So Mom and I decided a soggy Saturday’s a good day to clean out the attic. (It seemed like a good idea at the time.)
Now, you may not know this about me. But I’m a Great AtticClean-Up Supervisor. I found a comfy rug. Laid down. Watched Mom cart stuff up and down the stairs. Dust. Categorize. Box. Un-box. Re-box.
Supervisin’s a tough job. But somebody’s gotta do it.
Anyway, Mom opened this one box. And sat down. “Oh my!” says she. “Kimmi, look at this!”
Six words that strike terror into the heart of bloggers:
Please share your latest blog post.
This according to Her Mom-ness. Me? I’m cool with a daily walk and “dinner” twel… I mean twice a day. But you know how moms are. For as long as I can remember – both minutes – Her Mom-ness has insisted that:
Her Royal Momness: What’s up Kimster? Earthquake? Fire? Flood? The imminent demise of doggie treats?
Kimber: ‘Course not. I just gotta tell ya about my new best bud, Petunia.
Mom:Petunia?
Kimber: Yeah. She’s furry and fluffy and she’s the star of the show in this new book for the little’uns, Blink and Glow.
Mom:Blink and Glow? By Raven Howell?
Kimber: That’s it! Mom, you’re a genius.
Mom: I thought that book was about two kids, Leo and Lilly. They catch fireflies, a salamander, and a Luna moth. For their classroom show and tell. The critters dim in captivity and grandma gently explains that they need to be free to live happily and shine bright.
Silly Mom!
Beautifully illustrated throughout!! Hi, Petunia! (Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch…
Well. To cut to the chase, so to speak, Lilly and Leo think long and hard about what their grandma said as the lights of their trapped firefly and salamander begin to fade. It was fun to catch and jar them. But should the kids keep them?
This is a short, sweet story about loving and respecting nature and taking care of the environment. Bite-sized sentences are short and easy to digest and won’t strain young attention spans.
Delightful!
Besides a delightful story that’s both entertaining and educational, the text is complemented by vibrant illustrations. With bright, bold colors, the illustrations are top-notch. They’re gorgeous and dynamic, suggesting motion and fluidity.
Beautifully written, skillfully illustrated and briskly paced, Blink and Glow will make a welcome addition to any school or home library. It would also make an excellent read-aloud or bedtime story.
Bonus points:
Step-by-step instructions for making your own firefly sun-catchers are included!
Kimber: Leo and Lilly aren’t alone in their adventures in their natural world. An unnamed little white dog is supervising. Just so ya know, okay? I named her Petunia. She’s my new best bud.
Mom: Why Petunia?
Kimber: Cuz Her Royal Magnificence, Queen of the Universe and World’s Most Amazingly Brilliant and Super Gorgeous Canine was already taken. By me.
Can you spare five minutes? Good. Cuz that’s about all the time I’ve got on this Reading Goods thing. Ya see, Mom has her I’m Reading: Do Not Interrupt on Pain of Death face on. You know. With those eye glass do-dads and a furrowed brow. (No idea what that means. If you do, kindly holler.) So I gotta get this in like, pronto!
Squirrel!
Wait. Where was I?
Oh yeah. Reading Goods. You may know it as Goodreads. But let’s not get picky here, Buttercup.
If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re either: 1) A humungous book lover, 2) A humungous dog lover, 3) Both, or 4) Tired of kitty-sitting the neighbor’s feline.
Well. Have we got a deal for you.
The Challenge
Ya see, Her Royal Momness stumbled upon this “Summer Reading Challenge” thingy about three months back. (Stumbling. Ya know. Like Mom finds most things. Don’t tell her I said that, okay?)
Bronze, Silver, or Gold?
Anyhow, this SRC Challenge ’24 is hosted by the 52 Book Club. Since 2024 is a Summer Olympics, this year’s reading challenge had an Olympics-ish flavor. With 24 sports-inspired book prompts. Participants chose which “medal” they wanted to aim for, based on the number of books they planned to read during the summer in line with select Olympic-ish book prompts: Bronze, Silver, or Gold?
Today is an auspicious day! Cuz it’s not just any Monday. No siree, Lassie! Today is my birthday!
Yeppers, I’m eight years old today! Yea, me!
Kimber the Magnificent!
If you don’t already know me, I’m Kimber the Magnificent. I’m a rescue dog. Border Collie mix. The Smartest Member of the fam. (Mom says so. So it must be true.)
I’m loyal. Affectionate. Lithe, alert, and agile. I I’m also a quick learner. Brilliant and beautiful. With a champagne-esque personality: Bubbly and effervescent. I’m unconditional love on four feet. In fact, I love everyone! (Except the neighbor’s cat. Go figure.) I’m The Best Ever! (another Mom-ism.) I’m also shy, modest, and retiring. But who’s counting?
I co-narrate this blog thingy. (I’m the witty one. All sparkly and dazzly. In case ya hadn’t already figured that out.)
Her Royal Momness says I epitomize this John Grogan quote:
“A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water-logged stick will do just fine.
A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he’ll give you his.
How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?”
Mom: So friends, are you short on joy, effervescence, or extraordinariness (new word I just made up)? Get a dog.
Just don’t ask for mine. Cuz this sweet girl’s already taken.
Happy Birthday Kimber!
* Aka: Kimmi. Kim-Kim. The Kimster. Baby Girl. Sugar Bear. Boss Dog…
I say this to Mom a lot. Especially when she gets The Look. You know. That Look. It usually precedes a mile-long description of her new favorite book. Of course I listen. Because, ya know. That’s my job. Well, that and being beautiful and brilliant. (It’s a tough job. But I’m up for it!)
So when Mom came up with yet another harebrained idea for Fine Wine Fridays– where do these things come from? – I just smiled and listened.
Mom’s latest brainstorm? A list of really cool murder mysteries/whodunits.
Being the brains in this dynamic duo, I reminded Mom that she doesn’t typically gravitate toward either genre. But you know Mom!
So here, in no particular order, are Mom’s version of Fine Wine Friday murder mysteries/whodunits. (See more Fine Wine Friday picks here.)
No. Really. It was. I, Kimber, was there. And the night wasn’t just “dark and stormy.” Rain was coming down in sheets. Sideways. The wind was howling like a banshee with a tooth ache. A flood watch and a wind advisory were in effect.
“It’s a perfect day to curl up by the fire with a good book,” spake Mom.
Well. Who am I to disagree?
Thankfully, R.J. Parker’s Crystal Shadows: Gripping New Blood filled the bill. Here’s why:
The first time Mom read this book was shortly after the earth’s crust cooled. Or maybe it was in 1975? (Let’s not quibble, okay? )
“Oh my goodness!” Her Momness exclaimed the other day. We just finished lugging another dusty box up from the resident archaeological dig (Mom calls it “The Basement.” But I have my doubts).
900 Years ?
Anyway, we opened this box and lo! It was jammed with beloved books from when Mom was a young’un. You know. Like, 900 years ago. (Don’t tell Mom I said that, okay?)
Pages & Paws 