Get it While it's Hot . . . Or Not

Snow for sale! Snow for sale!
Brand new snow is now on sale!
Premium quality, clean and white
Just arrived on the lot last night
Sold in bulk by the pound
A better deal cannot be found
Great for snowmen and igloo making
Not recommended for cooking or baking
But a scoop in a cup and flavored sweet
Makes a tasty icy snow cone treat
Snow for sale! Snow for sale!
Fresh fallen snow is now on sale!
While supplies last
And they won't last long
(Unless the weather forecast is wrong)

The Jabubba Jello Giant

Here's the beginning of a poem I'm working on for my sons . . .

In the green Jabbuba Jungle lives the great Jabubban legend
And I know all about him since he happens to be my good friend
He's not a scary monster or an ogre who's defiant
He's just a talented and tricky Jabubba Jello Giant

Come back for more soon!

One just for fun . . .

This is one of my oldest son's favorites, probably because he can relate!

The Cry Cycle

My little brother is always crying
And that's the truth, I'm not lying
When he cries, he sucks his thumb
When he sucks his thumb, he falls asleep
And while he sleeps, he wets the bed
When he wets the bed, he wakes up crying
See? I told you I'm not lying!

The Meet the Editors event I attended this week proved to be very informative. I'm hoping the contacts it gave me will lead to a publishing break of some sort. In the mean time, I will continue to do what I love and write for kids. Here's my latest story. My boys got a kick out of it - hope you will too.

The Day I Laughed Until I Almost Died

Even more peculiar than ketchup pie
Was the day I laughed until I almost died
It started with a slight and innocent grin
In that space in my face just above my chin
Then something in my throat that felt like a tickle
Rose up and came out in the sound of a giggle
Yes, a serious case of the giggles I got
So severe that I giggled a lot and a lot
I tried to stop them, but they kept coming faster
When suddenly I exploded into full blown laughter!
I laughed so hard my face contorted
I laughed so hard I even snorted
I laughed so hard I had to dance
Yet still it happened - I watered my pants!
That struck me so funny that I laughed even more
Fell over and rolled around on the floor
I laughed till the tears rolled down my cheeks
My sides and belly ached, I could barely breathe
I laughed my head off - right off my body!
But stuck it back on with silly putty
Then continued on in my merry mood
My HA-HA-HA-ing would not be subdued
Maybe, I thought, something I ate
Had caused my precarious hilarious state
Had the Laffy Taffy or Snickers bar
Made my humor go bizzare?
Could the Jolly Ranchers and Cheerios
Have triggered a laughter overdose?
Whatever the cause, the effects left me giddy
And feeling dizzy and a bit nit-witty
I knew my situation was dire
If it kept up this way I would surely expire
Then a funny thing happened I cannot explain
Out of the ground it started to rain
As the rain came up, my laughter died down
A last snicker escaped with no more clowning around
The raining lasted just eleven minutes
And with the last drop, my comedy finished
That day I laughed until I almost died
I’m lucky I survived
I’m lucky to be alive!
For had it not been for odd precipitation
I’d certainly be in a grave situation.

I'm looking forward to an opportunity that will hopefully provide me with information and resources on how I can get closer to publication. On Tuesday, June 2nd, I will be attending a Meet the Editors event sponsored by SCBWI. Editors from children's publishing houses will talk about their industry and critique first pages of selected submissions. I've submitted one of my stories I'm hoping will get selected. It's titled, "The Day I Laughed Until I Almost Died." Here's a taste:

Even more peculiar than ketchup pie
Was the day I laughed until I almost died . . .

Check back for the rest of the story!

I was asked to write a poem for a local college honoring its administrative assistants. I thought I'd share it . . . and if you are or have been an admin, this is for you too!

Ode to the Administrative Assistant

The administrative assistant
Is there anything she isn't?
She's a professional multi-tasker
Need a job done? Just ask her!
She's a problem solver, editor
Keeper of meeting minutes
She's the one who can un-jam the copier
No matter what's stuck in it
She'll direct incoming calls
On lines one, three and four
While she sorts through the mail
And runs the daily report
She keeps the office running efficiently
The inventory stocked sufficiently
She maintains the database
With a smile on her face
She organizes and alphabetizes
And of course, she also assists
Some believe she's an office genie
For granting anyone's wish!
Need a post-it? a paperclip? an ink jet cartridge?
Directions to the bathroom or to the Tappen Zee Bridge?
The admin provides what you need and finds what is lost
She's like a tracking device for locating her boss
Much of what she does goes without observation
And devoid of fanfare or standing ovation
But you'll notice it all, both the big and the small,
The first day she is out on vacation!