I clicked on my own blog the other day, only to find that my site was digging up old random posts and putting them on the front page of my blog. It happened the next day, and the day after that. Always old posts from the days of yore.

What the heck? Has my computer  been bored with my lack of new blog posts? Angry that I've neglected it? Gabe gave me a perfectly reasonable computer-y explanation that sounded believable, but I'm guessing it's more likely that this little machine has become self-aware.  And we all know how that turns out. 

So, I think we can all agree that I should start doing stuff right away to appease my computer. I figured, at the very least, I could post a new blog. How about a nonsensical string of things I've been up to over the last few months? Hopefully this will stave off any impending HAL moments...

1.  I've done a few school visits lately that have made me dizzy with happiness. The kids have been so creative, smart, and funny. 

2. Still writing the middle grade novel I've been working on for (roughly) three thousand years. I've enlisted a few friends to read what I have at the end of March, so done or not, eyeballs are going to see it once and for all.

3. Sketching, and plotting for my new book Orchestra Pit (Roaring Brook, Fall 2014). Which requires, you know, a lot of important research. 

4. As someone who is a champion of fear and anxiety, I have spent a lifetime challenging my fears, and running from them, in equal parts. Running from scary stuff tends to make me miserable, and going through my fear makes me happy (eventually) but the middle part is excruciating and, well, VERY SCARY. I'm guessing you all know the Eleanor Roosevelt quote, " You must do the thing that you think you cannot do."  Well, I've really taken this to heart lately.  I have a few things that I'm working on right now, that I'm desperately scared of and pretty sure I cannot do...more about that soon....

5. Right brains! 

6. This year I’ve been attempting to get my mini paintings into stores. Thanks to all for your support and suggestions. I'm still making my way through the stores that folks have recommend that I contact, but if you have one that you would like to tell me about, please do!

7. Remember this post from awhile back? What the heck was that about? Well, I was kinda in the process of launching a line of my own greeting cards. Though, I was going about it like this guy, and didn't get very far.   Instead, something much, much, better happened. Stay tuned for a real blog post about that, and the serendipitous tale that goes with it.