd was murdered.

Rules

Rules

To be posted outside my house.

1. All small creatures are welcome to shelter in the yard.

2. Please get along peaceably.

3. You may eat all the grass and mosquitoes you like; please bring your friends.

4. Please do not assault the house.

5. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE HOUSE.

6. Those of you who are skunks, please do not skunk.

7. Those of you who are not skunks, please do not startle the skunks. 

Blink

A few weeks ago my husband Derek and I attended our nephew Benjamin's high school graduation. We were very tired that day because a woodpecker had been attacking our house since early morning. I sat in the stadium in a sleepy daze watching the pre-ceremony videos the class had put together. In the videos many of them wore 2019 t-shirts. I was thinking to myself, if we had done this sort of thing my shirt would have said 1989; and it slowly worked its way into my brain that there were 9's on the end of both dates, and that it has been thirty years since I graduated from high school. I found this surprising; to add to the impression, the girls in the class wore white gowns just as I had.

Blink. Decade. Blink. Decade. Blink. Decade.

The whole day was a bit surreal; here are some random impressions.

The security guard wished me happy Mother's Day (I have no children).

Graduations are always poignant with many emotions, with the consciousness of what you are losing mixed with the excitement of what lies ahead. At least Benjamin's class has social media to easily keep in touch with their friends. It was a bit harder for us.

A really beautiful "hat throw," with white and bright purple hats fluttering like confetti against the dark seats of the arena and the bright light of the floor.

Young women in white gowns bring to mind angels, nurses, spirits, saints.

Hecate is the goddess of magic and of the crossroads.

On the way home, Derek says (loudly, suddenly, without immediate context and to an unspecified audience): "Who doesn't like DuckTales? I will FIGHT you!" 

How Cold Is It?

#ItsSoCold I took my pet penguin for a walk.

#ItsSoCold my hashtag froze.

#ItsSoCold my snowman is glad he's so fat.

#ItsSoCold my snowman quit.

⛄

Wishes

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” 
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Jaleth and the Dragons at SCBWI Bookstop!

The SCBWI Bookstop is a place where Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators can showcase books published this year. I have a page for my e-novelette, Jaleth and the Dragons. I tried to have fun with this page -- there is a silly picture of me with a dinosaur! Please stop by! While you're there, have a look at the other great books by traditionally and independently published authors!

Jaleth and the Dragons, Now on Nook!

Finally have my e-novelette, Jaleth and the Dragons, available on Nook as well! It's just in time, because I will be participating in the SCBWI Bookstop next week (more details to come) and I wanted it available on Kindle and Nook before then. ☺