
there you are, my heart,
stone captured, frozen mid-beat
how to get you out?
stone heart by Angie Quantrell
Join the Haiku Challenge. Write and share a Haiku poem about stones or hearts. Thanks!

there you are, my heart,
stone captured, frozen mid-beat
how to get you out?
stone heart by Angie Quantrell
Join the Haiku Challenge. Write and share a Haiku poem about stones or hearts. Thanks!

poised, hunting, ready;
snow melts, rodents rise, meals live-
planning snack attack
snack attack by Angie Quantrell

The snow has indeed melted, though not all of it. Snacks appear, bursting from earth, leaping into the jaws of death. Cat treats for Monet.
The evidence is all around us.
Happy first day of spring! What signs do you see?

winter’s still present-
won’t melt; snow castles are us!
white lemonade fun
go winter by Angie Quantrell

The winter snow melt in our area is unseasonably late. Parents, drivers, workers, gardeners, spring sports players-even school children-are hoping for blue skies and warm temps to thaw the concrete ice mountains and fields of white covering our valleys.
We LOVE snow. But it is time for green and insects and baby animals and flowers.
Snow lemons? Making white lemonade.
by Angie 2 Comments

Everyone who is anyone has read about the dangers of sitting long hours. Not that a numb backside, crinkled shoulders, and achy knees will kill you, but sitting and being sedentary just might steal your health and shorten the days you expect to be around to do anything.
As a writer, well, sitting at a computer desk, coffee table, work table, research desk, or any other writerly space is sort of a job requirement.
The challenge is how to stand and write but also be able to access (ergonomically) the keyboard or laptop, mouse, and assorted resources and supplies.
Living in an RV adds additional space challenges. Where would I store a standing desk? How could I use the tiny dining table if a portable standing desk were in place? What about the bump between the slide and the RV floor? Do I need to stand on the hump to work at a standing desk?
After literally spending years contemplating, researching, and giving up the idea of a table top desk, I finally threw up my hands after a particularly long (sitting) writing day. I did a quick Amazon search, found the perfect portable standing desk, checked for size for my 17″ laptop, and ordered it. All within 5 minutes.
I should have done that ages ago!

This wonderful office accessory arrived a few days after placing my order. It took me a few minutes to figure out the legs, but after that, I realized what a treat it will be to use my new standing desk.
My 17″ laptop fits securely on top of the adjustable angle table, held in place by a shelf. My mouse and pad rest to the right of my laptop and are also held in place by a softened shelf. If you are looking for one for yourself, this is definitely for a right-handed person. Look to see if a left-handed version is available. Coloring is pretty nondescript, but I’m not in it for looks. Purpose is my main goal. It is neutral in color and is sturdy enough that I don’t worry for the safety of my laptop. It does wiggle as I type, but not the kind of wiggle that tells me it’s going to crash down. I love being able to angle the top of the tray, and my wrists appreciate the easy angle when working.
Storage is not an issue either. This tray folds flat. The two shelves that hold up the computer and mouse are a bit raised on one side, while the folded legs are raised on the back. But I found a perfect spot to rest my new work buddy.

I now have the option to stand and work or sit and work. Hurray!
What took me so long???

Details of my portable standing desk: [Large Size] Neetto TB101L Adjustable Laptop Bed Table, Portable Standing Desk, Foldable Sofa Breakfast Tray, Notebook Stand Reading Holder for Couch [Personal Computers]
You’re welcome.

commence shoveling!
again, or still; nearly spring-
snow falls quietly
again by Angie Quantrell
Like Groundhog’s Day (the movie), this winter clutches our neck of the woods with the setting of repeat. Some movies have that choice, did you know? Especially for the younger crowd. I didn’t know winter had the same option.
But I LOVE snow! Even as green-starved as I am, gasping for fresh air and spring flowers, I feel giddy with joy when snowflakes dump steadily the whole day and into the night. Despite the need for shoveling, I gleefully glance out the window to make sure it’s still coming down in white blankets.
It is! Sheets, comforters, pillowcases, and blankets of the white stuff. Doomed I fear, according to weather reports.
But today. I shovel. Again.


Hey, friends! If you are a writer of picture books and stories for young readers, this writing contest is for you! 50 words to tell a story (beginning, middle, end)? You can do it! Visit Vivian Kirkfield at her blog for details. Best wishes!
via The #50PreciousWords Writing Contest is OPEN: March 2-6


pose, prepare to strike
prayer forgotten, prey in
sight; arbor mantis
hunter by Angie Quantrell
Can you see it? My imagination took flight just as this tree spread its wings in attack mode.
How about you? What do you think about when you hear the word hunter?

It’s that time of year, writers. If you are a SCBWI member, this is a great opportunity! The application window is March.
Let’s turn those ideas into the best stories possible!
Thanks to Kathy Temean over at Writing and Illustrating!
via BOOK WINNERS and SCBWI WORK IN PROGRESS AWARDS Opportunity

layers, patterns mix;
tightly furled, mystery
blankets secret core
mystery by Angie Quantrell
I spied this gorgeous tree and cones during a winter walk. With such fascinating texture, design, and beauty, I just had to climb a snow bank to get close enough and snap a few photos. So glad I did!
What mystery have you seen lately?
Reading for Research Month is here! March Madness of the Picture Book World, here we come!
This is my 4th or 5th year participating in ReFoReMo. Happy 5 years to #ReFoReMo! Focused blog posts guide researchers (us) to read picture books that illustrate the information found in blog posts. I look forward to this month as an opportunity to read lots of picture books and study their techniques, formats, and picture book elements. If you love picture books, this month of reading is for you.
Is it a coincidence that Reading for Research Month occurs the same month as Read Aloud Day on March 2? I think not (or maybe so, but it is a cool coincidence.)
Read, friends. Read.

Book stacks from previous ReFoReMo! Be prepared for the time AND space commitment! LOL
Great things happen during ReFoReMo:
– picture books are read, studied, dissected
– blog posts are shared by professionals in the kidlit field
– the kidlit community gives support to one another
– interaction between fellow writers, authors, bloggers, and kidlit enthusiasts is invigorating and addicting
– learning about picture books, in oh so many ways, grows in direct correlation to the amount of time spent reading and studying PB texts
– libraries are flooded with requests for picture books (which, as we all know, trickles back to authors – yay!)
– so much fun to be had!
REGISTRATION opens today! Visit ReFoReMo to register.
And start requesting those books! Find the book list here.
I’ve printed the book list and registered for ReFoReMo. Who’s with me?