Bucket List

The column this week was about Bucket Lists, so Jimmy (the uncle who thought about relieving himself on my son in the name of medical science) wrote to ask what items were on my list. It's been fun to think about this. However, please don't feel like you have to read mine--go ahead and draw up your own list.

1. See the Northern Lights
2. Walk across England
3. Run a marathon (but not this fall)
4. Write a mystery for adults (maybe)
5. Take our kids and their spouses on a Baltic cruise like my parents did for my brothers and me. (Hopefully the guy sitting across the aisle from us won't die this time)
6. Tour the UK (including the Isle of Man) with Ken
7. Own a black pug and name him Misery
8. I know I should want to visit the Holy Land--just not sure that I really want to
9. Go to an actual Philadelphia Eagles game
10. Get a new wedding ring to replace the one I lost 30 years ago

You'll notice I didn't say PUBLISH a mystery. I tried to include things I actually have a leetle control over.

BONUS: If you haven't already, go on over to Sara Zarr's website (www.sarazarr.com) and read her recent post about writing careers. I loved what she said about writing and money. This has given me something really important to think about.

The new me?

I came to my office this morning with a pen, a notebook, a calendar, and the fervent hope to get a handle on my life. Because you can do that with a pen, a notebook, and a calendar, right? You just have to sit there and generate goals and lists without being interrupted by Democratic candidates canvassing the neighborhood and ringing your doorbell because your son is a delegate and they want to talk to him and voila! You've got your new life all planned out!

So that's what I've been doing for an hour or so now, which is why Sara just popped her head in here and asked how my new life looks. And I told her, "A lot like my old one, actually."

What I think is interesting about this story is my touching faith in the power of paper and pen to make everything all better.

Sara Lovely Zarr

I was lucky lucky lucky to have a nice long conversation with Sara Zarr yesterday. Sara, as you know, is the author of the fabulous STORY OF A GIRL and the also fabulous SWEETHEARTS. (READ THEM! I mean it.) Anyway. Sara is as smart and funny and truly gracious as you would want someone whose work you admire to be. Plus she has great taste in sweaters.

So here's what I want to say. It's a lovely thing when people who do the same thing (write, paint, raise kids, teach, whatever) can support instead of merely compete with one another. Sara goes out of her way to connect with and encourage her peers, and seriously I think I want to be her when I grow up.

Arty Awards!

So, this is kind of cool. THE LOSER'S GUIDE was nominated by our local indy newspaper (CITY WEEKLY) for an Arty Award (see explanation, as well as voting procedure at www.slweekly.com). SWEETHEARTS (another YA novel!) by the terrific and talented Sara Zarr was also nominated.

I have to say that I'm really honored. There's something very, very nice about the recognition you receive from the people who work in your field in your town.

Okay. Bragging time over.