All the World is Glad & Sad

It’s nice to be right about how awesomely a book will be received by the larger world. I was awed and moved and impressed. And the Cybils Picture Book Award judges agrees.

Congratulations, Liz!

Congratulations to the rest of you fabulous writers as well.


Meanwhile, on the down side of Fortuna’s wheel, my corn snake died yesterday. I’d had him for eleven years — a long time for a normal pet, perhaps, but a very short time for a snake – they’re supposed to live for fifteen-twenty years or something. He was with me from my second and most challenging teaching job, and I’m feeling like an unfit mother for having left him behind in the States (first in a high school biology classroom, more recently with my horrified parents), and let him die. It’s likely very odd to cry over a reptile who never “felt” anything for me, but…one, I never claimed to be anything but very odd, and two, we don’t only love those things which love us, do we? Anyway, I’m not feeling chatty, so it’s a good excuse for me to dive into my work just now, and so I will. Ciao for now.

10 Replies to “All the World is Glad & Sad”

  1. Oh, well, darnnitall. I'm so sorry about the snake. You were sweet to post about my book — and thanks, friend — but honestly, you don't want to lose your snake, especially when you're across the sea. Hugs.

  2. Sorry to hear this news, Tanita. We have a few snakes roaming our woods and we consider them our yard pets. Fascinating creatures. Eleven years is a long time. Sending hugs your way.

  3. Being far away and losing a beloved pet you thought was safe is never a trivial thing. I'm so sorry, and I hope taking time to grieve helps.

    I'd like to read about you teaching with your snake. There are some good stories, yes?

  4. oh, tanita, i'm sorry. and loving something that 'doesn't' love you back puts a special kind of magic into the world, i think. hugs to you.

  5. I am sorry about your corn snake.

    I totally get this thing about loving things that can't love you back. I raised butterflies at the library a couple summers ago, and I was a wreck over their short lives. And they're bugs. They did not have affection for me, but they did have this charming lack of fear of me and whenever I took them outside to release them, they wouldn't leave my hand until I took them to a flower and really encouraged them. It's hard not to get attached to something you're taking care of and responsible for, I think.

    I would love to hear more about your teaching days sometime.

  6. Oh, Tanita, I am so sorry about your snake. We had a near-disaster with three small froggies yesterday when the kitten tipped over their little aquarium. Fortunately we found all three in Jr.'s room, but he was very upset at the thought of losing them. Pets are near and dear to our hearts. We understand completely. Plus, we have a snake, too. Snakey. Garter snake.

  7. Oh Tanita, I'm so sorry to hear this. I had a snake for 8 years before moving here. He eventually went with a student of mine when it was decided (not by me) that he wouldn't be joining us in VA. Such amazing creatures.

    Thinking of you …

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