New Site!

This blog has moved! 

From here on out, I'll be blogging at my new author website: alinasayre.com.

Come check it out! 

~Alina

Moving Day: Friday

Two weekends ago, I helped my cousins move.

It was a happy thing--loading boxes into my car, toting furniture around, helping family settle into a pretty, spacious new home that much betters suits their needs. Their old house wasn't what they needed anymore.

It's just always a bit nostalgic to say goodbye to a place you've lived.

Photo credit: Douglas Porter

It is with that same mixture of anticipation and nostalgia that I get ready to close up this blogspot and move to my new author website on Friday (I'll post the address that day). I'm getting ready to launch my book in December, and I need an online living room big enough to host it. All the old blog posts will show up there, and I'll still be blogging every Friday. The new site is clean, fast, organized, easy to find, and (I think) beautiful. Michael, you're an incredible genius for building it.

But though this blogspot no longer suits my internet needs, it's where I first learned to blog--first agonized over publishing a post--first learned to say vulnerable things out loud. And so, though I'm thrilled to make the move, I quietly turn the key in the lock of this old house and fondly pat the closed door. It's been a good place to live.

Stay tuned for Friday's reveal of my new web address, plus a blog post on the new site!! 

Pumpkin Fun

Today's post arrives on a Wednesday. I hope that doesn't lead you to think that tomorrow is Saturday...

I am introducing this confusing mix-up because tomorrow is Halloween and I want to write about pumpkins! 

My very favorite kind of pumpkin is the costume variety. I think all babies should be dressed up as pumpkins at least once in their lives. 

Photo credit: James Willcox

 Awww...just TOO adorable! Dogs make pretty cute pumpkins, too:

Photo credit: C Jill Reed

But at my house, there being neither babies nor dogs to dress up, we paint real pumpkins. One of the vegetables below was designed by the engineer, one by the artist, and one by the writer in the house. I'll let you guess whose is whose.

See? They're Betty Boop, a hot air balloon, and a poem.

Last year, I stopped trying to fight my klutziness and penchant for stick figures and instead repurposed Halloween as the World Literacy Project, decorating my pumpkin with the opening lines of "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes.

This year it's a different famous, slightly spooky poem (which I subjected my family to a reading of as I was writing it out in Sharpie). 10 points if you can guess the title and author! 

But though I'm greatly enjoying the World Literacy Project (and I hope the neighborhood kids will, too), there's nothing wrong with stick figures. In fact, they can even make pretty cute costumes. Get a good laugh out of this one, and enjoy tomorrow!

Get Motivated

Today I'm THRILLED to announce that my long-awaited novel, a middle-grades fantasy adventure, is finished and going to be published! I hope to have it available in time for Christmas. To receive book updates, insider promotions, teacher resources, book-related games, etc., please sign up for my e-mail newsletter at the top right corner of this screen. Thank you!!

*begin blog post*

No matter how old you are or what you do, there are times you feel like you're a failure. That you're bad at what you do. That you're just barking up the wrong tree in life. 

But when that happens, often the truth is that we're tired. (Or lonely, or hungry. Sandwiches have solved some of my life crises.) Sometimes we do need to stop and rest, but there other times when we just have to press on. Move forward. Get it done. 

And it's in those times that motivation becomes priceless.

As a writer, I may have more self-esteem problems than the average person. It's important for me to stay reminded that I'm doing what I've been called to do, what I'm good at doing, what I love to do--especially on the tired days. Even with a book about to be published, it's easy to get bogged down in the immensity of work and lose sight of the goal.

So I'm sharing with you 5 signs in my home/office that motivate me. They've helped me through some dry days, and now they help me celebrate as I get ready to see my dream come true. Most of them are word-based, because I love words, but I think motivation can come just as easily from pictures. When I lived in Seattle, nearly every student's desk or worker's cubicle contained a desk calendar with pictures of palm trees and white sand beaches. Case in point.

This one came from Barnes and Noble when I was probably 15 years old. Now I hang it on my door when I'm working instead of a "Do Not Disturb" sign. I look forward to the day when it'll come true!

This was an "award" I received during my freshman year of college. Apparently it was my dorm floormates' unanimous prediction. Later that year, I started writing my novel. Thank you, ladies.

This was drawn by my artistically gifted and always-faithful mother on a paper plate when I was in 7th grade. That's me, doing what I still do almost every day. (Maybe minus the scrunchie.) 

This was a Trader Joe's greeting card that almost made me cry when I spotted it in the grocery store. I bought two, framed one for my wall, and mailed another to my knit-designing friend Audry. When you're in a career that doesn't make financial sense and that takes a long time to produce gratification, you need this reminder EVERY SINGLE DAY. Actually, maybe you need it in any career, at any age. 

And last, a beautiful picture made by my late grandmother, which she gave me for my 24th birthday. I think it's made of watercolor, pen, and of course her signature--glitter. Besides representing a heritage of art, this picture reminds me of one of my literary role models, Anne of Green Gables, and all that she stands for: optimism, hope, and adventure to be found in the wild blue yonder.

So happy Friday! Be motivated today!


What signs or images motivate you in your daily endeavors? 

Beautiful British Library Mania!

It's Friday! I'd say it's time for some beautiful libraries, wouldn't you?

Let's take an armchair trip to Britain to visit 5 beautiful libraries. (While the Republic of Ireland is not politically part of Britain, it is geographically part of the British Isles...it's a long story, better expressed by a YouTube video than by me.)

1. The Bodleian Library, Oxford, England. No library tour would be complete without the Bodleian, which houses 11 million printed items in addition to thousands of other materials. It actually consists of many different library buildings as well as a subterranean storage labyrinth. (Mystery novel, anyone?) The fan ceiling is renowned as one of the most beautiful in England.

Photo credit: redjar

2. The Wren Library, Cambridge, England. A small gem, tucked away in Trinity College, this library was designed by Christopher Wren, one of England's most famous architects. Containing first editions of works by Tennyson and Byron and the handwritten manuscript of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, the library also has a walking stick and lock of the hair of alumnus Sir Isaac Newton. Love the checkerboard floor, too--makes me think of Alice in Wonderland.

Photo credit: Photodesk.at

3. The Long Room, Dublin, Ireland. Two stories, marble busts of thinkers, and sliding ladders, oh my! Also located at a place called Trinity College (different from the Cambridge one), and sharing a building with the inimitable Book of Kells, they raised the barrel ceiling to accommodate more books! 200,000 of the college's oldest, rarest books, to be exact...

4. The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Ireland. A little-known gem I discovered quite by accident, this library is resplendent more with inner than outer beauty. More than a simple collection of books, it's a curiosity cabinet of antiquities from all over the world, including some incredibly old manuscripts. Imagine illuminated texts, an ancient copy of Augustine's City of God, and fragments of Bible papyri from as early as AD 150--yes, people, that would be an almost 1900-year-old book. Er, scrap of a book.

5. The British Library, London, England. Last but not least, a classic among libraries. Along with the Library of Congress, the British Library is the second-largest library in the world. Yes, world. It's a legal deposit and research library containing over 150 million items. Contemporary architecture (including a bench shaped like a folded-open book) pairs here with a mind-blowing collection of some of the world's oldest manuscripts. Inside you'll find everything from Beowulf to Jane Eyre, from Handel's Messiah to the Magna Carta, from a Gutenberg Bible to Anne Boleyn's copy of the New Testament. It's the Louvre of libraries.


Oh, guess what? It's a...

Bonus #6! The Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech Republic.

This one may not be in Britain, but it sure belongs in a tour of the most beautiful libraries. Tucked away in a hilltop monastery in Prague, surrounded by whitewashed walls and the waving stems of yellow roses, is this little-known gem. After a climb up a steep hill, one is rewarded with this sight:

Globes, illuminated manuscripts, a book wheel, and a painted ceiling! It became an important point of inspiration for my novel. And made me think of this scene from Beauty and the Beast: 

Photo credit: Jessica Ta

Happy Friday! Which of these libraries (the Disney one included!) would you visit if you had the chance? 

Rest along the Road

What's the purpose of your life?

The thing that's bigger than yourself--your mission, dream, calling, purpose, the something that you alone feel uniquely designed to do.

Maybe it's writing a book (harrumph). Maybe it's spiritual growth. Maybe it's investing in a relationship. Maybe it's leading a ministry. Maybe it's raising a child (or a few). Maybe it's spending a year backpacking across the country, like my friend David. Maybe you don't have a clue, but you're seeking it. Something you were born to do. Something you believe in, that gives you purpose, that makes you feel alive.

Purpose is a great thing. Without it, we constantly ask ourselves, "What am I here for?"

But journeys of purpose are big. And big journeys take time. Lots of time.

As time passes, energy drains away. We lose sight of the distant, big-picture goal because our myopic vision gets crowded with small failures, hiccups, hardships, naysayers...and tiredness. Just plain road-weariness.

Photo credit: Chaz Harding

I read this story about the Biblical prophet Elijah today. Talk about someone with a big life purpose. But at one point he said to God, "I have had enough, Lord" (1 Kings 19).

Had. Enough. 

Photo credit: Soon

The long road of pursuing purpose can leave us feeling burned out like fire-gutted stumps. Elijah was so fed up with chasing purpose and feeling like a failure that he wanted to die.

God's advice, delivered by angelic messenger?

"Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you."

God even sent Elijah an ancient Hebrew Happy Meal to get him started.

Photo credit: Stefan

Before God urged Elijah forward in his journey of purpose, the prophet's immediate needs had to have some attention. He ate some food. Took two long naps. Went away to Mount Horeb for some refreshing alone time. Spent time in the presence of God. Found a helper.

And THEN he was able to go back to full time prophet-ness. Proclaimed God's words to difficult people. Did miracles. Made history.

There's a lot on my plate right now, especially as I look to move forward with my writing career. Maybe there's a lot on your plate, too. But Elijah's story encourages me.

The strength to carry on, to continue down that long and worthwhile road, may be closer than you think:

Eat food. Get sleep. Take some time away to refresh. Be in the presence of God. Get a helper.

Or, in the sweet and simple words of my friend and fellow blogger Anna Taylor: Peace, darling.

Purpose is a long road. So pace yourself. Rest along the way. You'll make it in time.


How do you find rest along the way of purpose? 

Inspiration: The Playlist

How do you get inspired to create? 

Some authors (and other kinds of artists, too) have the luxury of full-time creative work. Others, like the 40 pictured in this article, have had brilliant, inspiring spaces dedicated exclusively to their craft. 

But some of us have other jobs. When I'm not writing, I'm teaching kids to craft paragraphs or fixing people's grammar. I'd love it if my workspace always looked like this:

But more of the time, it looks like this: 

Or just this: 

Just enough space to sit in the middle of the explosion.

So how do you get your mind to travel to far-off places and create vivid, enthralling scenes when all you can see is the carpet that needs vacuuming or the piles of unanswered notes on your desk? 

I'm going to be writing a series of blog posts on where I find writing inspiration. These are my personal quirks to trick my brain into creating, even when the space around me doesn't inspire or my brain would rather just spend all day staring out the window.

Number one is the playlist. 

For my novel-in-progress (which is very, very close to being my COMPLETED novel), I write to a list of songs that take me to the fantasy world of my story and reconnect me with the characters. I've developed an almost Pavlovian response to the song "Ora" by Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi (the first one on my list). The first few notes play, and I'm instantly in the story. I don't know if I'll ever be able to write another story to this song. It's too tied to this set of characters. 

Over time, I've collected more and more songs for this list. There are now 43 songs on it, for a total of 2.9 hours. I know it's a good writing day when I finish the last song and have to start the playlist over. 

With a few exceptions, most of the songs are instrumental, so the words in my head don't have to compete with the ones in my ears. Some tunes are classical (like Beethoven's 7th Symphony or Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring") but more have a Celtic flavor to them. I especially like Enya, Jim Brickman, and Loreena McKennitt. 

Soundtracks are also one of my favorite resources. Music that was originally composed to tell a story helps me tell mine. My list includes selections from the live-action Peter Pan, The Lion King, and A Series of Unfortunate Events. 

I've made playlists for other stories, too, but they look completely different (well, except for the emphasis on instrumental music). One has a couple of Irish drinking songs on it; another emphasizes classical Spanish guitar. When this novel is done, I guess I'll have to start an entirely new playlist of inspiring songs.

Does music help you to create? What songs get your creative juices flowing? 

Even More Cuteness, Part 3

Does anybody else need some cuteness this Friday? Yeah, me too. Five different kinds of cuteness, coming right up.

Four baby raccoons in a tree! (A group of raccoons is called a gaze.)

Photo credit: Tyler Smith

Fennec foxes. (A group of these would be called a leash, a skulk, or an earth.) The pets I want almost as much as hedgehogs and sugar gliders. Look at those ears!

Photo credit: Dean Thorpe

Baby sloth in a box! For extra squeals, here's a video of baby sloths taking a bath! (A whole bunch of them together are a "bed" of sloths :)).

Photo credit: Jennifer Jordan

Koala taking a nap. (There's no name for a group of these, because they hang out by themselves.) Sooo cuddly.

Photo credit: Susan Renee

And squirrel monkeys goofing off for the camera. (Hehe, a group of monkeys is called a troop of monkeys!)

Photo credit: Joachim S. Muller

Happy Friday!

Literature, Kniterature

Today I'm tickled to host my second-ever author interview! My good friend Audry Nicklin has designed, written, and published Lit Knits, a book of ten knitting patterns inspired by works of classic literature that allow you to "wear your favorite story." 

What a delicious stack of old books!

Ever since I decided I wanted to be a writer at age 14, I've loved reading interviews with authors. I love to get inside their heads and learn their habits and tips. Maybe it's my secret hope that the literary prowess will rub off. 

Let's go behind the scenes of a real live author's creative process. Welcome to my virtual living room, Audry! 

1. We all know that a book takes a long time to produce. How long has your book been in the making, from concept to publication?

This book has been a long time coming. It took me roughly 2.5 years from concept to publication. And within that 2.5 years, I was also working part time at a yarn shop and submitting patterns to other publications.

2. How did you get the idea for Lit Knits?

After reading Anne of Green Gables in early 2011, I was inspired to make a shawl that had bits of the story knit into it. So I made up a stitch pattern that looked like the house, Green Gables. Below that I knit a texture of a fence followed by a field of flowers leading down to the Lake of Shining Waters. 

The "Avonlea" shawl from Lit Knits. I love Anne of Green Gables!

After completing the shawl, I started working on a pair of mittens inspired by the white rabbit in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. One thing led to another and I realized that I had a solid theme for a collection of patterns. It did take some time to figure out how to make the collection as cohesive as possible. I thought about doing a knit for A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens and one for The Raven by Poe. But Anne of Green Gables and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland are considered classic children's literature, so I kept within that theme.

3. Of the 10 patterns in the book, which is your favorite?

I can't say that they are all my favorite, can I?

Each pattern represents a different part of my knitting journey, so I like each one for a different reason. "Down The Rabbit Hole" is based on one of my favorite childhood stories. But the "Robin Hoodie" represents the culmination of all my knitting abilities. I couldn't have written that pattern when I started the book. But I gained enough experience while writing the other patterns to make it a reality. 

The "Robin Hoodie," the culmination of all of Audry's knitting abilities.

4. What would be the 11th work of literature you would add if you could?

This collection almost had 12 patterns. Before I designed each garment, I read the book I wanted to base the knit on. I read Little Women and Heidi, but when it came down to it, I had trouble designing knits that didn't look kitschy. So I cut the collection down to 10 patterns.

5. The photography in your book is incredible. However, we all know that serene images don’t always come from serene photo shoots. What were some funny stories that happened while you were taking pictures for this book?

Well, you were part of one of the more amusing photo shoots. Since the socks you modeled were Black Beauty themed, we needed to have horses in the background. After getting permission to go to a field where there were horses, we couldn't find them! It took a good half hour of circling around groves of trees before we found the herd. Then three curious horses came over to investigate. Just as we would shoo one away from the equipment, another one would sneak up and have a look. I still have horse spit stains on my camera bag.

Glamor? More like cold mist, grass stains, allergies, and horse spit. Photo credit: Juliet Nicklin

I know you were cold during that shoot since it started to mist by the end of it, and I had horrible allergies for two days afterwards because I spent the entire time with my face practically rubbing the grass. And I never did get those grass stains out of my jeans.

6. I know you made extreme efforts to use authentic props in your photo shoots. What was the coolest prop you collected for this book?

I was lucky to have all sorts of neat props for this book. But my favorite prop was the real Piece of Eight that I used in the "Sail To Treasure Island" shoot. It came from my Opa's coin collection and was minted in 1744 during King Philip V of Spain's rule. 

The "Sail To Treasure Island" blanket, its inspiring book, a compass, and a real Piece of Eight. 

7. Okay, let's get into your secrets of creative success. On a “normal” day, what does your creative routine look like?

I know some people like to have strict time schedules. I find that keeping up with a schedule stresses me out, so I just have an order I do things. I'll get up mid to late morning, shower, and walk the dog, Scooter. Then I walk myself to and from a local coffee shop to get tea, after which I eat lunch and read a little bit of a book before I sit down and work. I typically make a list of what needs to be done the night before, so I just start working down the list. Then it is a second dog walk followed by more work. After eating dinner, I might watch a little TV with Scooter while knitting. (He gets grumpy if he doesn't get at least a half hour of TV time.) 

Audry's four-legged creative muse, Scooter.

Depending on what stage I'm at in a design, I might be doing "work" knitting or "personal" knitting. After TV time with Scooter, he and I head to bed, where I might work into the wee hours if things are going well. If not, I give up and go to bed. Before my head hits the pillow, I'll typically list a few things that need to get done the next day.

8. 2 1/2 years of dedicated work is a lot. What kept you from quitting on this project when the road got tough?

My options were to either finish the book or go look for another job. Working on the book looked like the better option. After a while, I had told so many people about the book that it would have been terribly embarrassing to not finish. So avoiding humiliation is what kept me going after a while. That, and I didn't want to disappoint my parents.

9. Self-publishing v. traditional publishing is a big conversation in the book world these days. Why did you choose to self-publish rather than seek traditional publication? Are you glad you did?

I chose to self-publish because I didn't want to sign over the rights to my work. The thought that a publisher could do one print run and let the book go out of print was a little too much to take. However, this also means that I am in charge of all the promotion. So while part of me is frustrated that I don't have the resources to promote Lit Knits as widely as a publisher could, I'm still satisfied that I've chosen to self-publish. I've been lucky that my background is in print design. I don't think I could have done it myself without that experience.

I'd say she did a pretty good job designing her own cover.

10. Now that Lit Knits is done, do you have another creative project in the works? Can you give us any hints?

I think I'll always be working on some sort of knit. I have 2-3 more book ideas, but at the moment, I'm working on some single-pattern proposals for knitting magazines. It's been interesting seeing how each of my previous jobs has led to the next. I look forward to seeing where this book takes me.

Thanks for having me, Alina!

My pleasure! It was a fun privilege for me to both copyedit the manuscript of Lit Knits and model a pair of socks. But above all, seeing my friend successfully pioneer her own book enterprise inspires me to take my own novel seriously and see it to completion. 

If you love to knit, know someone who does, or just like whimsical pictures of cool, literature-inspired clothes, check out the book on Audry's web site. She's got a special preorder deal going until September 25. You can also find her author page on Facebook.

Have more questions? Leave a comment! Audry and I will both be around for some Q&A! 

Unless otherwise noted, all photos are courtesy of Audry Nicklin. 

Blogiversary #2

I love fall. The student in me thinks of September, not January, as the beginning of the year. As the weather gets cooler, I get an almost Pavlovian excitement for office supplies, pumpkin spice lattes, and new beginnings.

Photo credit: Jason A. Samfield

But what almost took me by surprise is that this approaching fall season also marks my second blogiversary. I went to write this week's blog post and realized it'll be two years on Sunday! Which prompts a bit of reflection.

It's a little harder to track this year's progress than it was last year. I do know that I've published a total of 95 posts and accumulated nearly 20,000 page views since starting this blog in 2011 (numbers which thrill, startle, and humble me by turns). Sometimes numbers help me step back and get some perspective on the small routines I perform regularly.

This year I have branched out to share a wider variety of art forms, including poetry, photography, and excerpts from my novel-in-progress.

Speaking of which, that novel is in its 4th (and hopefully final) draft! Sometimes not losing vision in the last stage is the hardest part. I'm both eager and nervous to set out on the road to publication.

I struck the words "recent college graduate" from my Blogger profile. Now that I'm 2+ years out of academia, I think I'm really beginning to consider myself a working adult.

Which is beginning to make sense, now that my weeks are full with 15 tutoring students, regular freelance editing projects, novel revisions, and some very dear relationships that make my life full and sweet. Sometimes living has been so sweet that I've clean forgotten about blogging (that's why there's no December under the 2012 tab).

I had a chance to share my life story with some peers a few weeks ago and it gave me a chance to realize what this blog has done for me. Not only has it kept my writing muscles limber in busy times when other writing projects have gone into hibernation, but it's been cathartic for me as well. Sometimes it's easier to blurt out the truth in a public forum (especially online) than it is to be honest with your close friends and family.

Here I've reached new levels of honesty as I've broached subjects like vulnerability, loss, and lament poetry. What's even better is that some of you have come to me and shared that my halting admissions of hurt, confusion, and failure have made you feel freer to admit your own struggles. And that makes it worth it.

It's also been joyful to celebrate new beginnings throughout the year, noticing small magic, overflowing like popcorn, and cooing over adorable hedgehogs. It's wonderful to celebrate fullness and joy. I think honesty about the empty and the hard makes this part even sweeter.

And with that, I commence celebrating blogiversary #2. No pumpkin spice lattes in my local Starbucks yet, but I'm waiting. Oh yes, I'm waiting.

Photo credit: brina_head

In the meanwhile, let this changing season give you a chance to reflect. What milestones are you celebrating? What are you looking forward to this school year? 

All The Cuteness, Part 2

Okay. If you thought the hedgehogs were cute, I am about to show you something that will BLOW YOUR MIND with cuteness.

Ready? 

Photo credit: Ryan Lee

Sugar gliders! They're tiny flying possums that are native to Australia and Indonesia...

...and they fit inside wine glasses. 

Photo credit: Arnold T. Schwartzenglider

...and they snuggle in the palm of your hand.

Photo credit: Arnold T. Schwartzenglider

...and they hug your thumb.

Photo credit: Wm Jas

And they can do this!

Photo credit: Arnold T. Schwartzenglider

I want one of these to go with my imaginary hedgehog. But sadly, sugar gliders are also illegal pets in California (and Alaska, Hawaii, and Massachusetts). Seriously, what are those lawmakers thinking?

But tell me you're not smiling now. Have a great Friday!

Someday I Will Be The Library

I'm pleased to report that the old-books shelf in my personal library is now double stacked.

My mom has autumn cleaning fever, so I've inherited more books! It's extra exciting, because these are old books. Rebecca belonged to my grandmother, and the other three were my great-grandfather's in Mexico. 

I guess keeping a personal library has always been a byproduct of my obsession with books. Not to mention that my only motivation in interior decorating is finding more ways to store, display, and curl up with books.

Ok, maybe not the antlers.
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovemaegan/5097009893/">...love Maegan</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>

But little did I think when I started collecting books that one day they might be a novelty. Before there were museums, people used to keep "curiosity cabinets" in their homes. I saw one in Prague, containing things like model ships, coats of chain mail, and petrified sharks.

Except that mine will be full of books. 

This week I read a blog post (thanks for forwarding, Michael) by Seth Godin predicting 7 things that will be lost as our society transitions from paper to electronic books. Godin doesn't predict that paper books will disappear entirely, but that the infrastructure surrounding them will, including bookshelves, bookstores, and libraries. 

Or at least, libraries as we know them. Have you heard about the nation's first "bookless library," set to open in San Antonio, TX, in the fall (thanks Hannah!)? No books. Just desktops, laptops, and e-readers for checkout, as well as remote-access materials.

Sad.

I mean, don't get me wrong. The really important things are that people keep reading, that one idea keeps leading to another, and that stories keep teaching us how to live. Those things can happen just as well on electronic devices as on paper. I have a Kindle, and I like that it allows me to keep one-glance track of all my highlights and notes and even share those with others on the Internet.

But...but...libraries.

To think that someday I might have to tell my kids a fictional story about a magical place where endless shelves of paper books sat waiting to be thumbed through, perused, checked out, brought home with you for a glorious three weeks. Not just to read. To admire, carry around, smell. They have histories. They start conversations. Sometimes they even start relationships. As you're putting one back, another catches your eye. And you realize you'll be spending the rest of your life reading. So many books, so little time.

Well, here's one library that's not going anywhere.

Someday, I can imagine giving tours of my curiosity cabinet like a museum docent. When bookshelves, bookstores, and libraries have gone out of fashion, I'll take down my old books and let people smell them, sneeze on the dust. This one was my great-grandfather's. 

Hedgehogs

Warning: this post has absolutely no intellectual content. Sometimes brains need a break.

So this post is about hedgehogs.

I didn't really understand what the thing was about hedgehogs before. Their pictures circulate a lot on Facebook, but whatever. Puppies are way cuter.  

But on a visit to the San Francisco Zoo a few weeks ago, I actually got to see a hedgehog...and pet it...

...and now hedgehogs are a thing. So. Much. Cuteness.

Image courtesy of stock.xchng and tburgey

I know, right? Beatrix Potter's respectable Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Brian Jacques' Ambrose Spike never prepared me for this. Those spikes aren't really poky--they feel kind of like rubber. 

Image courtesy of stock.xchng and sparkules

...and this one drinks out of a teacup! Just like a good British hedgehog. 

Image courtesy of stock.xchng and greengia

...and here's one rolled up in a ball...

Image courtesy of stock.xchng and mouse

Eee! It's waving. Hellooo, little adorable hedgehog...

Depressingly, hedgehogs are perfectly legal pets in all the states except for Maine, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Pennslvania...and California. Guess I'll be contenting myself with internet pictures for the time being.

(If you have links to more cute hedgehog pictures, post them in the comments! I can't get enough of them!)