Blog Break

This blog is on hiatus until further notice.

I'm writing and working and unpacking and homeschooling. No time for blogging. Might come back with something new and spiffy. Will let you know.

Toodle-loo for now. :)

What I'm Reading: March 7-8

To say this blog is stale, would be an understatement. I've been trying to figure out what I want to do with it, so am starting a new feature -- What I'm Reading.

Yesterday, we stopped at the library before heading out to the Gem and Mineral Show. I had intended to write while we traveled, but instead read one of my selected books, Home Sweet Home School by Sue Maakestad. I was really hoping for more practical tips, but this book did have enough anecdotes in it to help me feel "normal" and not like a total failure. It is definitely from a conservative Christian perspective with lists of applicable scriptures after each chapter. Like a lot of books, I thought it could probably be condensed to a 1,000 word essay. :) It was mostly full of anecdotes about problems with public schools, the author's personal experiences, and of course, a lot of talk about putting Jesus in control. It seemed like a whole lot of talk about the same issues over, and over, and over. I did like the lists of encouraging Bible verse, but would have liked to have seen a lot more practical tips, hints, and examples about homeschooling. This is not the homeschooling tome for you if you are not a Christian, but if you are, you may find encouragement in its pages.

Last night, I began reading Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb. I've owned this book for about ten years. The cover is pristine, probably because it keeps getting lost in moves and has never been read. So far I'm finding it extremely useful for someone like me who cannot plot her way out of a paper bag. As I continue reading, I'll let you know more of what I think.

Kidlit Contest

Speaking of contests, check this one out from ABLA agent Mary Kole.

I've Been Moved

Quite literally, that is - with a moving truck and burly packers and all that stuff. I've been here for a month, and even though I'm still maneuvering around six foot tall stacks of boxes, I'm determined to get back to the writing life. I had to give it up for several weeks before the Great Upheaval, but it's time to get back with it.

In my usual high tension last minute fashion, I'm working on a story for the Highlights Magazine Contest. Yeah, I really work well under pressure. Really.

Because on top of boxes, and writing, and trying to figure out where to put stuff, I homeschool.

Oh yeah. So I'll try to be a little more regular with the excitement around here.

Off to work on that short story.