Monday, December 27, 2010

The storm of 2010




We have snow!  According to the local paper, there's about 2 feet of the white stuff out there. 
It's no longer falling from the sky, but the wind is blowing, causing some major drifts.
My neighbor is stranded.  Seems the snow took a liking to her pretty yellow house and now she's surrounded by 6 feet of it. Fortunately she's not the type to panic, has tons of supplies and we will make sure she can get out. And even though the snow plows have been by a few times, the snow keeps blowing right back into the street.
I'm waiting for my feet to thaw before I go back out again. The deck has about 5 foot drifts and we're trying to shovel out a path so the dog can get into the back yard. Judging from her whines and whimpers, we'd better hurry. 

This wasn't the only storm in December.  There was a storm of good news:

From the  Dec 16, 2010 issue of  PW Children's Bookshelf:

Nancy Mercado at Roaring Brook Press acquired North American rights to Piney Moon, a second middle-grade novel by Nan Marino, author of Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle and Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me, In her new book, an 11-year-old musical prodigy freezes on stage on America's most popular televised talent contest and seeks refuge in the New Jersey Pinelands, where his friendship with a local girl and their search for a mythical song lead to a journey of hope and healing. Rosemary Stimola of Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal for fall 2012 publication.
 
  And the same day, a plaque came from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for the Golden Kite Honor Award for Neil Armstrong is My Uncle. I'll post a picture as soon as my camera decides to cooperate. (Seems my camera didn't like blustery weather and refuses to work right now.) The plaque is a perfect shade of blue -- trendy and fun yet it makes a statement.  I could be slightly biased but I think it is the most beautiful plaque ever.




9 comments:

Andrea Vlahakis said...

Congratulations on the sale of Piney Moon!! :) And for winning the Golden Kite for NAIMU!! :)

I think your neighbor in the yellow house wins the prize for highest drifts. I'm figuring we got about a foot and a half where I am (western CT), with some patches of snow dust and other places drifting waaaay too high. The front of my house looks like your second picture.

Shovel safely...

Stephanie J. Blake said...

WHOO HOO on the big sale! And big award!

We haven't gotten any snow in Colorado! Not fair. Of course, when it does snow, I'm going to complain about being cold.

Happy Holidays!

nanmarino said...

Andrea, Thanks for the good wishes. I'm excited about Piney Moon. The plaque was for the GK honor award. The Golden Kite went to Sea of the Dead by Julia Durango, which is a lovely, lovely book. Our neighbor is plowed out. The snow drifts were impressive.
Thanks Stephanie, I'm good with the snow, but I'm complaining like mad about the icy wind. No snow in Colorado?! I suspect it will come soon. :) Happy new year to both of you. :)

Anonymous said...

That's wonderful news about Piney Moon!

I love snow, but I wouldn't want to be stranded.

Happy New Year.

nanmarino said...

Thanks Medeia,
We had lots of snacks so being stranded wasn't that bad. Happy New Year to you too! :)

C.R. Evers said...

Wow! Awesome pictures. I love how you captured the falling snow.

A Great big congrats on a great big deal and a great big award. You deserve it.

May 2011 be equally, if not more, spectacular!

nanmarino said...

It was a very old camera (I think it's broken forever). But it always did a good job with falling snow. Happy New Year to you too, CR. :)

Nikki said...

NAN!!! You sold Piney Moon AND got the Golden Kite?? I'm thrilled for you - absolutely thrilled. You deserve all the good things that come your way. Happy New Year!

Nikki said...

Golden Kite honor, I meant. ;)