Book covers are an emotional quagmire for authors. We have absolutely no control over what the cover will look like. Perhaps I’ve got some baggage as far as my book covers go, because I found this post from the Chronicle Books Blog to be a fascinating peek into the world of book cover design.
The first edition of Thinking Homeschoolers is up. I haven’t clicked over yet, but I have COD on a feed so read his take on taxes this morning over my first cup of coffee. Couldn’t agree more. Read all of the entries here or find out how you can participate here.
I discover the darndest things when I’m researching my books. I’m editing my medieval book, and right now focusing on medieval witchcraft and sorcery (no hands-on projects here, I promise!). I just discovered this site, where you can order spells to suit your every need. Who knew?
If your family is concerned about our environment - even just a little - you’ll want to know about the new site 50 Simple Things. Conceived of by the author of 50 Simple Things You Can Do To Save The Earth (one of my self-publishing heroes), the site offers easy steps along with more in-depth action that people can take to make a difference, along with forums, articles, and factoids.
Blog Nod: Enviroblog
While I had my camera at the grocery store, I took some pictures of snack foods that you probably won’t see on the mainland, unless you shop at an Asian food store.
Via Jen Robinson, today (April 12th, Beverly Cleary’s birthday) is Drop Everything and Read Day (D.E.A.R.). Here are the highlights, from the D.E.A.R. website:
What is National D.E.A.R. Day?
D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything and Read. National D.E.A.R. Day is a special reading celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority.Who Is Leading the National D.E.A.R. Day Celebration? The National Education Association (NEA); Parent Teacher Association (PTA); the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association; Reading Rockets; The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC); the Newspaper Association of America Foundation (NAA); First Book; HarperCollins Children’s Books; and Ramona Quimby.
Sounds like a perfect way to spend a Saturday to me!
Hey homeschoolers. Go give Amy Bowllan at the School Library Journal blog some feedback. She tells me:
I will be featuring posts over the next week or two on homeschool related topics/resources/commentary etc. I strongly believe and support homeschoolers. And to me, they are under-represented and need to have more acknowledgment in the educational arena.
Woohoo! Go Amy. Today, Amy’s asking:
If you are a homeschooler, how do you use technology with your children?
I *know* you all have something to share!
When we were moving, everyone (everyone!) asked about the high cost of living here. Coming from California, I honestly didn’t notice a huge difference for most things (bread, milk, and electricity being the main exceptions). I suppose if I’d moved from another state, that might have been different.
Recently though - the last six months? - I’ve noticed a huge increase in the price of our food at the grocery store. The high cost of fuel is really hitting our pocketbooks when we shop for items that have been shipped in (most everything). I have absolutely no idea how these increases compare to mainland increases. For fun, I took my camera to the grocery store and snapped some pictures of random items. How do these compare to where you live?
Crazy, yes?
I’ll add more pictures under the cut for the truly curious.
Isn’t it funny how we’ve used glass for hundreds of years in this world, and it’s not linked to chemical poisoning, off-gassing, environmental impact, or cancer like plastic is? Even the tin cans our food comes in have apparently been treated with bisphenol which seeps into our food.
Glass. It’s so simple.
Littoral explosions at Waikupanaha entry (called littoral explosions, because they occur at the shoreline, or littoral zone - I learn something new every day)
The activity of the volcano and Halema’uma’u crater bring hourly eruption updates from our Hawaii County Civil Defense. In addition to updates on flow activity, these radio announcements include messages from the health department with regard to the vog and dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide. There is an emergency health advisory today for parts of the island.
Our air in Kona is hazy; the horizon is invisible and I actually smelled sulfur this morning taking Brad to work.
FURTHER NEWS: Officials closed Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on Tuesday and evacuated the Volcano House, a hotel overlooking the craters. The evacuation was due to poor air quality. The vog is so heavy on the east side that daytime headlights are necessary. Note that part of the problem is that a weather pattern isn’t allowing the vog to blow out, coupled with elevated levels of sulfur dioxide spewing from Halema’uma’u Crater.
