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A note from LoveLetterist:

In the room I painted over the weekend I came across a series of books written by Kathryn Lasky -- Wolves of the Beyond.

I cracked the first one open while eating lunch and couldn't put it down.

I remembered reading the story with the kid.

I marveled at how the author challenges with vocabulary and concepts.

I was astounded to find the books are deemed fit for children ages 8-12.

We are often capable of so much more than we think we are?

Choose your hard?

And your fun?

What's challenging you?

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Drawing a runner girl is challenging me. HA! Hard and fun I resonate with this post today. Thank you for mentioning this book as well.

You are a bright light Gail.

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Thanks Julie!

Wolves of the Beyond is a spin off from Guardians of Ga'Hoole. I think I can learn much from re-reading both series with fresh perspective.

What I love, love, love is that the author does not shy away from or sugar coat reality. She does not dumb-down her words.

I have always loved children's literature.

I am seeing it in a new light.

It is filled with possibility to ignite greatness in the next generation.

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Thank you! I just got the Guardians of Ga'Hoole for Christmas. and now I will add this other book. I could learn from this author. I'm noticing in my writing I tend to lean towards the sugar coating and protecting of others maybe to a fault. I'm exploring this.

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I read a quote once from EB White… paraphrasing:

Children are game to field almost anything I throw at them. 🤔

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I’ve been scratching my head for a while. Trying to express how I see my place in the midst of writers on social media. I sometimes refer to myself as a voyeur - watching others ply their skills while I... watch.

When you mentioned “leaning toward sugar coating” a visualization came to mind. I’m a person (child or adult) who got a ticket to watch a live performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. You and the other writers are the Sugar Plum Fairies!🧚

Watching a grand performance, to me, is as joyful as I imagine it to be for most performers. Even Sugar Plum Fairies enjoy an appreciative audience.

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Hmmm… Do you recognize that your commentary is a source of encouragement, thought exploration, and inspiration?

We do indeed live an audience!

John Cheever said something like: Every writer needs a reader. It’s precisely like a kiss. You can’t do it alone. ❤️

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🫂

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You write of a resplendent rabbit hole. A swirl of a well written book blended with memories of parenting Nathaniel. Makes me see the swirls in salted caramel icecream!

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Some of my favorite memories include reading to/with N. In 2008 I gifted him a collection of James Herriot short stories. (Found in the painting project.) The inscription I wrote: May you always have a love of animals and enjoy a good story. :)

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Perfect instructions for becoming a good Earth citizen. 😊

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Kermit captivated my attention and my heart. Maybe not as powerfully as for some. Yeah, red-green color detection deficiency. Still, Calliope seems to be coming along nicely.

Tal’s observation that hard tasks are hard is a life lesson that can serve us well. Otherwise, commitment and stick-to-it-ive-ness would have no place. Make no sense.

The JK quote you selected was a great fit to the post! Once again, LoveLetterist, you knocked this one out of the park. And I’m not talking Whiffle Ball. 😊

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Thank you for your appreciation Gary. It's so fun when all of the pieces slide themselves into place. 🐸

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I’m inclined to view what you do as the finesse of a player of curling. 😁

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That’s where they sweep the ice to get the puck (?) to go where they want it to go?

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Fascinating to watch. I wonder when folks first got “curly?”

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Got “curly” seems different than “started curling” to me. 🤔

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I also enjoyed this quote. Suits this post brilliantly.

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