Deb's Blog - 2006
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December 30, 2006
We spent a few days near the Canadian border to attend a wedding reception
for Asley and Brandon. Ashley is the lovely daughter of my very lovely
friend Celeste Mergens. We miss having them on the island, and jumped
at the chance to be with them at this special event at the Clay home.
We had a birthday breakfast for Kaj, who will be celebrating with friends
later.
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Our big boy turns 10.
Was that awful storm really a decade ago? |
December 25, 2006
The Lund Olsen elves wish you a Merry Christmas!
December 23, 2006
The Seattle Children’s Museum invited us to share stories and songs
with their young members. Our own kids peeked in once in awhile as Karl
and I performed, but mostly, they enjoyed exploring the museum. It was
a small but appreciative crowd who sang along with us. Busy little bodies
can’t be contained for long! Our museum favorites? The big log,
the water machines, the kitchens…
December 14, 2006
I love TOPS Elementary! What a great day talking, singing, telling stories
to amazing kids in this Seattle city school. The library was an architectural
beauty – almost enough for me to consider going back to being a
school librarian. But then, they have Steve Haines, a kind, obviously
adored librarian who knows books and takes time for kids. I loved working
with all the ages there, but the sixth graders really won me over with
their attentive behavior and thoughtful questions. I’m sure it was
far more of a treat for me than it was for them. Thanks, Steve!
December 8, 2006
An evening of food, friends, readers, lots of author banter… Parkplace
Books filled their store with area authors for their holiday celebration.
Tables filled with books, surrounded by their creators, makes for a festive
gathering for folks who love books. Let’s see… were there
more authors than patrons? Hard to tell.
December 6, 2006
The December Seattle SCBWI meeting began with a farewell tribute to Cathy
Benson, our regional advisor. Cathy’s husband was there to entertain
and assist in the event. Thanks, Cathy, for all you’ve done for
all of us!
After Cathy’s recognition of service, I presented a goal-setting
activity for the coming year. Using some of my “Falling Awake” training,
I helped the participants identify, prioritize, and plan how to achieve
the goals that were calling them. Some of those attending later contacted
me for additional information or just to let me know what they had already
achieved. Way to go, writers!
December 2, 2006
What could be better than hanging out at bookstores in December? Not
much. I started my day at Secret Garden in Ballard. I told owner Christy
the event was becoming a part of my holiday routine now. They invite authors
and illustrators in for sessions that last a couple hours throughout the
first weekend of December. Pictures and books are displayed in the store
windows prior to and during the event.
After Ballard, I stopped at the Greenwood location of Santoro’s.
I first met Carol at Book Fest several years ago, when she was representing
Harcourt. Carol’s new store is a small but well-stocked delight.
It was good to meet and re-meet several patrons and staff members there.
And the food? My mouth is watering with the memories.
November 18, 2006
When we hear that nephew Chef Jesse Olsen and Kim are coming home, we
start salivating. We just wish Jesse’s talents didn’t keep
him away from us so many holidays. This time, we shared him with a packed
crowd at Whidbey Pies Café in a special meal he prepared for his “homecoming.” Jan,
the owner, gave Jesse his first restaurant job when he was in high school.
Now he’s well-established as a chef with Four Seasons. Thanks, Jesse!
We miss you…
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| Jesse with parents Martha and
Vern Olsen |
November 11, 2006
Mattie and Lori of the Bellingham SCBWI group produced an amazing event
for authors and illustrators. The artwork, presentations, and packed rooms
made the day a celebration for all who attended. We hope it will become
an annual event!
Lori Gudmundson, one of the organizers, has Menahga roots. Her mom grew
up in my little Minnesota hometown. In fact, our moms know each other.
Don’t you love those “small world” moments?
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| Jean helping Mama at “Warm
Tales” |
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| Lori and Deb discover their Menahga
connection |
November 3, 2006
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| Sandra’s 2nd grade class
with teacher Dan Mills |
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| Kaj by his locker in John Luvera’s
4th grade classroom |
We’re off into a new school year, but this mom is home for a change.
Last spring at our Cedar Family Night, I was sent off with a cedar tree,
well wishes, and an impromptu multi-harmony chorus – “To know,
know, know you, is to love, love, love you…”
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| Deb’s Cedar Farewell Cake |
Fall 2006
This fall has been a flurry of family and friends. My nephew
Aaron was wooed out here by Boeing in September. It’s nice for us
(and hopefully for him as well) to have family so close. The kids adore
Aaron, who is old enough to be in charge, and young enough to play
hard. My mom and my sister (Aaron’s mom) were both out, missing
each other by a couple days. Mom kept on top of our laundry and dishes,
spoiling us like always. We miss them both and hope to see them again
before too many months go by.
The leaving that has most affected us this fall is losing the Sawatzki
family to Texas. Ronetta, Tess, and Rosie packed up and drove off to be
closer to family. Though we email, talk on the phone, and send letters,
it’s not the same. They’re our chosen family, our children’s
close friends, our tried and true babysitters, and the ones who know the
real chaos that goes on in our home. Ronetta’s been there for us
in all our recent transitions. We miss them terribly.
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| Sending off the Sawatzkis |
On September 9th, Linnea Good and family performed here on Whidbey and
spent the night with us. We stayed up too late, especially since it
was the first concert of their four-month United States tour, but we couldn’t
help it. We had way too much in common and enjoyed the talk and laughs.
The same was true for our kids – three of them each, all the same
ages – boys age 9, girls 8, and boys 4. And the truly amazing part
was that their children were every bit as loud as ours. Unfortunately,
we passed on the flu to little Isaac. We know this lively bunch will
have future roles in our lives.
October 4th, Patti Lee Gauch told our Seattle SCBWI to be sassy. Sassy
characters, settings, plots… She says it’s not enough to
write well. That we often don’t take it far enough. Okay, Patti,
we heard you, and we loved what you had to say!
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| Deb on the Lady Washington |
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| Mom takes the wheel |
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| My crew |
The Olsen clan, including Vic and Viv from Ohio, got together at a Shifty
Sailor event in Gray’s Harbor on October 6-8. We toured the Lady
Washington, but didn’t sail with her this time. We’ve been
on trips around Whidbey Island on her a couple times. The Hawaiian Chieftain
was there, too. Karl had sailed through Deception Pass on her a few years
ago. These tall ship replicas were a great place for dinophotos. At one
point, Karl said, “Too bad that train trestle is in the background.” He
realized what he said, of course. It was the perfect setting – it
had elements of both published dinobooks!
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| Kaj at the ocean |
George, Kathryn, and I, all past librarians, teamed up once more – this
time for the Washington Library Media Association’s conference at
SeaTac on October 15th. It was great to chat with old WLMA colleagues,
see Bruce Coville again, and to present with such fun, insightful friends.
Thanks, Martha, and all the WLMA conference team for such a grand time.
On October 27, I made another trip to Leavenworth for a book signing
and teacher reception. Karl came along this time (after working out an
elaborate schedule of kid transfers and locations), and so did author
friend Justina Chen Headley. On the ride there, Karl finally pulled off
and retreated to the back seat to let the two of us talk more easily.
Lots of ideas were generated on that ride that we hope to pursue. Hanging
out at A Book For All Seasons is like going home to me. Pat, Amy, Nat,
and the rest of the crew there are a zany, lively bunch that really knows
books.
The next day, Karl, his brother Vern and I were on the Skansonia Ferry
in Seattle celebrating 30 years of the Evergreen Orff Chapter, and hamming
up Dinosailors. Orff-Schulwerk is a philosophy of music education that
integrates singing, insruments, movement, and speech. It’s a holistic
approach that lets kids experience good music without having to first
learn all the technical aspects. It’s just plain fun. Karl and I
had our Level One Orff training together in 1980 in Minnesota. We re-met
eight years later here on Whidbey Island.
Saturday, Nov. 4, I’ll be at Lake Hills Library and Kingsgate Library,
both part of the King County Library System. The next week I’ll
be at the Monart School of Art in Bellingham from noon to 5:00 for “Warm
Tales for a Winter Afternoon,” sponsored by the Bellingham area
SCBWI, the Bellingham Storytellers’ Guild, The Monart School of
Art, and the Bellingham Public Library. Several authors and illustrators
are involved, and it’s free!
This week Bruce Berg, the friend who built our house, framed in the balcony
off our bedroom for a writing room for me. Yippee! He came with a writing
idea for me one morning. I didn’t use that one, but I did write
the first draft of Bruce the Carpenter Ant. Be open to those little surprises,
and grab them before they evaporate. And enjoy the rest of this fall.
I’m feeling ready to hibernate.
Summer 2006
George Shannon, Kathryn O. Galbraith, and I joined forces for a couple
more events. June 10th, we gathered for a presentation, reception, and
book signing at Tacoma’s King’s Books. What a treat to meander
through King’s rows of new and used books. In August our trio presented
to teachers and librarians at a literacy conference in McMinnville, Oregon.
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| Kaj, Sandra, Jean at swim lessons |
Our family’s summer was filled with swimming lessons, soccer camp,
other day camps, a family camping trip at Washington Park in Anacortes,
and plain old at-home goofiness.
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| It’s a bird, it’s
a plane… It’s three silly kids! |
My oldest son, Kaj, joined me in Leavenworth at A Book For All Seasons
July 9-10 for a Sunday book signing and Monday morning teaching session
at a book camp for boys 7-9. I asked the boys, “Who likes to get
people in trouble?” Hands shot up. We discussed how to write stories
by creating characters and getting them in trouble. They were eager
writers, and even more eager to swim in the river when we were through.
I fit in a quick Minnesota visit (on my own!) to attend my mom’s
retirement party on July 15th, and to participate in a Dinoday at Beagle
Books in Park Rapids. Jill had ordered several copies of both dinobooks,
which arrived that Wednesday. Some sold during the week, and the rest
sold out in the ten minutes before the signing officially started. Guess
I arrived too early! We sang songs, read stories, and talked about writing.
After the author event, kids walked to Cat River Kilns ceramics shop to
make their own dinos. Beagle Books owner Jill and I talked about a repeat
performance next time I’m “home.”
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| Deb and Jul teach “Bike & Write” |
In August, I taught a Heritage Institute class for teachers with my friend
Juliana Cuyler. Jul has led many bike trips, so we teamed up to create “Bike & Write:
Whidbey Island,” a four-day camping and biking trip with writing
activities and discussions. The participants were amazing, positive people
who made the week more fun and more meaningful than I could have imagined.
We’re looking forward to repeating the class next August. Check
for more Heritage Institute classes at www.hol.edu.
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| Happy Birthday, Sandra! |
Sandra once again decided on a beach party, but what better choice could
there be on Whidbey Island? Our little girl turned 8 on August 18.
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| Deb & Karl at Rainier |
Karl and I had a chance to escape to Mount Rainier for our anniversary
at the end of August, thanks to Gerry and Roxce Stavney, who offered their
cabin to us. We biked and hiked, read books, and entertained the staff
at a local restaurant with our closing-time anniversary dance.
May 2006
I had knee surgery May 1st, just after the Seattle SCBWI (Society of
Children’s Book Writers & Ilustrators) retreat and conference.
The next Friday I presented at Chelan Elementary School. Karl joined me
for a rollicking dinotime of stories and songs. I took my pain pills,
and Karl kept me on track. He performed that night at the Vogue as I signed
books at Riverside Books. Stop in on your next vacation in Chelan and
say hi to Libby from me.
May 7th, I hobbled across the ferry and into Pam Greenwood’s car
for “Inside Story” at Island Books on Mercer Island. Less
than a week later I was in Portland presenting at the Oregon SCBWI conference.
Conference director and good friend Judi Gardiner told participants to
let her know if they saw me standing or not using my ice pack. The emergency
room visit for my swollen knee was a highlight of the weekend – only
because my buddy Suz Blackaby was there with me for a several-hour visit.
Singing and telling stories at Blaine Elementary was another May highlight.
Katy Ackerson, mom, librarian, and great dinoactor, was the perfect host.
I spent time with my good friends Sandy and Celeste – a healing,
joyous time. Thanks for taking care of me and my knee, you two!
At my last trip to the surgeon, he said my knee was progressing every
bit as well as his did – in the worst one percent! It’s been
an introspective recovery time for me, and the main reason you haven’t
heard much from here.
April 24, 2006
ALL ABOARD! It’s here! Get to your nearest bookstore
for your copy of All Aboard the Dinotrain. The reviews are awesome, and
the response from bookstores, schools, and readers is overwhelming to
me. Thanks for all your kind words and invitations.
The buzz about the dinotrain confirms that leaving Cedar (our arts-based
parent partnership school) at the end of the school year was the right
decision. I’m simultaneously excited and grieving. Soon I’ll
be able to say that writing IS my day job.
We’ve had a roller-coaster dinoride this spring. Here’s a
summary of the creative chaos that’s been whirling around us…
On to a new decade! I turned 50 in February. Karl caught up to me in
March after weeks of harassment about being married to an older woman.
He surprised me at his Valentine’s concert with a new song about
me. I burst out laughing when I heard the first lines. “You’re
not the woman I married. You’re not the woman I knew back then.” Either
it’s a universal theme or we had lots of friends in the audience,
because several people laughed along with me. It goes on to say that everything
is different now, but “in spite and because of all this, I’m
in love with you.” That’s my guy.
Other events the past couple months included a Washington Music Educators
Association conference, a presentation to education students from Western
Washington University, A Young Authors school visit, Whidbey Island Writers
Conference, Washington Association of Learning Alternatives Conference,
a women’s retreat, book events at Village Books in Bellingham and
All For Kids in Seattle.
Later this month I’ll attend the Seattle SCBWI retreat and conference.
Then in May it’s off to Chelan for school and bookstore visits,
then the Oregon SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators)
conference, a Blaine school visit, and a concert and book party here on
Whidbey.
A few pictures and details…
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| Deb reading from All Aboard the Dinotrain at Village
Books in Bellingham. |
The entire Lund Olsen bunch entertained the crowd at Village Books in
Bellingham. Owners Dee and Chuck are frequent booksellers for our Whidbey
writers’ conference, and it’s always a pleasure to bisit their
store. It’s as charming (yet modern and roomy) as the historic Fairhaven
district where it’s located. It’s an excellent place to browse
or meet with friends. We had a blast at our “Literature Live” presentation
there. Thanks to Lindsey McGuirk who did everything from contacting Harcourt
to gathering everyone in with her dinowhistle.
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| The ones who responded to “Who
wants to be on Deb’s website?” |
My family often joins me on book events. Nine-year-old Kaj expressively
reads his lines in Tell Me My Story, Mama, leaving few dry eyes when
he’s
done. Sandra and Jean, ages 7 and 4, welcome everyone, offer them pencils
and other little gifts, and show them dinogames to play.
However, at this Village Books event, something possessed my children,
which seemed to make the day only more enjoyable for the families who
attended. Sandra crawled around my legs as I presented, Jean jumped up
and down like a jack-in-the-box just out of reach, and Kaj moved up front,
piling dinosaurs on his cap. However, I liked the dinocap idea enough
to create one of my own for the next author visit.
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| Deb hovering over the food at “All
For Kids” |
My friend George Shannon invited Kathryn Galbraith and me to team up
with him for a trio book party at ALL FOR KIDS BOOKS AND MUSIC in Seattle.
Owner Chauni Haslet was the perfect host. “All For Kids” is
a treat – for kids AND adults. The staff is kid-centered, they know
their books, and they have the best events around. I wish I had a picture
of Chauni and our 4-yr-old marching around the store. If you’re
not on their mailing list, please contact Chauni at allforkids@allforkidsbooks.com.
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| George created this flyer for
our event: |
George’s new book Busy in the Garden is a collection of garden
poems that will tickle the kid in anyone. Kathryn’s Traveling Babies
makes a delightful connection between how animals and children move.
Our three books together, filled with whimsical word play, make a complementary
trio of fun read-alouds.
We had so much fun with Chauni at “All For Kids” that the
three of us will be offering a few other events together in the future.
Where else can you penguin dance, act like ducks, sing garden and dinosongs,
eat dinocookies, and just be goofy? Stay tuned!
January 7, 2006
Happy New Year!
We remember the years of crafting our yearly news to send out to
folks we just don’t see enough. Karl would write, Deb would
write. Deb would revise, Karl would revise. Then we’d take
it somewhere to get it printed, pick out lovely paper, address dozens
of envelopes, and send it out. The last one we did like that was
when Kaj was born. He just turned nine.
But, there’s one holiday ritual we’ve missed only once – when
Kaj was born. Each new year, we write our resolutions in the sand
at the beach. We watch the tide carry them away, either to be erased
with no evidence that they ever existed, or to flow into the universe
to become reality. Thinking back on past years, many of these resolutions
have found their way into our lives. We try to be thankful.
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| So many dreams… |
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| Kaj’s wish for us all |
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| Kaj continues his alliteration
theme |
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| Sandra standing firm in the
sand |
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| That says it all, Sandra |
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| Playtime and zoo animals for
Jean – what more could anyone want? |
2006 blog | 2005 blog | 2004
blog.
