​Happy Thanksgiving y’all, especially to our military who are far from home and eating an MRE (meals ready-to-eat) while being ever-ready to defend all we hold dear. I am thankful for you!

A Holiday Special - purchase your copy (copies) of My Dog, Me at a special price of $9.00 with free shipping (eat your heart out, Amazon).  Contact me at [email protected] to order. Thank you in advance.

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Received this note from a mom, "​Hi there! Here's a picture of Javi, my 4th grader, reading your book. He said 'Mom, this is really good!' :) 

The only thing better than a boy and a dog is a boy reading about a boy and his dog!

​Forty three of the eggs are accounted for in museums or private collections. Seven were missing until one turned up in a pawn shop in the midwest.  Hmm, there's a story here.  Think I'll write it.  Yeah, more research. (more vodka?)

A few days ago, i did more research on reindeer for my latest book: A Reindear Tale, about the year Santa’s team were all female. Thanks to “reindeer whisperer,” Scott Allen, I had the opportunity to meet some reindeer up close, both males and females. Who knew research could be such fun? 

Reindeer are shy, but curious. They will respond to the calling of a familiar person, especially when that person is holding hay. Although March is probably not the best time to observe the gender differences, it's a great time to see them shedding their winter coats. Below the dense coat is a body that is completely black. Scott says their natural black hairs get bleached by the sun – kind of like a reverse sun tan! 

From the pictures it’s hard to discern the males from the females since the males have already shed their antlers and are in the process of growing new ones. This stage of antler development is called “velvet” because the antlers have a dark brown soft covering that eventually become hard bony protrusions on their heads. The females are in the process of shedding their antlers. Several still had their full antlers. Scott says at this stage the only way to tell males from females is to “look underneath.”  Yup, an easy way to spot the difference. Well, duh!
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If you love reindeer, you may want to check out these websites for some interesting facts about the most famous carriers in the world, (except maybe for the stork). 
www.earthtouchnews.com
www.mnn.com

Kudos to Mary and Ed Ettel of Mt. Bethel Church in Marietta! They've already sent over 8,000 packages to our servicemen and women in overseas remote outposts for many years. I am privileged to be a part of East Cobb Civitans who routinely pack boxes with their specific needs of each outpost in mind. We have granted requests for food stuffs, personal care items, blankets, socks, and pretty much anything they might need. The troops really like chocolate candy, although we can only send during certain times of the year due to climate. Fulfilling their requests is something that is taken seriously. I remember one time when a serviceman from Texas wanted a particular type of hot sauce, and the Ettels made sure that his request was in the box--made me cry! At this packing, we sent Girl Scout cookies as a little "taste of home"! It is one of the most rewarding experiences I am privileged to be a part of.
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Asked the students at McClesky Middle School Career Day -
​I had the opportunity to speak to a group of seventh grade students today at a local middle school during their Career Day on what it's like to develop a story from an idea. Their counselor, an intern with me many years ago, saw an article about My Dog, Me in a local magazine and invited me to share my literary journey. The students had many questions about what it takes to be a successful author, so I did my best not to scare them! I had the students work in groups to develop a storyline.  They learned about protagonists, antagonists, and the cauldron of the craft. Some of them impressed me with their plots and creativity. It was great fun! My take-away -- participate when the opportunity arises! Kids are smarter than we think!