1.31.2014


Let's celebrate!  How to Grow a Hippo! has been printed and is on its way to author Becky Schantz.  She will be signing and mailing out the books that had been pre-ordered.  If you did not pre-order but would like a book, it is available for on-line purchase on the Mascot Books website.  Click here for a direct link.

The hippo celebrating in the illustration above started out as a hippo
study in preparation for the book back in 2012.  He soon morphed into a birthday hippo for my hippo-loving niece and later was reincarnated as a scientist for the book.  He gets around. 

1.09.2014


All good things must come to an end.  We have had the good fortune to spend the holidays in the American Southwest, but December has passed and the decorations are coming down.  Upon arrival, I purchased a two foot table tree and a strand of garland at the local Humane Society thrift shop for the grand total of five dollars.  Additional decorations consisted of pine cones, dried chili peppers and raffia.  You can have a lot of fun with a little imagination and Elmer's glue.  Add a little nog, and you create masterpieces.  Or, so you think.



Now that 2014 is upon us, all the lights are coming down.   Yet, just yesterday, I stumbled across a tumbleweed "snowman" still on duty as sentry.  He has seen better days, but heck, we are all a bit worn out from the fun of our annual winter party.