© 2010 by Debbie Glade, Smart Poodle Publishing. All rights reserved.

Click here for last week’s comic.

Look closely. The peas and some of the tomatoes have already sprouted. These mini greenhouses are amazing!

Any student who attends Liberty Park Elementary, a public school in Palm Beach County, is beyond fortunate! The teachers, librarians and administration are friendlier, more welcoming and more supportive of their school than I can possibly describe in words. You must simply experience it for yourself. Tonight I spoke to 3-5th graders and their parents about my book, and I was so impressed by the kindness and curiosity of all who attended.

The library at this school is modern, well stocked and just a happy welcoming place to be.  I love the emphasis this school places on reading in such a positive way. They make it fun, as reading should be. I felt pure joy as I watched kids getting excited about their new book purchases. And there’s nothing like listening to stories from elementary kids, resulting from my book presentation.

Special thanks to the Most Enthusiastic Language Arts Teacher, Michelina Oliva, Best Music Teacher on the Planet, Judy Christodulides and Nicest and Most Helpful Librarian, Renee Houck.

Here’s a cute book that just might be a perfect gift for your child during the winter holidays.

I reviewed Mama is it Summer Yet? by Nikki McClure for LA Parent Magazine.

Today I planted my organic seeds in a tiny greenhouse, seed starter. There are 10 varieties of tomatoes, plus peas, artichokes, broccoli, lettuce and eggplant. The seedlings will be transplanted into larger containers in a couple of weeks, and then into big pots in Oct. I am making a photo documentary of the process, which I will share with you in December, when I can enjoy my first harvest. Several of my friends are going to try their hands at organic tomato gardening, with my guidance. So I am growing extra plants for them.

For no reason at all, we had a tailgate dinner on our front driveway with our dog. Hot dogs, coleslaw, potato salad and root beer. Our neighbors think we’re odd, but who cares!

Look what we found in our back yard, perched atop the pole that holds our basketball hoop. Our best guess is that this is an Eastern Screech Owl.  He watched me closely as I approached with my camera, and didn’t seem to mind the flashes.

They like to explore towns, woods, swamps and cemeteries. Screech owls are named for their sound, a screech that drastically changes in pitch. They nest in boxes and hollowed-out trees and eat invertebrates, small mammals like rabbits and rodents, small birds and even reptiles.

© 2010 by Debbie Glade, Smart Poodle Publishing. All rights reserved.

Click here to read last week’s comic.

My full length article about Philly is featured today on Wandering Educators. Please check it out!

Locust Walk – The heart of UPenn