social and politics Gravitational Lensing, Interstellar Cinematography, and the Future of Magical Warfare in Space By www.bldgblog.com Published On :: Wed, 15 Apr 2020 19:41:22 +0000 [Image: An example of gravitational lens effects, via Wikipedia.] Over at WIRED, Daniel Oberhaus, author of the recent book Extraterrestrial Languages, takes a look at some proposals from NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) program. “Among this year’s NIAC grants,” Oberhaus writes, “are proposals to turn a lunar crater into a giant radio dish, to develop … Continue reading "Gravitational Lensing, Interstellar Cinematography, and the Future of Magical Warfare in Space" Full Article BLDGBLOG Art History Astral Weaponry Christopher Priest Cinema Daniel Oberhaus Gravitational Lensing Illusion Magic Magical Warfare in Space NASA Optical Effects Space Stars Sun Turin Xenogothic
social and politics Fables of the Permanent and Insatiable By www.bldgblog.com Published On :: Sat, 02 May 2020 18:08:24 +0000 [Image: An otherwise unrelated photo of fire-fighting foam, via Wikipedia.] There are at least two classes of materials that have always interested me: synthetic materials designed to be so resistant and indestructible that they verge on a kind of supernatural longevity, and engineered biomaterials, such as enzymes or microbes, designed to consume exactly these sorts … Continue reading "Fables of the Permanent and Insatiable" Full Article BLDGBLOG Adhesives Alloys Chemistry Composites Enzymes Fire-Fighting Foam Folklore Landscape Futures Materials Science Mythology Ouroboros Plastic Pollution Science Fiction Sorcerer's Apprentice
social and politics Building Digital with Timber, Mud, and Ice By www.bldgblog.com Published On :: Sun, 03 May 2020 17:53:56 +0000 [Image: From a project called “Slice” by HANNAH, as featured in FABRICATE 2020.] The Bartlett School of Architecture recently put out two new books, freely available for download, FABRICATE 2020 and Design Transactions. Check them both out, as each is filled with incredibly interesting and innovative work. Purely in the interests of time—by all means, … Continue reading "Building Digital with Timber, Mud, and Ice" Full Article BLDGBLOG 3D Printing Architecture Bartlett School of Architecture Clay Concrete Construction Emerald Ash Borer FABRICATE Fabrication HANNAH Ice Ice Formwork Leslie Lok Mud Nicola Twilley Ronald Rael Sasa Zivkovic Technology Timber Vasily Sitnikov Virginia San Fratello Wood
social and politics Fungal Lightning By www.bldgblog.com Published On :: Sun, 03 May 2020 20:57:40 +0000 [Image: The mushroom tunnel of Mittagong, photo by Nicola Twilley, via BLDGBLOG.] “Japanese researchers are closing in on understanding why electrical storms have a positive influence on the growth of some fungi,” Physics World reported last month, with some interesting implications for agriculture. These electrical storms do not have to be nearby, and they do … Continue reading "Fungal Lightning" Full Article BLDGBLOG Electricity Food Fungus H. P. Lovecraft Iwate University Koichi Takaki Lightning Mushrooms Nikola Tesla Shiitake Subterranean Underground
social and politics Every Reflection A Leak By www.bldgblog.com Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 18:04:30 +0000 [Image: “Two images of the same room, one reconstructed from video footage of a bag of chips within the room (top) and the other photographed directly (bottom),” as described by Scientific American. Images courtesy Jeong Joon Park.] “Researchers have now found that by filming a brief video clip of a shiny item, they can use … Continue reading "Every Reflection A Leak" Full Article A Burglar's Guide to the City BLDGBLOG Acoustics Adobe Art History Burglary Carnegie Mellon Crime Diego Velázquez Heists Jeong Joon Park Las Meninas Michel Foucault Microsoft Mirrors MIT Ocean’s 14 Reflection Rob Meyer Sound Vibrations
social and politics Snare Space By www.bldgblog.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 02:59:53 +0000 [Image: EO Browser, Sinergise Ltd/Attribution 4.0 International CC by 4.0), via The War Zone.] Comas of temporarily abandoned cruise ships—maritime ruins in an age of COVID-19—have been popping up on the outer edges of Caribbean islands, visible in satellite photos of the sea. Ships from Carnival, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean now form a strange new … Continue reading "Snare Space" Full Article BLDGBLOG Babu Sassi Burj Khalifa Caribbean Coronavirus COVID-19 Cruise Ships Dubai Economics Labor Ruins Seas Spatial Side-Effects Work
social and politics The “So-called Tower of Babel” By www.bldgblog.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 20:10:50 +0000 [Image: The “so-called Tower of Babel,” photographed in 1932; courtesy Library of Congress.] I posted these on social media the other day, but I thought I’d include them here simply because of how much I love the casually jaw-dropping caption used for these over at the Library of Congress. This eerie pile of bricks looming … Continue reading "The “So-called Tower of Babel”" Full Article BLDGBLOG Abel Grimmer Archaeology Architecture Babel Borsippa Iraq Library of Congress Mohamed Al-Daradji Paul M.M. Cooper Photography Pieter Bruegel the Elder Tower of Babel
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 3 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Fri, 03 Apr 2020 16:18:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 3 (YA): ICE, a fantasy adventure about an Arctic research scientist & a talking polar bear. The #booknecklace for this one is an adorable polar bear pendant. At the book launch, a reader asked my favorite question ever: "Do you like bears that aren't polar bears?" Yes, I do.ICE is a modern retelling of the Norwegian folktale East o' the Sun and West o' the Moon. I was inspired by a picture book illustrated by the phenomenal PJ Lynch -- specifically, the moment when the bear asks the "lassie" if she's afraid, and she says defiantly "No."I wrote this book as a love letter to my husband. And to polar bears. Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Ice Race the Sands
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 4 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Sat, 04 Apr 2020 16:47:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 4 (YA): ENCHANTED IVY is about getting into college. And talking gargoyles and were-tigers... It's set at Princeton University so my #booknecklace is a Princeton tiger.There's a legend at Princeton that if you walk out the front gate before commencement, you won't graduate. That's what inspired ENCHANTED IVY, except I said if you walk out the gate, you cross into an alternate magical Princeton. Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Enchanted Ivy Race the Sands
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 5 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Sun, 05 Apr 2020 17:53:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 5 (YA): DRINK SLAY LOVE, a snarky fantasy about a 16-year-old vampire who is stabbed through the heart by a unicorn and develops a conscience. My husband tried for a fang #booknecklace, but it was absurdly huge -- the size of actual teeth. So he also got me a unicorn.DRINK SLAY LOVE was made into a TV movie starring the fabulous Cierra Ramirez. I wore the fang #booknecklace on the day it premiered. That might be the only time I've ever worn it. It doesn't exactly go with everything... Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Drink Slay Love Race the Sands
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 6 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Mon, 06 Apr 2020 15:21:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 6 (YA): VESSEL is about defying destiny. Liyana is destined to sacrifice herself so a goddess can inhabit her body, but the goddess never comes. There are glass dragons in her world, so this #booknecklace is a glass dragon. I wear this one to book events all the time.VESSEL is the only book I've ever written that was inspired by a dream. I dreamed about a girl dancing barefoot on the sand beneath the moon. She knew that when the dance ended, she would die. I woke up worrying about her and knew I had to write her story. Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands Vessel
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 7 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:04:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 7 (YA): CONJURED is the creepiest book I've ever written. So creepy I couldn't go into our basement while I was writing it. It's about a teen in the paranormal witness protection program. Lots of magic, a carnival, and a serial killer. Here it is with its #booknecklace. Full Article Book Necklace Conjured Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 8 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Wed, 08 Apr 2020 14:21:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 8 (adult): THE LOST is about a woman who is trapped in a town full of only lost things and lost people. My husband had a #booknecklace made for it that reads "Welcome to Lost," which is what it says on the sign outside of the town of Lost.There's a myth that ideas spring into existence fully formed, like Athena from Zeus's head. But often they begin with a single moment. For this book, I was at a stoplight, blinker on to turn, and I wondered what would happen if I just went straight instead and didn't stop...It was only after I started writing about that moment that I developed the idea for the town of Lost. I loved creating my town and imagining all the lost things that could be there: buttons, socks, paperclips, stolen artwork, foreclosed homes, dreams, lives... Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands The Lost
social and politics International Unicorn Day -- April 9, 2020 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Wed, 08 Apr 2020 16:57:00 +0000 This Thursday (4/9), eighteen authors (including yours truly!) will be doing live readings to celebrate International Unicorn Day!!! At 10:30am ET, I'll be on Facebook Live on my author page here: https://www.facebook.com/sarahbethdurst And I may be wearing a unicorn onesie... Hope you'll join me! And feel free to invite along any unicorns who want to listen too! I'll be reading from my kids book, THE GIRL WHO COULD NOT DREAM, which features the winged unicorn Glitterhoof.For the full schedule of the day's events, visit: https://www.internationalunicornday.com/events#OperationStoryTime #InternationalUnicornDay Full Article
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 9 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Thu, 09 Apr 2020 21:16:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 9 (YA): CHASING POWER, an Indiana-Jones-style adventure about a girl with telekinesis and a boy who can teleport. Three magic stones play a key role in the story, so my #booknecklace (and earrings) contain three stones, possibly magical.This book was so much fun to write! Kayla, the protagonist, has a minor power -- the ability to lift small (and only small) objects with her mind. Her true strength is her cleverness. I loved thinking up ways for her to have a big effect with a small amount of magic. Full Article Book Necklace Chasing Power Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 10 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Fri, 10 Apr 2020 16:52:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 10 (middle grade): THE GIRL WHO COULD NOT DREAM is about a girl whose family owns a dream shop where they buy, bottle, and sell dreams, and the adventure she goes on with her best friend, a monster named Monster who loves cupcakes. My #booknecklace is an adorable monster.Usually my characters develop over the course of many revisions. But with Monster... It felt like he plopped down on my desk fully-formed and said, "Write my story! And feed me cupcakes!" Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands The Girl Who Could Not Dream
social and politics Starred Booklist Review for CATALYST! By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Fri, 10 Apr 2020 21:12:00 +0000 Eeeeeeep!!! A STARRED REVIEW from Booklist for CATALYST, my next kids book, out 6/9! Thanks for brightening my day, Booklist!https://www.booklistonline.com/Catalyst-Sarah-Beth-Durst/pid=9729210 Full Article Catalyst Starred Reviews
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 11 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Sat, 11 Apr 2020 16:25:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 11 (adult SFF): THE QUEEN OF BLOOD, Book 1 of The Queens of Renthia, is an epic fantasy set in a world filled with bloodthirsty nature spirits. Only queens have the power to control them. So my #booknecklace is a crown with a tiny blood-red stone.Writing The Queens of Renthia was such a wonderfully immersive experience. Every day I sat down at my computer, it felt like walking through the wardrobe into Narnia... except it's a Narnia where the trees want to kill you. Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands The Queen of Blood The Queens of Renthia
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 12 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Sun, 12 Apr 2020 19:07:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 12 (middle grade): JOURNEY ACROSS THE HIDDEN ISLANDS is a fantasy adventure for kids about two sisters, one winged lion, and a LOT of monsters. My #booknecklace is a winged lion!This book was born one day when I wandered into the kitchen and announced, "I want to write a book about a winged lion." My husband said, "Great! How about plot, characters...?" "Winged lion!" I shouted. And then I wrote it. Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Journey Across the Hidden Islands Race the Sands
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 13 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Mon, 13 Apr 2020 14:46:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 13 (picture book): ROAR AND SPARKLES GO TO SCHOOL is my first picture book, art by the amazing Ben Whitehouse. Roar the dragon is worried about his first day of school, but luckily he has his big sister Sparkles to help him through it. My #booknecklace is a little dragon!My favorite part of writing this book was inventing the dragon school -- imagining a day in the life of a draconian kindergartner. I knew from the start he'd char his lunch with his breath, play hide-and-seek-the-princess in gym, and ride a dragon bus to school! Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands Roar and Sparkles
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 14 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:41:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 14 (adult SFF): THE RELUCTANT QUEEN, Book 2 of The Queens of Renthia. Bloodthirsty nature spirits, a dying queen, and a middle-aged woman who wants nothing to do with the power she could wield. This book shares a #booknecklace with THE QUEEN OF BLOOD but we added blood-red earrings!I actually wrote 90 pages of THE RELUCTANT QUEEN (book 2) before I wrote THE QUEEN OF BLOOD (book 1). My editor at Harper Voyager, the awesome David Pomerico, read the pages and said, "Can this be book two?" And now I can't imagine it being any different.In THE RELUCTANT QUEEN, I wrote my first middle-aged heroine. She's definitely not the last! The protagonist of my upcoming RACE THE SANDS is a badass middle-aged single mom! Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands The Queens of Renthia The Reluctant Queen
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 15 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Wed, 15 Apr 2020 17:42:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 15 (MG): THE STONE GIRL'S STORY is about a twelve-year-old girl made of stone who, when the carvings that brought her and her stone friends to life begin to fade, must go on a quest to save them all. So my husband gave me a #booknecklace made of stones!THE STONE GIRL'S STORY is, at its heart, a story about stories. I believe that stories are as essential to life as food, water, and shelter. They're how we understand who we are. I wrote this book for everyone who wants to shape the story of their life and choose their own destiny.It was surprisingly tricky to write about a character made of stone. She can't smell, taste, or sleep. Her stomach never drops, clenches, or feels butterflies. I couldn't use any of the common physical reactions to convey emotions, because stone. Made for a fun writing challenge! Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands The Stone Girl's Story
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 16 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Thu, 16 Apr 2020 19:17:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 16 (adult SFF): THE QUEEN OF SORROW, Bk 3 of The Queens of Renthia, is the final battle between vicious spirits and three strong-willed queens. I loved writing these books so much that I cried when I finished. This book shares its #booknecklace with the first two in the series.I loved writing an epic fantasy trilogy! It's something I've wanted to do ever since my mom introduced my eleven-year-old self to the SFF shelves in the Northboro Public Library and placed THE SWORD OF SHANNARA by Terry Brooks in my hands. Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands The Queen of Sorrow The Queens of Renthia
social and politics Clone Wars Anthology Cover Reveal! By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Fri, 17 Apr 2020 14:51:00 +0000 Cover reveal!!! So excited to be part of this Star Wars anthology! STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS -- STORIES OF LIGHT AND DARK comes out on August 25th and features eleven stories retelling the best episodes from The Clone Wars, each story told by a different author and each focused on a different character. My character is the awesome Ahsoka Tano, and I wrote her story from the point-of-view of Jedi youngling Katooni.Loved writing this so much! Also loved the excuse to rewatch the series!http://www.theforce.net/v3-story/frontFirst_Look_At_Star_Wars_The_Clone_Wars_%E2%80%93_Stories_Of_Light_and_Dark_186760.asp Full Article Clone Wars Cover Art Star Wars
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 17 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Fri, 17 Apr 2020 19:13:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 17 (YA): FIRE AND HEIST is about a sixteen-year-old socialite from a family of master thieves... who can also breathe fire. Think Ocean's Eleven with were-dragons! My #booknecklace for this one is, quite appropriately, a flame!While I was writing FIRE AND HEIST, I watched so many YouTube videos on how to pick locks, read so many articles on real-life heists, and researched the specs of so many secure vaults that I wanted to add a disclaimer to all my Google searches: "This is for a book! Really!" Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Fire and Heist Race the Sands
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 18 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Sat, 18 Apr 2020 16:12:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 18 (adult SFF): THE DEEPEST BLUE is a standalone epic fantasy set in the same world as The Queens of Renthia (but you don't have to have read the trilogy first -- it's a true standalone). It features a LOT of sea monsters so my #booknecklace is a sea monster!When I saw the cover for THE DEEPEST BLUE, I was thrilled to see that the artist (Larry Rostant) had depicted the sea monsters precisely as I'd imagined them. The sea dragon, the kraken, and the multi-headed snake -- those are my murder-babies! Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands The Deepest Blue
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 19 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Sun, 19 Apr 2020 19:01:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 19 (MG): SPARK is my newest book for kids. It's about a girl and her lightning dragon (a storm beast), and how even the quietest voice can change the world. My #booknecklace is a lightning bolt, and I wore it so much that I broke the chain.I wrote SPARK for all the quiet kids out there. But it's not about a quiet kid who learns to be loud. It's about a quiet kid who discovers that she's strong exactly as she is. She doesn't have to change herself to change the world.I also wrote it because I not-so-secretly want my own lightning dragon..... Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands Spark
social and politics RACE THE SANDS Book Necklace Countdown: Book 20 By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Mon, 20 Apr 2020 16:20:00 +0000 I'm counting down to the publication of my 20th book, RACE THE SANDS, out 4/21, by sharing pics of each #booknecklace my husband gave me to celebrate each of my prior books...Book 20 (adult SFF): RACE THE SANDS. And this brings us to my newest book and newest #booknecklace! Tomorrow my 20th book comes out! It's a standalone epic fantasy about monster racing. The primary monster is a metal lion, and my husband found the most perfect necklace on Etsy!My cat Gwen claims she's the inspiration for this book since she loves to run around the house at top speed. And it is true that I wrote most of the book with her sitting on me!Funny thing is that my husband forgot he already gave me a #booknecklace for RACE THE SANDS -- a tiny hourglass with sand inside. But don't tell him, because I love both.Thanks so much for joining me on my #booknecklace countdown to RACE THE SANDS pub day! It will be out in the world tomorrow!!! I hope all of you are safe, healthy, and happy. Sending so much love to everyone! Full Article Book Necklace Countdown to Pub Date Race the Sands
social and politics RACE THE SANDS comes out today!!! By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2020 14:11:00 +0000 Today is the book birthday for my new epic fantasy novel for adults, RACE THE SANDS!!! My 20th book!!! It's about two kickass women vying to become monster racing champions. I loved writing this book, and I hope it will provide an escape to everyone who needs one. Tamra, the disgraced monster-racing trainer at the heart of RACE THE SANDS, is named after Tamora Pierce, author of the Tortall books and one of the most awesome and great-hearted people I know. In writing this book, my goal was to write a character as kickass as she is.I believe that fantasy is a literature of hope and empowerment. It can serve as a light in the darkness, a guide toward strength, and an escape from pain. I hope that someone will read about my monster-riding women in their sun-blasted land and find strength, escape, and hope.If you're interested, there's more information on my website, including the first chapter: http://www.sarahbethdurst.com/RacetheSands.htmThank you to my awesome editor, David Pomerico; my incredible agent, Andrea Somberg; and all the wonderful people at Harper Voyager for bringing this book to life! Happy book birthday, RACE THE SANDS!!! Full Article Pub Day Race the Sands
social and politics SPARK on the Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award List! By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:26:00 +0000 Woohoo!!! SPARK made the Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award 2020-21 list! Thanks so much, Florida librarians! You have absolutely made my day!https://www.floridamediaed.org/ssyra.html Full Article Spark SSYRA
social and politics Tour My Writing Space Tomorrow! By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 14:29:00 +0000 Tomorrow (Friday 5/8) I'll be taking over the HarperCollins Library Love Fest Instagram to show you my writing space, with a video tour at 11am EDT. Come visit my writing room, meet my cat, and see where I create my monsters and the women who ride them! https://www.instagram.com/harperlibrary Full Article
social and politics Tour of My Writing Space! By sarahbethdurst.blogspot.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 15:10:00 +0000 TODAY!!! Come visit me on the HarperCollins Library Love Fest Instagram today (Fri 5/8)! I'm taking over their Instagram account all day to show you pictures and videos of my writing space! Just posted the video tour! https://www.instagram.com/harperlibrary Full Article
social and politics Crates and Crafts By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 02:09:00 +0000 So, I don't know if any of you have had the same experience, but those plastic crate pans that come with most brands of crate really stink! About two years ago, I replaced Maizy's (for around $60-70) and once again last month, it had broken. It didn't make sense to spend more money on a crate pan, so she was existing without for a few weeks while I figured out what to do. I considered trying to find the right size of metal crate pan or make some kind of metal floor for her, but I soon realized that it wasn't the best solution. Add to the situation that Maizy is a massive chewer and that I was buying her new blankets from the thrift store every few weeks, and I decided that the solution to our crate floor situation had to be dual-purposed.After some discussion with my brilliant boyfriend, we came up with a plan. And so, this past weekend we cut down a piece of plywood (with the aid of a neighbor who couldn't bear to see me using the manual version, and rushed over with his electric saw in order to do the cut for me quicker than his estimated "three seconds"), dug a scrap of carpet from the depths of the boyfriend's basement, and created a masterpiece!Tada!I present to you: Maizy's shiny new carpeted floor. This was a simple and cheap solution (we already had all of the materials laying around) and is working out beautifully so far! And Maizy is very happy with the results as her initial reaction to her new floor was to hunch up into "resource guarding" posture lest one of the other dogs even THINK about relaxing on HER new carpeted board!This obviously isn't a good solution for a dog that has regular accidents in their crate (Addison!) or who has a sensitive stomach that can lead to barfing (Wrigley!), but this is the perfect solution for all of Maizy's issues. If it isn't, I don't know that yet, but will keep you updated in the following weeks to see if there are any major issues with her carpeted floor.I've also included one bonus photo, which includes all four pups in their crates with the doors shut and their dinners sitting in front of them waiting VERY patiently to be given the "okay" before diving in. They are such well-beahaved sweetstuffs (sometimes). Full Article Addy crafts crates Maizy pictures Probert Wrigley
social and politics Doga for Life By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 20:58:00 +0000 Just a note since I think someone requested advance warning, but if you are in the Chicagoland area, Maizy and I will be teaching Doga for free THIS Sunday, October 3rd at the Bark for Life North Shore walk and fundraiser event! We are teaching from 12:30-1:00, so catch us while you can!If you are interested in knowing about upcoming Doga events, you can sign up for my email updates at www.nicolesopko.com (you will also get information about yoga events, but I send out updates once a month only unless something special comes up so it will not overwhelm your inbox).Bonus: Picture of Maizy driving home from our big day on Sunday which involved participating in the Chicago PAWS walk and then going to clean out the boyfriend's garage! I thought she looked very cute the way she was sleeping and you can see that we were transporting home her new crate floor! Full Article doga events Maizy pictures
social and politics Back to Basics By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Wed, 03 Nov 2010 02:12:00 +0000 There is happy news and sad news here in Brown Dog Land. The happy news is that everyone is doing great and things are going really well. The sad news is that Addy is doing great in a new home! Last night she left to move in with her dad (my ex) and will be living with him full time now. I was sad to see her go, but when I saw how happy she was to see him walk in the door to pick her up, I knew it was definitely the right decision! She is going to be a happy and spoiled only pup and I know it's going to work out great.So, over here, it's back to all brown dogs all the time and I get to stop the crate/rotate routine. In the end, I still couldn't be happier. Full Article Addy
social and politics This Sunday Sunday Sunday! By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:12:00 +0000 On Facebook. Full Article events fundraising
social and politics Pinuping By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:02:00 +0000 This past Sunday was a great Chicago fundraiser for Pinups for Pitbulls, a Holiday Market that I organized. I was really proud of the event, despite the fact that nature did NOT cooperate and it was blizzarding! The event was featured, along with my photo, in Time Out Chicago and we had a whole lot of really great vendors and rescues join us at Anything is Pawsible, the training facility where both Addy and Probert have been trained!Overall, despite the weather, the event was a success and we raised around $2500 for the pups!And I got to wear a Santa dress...And our fellow brown dog, Fifty the two-legged pittie was there!The event went so well that I'm already thinking we might do it again next year!!! Full Article events fundraising
social and politics Visitors By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:18:00 +0000 Her daddy is out of town this week, so Miss Addison Mae is back in brown dog land! Unfortunately, the browns were not too excited at all to see her and Wrigley even HID! She is doing great, though, and I was happy to see her after a month of her being away. The first night I couldn't remember how I did everything with so many dogs, but now I'm back in the swing of things and everything is going smoothly. She leaves again on Friday, so I am enjoying our time together while it lasts.In other news, my neighbor is also a yoga student of mine and heard me talking about Maizy's work at the library (which she hasn't been doing since her tail amputation several months ago because it took her so long to heal from that surgery) and asked if she could stop by with her kids someday. I said sure and yesterday she stopped over with the kids who read to Maizy, petted Hannibal the cat, and were licked by Probert (who is crated in the living room until Addison's departure because they stress each other out). Maizy was ecstatic to have visitors who were paying attention to her and after only a half-hour visit, she spent the rest of the day in recovery sleeping. Some "nanny dog"! Hehe. Probert was less enthusiastic, but was very tolerant and observant. He is not so used to children, but I thought he did great. Only one growl when the kids were getting too crazy by his crate, but he is entitled to give warnings if he doesn't like something. Wrigley did not come visit because he would have steamrolled those poor children with his boisterous enthusiasm for all things. :DIn closing, here is an updated photo of all three browns. Do you know who is who? Full Article Addy Maizy pictures Probert Wrigley
social and politics The Old Lady Gains A Year By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:42:00 +0000 The matriarch of the brown dog pack got another year older on Saturday! Maizy Anne is now seven years old! Even with an arthritic hind end, she is LOVING our Chicago weather and is showing up the younger dogs racing around the backyard like she's got springs in her paws! Full Article Maizy pictures
social and politics Probert's "Hat" By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Thu, 27 Jan 2011 05:08:00 +0000 I have neglected to post about my decision to start muzzling Probert when he is with "the pack" because so many people react so negatively to it, but I'm ready so here it is. I have posted a few photos of Probert in his "hat" (we don't use the "m" word) on my personal Facebook page and have gotten some very mixed reactions. I understand that it is sometimes difficult to see a dog in a muzzle because it makes them "look mean" or for any other reason. For the first month after I bought Probert's muzzle, I couldn't even put it on him for any amount of time, but I finally dove in and now I am very used to seeing it on him and know that underneath, he is still my sweet little guy.Probert has a history of redirecting in stressful situations (in the yard, something outside the fence usually) and biting Wrigley. He has done Wrigley some serious damage and in the interest of preventing that from happening (on the occasion when it does happen) and also in not isolating Probert from the pack, I bought him a muzzle. Since buying it several months ago, there have been two incidents when it has prevented him from doing any damage when attempting to bite Wrigley and the rest of the time, it allows him to interact with the pack like a normal dog and without my worrying about what "could" happen - so it's doing its job.So, despite the "scary" exterior appearance of the muzzle, I have to say that it's one of the better decisions I have made for the health and happiness of all of my dogs. In the interest of looking a little less "scary" (and preventing further wall-gouging and painful leg-bashing from the heavy metal one) I just ordered Probert a new JAFCO clear flexi vinyl muzzle, so we'll see how that one works when it gets here. If anyone is interested, I will be happy to report back! In the meantime, please don't be too quick to judge a dog (or his person) by his hat! Full Article anxiety pictures Probert
social and politics Snowpocalypse! By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:34:00 +0000 We are in the middle of a THUNDERSNOW here in Chicago and it is windy and snowy as all get out. I am about to take the dogs out for their final potty of the night and hope that none of us blow away. Earlier, about 40 minutes into our blizzard watch, we went outside and I took these photos. It now sounds much worse outside than it was when these were taken!Check out Probert's new JAFCO flexible vinyl "hat." We've only had it two days, so we'll keep using it before reporting back on it's functionality. Full Article pictures products
social and politics SnOMG! By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:36:00 +0000 We woke up this morning to a drift of snow taller than all three browns, including Maizy, which is really something! Fortunately, Wrigley was there to plow ahead and lead the other dogs in a single line around the yard until they found a place where the snow was low enough to do their business.Later in the day, we went out again to try to shovel our way to the garage. It was no easy feat as most of the snow had drifted to that side of the yard, but I finally got the walkway shoveled out.Maizy and Wrigley helped by eating what snow they could. Probert helped by getting a ton of snow stuck inside his new hat (which may not be the answer for snowy weather).Judging by the huge pile of snow at the end of our alley, which has been either plowed from the street or deposited by those neighbors digging out their cars, I will not be getting out of here anytime soon. We'll see what tomorrow holds! Full Article pictures
social and politics Vacation! By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Mar 2011 05:14:00 +0000 Well, in just a few short days I am off to Japan on what I think is a very well-deserved vacation! The dogs will be on vacation, too, on their first ever trip to a boarding facility. I put a lot of care into choosing a place for them and I am optimistic that everything will work out well in my absence. Nervous, but optimistic. It will be really good for all of us, I think, since I have never boarded them and need to lighten up and it will be a good "out in the world" experience for the browns. Cutting the cord... I will report back on how everyone does.Last week at Doga Maizy was such a pill that this week I put in an untested rookie. Probert was up to the challenge and made a LOVELY Doga companion. He taught a wonderful class and he just might be my new Doga co-teacher.My boyfriend brought over this poster for Probert this weekend and hung it above his crate. Probert came in from playing outside to see it for the first time, walked straight into his crate and stood there staring at it. I think he likes it!Last week was my friend Flo's birthday and we surprised her with this photo (which was a huge pain in the butt, let me tell you!). ;) Full Article doga Maizy pictures Probert Wrigley
social and politics Home Sweet Home By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:01:00 +0000 Well! I have really neglected to update since the last time I posted, I was headed off to Japan! As it turned out, our flight landed in Japan exactly one minute before the earthquake occurred. We were taxi-ing along the runway when the plane began to rock severely. The long and the short of the whole story is that Narita Airport was closed so they couldn't get us through customs and after a 14 hour flight from the US they then kept us on the plane for about another 10 hours on the ground before we could file into the airport where we then spent the night sleeping on the floor among thousands of others. After a long ordeal, we finally made it to our hotel and were able to see some of Tokyo, but the city was not itself. We really loved Japan, though, and I hope we can go back again sometime!During all of that, the dogs were well taken care of back at home! They loved staying at Canine Crews in Chicago and made these paw paintings for St Patrick's Day.They were thrilled with life when I picked them up and spent the next 24 hours sleeping like logs. I can tell that they were having a great time! They already have another appointment to stay at Canine Crews in a week when I am in LA (where I will hopefully not encounter any earthquakes). Full Article boarding pictures
social and politics Happy 6th Birthday, Wrigs! By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Sun, 01 May 2011 01:50:00 +0000 Today Wrigley turned 6 years old! I can't believe he's lived with me for over 5.5 years. He's such a wonderful, joyful pup. Happy birthday, Wrigley Beans. Full Article birthdays pictures Wrigley
social and politics Introducing the Ladies By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Sun, 01 May 2011 14:15:00 +0000 This may sound funny, but in the nearly 1.5 years that Dan and I have been dating, we have yet to fully integrate our dog packs. Well, mostly we have avoided fully introducing Maizy and Greta, our two bossy ladies.I had a gift certificate for some dog training and we recently used it to meet with a trainer and work on the relationship between those two and I have to say, it was very promising!So, now we are taking them for walks and letting them in the yard together (with Maizy on a leash still) and things are going great. Greta is getting confident enough that Maizy is not annoyed and Maizy is realizing that she cannot be the boss of everyone.What a great spring it's going to be! Full Article Greta Maizy pictures training
social and politics Woofs By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Thu, 12 May 2011 04:56:00 +0000 I had a wonderful (Dog)Mother's Day with my browns and my lovely step-woof, Greta! Here's a picture of us.It has since then suddenly become summer in Chicago, with temperatures into the 90s! Probert has been protesting this shock to his system by exploring the cooling properties of different areas of the yard. Yesterday, he tested things out by flopping in an old wooden storage box in the corner of the yard. He is such a weirdo.A funny thing about this is that I think this is the first time I've ever seen him actually lay down outdoors. Someone is finally becoming a dog after all this time!! Full Article Greta pictures Probert
social and politics Upsidedown Dogs By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:44:00 +0000 At the beginning of June Probert and I taught Doga as a fundraiser for One Tail at a Time rescue in Chicago. We had an awesome time with a full class and the Fido to Go dog food truck even showed up at the end of class so the Dogis could get treat!Here are some pictures: Full Article doga pictures Probert
social and politics Guts By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:50:00 +0000 Over the past year or so, Greta has grown particularly picky about eating. The biggest problem with this is that when she doesn't eat, she gets sick. Out both ends. And there's sometimes blood. This is unpleasant enough for Dan and I, but has to be even worse for her. The problem could usually be solved just by making absolutely sure that she ate her meals, but I recently took her to the vet to see if there was another problem.Come to find out that GSDs often have digestive issues and now we are in the middle of trying to diagnose hers. It could be as simple as a parasite (though none shows up in the tests) or as complicated as IBD. For now, she is taking some antibiotics and just finished her first course of dewormer, so we'll see where things go from there. I'm happy to report that she's been eating well, at least, and hasn't had any issues.Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm told it's very very common in GSDs, especially! Full Article Greta vet
social and politics Really, Little Guy??? By thebrowndogblog.blogspot.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:06:00 +0000 Was that necessary!? Full Article crates pictures Probert
