THE DOG ATE MY POETRY AND OTHER EXCUSES

Okay, so it's Sunday. And yes, I am aware that I failed to post a)winner's name b)new giveaway c)poem for Poetry Friday.

In my defense, I was up at 4 a.m. that morning, hauling it back to Birmingham, after a FANTASTIC few days in Arkansas. Why was I in such a hurry?

Well. A few Tenners were coming to town, and we had plans for lunch. Here we are:

moi, Guadelupe Garcia McCall, Lindsey Leavitt and sweet baby Logan, Jennifer Cervantes and Christina Diaz Gonzalez


I'm really not that tall, by the way. It's totally a trick of the camera. And these gals are AWESOME. Could have talked for days!

Now. Backtracking a bit. I had an awesome time in Blytheville, Arkansas, not just at THAT BOOKSTORE (where I signed and talked and joined the regular book club meeting to discuss The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty), but also at the schools.

Here's a pic from Central Elementary, where I was greeted by a room-full of Ludelphias:


In Bryant, I visited Collegeville Elementary, and I gotta tell you, those 5th grade teachers have got it going on! Awesome visit. And here is a pic of what I found in the hallways:



Great job, kids! You were a pleasure to talk to. And it was SO FUN to share it all with dear friend Pam... and Steph, THANK YOU! We are totally going back to Brave New Restaurant next time I come to town.

What about the POETRY, you're asking. Well, we have a winner:

HEIDI MORDHORST who said she could use another copy of POETRY SPEAKS FOR CHILDREN in her Listening Center. Heidi, it's yours! Contact me by email with your address, and I'll zip it your way.

And for those poetry lovers out there, I promise to make it up to you this Friday with an awesome AWESOME anthology giveaway for the grand finale of National Poetry Month. Seriously. Awesome.

Hope everyone is enjoying the month as much as I am!!