Hooked on Books

The only thing I love carrying more in my arms than a stack of library books is my five month old grand baby.  I went to the library to pay a fine (I really am working on that!) and I wasn't planning on carrying anything out other than my receipt because my library choices are being made online tonight. But there they were right behind me--hundreds of children's books beckoning me.  And ohh, I'm so glad I heeded their call.  I always make new discoveries. I found The Girl Who Lived To Draw! 

It's really not a bad thing to be hooked on books.  I mean, it is reading and bettering my craft. It's not like a bar or something.  Although, if I keep racking up fines, my husband may put me in a library book anonymous group!

School Visit

I had the pleasure of presenting my books and talking about the process of illustrating a picture book to three high school art classes in Fredericksburg, Texas a few days ago.  They were a wonderful audience and I had a blast!  It was really fun to discuss my book that will be out this coming fall. The story revolves around  a well known landmark near Fredericksburg called Enchanted Rock. So fun!! Hope to have pictures to post of the visit soon. This is a sneak peek at part of one of the illustrations from the book that I shared:

School Libraries Changing

How school libraries are changing.
‪#‎SchoolLibrariesMatter‬!

New Year

New year, new projects, new submissions out tomorrow, new portfolio illustrations!  I love new!

Virtual Dementia Tour

I had an interesting experience a few days ago at a place called the James L West Center here in Ft Worth.  My brother, youngest son, and I took a virtual dementia tour. We were given thin plastic inserts with tiny spikes to put inside our shoes to recreate some sort of neuropathy.   We wore garden gloves because most older people lose sensation in their fingertips.  Then, we put on goggles that have a yellow tint and a cloudy spot in the center to assimilate older vision. The last addition were headphones with constant blurred background noise.  Those with dementia have a hard time with background noise that the rest of us don't even notice. Also, many older folks wear hearing aides that many times make the issue  with background noise even worse.  After we had all our gear on, we were each given a list of instructions  right before we walked in a room.  The room had a bed, couch, dresser, etc and there we were to carry out the tasks.  I could only remember partial instructions.  I could remember something about folding three pairs of white socks but I could not remember what I was supposed to do with them.  I could remember  to sweep something and I found the broom but I could not remember what to sweep.  The feelings of confusion, even anxiety were very real.  I also felt stupid and somewhat embarrassed that I could not remember what to do.

 It was a very helpful experience to realize how the world looks to those with dementia, like my dad.  It made me want to work harder to help him live life as full as he can right now, especially communicating with him in ways that build his self esteem and give him the dignity he deserves.

A helpful website about tools and toys for those with dementia: Alzheimer's Store