You Like Me! You Really Like Me!

February 6th, was my blog's inaugural.   I wasn't expecting company on my site.  Not right away.  So I clicked "publish" and at first, all was quiet.  Then, about a half hour later...I had visitors!  I was elated!  I had three comments, and one, count 'em, one follower already!   A big thank you to my first follower, Cheryl Velasquez. Cheryl is a second grade teacher and loves children's literature.  For Black History month, Cheryl shared with her students an amazing, true story about The Underground Railroad.  The book is  entitled, Henry's Freedom Box.  A story about a  runaway slave, who mails himself from Virgina to Pennsylvania in a wooden box. Visit this site:  Cheryl Velasquez and view the exciting trailer.

Having my first visitor so soon wasn't all that happened on February 6th. When what to my wondering eyes did appear; twas the Liebster Award from Margaret!  Yaaay!  Cheer!  You like me! It was my honor to receive this award from Margaret G.  Margaret aspires to be a children's author and is a self-proclaimed Left Brainer with strong, creative sensibilities (I love that word, sensibilities) as evident by her blog. Take a look at her blog:   Margaret G.  I visited Margaret's blog, and copied a quote she posted:

“The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words all being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible.” –  

Vladimir Nabokov, Lectures on Literature, 1980

How lovely is that?  Margaret also started a great post on 12x12 entitled :  Which children's book inspired you to be a picture book writer? There were lots of familiar stories listed.  I thought I'd share a childhood experience that I'm pretty sure set me on my present course.



 Alberta Johnson, our school librarian, spoke as all educated, colored women spoke in our part of rural Louisiana.  Every syllable claiming a legato melody.  "He-ah you awhr Pamelahh.,"  Her voice rose as if  asking a question.  She did not ask anything, but placed a new book with amazing illustrations in my hands.  It was Margaret Brown's, Wait Til the Moon is Full.  It creaked as I immediately opened it to its middle part.  I ooohed and ahhhed over every page.  Mrs. Johnson sat beside me smiling a peculiar almost knowing smile.  I couldn't wait to share this book with my brother and sisters.  We read this book almost everyday.  I'd sit crossed leg in the big vinyl chair (with paisley design), while my siblings sat on the matching shag carpet.  I'd read a page, then show the pictures. Much as I do now in my literacy program.  We gave a twist to the line, "Wait til the moon is full." In our rural dialect we chimed in chorus, "Wait chile, Wait! Wait til the moon is full chile!" It's still a family joke.  Yes, they really liked my reading to them!

Here's more about the award and how it works:  

“Liebster is a German word, meaning dearest or beloved, but it can also mean favorite. The idea behind the Liebster Blog Award is that it is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers in order to create new connections and bring attention to these wonderful blogs!”

Thank you again, Margaret G.

Now I'm looking for five great sites that will  receive the Liebster Award next.  I really like this paying it forward community of  12x12in12 .  It is such a network of support, resources, and inspiration.  I'm having such fun reading all the blogs on LinkedIn and I'm learning a great deal too.   Inspired to enter other contests I was rewarded with a  shot out!  You really like me!  Okay, enough.

If you receive the award, you should:

• 1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

• 2. Reveal your top five picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

• 3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

• 4. Hope that the people you’ve sent the award to forward it to their five favorite bloggers and keep it going!

Now on to five random things about me:

• I love fried taters uhmm hmmm (in my Sling Blade voice)
• I think Fareed Zakaria and Charlie Rose are really sexy!
• My television is almost always set on the Turner Classic Movie channel.
• I like Gerber Daisies.
•  Here's one of my best days Ever! Picture a beautiful fall day.  NPR is playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 22 .  Just as the piece reaches its most exquisite note, a flashing red neon sign screams, "Hot Doughnuts!"   Mozart and Krispy Kreme!  Ahhhhhh, Loverly!