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Who knew Chinle would be such a cosmopolitan place?  People from all over the world.  And I don't mean just tourists who come from everywhere to see Canyon De Chelly.We are very lucky to have neighbors from Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Jamaica, the Philippines, Nigeria and Kenya, Canada, Belarus not to mention Navajo of course, to name a few.  And right now I count 8 returned Peace Corps volunteers from around the world as well.Imagine the food we have at pot lucks!  Imagine the potential for sharing customs and cultures.  Tuesday evening found me [...]

Around about this time of year many of us begin yearning for the perfect get-away.   Here is where Steve and I were in Portugal last July with friends Jonny and Vio who provide a unique way to enjoy this country with warm and welcoming hospitality, great food and options to hike, kayak, surf and relax.From sheep to castles, Portugal has it all:And did I mention the food?   Surf side, in the home with Jonny and Vio or cafe and restaurant.Here is an excerpt from my writing on their website:Jonathan and Vio [...]

If you follow my blog you might know I collect stuff...most of it junk...sometimes I even put it to use.  I always have big plans and sometimes I follow through( kind of like my writing). When I first moved here to the high desert the landscape took some getting used to.  When I walked in the early evening, if the sun was just right, I noticed the entire side of the mesa sparkled.  What was this mystical phenomenon of the desert?  Maybe there was a poem there or a whole book? Silly me. [...]

Last week I visited Fox Chapel Country Day School in Pennsylvania.  Kind of humbling.... I didn't get top billing but birthdays are important.And check out the Tap-Taps kids had made. And Painted Dreams.These kids were well prepared even though it was first day back to school after Thanksgiving break.Me: KrickStudents: KrackThis is how story telling begins in Haiti.  A promise between storyteller and audience.  And stories I told.  From my life growing up, life as a writer to Haiti, Malawi, Kenya, and the Navajo Nation...As I have said these kids were well prepared [...]

It is Thanksgiving at the Williams home.   My youngest son knows to come home from college with his own favorite blanket, quilt and pillow.  He knows that there might not be a bed for him at the inn.  And he knows if there is a bed it probably won't be his.  In fact he doesn't know who might be in his bed or ....to put it another way he does not have a bed in our house that is his own.  Some things never change.A week or two before the holiday I [...]

It may have been Vegas with the lights and bling but at the booths and at the workshops it was all inspiring, energy and passionate dedicated teachers, librarians, parents, writers, publishers and editors.   All offering great hope for education of future generations.Many thanks to Eerdmans Books for Children for making it possible for me to be a part of this conference.The bling was pretty much all outside.Except for the inside where there was more sensory overload with music and lots of smoke.Flashing lights a must. New York was there too!This is where we [...]