This time last year I was gearing up for my trip to Vancouver Island. I was there for the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Book Week and did I ever have fun!! I met so many interesting young people, heard so many great stories, and saw such gorgeous rugged terrain. I am also thinking about Victoria because I got an email this weekend from Darinka Popovic, the teacher librarian at RockheightsMiddle School. She filled me in on her news -- and I wrote back with mine. I told Darinka about my trip to Czechoslovakia this summer; it turns out her family has an interesting war story, too. I feel very happy when I think about how many great stories there are out there. In class, I sometimes point out how sad or disturbing stories tend to be more compelling than happy ones. That means that if ever you have to go through a difficult experience (and we all do sometimes), there is one good thing: you get MATERIAL! (Remember that next time you're having a hard time.)
Darinka was hoping to do some gardening over the weekend. Gardening weather seems to be pretty much over here in Montreal. When I turn my shoulder to look out my office window, I see the leaves on the tree outside are turning yellow. I'm afraid my clothesline may not see much action for a while. Oh, I was going to tell you more about my clothesline obsession. First, I think clotheslines are beautiful. I also love how each one is different. Some are organized (socks hung out in pairs, clothes arranged from smallest to largest); others are more haphazard. If you observe a clothesline, you can usually learn something about the people who live inside the house. Sometimes, being a writer is a little like being a spy. So, if you're lucky enough to be someplace where it's still clothesline-weather, have a good look at one on your way home today. Can you learn something interesting from it?Â
Comments
Now you have brought back another image--clotheslines. Thank you for creating the picture. I never really thought of clothes lines that fascinating. I have a strong dislike, almost a pobia, about them. I grew up with 7 brothers and sisters on a farm in rural Ontario. I was responsible for hauling the water and heating it on the wood stove. We then used the ringer washer and hung the clothes out to dry. It took all day to do the laundry. In the winter the clothes would be hung outside and then we would bring "popsicle" clothes in the thaw. They would drip all over the floor on the clothes rack that stood beside the wood stove. By the way the gardening got done that weekend and I've spend this weekend hacking and chopping. I shouldn't have to be out there until February. That's when the grass will have to be cut. Happy week. Darinka