Juggling Crocodiles

CT Animals Lovers Please Read & Take Action

 This is Geno, our rescued Maine Coon Cat. Two little neighborhood girls showed up at our door with him last March 30. They said they had found him in their yard and that their Mom had called around to try to find someone to take him, but the vet's were too expensive and the shelters turned him down because he was obviously sick. They knew we loved cats and had a bunch of them so they thought maybe we could help. We took him in with the intention of just getting him healthy again and then we were going to give him to the CT Humane Society. We already had 6 rescued cats, plus our rescue dog, Louie and really didn't need another one. 

Luckily for Geno, and for us, we fell ass over teakettle in love with this big galoot. But I almost entrusted him to the CT Humane Society, thinking that I was doing a good, responsible, caring thing...imagining he would find a good home with a loving family. And then I started volunteering there and found out that if I had given him up, more often than not, I would have sent him to his death. 

George Gombossy, the Ctwatchdog has published two more articles about what is really going on at CHS. The first one, Inside View At Connecticut Humane Society: Former Finance Assistant Details Needless Killing of Animals and Other Impacts of Staffing Shortage gives hard numbers and a chilling look behind the scenes of what many employees and volunteers suspected was going on. I was there this summer and even I was stupefied by the very courageous Bridget Karchere's report. 

What has really upset me this morning though is the realization, after reading this article, that if any of my darling furry family members had had the misfortune to come under the CT Humane Society's "care", none of them would have survived to be adopted by Peter and I. That's right 0. They ALL would have been euthanized because none of them were perfect when we adopted them. I don't know about you, but I can't imagine my life without these funny, loving,amazing balls of fur in it. 

The second of Gombossy's articles is disturbing from a business, ethical, moral, donor and HUMAN standpoint, Connecticut Humane Society Firing More Union Supporters, Not Enough Staff Left to Properly Care for Animals, Workers Claim.I challenge you to read this article and not be outraged by it, especially in a facility that has the word "HUMANE" in it's TITLE. I understand that some people will be skeptical, I was myself, until I volunteered there. These employees and volunteers are speaking the truth. And they are doing it at great personal expense. Mr. Johnston is already threatening libel suits and he is well known for following through on his litigation threats. That's part of culture of fear that permeates CHS. Even I have thought twice and three times about attaching making my opinions public and attaching my name. But then, I look at the furry faces that surround me every day and then I think of the animals I met at CHS, the ones that are now gone, prematurely, needlessly and I know I can't let this go. 

What I am asking of you, of anyone who reads this blog, is to send just one email or Facebook or Twitter message to one other person and tell them what's going on at the Connecticut Humane Society. And, if you are particularly outraged about this, take another minute and send an email to a news outlet, to the Governor, to your State Legislator, or to the Attorney General and make sure that this story doesn't get buried or forgotten about. Here are some links:

Governor Rell

CT Attorney General

CT State Legislators

The Hartford Courant

The Manchester Journal Inquirer 

WFSB

WTNH

NBC CT 30

What's Up with Facebook?

I know that: 

A) Laurie Halse Anderson (one of my FAVORITE writers, speakers, German shepherd owners and people, in general) has suggested that, in order to boost all of our collective productivities, February should be declared an Internet-free month. 

And:

B) Facebook is one of my guiltiest time-sucking Internet pleasures.

But what the &^%*% is going on with FB this AM? I keep getting a message that it will be down "for a few hours for maintenance and they're sorry for the inconvenience."

This is not an inconvenience. This is cold turkey FB withdrawal. Me no like. 

Facebook, Fix thyself. Soon!

That is all. Back to scribbling, as Laurie would say.

HarperCollins YA Inkpop Community...Opinions Please.

 Earlier this week I was reading through Publisher's Weekly Daily when I noticed an article called Harper Debuts Writing Site for Teens. Having once been a teenage writer, my initial thought was "Where the hell was something like this when I was starting out?"

The article describes Inkpop as "an interactive writing platform and community for teenagers created by the HarperTeen imprint of HarperCollins children's books." The site had a soft (unadvertised) opening a few months ago and now boasts over 10,000 members aged 13 & up. 

The carrot they seem to be using to draw members is the possibility of editorial feedback on submitted (posted) work or even maybe, down the road, hey-you-never-know...PUBLICATION. 

According to the Inkpop FAQ page, here are the basics:

Inkpop invites unpublished, published, and self-published authors to create their own personal inkpop page and post their books, short stories, essays, and poetry for public viewing. There is no word-count minimum for short stories, essays, and poetry, but authors must upload books that are at least 10,000 words in order for them to be read and critiqued by the inkpop community.

Visitors can comment on submissions and choose their top five favorites. inkpop counts the number of times a project appears to be among the five favorites of community members and uses that information to rank the projects. inkpop also recognizes the visitors who consistently recommend the best projects and uses that info to rank the most influential Trendsetters, who play a critical role in selecting top authors.

In short, talent development is a collaborative process at inkpop. Readers are talent scouts and critics who become community leaders in their search for standout projects. In turn, writers get to load up on valuable feedback from a target audience and make their projects the very best they can be."

A few other details include:

*Inkpop is not just for teens. The lower age limit is 13, there is no upper age limit and they state that published authors are welcome. 

*You must upload a minimum of 10,000 words before your work becomes public. The reasons given for needing so much of the project is that they "want to attract serious writers who have completed or nearly completed their book projects." And that this number of words will show off the quality of the writer's work and attract the important "personal recommendations."

*Once your project goes public, anyone visiting the site can read it, although only registered members can comment on it. 

*You can keep your project private by keeping it under 10,000 words or hitting the button on during the Submit process. 

*Once a month the HarperCollins editorial board will read 5 projects from the Top Picks list and offer their feedback. HC also reserves the right to read other projects that are not part of the Top 5. 

*They say you will give up NO rights by submitting your work.

*They also say that posting your work on Inkpop does not affect your copyright.
And here's their direct quote answer to the question:

Does posting on Inkpop affect the value of my projects? 

"We really see no particular reason why a project that’s been showcased online should lose any of its value to an interested publisher. Indeed, it's central to the inkpop concept that a writer with a proven readership is often more valuable to a publisher, not less. Book companies now regularly snap up volumes from high-profile bloggers and promising self-publishers with existing readerships. It's a good thing to prove that you’ve got the enthusiasm and the skills to help make your project a success."

Okay all you writers, YA and otherwise...what say YOU? Is Inkpop something you would encourage your teen to participate in? Would YOU as a YA writer participate in it? Is this the new publishing paradigm? As writers do you find this brilliant or offensive or somewhere in the middle? Is it good business? Is it good for writers?

A Little Online Retail Therapy

 I've been on a bit of a post-holiday online buying spree the past week or so. Anyone that knows me, knows that this is fairly unusual behavior, unless books are involved. I'm not a recreational shopper. I hate enclosed retail complexes of any kind, especially after once spending a holiday season locked down (sub-gainfully employed) in one.

Here's what I've been wearing the credit card out on:

 Kusmi Tea-Did the Sweet Love review for MomGadget and fell in love with not only the wonderful tea, but the beautiful packaging. Ordered 4.4 oz tins of the Chocolate and Jasmine Green teas to try. Had a touch of trouble ordering online, but the problem was on my end, not theirs and the service rep I talked to was very helpful and gracious. 

 Then I got a Facebook message from Vintage Roadside saying that their Walter's Maroon Ambulance T-shirts were back in stock. Having always loved the old 1953 Caddy ambulances, even though I never got the chance to actually work in one, I had to have one. This will be my Valentine's gift to myself, unless DH wants to pick up the credit card charge! 

Then my granddaughter announced that she was having her "friends" birthday party this coming weekend and would I please come and hang out with them and maybe bring something. I may, or may not, actually be able to figure out how to make the birthday gingerbread house she has her eye on by then, but I thought just in case, I'd better be prepared with another treat that didn't involve me, heavy duty mixers and pounds of confectionary sugar two days before a major deadline. So, I ordered a very cool candy and popcorn party assortment from The Popcorn Factory. I got a great price, reasonable shipping time and so far they've seemed very easy to do business with. 

I realize that some of you power shoppers are looking at my list and saying, "Wow! What an AMATEUR! I spend more than that in my sleep." And at the moment, you would be correct...but I am saving my big, major-league, credit-card-busting shopping tsunami for the Fred & Friends 2010 Spring Line. I am lucky enough to count as a friend, one of Fred's brilliant designers, Liz Goulet Dubois, and she sent me a preview catalog last week of the pages and pages of colorful, fun and creative things that will soon be available in better retail stores. So I am saving up and looking forward to plunking down my cash for such wicked cool must haves as:

ABC-Already Been Chewed- Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutters

Evidence-Forensics for the Kitchen

Unzipped-candy bowl

The Budget Cuts Piggy Bank

And, the Lightbites-Candles with Handles!

CT In-Humane Society?

 Today at noon I flipped on the news and finally heard the news teaser I have been waiting for since last August. 

CT Attorney General Investigating CT Humane Society

Thanks to the efforts and courage of a group of current and former employees, volunteers and animal lovers, as well as the help of consumer reporter extraordinaire CT Watchdog, George Gombossy, investigations are being made, questions are being asked and hopefully permanent changes will be made in the way employees, volunteers and most importantly, ANIMALS are treated. 

Here are what other media outlets are saying about the allegations:

Coalition for Change

Heat Turning Up on CT Humane Society Management

Humane Society Leader Investigated

CT Humane Society Under Investigation

OSHA Inspection Obstructed by CT Humane Society President, Workers Claim

If any of this sounds vaguely familiar, you might have read the column I wrote in the NE NEWS about my personal experience volunteering for an "animal related charity" last summer. For those of you who didn't see the column, please check it out below.

September/October 2009 NE NEWS Column

I talk a lot in this column about making time for things like writing or volunteering because you LOVE doing them. There is a wonderful energy that manifests in your life when you’re actively pursuing something you’re passionate and excited about. Today however, I’d like to explore the flip side…being motivated by bumping up against something you HATE.

Now I know hate is a strong word that we generally try to teach our kids not to use, but sometimes, you run into circumstances that are just so wrong, so depressing, so bad, there is no other polite word to use to describe it. This summer unfortunately I ran head on into just such a situation. I thought I was doing a good thing by volunteering to work for an animal related charity as part of their summer program. I had heard whispers around the pet owners community that this wasn’t a good place, but there was nothing tangible, just rumors and a few seemingly incredible allegations.

The program was six weeks long and by week two I began to realize that the rumors weren’t even the tip of the iceberg. This was truly a bad place masquerading as a good place. Yes, good things did happen, some animals were adopted, some lives were saved, but this seemed almost incidental to the way the place was run. The staff and even volunteers seemed to live in fear of bringing down the wrath of the administration for even the slightest error, or appearance of error. Rules and policies were put in place and discarded faster than anyone could keep up, the questioning of policy or administrators was not allowed and people were treated with complete disregard and disrespect.

The only reason I stayed as long as I did was because I had given my word to the two wonderful and talented teachers who were running the program. And they weren’t the only good, passionate, well-meaning people who were trapped working under these terrible conditions. I won’t even go into the things I witnessed or had direct knowledge of happening to the animals.

The worst part of this, the part that will haunt me (along with the eyes of a beautiful German Shepherd, now lost) is that while I was there, I did nothing. I saved no one. I changed nothing. I hated what I saw and felt and experienced, but I ended up being as shell-shocked and impotent as everyone else who knows what is going on inside this organization. That’s the bad news…the better news is that shock wears off, and that’s where being a writer motivated by anger and injustice comes into play.

Andrew Vachss was so motivated by the crimes and attitudes he witnessed as a lawyer specializing in child welfare that he developed a character named Burke and wrote a series of novels about him. He also heads a child protection mission called The Zero and is one of the founders of a national association called PROTECT. This is alongside his law practice that consists of only children who need his help.  Vachss has always been a personal hero of mine, now perhaps is the time to follow his lead and let my awful experience lead me to positive action. 

Basket Bits

 For the past several years I've been putting together raffle baskets for SCBWI:NE's annual Whispering Pines Writing Retreat.

 One of the things I enjoy the most about creating these baskets is the challenge of trying to get everything for the least amount of money possible. 
 Luckily, my husband and lately, the older two grandchildren love hitting the tag and book sales with me on Saturday mornings. I am also blessed to have a large attic to accommodate all of my finds until assembly time just before the March Retreat. 
 Since I enjoy knitting and crocheting, every basket also gets a hand knitted or crocheted scarf or dishtowels.   

 About the only thing I have to regularly buy is the cellophane wrapping and if you keep your eye on the dollar stores or the Christmas Tree Shoppes, you can pick it up at a good price.
 I love using different kinds of baskets and containers, hat boxes, picnic baskets, purses, wooden pails, almost anything I think is attractive, interesting and can fit a few books and tchotchkes in. About the only thing I don't use is Christmas or other holiday themed items. 

Finding decorations like ribbons, beads and these apples is all just a matter of luck and patience, but if you go to enough tag sales over the course of a season, SOMEONE will be getting rid of Grandma Polly's or Great Aunt Emily's craft stash. You just have to keep a sharp eye out. If you're not into, or don't have time for tag sales though, dollar stores can also be a gold mine if you think creatively.

As far as the books go...if you're a writer, you've got books kicking around the house and they're probably in near perfect condition. Do a little harvesting, see what you really need and want and pass on the rest. If you absolutely, positively have to keep every book you own, most libraries have book sales at different times throughout the year to raise money. 

 Our local library even has a book store in the basement of the library and will occasionally run half price off (or more) sales. The best place to find listings for book sales in your area is Booksalefinder.com

To make life easier for potential raffle ticket buyers, I always include a list of what's in the basket, since sometimes it's hard to see everything. Nothing fancy, just a handwritten inventory paper clipped to the cellophane or ribbon.

   One of the fun things I've been doing is to create a basket based on the likes and favorite things of the Retreat Author Mentor. I start with just a simple list of favorite colors, authors, music, hobbies, interests and pull together what I can. This one was for Mark Peter Hughes, author of LEMONADE MOUTH who's favorite color was coincidentally, yellow!
 
 Last year, I brought a total of 28 baskets to the Whispering Pines Retreat. This year, I'm hoping to personally make less, not because I don't enjoy creating them, but because we have SO many incredibly talented and creative writers, illustrators and crafters among us, I'd like to see YOUR visions. Pick a theme, pick a color, pick an idea and take a tour through your house. See what you have, what you're willing to part with and what you might need to fill in. One word of caution, IF you have pets, particularly cats, do NOT use the plastic "grass" or shredded ribbon that so many places sell as filler. We once spent over $400 to remove several yards of this stuff from one of our cats, and she will STILL eat the stuff if she can get her paws on it. 
 
 
 
 

Get Hungry for $1.79!

If you've ever wanted to pick up THE Greatest Zombie Romance Anthology ever published, now is the time! Ravenous Romance has HUNGRY FOR YOUR LOVE: AN ANTHOLOGY OF ZOMBIE ROMANCE edited by Lori Perkins, as well as many of their other fabulous ebooks, on sale today for just $1.79!!!

HUNGRY features stories by three of my favorite writers, YA author extraordinaire, Francesca Lia Block and Zombie Masters, John Skipp (writing as Gina McQueen) and Brian Keene. And amazingly...little ol me! FIRST LOVE NEVER DIES, page 87, right after the wonderful Stacy Graham and her EYE OF THE BEHOLDER!

Virus in the House

Ack! There's a virus in the house! Thankfully it's not the flu, just a cold, but UNFORTUNATELY, my darling husband is the one that has it. For any of you that share your lives with males of the species, you KNOW what I'm dealing with here. He's too stubborn to rest, to miserable to be civil and a REAL pain in the butt about taking meds or doing things to help himself feel better. Then there's the debris involved...how does one man, who normally ENJOYS vacuuming, leave such a trail behind him as he shuffles and snorts from room to room? Forget breadcrumbs, Hansel & Gretel should have dropped used tissues, little silvery cold capsule packets and tapioca containers behind them in the woods, they never would have gotten lost.  

There's a great song by the late Warren Zevon called Disorder in the House and since Peter has taken sick, I can't stop myself from humming it, taking particular pleasure in the lines "time to duck & cover", "sprawled on the davenport of despair" "zombies on the lawn, staggering around" and even the Lhasa Apso seems to be ashamed".

The Giant Christmas Cupcake Has Landed

I hope everyone had a peaceful and joyful holiday filled with good friends, behaving family and delicious food. I always like to bake or make a special dessert to bring to the family gathering. The past couple of years, I've brought gingerbread houses and trees which have been labor intensive, but ultimately lots of fun. This year though, I wanted to try something different, and since Peter had become curious about the ads for the Giant Cupcakes he had seen on TV, I decided to give it a try. 

I bought the Wilton Giant Cupcake pan from Amazon and this is what it looks like:

 
 
As far as working with it, you treat it like any other cake pan. Make your cake mix according to box instructions and pour half in each side. About the only problem I ran into was trying to figure out how long to let the cake bake since it wasn't one of the configurations mentioned on the box like muffins, bundt or 9" round pans or 13x9 sheet cake. I ended up setting it for 32 minutes initially and then when the center was still undercooked, gave it another 5 minutes. The toothpick came out clean at that point, so I pulled it out and let it sit 20+ minutes to cool in the pan and another hour plus to cool on the rack before attempting decoration. 

And here's the final product:

 
 
Unfortunately I didn't think to put anything next to the cake to give you an idea of the scale, but the plate is a rather large dinner plate and my estimation of the size would be about 12 inches high and about 9 inches at the diameter. I also should report that it traveled well, although I think it helped that I shaved about a half inch on both "bottoms" to make them completely flat before stacking them AND I added a layer of frosting to act as a glue. The family did not cut into the cake while we were there, so I have no idea how they cut it, but I did give Peter the 2 end slices made together into a cake sandwich with a thin layer of frosting in between and Merry Christmas scrawled in red cake gel on top. He pronounced it delish!

And a couple of last holiday photos for Barbara, and anyone else, who thought Louie got off scott free when I was humiliating the cats with the Santa Hat:

  
 
This is what he thought of the whole Santa Hat idea... He says he can't help it if the cats don't have the gumption to simply tear the offending garment to pieces. Bunch of Wuss Pusses. Now where did that yummy peanut butter jar get off to?

I'm Going to H*ll for Holiday Cat Bothering

I blame the holiday crazies...I was forced to go to Target this AM to right a last minute gift wrong. Let me just say...If you are a Mac user, ALWAYS read the package on digital gifts to make sure that they are compatible. The cheaper the price, the more likely that digital keychain for example, only works with a PC...

So as I was searching the only big box store I can even walk into this time of year without breaking out in the hives, I passed the pet department. Being in the mood to do evil, I spied the Cat Santa Hat and Booties and just couldn't help myself. I brought it home and waited until the herd were all in deep afternoon nap mode, and then I struck...below are the photos. And, I'm pleased to report, no bandages, stitches or transfusions were necessary.

   
 
 
    

Louie thought the whole thing was hysterical, especially since he ate the reindeer antlers we got him a couple of years ago. Lou and I briefly spoke of using the pictures to blackmail the cats with, but decided that since neither of us had any use for catnip mice or Fancy Feast, and in the spirit of the season and all, we'd just post them to the blog and go for general, widespread public humiliation.