I just thought I would show you what I’ve been up to the past couple of days. I wrote a tune to central song in Suzanne Collins’s new book, “Mockingjay.” Then I read a post that said all the songs were available on youtube, so I thought I would add mine to the mix. So, here’s my first “video.” Let me know what you think! And I hope you enjoy the song.

(The illustrations are various photos I took, plus an official Mockingjay)

On the Echinachea, originally uploaded by deirdrej.

Hello, everybody!

It’s been a very eventful summer, and I can’t believe it’s already drawing to a close. The leaves are beginning to turn already, and the Monarch Butterflies have started their great migration.

I thought you might enjoy a picture from the new library butterfly garden, to celebrate these beautiful last summer days.

Be well! ~D.

(PS Check my other blog for book news and reviews!)

The Cat and the Moon, originally uploaded by deirdrej.

Hi, everybody!

I’ve been silent for a long time, I know — but I am resolved, that is going to change! It’s been a crazy Spring, and promises to be a busy Summer — but hopefully a good one!

So, now you’re wondering about the picture (at least I hope you are!)
It’s a multimedia painting/drawing I did a few years ago, inspired by one of my favorite poems. (I have hundreds!)
I just uploaded the picture to my flickr account today, along with some other artwork, new and old.

As for my favorite poem (which, as I’ve said, is one of hundreds!) It’s “The Cat and The Moon” by William Butler Yeats. And here it is, in case you’d like to read it.

THE CAT AND THE MOON

by: W. B. Yeats (1865-1939)

THE cat went here and there
And the moon spun round like a top,
And the nearest kin of the moon,
The creeping cat, looked up.
Black Minnaloushe stared at the moon,
For, wander and wail as he would,
The pure cold light in the sky
Troubled his animal blood.
Minnaloushe runs in the grass
Lifting his delicate feet.
Do you dance, Minnaloushe, do you dance?
When two close kindred meet,
What better than call a dance?
Maybe the moon may learn,
Tired of that courtly fashion,
A new dance turn.
Minnaloushe creeps through the grass
From moonlit place to place,
The sacred moon overhead
Has taken a new phase.
Does Minnaloushe know that his pupils
Will pass from change to change,
And that from round to crescent,
From crescent to round they range?
Minnaloushe creeps through the grass
Alone, important and wise,
And lifts to the changing moon
His changing eyes.

Grace, originally uploaded by deirdrej.

Hi, everybody!

I just wanted to wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s , before the day ends!

Here’s an awesome picture ( I think) of two of the teenagers who danced for everyone in the library to celebrate the day, Enjoy!

Branching reflections, originally uploaded by deirdrej.

Hi, everybody!

I thought you might enjoy this photo of this past week’s snow. It was beautiful in my immediate area. But just a little further south, it caused a terrible massacre of trees, and many people are still without power. However, there are signs everywhere that spring is coming. The sugarhouses are going strong, my sister heard a cardinal singing the other day, and we even saw a bluebird! Warmer days will be here soon!

And, for those of you who love books, we are continuing our Auditory Feast of Awesome! This time, we are featuring Indian American debutante author Neesha Meminger! You can listen to the new podcast episode here, or download it on itunes.

A Conversation with Neesha Meminger

The Mount Kisco Library Podcast

Enjoy!

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love — the light and the dark, the warm and the cold — in a way you will never forget.

Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th. Pre-order here.

Enter to win an advanced review copies of LINGER, Sisters Red, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Replacement on Maggie’s blog.

Hi, everybody!

We’ve got a new podcast episode up! This one features debutante author Carrie Ryan, whose book, “A Forest of Hands and Teeth,” has gained many accolades, and will be made into a movie this year. It’s been rumored that Kristen Stewart may star as Mary.

And there’s a pretty cool book trailer out, too!

Plus, you can check out our podcast to learn more about Carrie and her writing! It’s short (34 minutes 20 seconds), it’s fun, and it includes tons of great ideas about books, movies, lawyers, zombies, etc. Even if you don’t particularly care for zombies, you’ll love it, I guarantee!

And remember, you can still enter our contest to win an ARC of Megan Whalen Turner’s new book “A Conspiracy of Kings.” All you have to do is tell us why you love Sophos! Scroll down a couple of entries if you would like to see the official rules!

Winter Bobcat, originally uploaded by Ignorance is living in Bliss.

Hi, everybody!

I thought you might enjoy this picture of one of our beautiful native wildcats today.

Also, there was a sad story in the local news recently. Two teenage boys, one 13 and one 17, were trapping bobcats illegally on government land, using leghold traps. If you’d like to read the article, it’s here:
http://www.newstimes.com/policereports/article/Leghold-trap-snares-bobcat-teens-303029.php

Two things really bugged me about this. First, leghold traps are unnecessary and cruel. And secondly, the boys are quite young. I really don’t like the thought of young boys growing up to be cruel.

I’ve been reading a lot lately, and one of the things I picked up is Thomas More’s “Utopia.” I was reading it the same day I saw this story, and it really interested me that More said what St. Francis, Albert Einstein, and many others have also said, that people who mistreat animals are very liable to mistreat human beings, too.

Well, I’ll stop with the heaviness, for now. I hope you can enjoy the lovely photo!

Also, don’t forget! If you love Sophos, from the Queen’s Thief series, tell me why, and I will enter you to win an ARC of “A Conspiracy of Kings!” The complete rules are in the entry below, the one with the Renaissance art.

Enjoy, and stay well!

Sophos, perhaps?

OK everybody, this is it! The Great Mount Kisco Library ARC giveaway! And the ARC we are giving away is Megan Whalen Turner’s A Conspiracy of Kings! Here’s what to do, to be entered in the contest:

1. Post a response to this blog, telling us why you love Sophos
2. Your response can be in any format you want! You can:
3. Write a song
4. Paint a picture
5. Make a movie
6. Write a letter
7. Make a toy — whatever!

HOWEVER, all responses must be family-friendly (G to PG13).

ALSO, you can only post once. If you enter more than once, we’ll have to disqualify you.

You have from now until February 1st to post your entry. That way, you should get your ARC in time for Valentine’s Day!

And, believe me, it will be a big WRENCH for me to give this book up. I think you’ll really enjoy it! And if you don’t love Sophos now, you definitely will after you read the ARC!

What? You don’t think the painting I picked looks like Sophos? Well, how about this nice young man, from 15th century Italy!

A Youth, by Filippino Lippi

Maybe not? Well, show us your idea of Sophos, and you could win our ARC!

Basil the Bookworm, originally uploaded by ApplesInMyBra.

Hi, everybody! Isn’t this photo awesome? I hope you enjoy it!

Some of you may know that we love books AND animals at the Mount Kisco Library, and we think the combination can’t be beat! So, we’re going to be re-starting our very popular “Read to Rover” program next Tuesday, January 12th, at 5:30 PM. It’s open to all kids who can read — come by the library, drop us a line, or call us, and you can sign up to practice reading to a dog!

And, on Tuesday, January 19th, we’ll be hosting a Community Conversation for families, sponsored by the New York Council for the Humanities! We’ll be reading and discussing an excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King’s “American Dream” speech, and finding ways to make the dream come true in our community! This program is open to students from 8 to 12 years old and their parents. It will be happening in the early evening, from 6:30 to 7:30.

Finally, I have some great news for “Queen’s Thief” fans! We are almost ready to give away our ARC of “A Conspiracy of Kings!” In my next post, I’ll let you know what you should do get a chance to win it!

That’s it for tonight — Happy New Year, and enjoy the snow (if you are getting it).

Check back in a couple of days for the ARC contest!