Monthly Archives: June 2012

Monster in the moon

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Ginny O'Donnell

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What a quirky couple of weeks.

Last week, I went to New York to hang with other people who love making books. This week, I am in Las Vegas looking and listening about the next greatest thing that everyone wants to make everything about–at the Licensing Show. And I really thought I’d spot a good story to blog about, someone outrageous gambling and looking crazy. And sure there were those, but this was my favorite sight.

I heart Sesame Street. I really, really do. And here in the middle of all kinds of look-at-me noise and confusion, this very simple beacon of goodness shone over us all, like an Elmo in the Moon.

I used to carry a reusable Elmo grocery bag. But one evening at Trader Joe’s, a little bitty girl said to me (a stranger), “I like your bag.” She had a lovey-Elmo in her miniature shopping cart. So I said, “You know what? I have too many grocery bags. Would you like this one?” She said yes. And she accepted it onto her arm and walked away with the biggest smile. And her mommy was tickled, too. She knew Elmo was watching.

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slow and slower

Posted on June 10, 2012 by Ginny O'Donnell

    

I haven’t been up close to a box turtle for years and years. When we were little, we’d be allowed to mark them with Mama’s nail polish, so we’d know it if we found the same one twice, after we let it go. Imagine my excitement when my husband and I saw this handsome guy halfway across our dirt road, when we were leaving the lake house today. STOP STOP STOP! I jumped out of the still-moving truck to get a good look, and to pick him up to admire him. Bill was right behind me, or at least I thought it was Bill.

It was actually 11-year-old Billy who was over my shoulder. “Can we bring him home? Can we keep him? Pleeeeease? We have a box in the truck! I’ll take care of him!”

I’ve been married to this boy for more than 30 years. And I’m here to tell you that he was perfectly serious. And I am here to tell you that we do not have a pet tortoise. Mean mommy.

Oh, and JUST NOW, RIGHT THIS MINUTE I figured out that Mama “letting” us mark our box turtles and turning them loose was her solution to not having pet turtles. Who is slower, me or the tortoise?

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Little lamb found

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Ginny O'Donnell

Look what my husband found, when he was planting some herbs for me. I’d forgotten all about this little lamb that his mother always had nestled near the patio, usually semi-hidden among her impatiens.

Without having a tear in my eye, I don’t think I can write what I think this lamb actually meant to Vivian — except to say it was a reminder of a little lost love. As you may know, we now live in Mike and Viv’s home, and have made some lovely changes to it. One change includes a kitchen courtyard, which is where the 1960-70s patio once was. And where the wee lamb has been buried and forgotten for more than a decade.

She has lost an ear, and she’s wearing thin. One more season among the herbs, then I think she has earned the right to come inside and be a Conversation Piece.

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Yellow and yellower

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Ginny O'Donnell

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He is just a person in a yellow car who will drive you from here to there, then you pay him a fair price and a tip. What’s not to love? I can’t explain it. It is irrational. Would I rather walk 30 city blocks in heels? EN-OH no! Then shush and get in the cab.

Hailing a taxicab in New York pretty much makes me feel the same as having to get up on a horse. I have taken riding lessons, I have family with horses, I can curry a horse, I love going to the races, but I am terrified of actually getting in the saddle. I am afraid to not be in control of the beast.

In my usually brave little heart, I know that horses and taxi drivers can sense my fear. They take off at a wild gallop, try to throw me, and then slow to a frustrating pace just to get on my nerves.

Frankly, I am pretty sure this guy was wearing blinders. And me, without sugar cubes.

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I love a nice jubilee

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Ginny O'Donnell

Today I am writing from New York City, which makes me feel really worldly and grown-up. I’ve just enjoyed a business dinner with some of my best-loved colleagues, at a gorgeous Chinese restaurant. (We are gathering from all of our distant points for BookExpo.)

The absolute best part of my day was Tony from our London office walking into the hotel lobby, and seeing me, he says he has a surprise for me! He produced this confection from his always over-stuffed briefcase. An Official Jubilee Programme! For me, all the way from The Commonwealth, on this day of days.

I feel rawther like a princess.

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solo for the summer

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Ginny O'Donnell

This weekend, I saw many, many signs that summer is here. Roadside day lilies and Queen Anne’s lace. The corn is almost knee-high. Turkey Run is open for canoe trips. And when we stopped in to say hi and ‘bye to Dave and LuAnn at the bait shop, a little girl and her daddy were leaving with a bucket of shiners and a box of sparklers.

Now, if you’ve been down to our lake house, you know that we use and re-use and re-re-use Solo cups all year long, until they crack almost in half in your hand. We keep a few Sharpies in the junk drawer, so you can write your name on your cup. And it is okay to use a pre-named cup, as long as you keep track. This weekend, it was kinda strange to look in the “picnic” cabinet and not see a single Solo cup. Thank goodness, we have a stash of emergency necessities in the laundry room (bottled water, toilet paper, batteries, NOAA radio, and Solo cups). Done! Stack of shiny new red Solo cups, ready to serve!

Turns out that summer doesn’t begin with the Solstice. It begins with the Solo!

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