Author: Loree Burns

© Gerry Burns

The holidays make me a little crazy. So when my husband first suggested the family join him on a business trip to Florida in December, I told him he was a kook. Who would get the tree? Who would cross items off the shopping list? Who would write the holiday letter and select a photo for the card and print the cards and buy the stamps and address the envelopes? Who would order the lamb, prepare the sweet potato biscuits, and bake the cookies? Who would wrap the gifts and layer them around the tree? Who? Who? Who?

The answer, of course, was that no one would do these things if we went away. And it would be okay.

Now we are back from our surprise winter trip, and my husband was right. None of those things are done yet … and it will be okay.

What’s more, I came home with intense feelings of gladness, thanks to a few days in the Everglades. I’d now like to give everyone I know—and everyone I don’t know, too—the gift of a day kayaking through the swamps of the Big Cypress National Preserve. Our journey through red mangrove tunnels (pictured above) was one of the most peaceful and joyful experiences of my life. Oh, how I wish I could wrap that up and put it under the tree.

(Not my tree, of course, because I don’t have one yet. But I would put it under your holiday tree if I could!)

The first ever list of finalists for this new nonfiction award has been announced. Check it out. Read the books. Spread the word.

Congratulations to Candace Fleming (The GREAT AND ONLY BARNUM), Deborah Heiligman (CHARLES AND EMMA), Philip Hoose (CLAUDETTE COLVIN), Tanya Lee Stone (ALMOST ASTRONAUTS), and Sally M. Walker (WRITTEN IN BONE)!

Who knew?

Today, in between shoveling and birdwatching, I read. A lot. And much to my surprise, there was an unusually high frequency of little green men. You know the ones I mean, don’t you? The plastic army guys? Little Green Men.

First, I finished the delightful OPERATION YES, by my friend, the equally delightful Sara Lewis Holmes. I was so moved by what Sara did with this book, and especially by its closing challenge to readers: Step Up. Step In. Say Yes.

In the afternoon, I picked up Jon Sceiszka‘s KNUCKLEHEAD, which has been sitting on my bedside table since my son placed it there months and months ago and said, “Mom, you have to.” I finally did. Darn near killed myself laughing, too. (That’s a KNUCKLEHEAD joke.)

Little Green Men were featured prominently in both books. In Sara’s, they were art and inspiration. In Jon’s they were melted in the toaster. It was enough to get me thinking about another Little Green Man I know:

© Betty Jenewin

I found him on a beach in Grayland, Washington while I was researching TRACKING TRASH. The photo never made it into the book, and I haven’t seen it in a long while. Oh, the places a single snow day–and a couple great books–will take you.

© Loree Griffin Burns

Spotted in our yard today:

white-throated sparrow (pictured above)
dark-eyed junco
cardinal
blue jay
red-bellied woodpecker
downy woodpecker
grackle
mourning dove
goldfinch
tufted titmouse
black-capped chickadee
white-breasted nuthatch
mystery brown bird with curvy bill (A Carolina wren? a creeper? I’m not sure. And it is being shy.)

Here’s to enough seed in the feeders to get us all through the storm!

© Loree Griffin Burns

I woke early this morning, hoping for some quiet time at my desk before the busyness of our Sunday began. But a few, dusty inches of first snow fell last night, and with a tiny bit of prodding from my boys (who also wake early), I opted for the quiet outside instead. Is there anything as lovely as first snow before sunrise? The feeling brought to mind the poem Why I Wake Early, by Mary Oliver. Do you know it?

Happy Sunday!

Wonderful news! Phillip Hoose has won the National Book Award in the Young People’s Literature category. I am a fan of his THE RACE TO SAVE THE LORD-GOD BIRD and am anxious to get my hands on this latest masterpiece, CLAUDETTE COLVIN: TWICE TOWARD JUSTICE. Congratulations, Mr. Hoose!

Another writer of nonfiction whose work I admire, Sy Montgomery, was interviewed by Colleen Mondor at Chasing Ray this week. Sy shares her thoughts on working with Nic Bishop, launching the Scientists in the Field series, and the emotional side of science. The interview is broken into two parts, and you can read them here and here.

Enjoy!