Aloha

A small friend is turning 6 in two weeks.

She lives across the country,  

and we can't make it to the luau party.

We can't come for cake and balloons and birthday hugs,

but we can send pineapples

and kitties

 

and fancy toothpicks.

 They're like tiny, paper aloha hugs.

 

So, in shuttling wildebeests to soccer camp lately, 

I have discovered a few good surprises 

in being the carpool soccer mom.

 Books on CD. 

Car-goofy kids.

And sketchbook time

 while all my soccer players 

do their runs and drills.

Big chunks of sketchbook time 

help when working out new ideas.

 It's funny that I can sketch happy around a crowd, 

but I can't write a drop.

My thoughts turn to stone and my stories sink.

 But then, that's kind of a theme for me with words anytime lately.

I know some writers who scribble serious magic 

in coffee shops and airplanes. 

What about you?

When do you do your deep story work?

Can you create masterpieces with everyone there?

Do you thrive with hum and buzz?

Or do you like a hush when you create?

 

Wherever you find yourself this week,
I wish you peaceful breezes, sweet surprises, and
aloha.

Books {and CD books} we're enjoying this week:

Captain Cat by Inga Moore

Dream Friends by You Byun

Ling and Ting Share a Birthday by Grace Lin

Ling and Ting: Together in All Weather by Grace Lin

A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz, ill. by Catia Chien

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin 

Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko

The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof by Annie M. G. Schmidt