"Birth" days

Since joining the Facebook community and getting birthday updates for my friends, I realized that shortly my birthday reminder will be infiltrating cyberspace. This started my thinking about birthdays and their relevance in society in general and in my life in particular. When I was younger, I loved my birthday. It was the one day that was mine and wasn't shared with sisters or friends. I fondly remember a birthday party at my grandfather's cottage at Valley Glen, PA. It was a very special day for me. But as I grew older, the act of marking the day I physically arrived here became less and less important. I began to wonder why. At first I thought it probably had something to do with not wanting to admit getting older - we all go through that phase, I believe. I began to realize that there were other times in my life that were "birth" days for me emotionally, mentally or spiritually. These times seem much more worthy of a celebration than a specific date on the calendar.

A few of my true "birth" days: the day I climbed to the ceremonial kiva at Bandolier, when I held my newborn daughters, the phone call telling me that Cowboy Billy was going to be published - and I would have rather have had my dad back than have the book, reading Cowboy Billy with my mother the first time, mesmerized by 120 students singing "Do You Hear the People Sing" and knowing at that moment we weren't teacher and students, we were family, hearing, "I love you, deva."

Although the calendar birthdays will continue to come and go, it is the other "birth" days that I will now celebrate. I look forward to many more moving and wonderful "birth" days as I travel through time.

Quick note, of course! I will be signing books at Books -n - Things in Norway, Maine, this Saturday, July 24th from 11am - 1pm. Stop by and say hello if you are nearby. A very happy Un-birthday to you!

Books in Boothbay

Although I am not participating in this event this year, I want to encourage readers in the midcoast area of Maine to attend. On Saturday, July 10th, Books in Boothbay will be hosting 40 Maine authors at the Boothbay Railway Museum from 12:30 - 3:30pm. Authors are from all genres - childrens to adult fiction and nonfiction. There is no admission fee and several of the authors will be doing readings from their work. All authors will be available to sign and meet and greet. You can learn more at booksinboothbay.blogspot.com.

I will be signing books at Books-n-Things in Norway, Maine on Saturday, July 24th, from 11 - 1. This is my first visit to this western Maine town and I am eager to visit their shop and meet their young readers. We travel through Norway on the way to our camp in Bethel and every time through I mention I would like to explore the town. Now I will get my chance! Please stop by if you live in the area or are vactioning nearby.

My daughter and I have been reading and enjoying Michael Scott's series about the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. I am calling it a historical fantasy set in contemporary times. Unfortunately, we are ready for the next book in the series, but it is not ready for us:( The amount of research Scott has done is mind boggling and how he has woven it all into a believable tale is fabulous. Oh, to have a mind like that!

Finally!

Yes, Zero has finally arrived in the United States! After arriving in the publisher's warehouse in Michigan on Friday, it is now being delivered to the distributors and should be available on Amazon and in bookstores shortly. It's been a long trip, but worth the wait.

There are books, however, at the Borders in South Portland, Maine, where I will be reading and signing tomorrow. Storytime is at 11am and will be followed by a signing time until 1pm. If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello.

Yesterday I had a wonderful visit with friends from California that I had not seen in ten years. For part of that time, I didn't even know where they were living. We vowed that would not happen again! Time is too short and people are too precious to be put off until later. There is no later, there is only now.

Have lunch with a friend, write a letter to a loved one, phone home:)

Home Again, #2

Did you ever have a weekend that you thought was going to be so busy it would fly by and you wouldn't really enjoy it? But unexpectedly, time slows down and even though you do everything planned, the universe gives you precious unrushed moments to enjoy and cherish. That was my weekend!

The drive to and fro was smooth, with little delay for all the road construction going on this summer. I had a great visit with Grandma, who insisted on feeding me ice cream and strawberries and cookies and pretzels. Aren't Grandmas great? Thanks for my lunch money, Grandma. I bunked in with my youngest sister for the first time . She graciously took my MN sister and me in for the weekend, even though she was hosting a baby shower for her daughter on Sunday. She took me to two great places to eat, both in "downtown" Elizabethtown . Flavers is a restaurant where we sat out on the deck next to a little creek and enjoyed the atmosphere, great food and live music. Folklore is a coffee shop with free wifi, fabulous pastries and baked goods, plenty of drink choices, and the atmosphere tempts you to stay and enjoy one of those unhurried moments. Maybe, even, and unhurried life!

Elizabethtown has a beautiful library. The children's room is on the second floor and the reading space is in a round turret room. Perfect for any "once upon a time..." It was interesting reading and sharing both books with an audience that included small children, older kids and adults. But once again, the response was very positive. The little ones watched everything and the older ones really "got" the humor. When Harry began breaking the balloons the second time, one of the older boys threw his hands on his head and said, "Oh, no!"
These are the moments that keep you writing.

Saturday evening we headed to Mt. Gretna for a signing at the Gretna Emporium. I could write an entire blog about the happenings in Mt. Gretna, but suffice it to say that in the summer it is quite busy with the Playhouse, the Jigger shop, many cultural events and great music. Both books sold well and I had some interesting conversations with different folks that stopped by. I also visited with friends before going out to dinner with all three sisters and and other family members. Desserts at my sister's house - she should be on Food Network! Yum.......

Sunday was more family time and a quiet evening sharing the end of a wonderfully unhurried and delightful weekend. May you have one of your own very soon.

Saturday, June 12 - Book signing at Mariner's Compass Quilt Shop, 190 Front St., Bath, Maine. The event is from 11 - 1 and is sponsored by Mariner's Compass and the Bath Book Shop. Stop by and say hello:)

On the Road, Again

I am leaving tomorrow for a busy, but fun weekend in Pennsylvania. There is nothing better than being able to share important events in your life with your family. So this weekend I will share the new book with Great Grandma, three sisters and their families, perhaps an aunt and uncle and with PA friends.

I am looking forward to my Saturday morning reading at the Elizabethtown Public Library. My sister, Kyle, arranged this visit and has been an awesome publicity agent for the event. I may need to hire her for other events! Late afternoon on Saturday, I will be signing books at the Gretna Emporium in Mt. Gretna PA. We grew up in Mt. Gretna and having a signing event there is very special for me.

The latest word from the publisher is that the books should arrive in country on June 12th. So if you can't attend any of these early signing events, you should be able to get the book after that date. The next events will be June 12th at Mariner's Compass Quilt Shop in Bath ME and on June 26th at the Borders in South Portland ME. Both events are from 11am - 1pm.

I'll post pictures from the upcoming weekend next week on my Facebook page - Wendy Ulmer, Author of Children's Picture Books. Have a great weekend!

Home again, home again, jiggety jog

What a fun, busy time in Minnesota. Big, big thanks and hugs to my sister and her husband for their hospitality and transportation! After two long days of driving I arrived in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. As with the rest of the country, the temps were way above normal. Tuesday we visited Castle Elementary and had a good first visit with Zero, Zilch, Nada : Counting to None. The class of 23 did quite well and were attentive and tuned in to helping Harry count to none. Kindergarteners are much smarter now than when I was one!

I did receive a copy of the book on Friday before I left; however, my editor did not see it until Sunday at the book signing. It turns out that the books are still not in this country, but on a container ship between California and China. So they drop shipped books directly from China to Michigan where the publisher then sent copies on to the Red Balloon in St. Paul. They supposedly also sent books to Mt. Gretna, PA for the signing on June 5th. Keep your fingers crossed.

Anyway, my editor was quite pleased and amazed at how vibrant the colors printed. I realize I am biased and a bit excited right now, but it really is so much more than I ever thought a "math" storybook could be:) The books should be available by the second week in June which is good as we have a signing in Bath on June 12th.

So life with a new book begins. The highs of signings and visits, the hoping for good reviews and the moving onward to hopefully another inspiration. Enjoy the ride!

Minnesota, Here I Come!

Tomorrow is the day! Tomorrow I head out on another travel adventure across our beautiful country to St. Paul MN. My travel adventures will be a discussion for a later blog, because right now I am too excited about this one to do any justice to the memories of the other ones.

The car is half packed. Inside is the school visit bag for a Kindergarten visit at Castle Elementary in Oakdale MN on Tuesday, gifts for special people, and two beautiful quilts my sister made that I am returning to her - all quilted, trimmed and ready for binding. Today I will pack my clothes, a few snacks for the road, my to - do bag (like I am really going to work) and the all important directions. On the dashboard is taped a note from one of the second graders - very important.

So only the good byes are left. I kissed, tickled and enjoyed one grandson this morning and will hopefully enjoy the other one this evening. I have insured my husband numerous times that I am a big girl and will be careful. So I guess I am ready.

I will try to send a blog from MN and will certainly send one with pictures from the first signing event for Zero, Zilch, Nada: Counting to None! Come see us at the Red Balloon on Grand Ave. in St. Paul on Sunday, May 23, at 2pm. If you can't be there, send us your good wishes, they are felt and appreciated.