💌 Apr. '25: Monthly Wrap-Up
Plus: 10+ laughable things, see me at IRL author events, and the irreplaceable Sad Otter of Melbourne
Dear Friend,
Here is this month’s list of things that made me make like a Cheshire cat.
This French “pro-sobriety” poster from the 1950s reminds us, “health, sobriety…never more than one liter of wine per day.” (I’ll try, France! The news these days ain’t helpin’!)
I love taking pictures of wildlife when we go hiking, and usually get decent shots! (I feel like I should provide some proof points from this trip: here, here, here, here and here.) But also…I’m not ALWAYS so good. Presenting…this trip’s gallery of rocks I really, really thought were wildlife when I snapped them.
Three suspected "mountain goats" (which I now call "scapegoats") and one "fox" (or "fauxks", a sort of "faux+rocks" portmanteau). I’m not sure who deserves credit for this graphic (it was shared all over Reddit), but aren’t we all a bit like this?
I enjoyed reading about the origins and shenanigans of Rebecca, the White House raccoon during the Coolidge presidency.
For starters (literally), Rebecca was sent to them for eating. I never tire of this Flight of the Conchords song.
I couldn’t love this goldfish-forward art at my son’s middle school more.
Oh, to be a Fred. When my oldest forwarded me his college visit itinerary and got my OOO email that began “Dear Friend,” he replied to it with:
He was sitting on a sofa next to me when he sent it, and I laughed pretty hard.
BONUS: see Sad Otter, below. (Really—you don’t want to miss him.)
Sad note: I don’t earn any commission on what I highlight in this newsletter.
Join me at my first REAL LIVE AUTHOR EVENTS!
Friday, June 6 at 6 p.m.
PJ Party Book Launch
Queen Anne Book Company
1811 Queen Anne Ave. N, #103, Seattle WA 98109
Sunday, June 8 at 11 a.m.
Storytime Book Launch
Third Place Lake Forest Park
17171 Bothell Way NE, #A101, Lake Forest Park WA 98155
I’d love to see you there! Bring your shorties!
My Substack posts from this month were:
And two old posts that I shook out of a dusty rug while Spring Cleaning:
📌 My Kidlit Writer Origin Story - Mostly, this is about how good it feels when you take lifelong blinders off.
📌 Miss Shuttleworth: School Librarian Extraordinaire - She made the library an inviting and non-judgmental space.
I have many happy memories of our three years in Australia, but one of them was definitely getting to see Sad Otter IRL, before they put him in storage. He was…exquisite.
It’s a very strange way to find a "new” (to me) band I enjoy, but I got into Phoenix after their summer Olympics performance. This is one of my favorite songs, mostly because of this lyrical section:
“Lisztomania; Think less but see it grow. Like a riot, like a riot, oh1.
Not easily offended. Know how to let it go. From a mess to the masses”
“From a mess to the masses.” If that doesn’t sum up so much of the creative process, when it goes well!
Here is a quick glimpse of the many picture books I was jealous of this month. You can read why (plus my reviews of many others) on my Goodreads reviews.
“Keep your face always towards the sunshine, and the shadows will fall behind you.”—M. B. Whitman2
Your “seeking freckles” friend,
I should admit, I thought (until I read the lyrics, recently) that I sang this part, “like a rhi, like a rhino. Not easily offended…” which I prefer, and suits my ideal idea of developing a thick skin. 😂
Poor M.B.! To have captured such a pithy thought in print, and to have it incorrectly, but consistently, attributed to another Whitman!
Oh Sad Otter! I liked the curator's comment about 'being in on the joke' to explain why Otter is so alluring to viewers.
Have a happy launch day!
I live on the other side of the country, otherwise I’d be in the front row for your book signing, friend! I hope that doesn’t give you hurt feelings. I hope you have a great time at your events!
Also, “I’m not your ‘friend’ I’m your SON” while you’re in the same room - lolol