The elephant

What do you think about when you're at the zoo? I have begun to have a vague sense of guilt. I love seeing the huge Pachydermata strolling, casually pacing the green grass of my hometown, far from the lands he might have been born to (had she avoided the net that was cast when it was a wee calf or the trap that was set for it's mother and father.) 

But then that is why I have a sense of guilt. Is it pacing this small cage just for my (and your) pleasure? Is it wondering why it's body aches for the greener shores of a distant land? 

Maybe it just enjoys the larger and more comfortable grounds with plentiful peanuts and water. 

Today I'd like to recognize another of my great commenters... she's a published author-- has two children she's already launched and is in the process of waiting for the launch of another ('Hooked'- the one to the left). She's a native of the midwest but now resides in her adopted home of Phoenix, Arizona. The landscape and people have clearly imprinted on her consciousness as they have influenced at least one of her books quite directly. You can read about Liz's adventures as a writer at her blog and see more about her books at her website.

Her YA debut HOOKED releases from Harlequin TEEN in January 2013! Congratulations Liz and best wishes!!! 

Who am I?

I am or I was, Danette Baltzer, special agent for a highly specialized government agency. Only they didn't call me that when I was in the agency. I had a different name then, one more homogenous to the rest of my... co-workers.  I was a special special agent from a special organization. Active in the field- I dressed in my nice work suit, shoes polished, collar properly laid. I taught seminars and helped the newby incomers become orientated. I wrote in defense of the agency, took special classes that would advance me up the ladder. I was on the fast track. Until that one day...

That day dawned dark. I had no clue how dark it would be until I woke up some days (weeks? months?) later to find the sun blinding me. They told me I had killed someone and as my memories flooded back, I grasped the full realization of what I had done. I had indeed killed someone...

but that is a story for another day. 
All you asked was to know who I am. 
   
So who are you?

Time?

Time is...

slippery when wet

a star jetting across darkened heavens

a snowflake weeping into the sidewalk

 ticking away (okay not that one)

water smoothing the surface of stone

the rings in a tree

a child's hand folded quietly in a mother's hand

lightning ripping the sky

breath on an ice-chilled window

the shadowing light

a tear snaking down a cheek

the golden leaf butterflying down to it's rest on the earth

my sigh 

 I'm thinking about renaming this the '"No... Thank you!" Award' I think it's appropriate to thank ALL (yes all- even if you're new I do thank you!) the commentors on my blog. They keep me going even when I don't want to go anymore. Like today

While I have her on my mind (I just read her blog) I want to introduce you to Sarah. She's a writer. And she has four little girls. And she's a writer.

Hope you say hello.

Thank you, Sarah! 

Fifty/Cincuenta/Cinquante/Funzig...

months. One thousand four hundred twenty nine days. That's the time we have left before we have reached the point of no return. 1429. Does it seem more urgent that way? It's urgent. A group of scientists have come together to tell us all that we are on a path that is leading us straight to a point in global chaos that can not be reversed. Some feel that we are already past that point although I will say that as I read it, the reason they observe the situation in this manner is because the political structure is not in place to change things radically enough in the next 50 months. I happen to concur but nonetheless, it's time to make global change via a global chain (Not unlike the promotional device of coke "I'd like to buy the world a coke...") In all seriousness, we need to stand together, (like the people of Whoville) and say, "We are here (we are here, we are here-- whoops I did say, serious) and we need to have real sustainable change for the sake of the planet we depend on for sustenance!" It's not a simple jingle to shout out, I know, but it is necessary. Otherwise,we are screwed. 

So, in an attempt to find a hand to link to, I have joined the One Hundred Months website to express my solidarity with this movement and to show my commitment to the changes that are necessary and YOU CAN TOO. Just click on the picture:

 Then we can all sing together: "It's the real thing, coke is!"

Now, in keeping with my month "No, thank YOU!!!! fest" (That's funny, I just now dreamt that up- but that's it's new name) to my commentors, I want to thank the blogger from whom this Comment award originally came...
Trish of WORD + STUFF is a constant in my world of blogging. I met her in a bloghop two years ago and have enjoyed following her blog ever since. She is a librarian so when I gripe about library stuff, she completely grocks (even though some library issues are a little different Downunder, I am sure). She is also a writer and unlike me, is quite industrious and generally has about 5000 projects going at one time. Okay maybe only 4691- but close enough. She is really the most driven person I can think of. She does both NaNos each year and has incredible (unrealistic???) writing goals each year. On top of that she writes songs and has a real artistic flair. This is just one example of her incredible drawings:

Hope you don't mind I posted this Trish! It's really a great example of your work!

She is planning on adding to her portfolio with one drawing a week (I told you she had high goals set and if I followed her example, I would be finished with my project already. Sadly, I am just not as industrious as she is!) So, hope you drop by to see her! Thanks for the award Trish and right back at ya!