Sentimental Serendipity

The Magic of the Pittock Mansion

The Pittock Mansion is nestled in the West Hills of Portland, Oregon, and annually decorates for the holidays. This year they chose the theme: Wonderful World of Books. Needless to say, a visit to the iconic estate of Henry Pittock has been on my calendar for months. It was extraordinary, so much so, that I've chosen to share a blog post the same day as my visit with the hope that some of my local writer friends (and their wee ones) might also enjoy the magic of the Pittock Mansion this holiday season.

As we entered the mansion, the first room we encountered was decorated in a Harry Potter theme. Just enchanting! Every aspect of the room made us feel as though we'd been transported by portkey to visit Hogwarts!

Even the Christmas tree featured a familiar figure atop its bough: Albus Dumbledore, of course. In the background you can see the banners from each school at Hogwarts hanging in the windows. The wood architecture also added a warm touch to the décor. I'm pretty sure Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, would have approved.

Another famous British author's work was prominently featured; that of Lewis Carroll. His famous characters from Alice in Wonderland created a fairy-tale feeling in this bedroom of the mansion. In fact, the mansion made me feel as though I'd been transported back in time to the era when most of the featured children's classics had been written!

Precocious Peter Rabbit was also included in the collection of children's book favorites. The Christmas meal set on this table includes carrots, as well as berries!

Nearly every classic children's book was honored by having a Christmas tree of its own - including Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit!

And of course, what is Christmas without Ludwig Bemelmans's Madeline? She was honored with the entire music room of the mansion - including a classical pianist playing Christmas songs!

Here is the Christmas tree in honor of the little French girl who children around the world have come to love and adore.

The first "big book" I read as a little girl was Heidi. I was thrilled to see she too had been honored with a room of her own at this holiday celebration of books!

Just a few items that created the feeling of the mountain-top home Heidi lived in with her grandfather, who was called Alm-Uncle. Johanna Spyri's book is still one of my all-time favorite children's books.

The Christmas display of Tolkien's book, Letters from Father Christmas, sits below the large portrait of Henry Pittock. This was by far my favorite display of the entire exhibit.

That being said, other classics that were featured included: Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, The Secret Garden, and others!

It's strange to see the book again, when I only recently discovered its existence earlier this year. (I'm sure others have known about it for a long time!) Click here to read my review of the lovely little book by J.R.R. Tolkien.

This was the first time we'd ever visited the Pittock Mansion - even though we live thirty minutes away. It's a reminder to notice the beauty of everything all around you during the holiday season, but also, all year long.

Happy Holidays!

(Click here if you'd like to visit this exhibit - it runs through 1/5/20.)

Sentimental Serendipity

   Grand Giveaway Winner!

For those who participated in the Book Blast for Kriston Johnson's debut YA novel - Awakened, today is the day that the lucky winner of a free e-copy, a $25.00 Amazon gift card, and a signed bookmark is announced! So without further ado, the winner is....drum roll, please...
       ******Emmi Visser! ******
I will forward your information to the author, Kriston Johnson and she will send your gifts to you. It appears that the giveaway is about to travel to Europe! Congratulations, Emmi! 

For those of you who would like to purchase a copy of Awakened, here are the links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords.
Congratulations to Kriston Johnson, and thanks to all who participated in the Book Blast - I hope you all have a chance to read Awakened!

Sentimental Serendipity

Cartoon courtesy of Dave Walker

Celebrating Two Years in Blogosphere!

You can see by the cartoon I chose to feature on this momentous occasion, that topics to blog over the last two years were not always easy to come by!


Questions have rolled around in my mind like: Should I review this book? Should I participate in another blog tag? What is happening on my writing journey that others would find interesting? Then of course the biggest question of all: What whimsical word should I feature this week?! It would be easy to go on with a myriad of tongue in cheek comments, but the truth is my blogging experience over the last two years has been nothing less than extraordinary.

Here are a few of the benefits I have received from blogging:

Encouragement, enlightenment, inspiration, & the list goes on.

However, the biggest benefit by far is the opportunity to not only meet writers, but to become friends with so many. Since it is my two-year blog-anniversary I am excited to issue the blog award that I designed last year:

This award is given to a writer/blogger who possesses these three attributes:
1- The writer has been recognized for the excellence of her "quill" by being agent-represented and/or published.
2- She has reached out and generously encouraged others in blogosphere, while maintaining a quality blog.
3- The integrity of her character is of such a high level that her very life inspires others.

(Note: I chose to design this award because I was so encouraged by last year's winners; not because I in any way possess the traits mentioned above.)

The very first winners of the Queen of the Quill award were two wonderful writers, bloggers, and friends: Julie Musil & Carol Riggs.

I am happy and thrilled to announce that the two very special people who have been chosen to receive the 2013 Queen of the Quill award are...(Can you tell I enjoy a bit  of drama?)

Loree Huebner and Ruth Schiffman! Each of these writers has enlightened, encouraged, and inspired so many. Congratulations, ladies! In addition to the blog award, each of the winners will receive a $25.00 gift card to either Barnes & Noble, or Starbucks.

If somehow you have not visited the blogs of these special writers, be sure to do so. The names of this year's winners, as well as last year's winners, have been linked to their blogs.

Thanks to every one of my blogging buddies - you're all awesome!

 

Sentimental Serendipity

Public Domain

Giveaway Winner!

On Monday of this week I interviewed author, Bobbie Pyron, and featured a giveaway of her book - The Dogs of Winter. The winner (drawn randomly) is...drum roll please...
S.P. Bowers!


Here is the actual copy of the book I'll be sending Sara sometime next week. Congratulations, Sara!

 

 

The same day I featured the book giveaway, I just happened to win a gift of my own from Loree Huebner. What a fun day Monday turned out to be. Thanks ever so much for the Starbucks card, Loree!

 

On an inspirational note, I visited the blog of Theresa Milstein yesterday and discovered she had featured the Writer's Creed.

 

 

After reading this wonderful creed, I just had to add my name to the growing list of writers who have joined. If you are interested in learning more about it, or signing the creed, click Writer's Creed 2013.

 

So far 2013 has been a great year in blogosphere - lots of informative and inspirational posts!

  

Sentimental Serendipity

A new year is unfolding - like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.

Unknown




Wishing you and yours all the best in 2013!

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Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a blessed and happy holiday!

Victoria Lindstrom

Sentimental Serendipity

For those blogging buddies who enjoy my Sunday posts under the title of "Incredible Inspiration," there has been a change in my format. The make-over of my blog has been an attempt to streamline and update things - and to focus on only literary topics. So, I have started a new blog that will carry my nature photos. I will primarily post on Sundays - merely taking the type of photos from my old format, and posting them on the new site. The title of that blog is -
The Shy Shutterbug. If you would like to visit me at my auxillary blog, I'd love for you to be my guest!
Here is the link : http://theshyshutterbug.blogspot.com/

Sentimental Serendipity

Earlier this week one of my good blogging buddies - Ruth Schiffmann - blessed me with three awards.
A big "thank-you" to Ruth!

To receive The Booker Award the blog must be at least 50% about books (reading or writing). And you must list your five favorite books.

My Five Favorite Books:

1- A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens
2- Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
3- The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame
4- Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon
5- Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand

The Fabulous Blog Ribbon is also about Fives.

Five Fabulous Moments:

1- Meeting my sweetheart, now husband, Michael.
2- Holding each of my three sons after they were born.
3- Watching two of my three sons graduate from college.
    (The third is a senior.)
4- Canoeing on Lake Quinault at sunset with my husband.
5- Meeting the wonderful writers at the SCBWI Oregon Retreat last year.

Five Things I Love:

1- The times our family can all be together.
2- Reading a good book, while drinking a cup of hot coffee.
3- Walking in the woods with only the evergreen trees to keep me
     company.
4- Going out to dinner with my husband.
5- A great surprise.

Five Things I Dislike:

1-  A solicitor's call. (I just had one!)
2- When people are late without reason.
3- Cleaning house.
4- Cooking.
5- Balancing my checkbook.

For the Kreativ Blogger Award you must list seven random things about yourself.

Here are my somewhat surprising seven:

1- My hair is extremely frizzy. (Ever heard of Roseanna Roseanna Danna?)
2- I am a R.D.H. (Registered Dental Hygienist)  I like writing better!
3- I was a high school cheerleader. (I know, hard to believe!)
4- I have visited the Holy Land.
5- I am impatient, but working on it.
6- I play the flute and the clarinet. (Not very well anymore!)
7- I still live in my hometown. (My parents and siblings have all moved -
    do you think that means anything?) HeHe!

Here are the five blogging buddies that I am passing these awards on to:

1- Kriston Johnson
2- Christy Peterson
3- Loree Huebner
4- Sara Bowers
5- Linda Jackson

Thanks for visiting Writ of Whimsy - hope you're having a great summer!

Sentimental Serendipity

Earlier this week, writer & blogger Brandi Boddie tagged me to answer eleven fun questions, and then pass the quiz on to eleven blogging buddies. Here we go!


1) Book or Movie, and why? Definitely book! I love the interesting details in a book that are usually not included in a film.

2) Real book, or e-book? Real book. I enjoy holding a book, and am a collector of books. It's fun to see my small library getting larger!

3) Funniest thing done in the last five years? Oh boy, I've never told anyone this! We are big Seattle Seahawk fans - whenever they score a touchdown, I do a silly dance! (Unfortunately, I haven't been doing a lot of dancing the last few years!)

4) How would your best friend describe you? She would probably use the word tenacious. (Hopefully not stubborn!) When I get something in my mind, it takes a lot for me to give up.

5) Do you put yourself into the books you read/write or the movies you watch? I don't knowingly put myself into my books - but my family and friends have said that they see me in my main characters.

6) Favorite car and why? It would probably be a Range Rover. It seems to be the perfect blend of rugged and regal. (However, I drive a ten-year-old Saab!)

7) Would your choice of party be a catered meal or a barbecue out back? Since we have barbecues quite frequently in the summer, I would say a catered meal. It's fun being pampered!

8) What's your favorite season and why? Autumn. I love the changing colors, football, and leaving summer clothing behind!

9) What specific lesson have you learned - spiritual, educational, occupational? Persevere - no matter what! One of my favorite quotes is from Winston Churchill: "Never, never, never, never give up!"

10) Besides writing, what's your favorite thing to do when you get some extra time?  My three favorite things to do: read, spend time in nature, and spending time with my husband and our three grown sons.

11) What's one place you can be found at least one time every week? Our community library. I volunteer there every Tuesday - it's a blast!

I'll be contacting eleven of my blogging buddies soon - thanks again, to Brandi Boddie!

I'd love to hear your answer to #9 - please feel free to share!

Sentimental Serendipity

And the Award goes to....

My good blogging buddy, Carol Riggs at Artzicarol Ramblings, recently passed on two of her many awards to me. Thanks so much, girlfriend!
The Liebster Rules:

1. Give to a blogger with less than 200 followers.
2. That blogger will pass it on to 5 followers.
3. According to Babelfish, Liebster means Dearest.

Congratulations to the new Liebster Award winners:
Debbie - Bookworm Bites Back
Tina - Capable Garnet
Sandra - Conversations about Characters
(Unfortunately, I was unable to find two more bloggers who fulfilled the requirements.
If you do meet the rules, please receive this award as one of the other two winners!)

The Lucky 7 Meme Award Rules:

1. Go to page 77 of your current manuscript.
2. Go to line 7.
3. Copy the next 7 lines on your blog as they're written. No cheating!
4. Tag 7 other writers to pass this meme on to.



My Excerpt:
From page 77 of my historical fiction/fantasy MG novel,
Livvi Biddle - A Most Extraordinary Girl:

"Time travel?" asked the emotionally exhausted granddaughter.

"Why, yes. It's the only explanation for my experience sixty years ago, and your experience today.

If we're both telling the truth, then you indeed were transported back in time -

I just wish I knew why," elaborated the elder Olivia.

"So, let me get this straight. You believe in all this...magic stuff?" Livvi asked.

Congrats to these Lucky 7 winners who get to do the same:

1. Kriston - Words Escape Me
2. Tanya - Life's like that
3. Tara - Tara Tyler Talks
4. Elizabeth - Chandara Writes
5. Marcy - mainewords
6. Linda - Writers Do Laundry, Too
7. Brandi - Brandi Boddie - Penning Praises

You Lucky Seven have been officially tagged!

Thanks again, to my blogging buddies. Happy Writing!

Sentimental Serendipity

Yikes, I'm tagged again! This time byValentina. If you are not already following her blog, you're missing out on the wit of a wonderful writer!

Here are the questions she asked of me:

What is the title of your WIP? Tell us about it. My MG story is called:   Livvi Biddle - A Most Extraordinary Girl. Here is the synopsis in flap copy style:
     Livvi Biddle has never believed in fairy tales, magic, or hocus pocus of any kind. All she knows is that she's grieving the loss of her mother, dealing with her demented granny, and resisting the rude remarks of the neighborhood bully - Mortimer Muench.
     But this young girl's life does become quite magical when she travels to Great Britain and receives a mysterious locket from her paternal grandmother. Then, while Livvi and her father visit the prehistoric monument Stonehenge, the astonished American is thrust back in time where she meets a remarkable historical figure. The supernatural journey into the past is the catalyst to help Livvi deal with the present.
     Convincing her family and friends that the bizarre encounter actually happened, will take more than tenacity - it might just take another trip through time!
(I have had a bit of a setback - more revisions are needed before the beta readers!)

When did you start blogging and why? I began blogging in February 2011. I wanted to begin to build a writer's platform, but I was a bit apprehensive since I'm normally quite introverted. Blogging has been so much more than I would have imagined. While I am building a platform, I have also met a multitude of wonderful writers, and have had to come out of my shrinking violet mode!

If you could do anything tomorrow, what would you do? Take my husband and our three sons to Europe. I would love to see all of the historical sites, visit the museums, and browse through the quirky bookstores in the U.K. (I think I know a writer who lives in London! ^_^ )

Describe your happy place. It is definitely Quinault, Washington, U.S.A. We own a small cabin in the old growth rain forest which is a World Heritage Site - it is just magical. While it is very remote, there are miles of paths, a view of the lake from our deck, and an historic lodge just down the path that FDR visited in 1938, when he designated the Olympic National Park. A great place to go for an Irish coffee! ^_^)

What was your first happy memory? When I was very young we lived across the street from my maternal grandparents. I remember many, many special times with my grandmother. The first one I can recall was one summer gathering dozens of ladybugs off of the screen door, and placing them in a Mason jar that Grandma had provided.

What was the scariest thing you've ever done? Attending my first SCBWI Writers' Retreat. I went to the event not knowing even one person; I frequently wanted to stay in my room due to my social anxiety. However, I made a conscious effort to reach out and found everyone very accepting and welcoming. I wouldn't be surprised if they thought I was an extrovert due to my focus on reaching out to overcome my fear.

What is the funniest thing you did today? I purchased a pair of lavender-colored rubber boots! They are so quirky, and they should come in handy here in the Pacific Northwest!

What is the strangest place you have ever got an idea for a story. It would have to be our cabin. The Tale of Willaby Creek (unpublished) was inspired by a storm that occurred there in 2006. The MC is an anthropomorphic bear. No, not Yogi, or Smokey - Basil! I've heard all the jokes!

Where do you write? I write in our basement studio that I share with my husband - he's an oil painter. While he labors at his easel, I am across the room on my laptop which sits on a writer's table. Every once in a while there are some conflicts. However, we had most of our trials when we collaborated on my PB entitled, The Scandinavian Santa (Unpublished.)   I would tell him what I wanted, and he would reply: I'm the ARTIST! All in all it was a great experience, one we laugh about now.

If you just won a ticket to anywhere in the world and you had to take me, where would you take me and why? The alternate world of Wordlandia, where every writer is published! HeHe!

Thanks for your friendship Valentina Hepburn - this was great fun!
Look out blogging buddies, you just might get tagged!

Sentimental Serendipity

Yesterday I was blog tagged by Marcy, one of my blogging buddies! She asked that I answer the following questions:



1 -What is the first movie you went to
     without a chaperon? Romeo and Juliet

2 - Where did you go to college? (Or high school)
      Clark College -  Degree in Dental Hygiene

3 - What is your favorite spice?  Basil

4 - What is your favorite hair/eye combination?
      Brunette hair, with blue eyes.

5 - Do your initials spell anything? No. (VLL)

6 - What is your favorite animal? The Great Horned Owl

7 - What is the character trait you admire most in a person?
      Humor. (I'm not funny at all!)

8 - What are you afraid of losing when you get older?
      Seeing the world through the eyes of a child.

9 - What is your favorite character's name that you chose?  Basil

10 - Describe your favorite weather in a sentence - make us feel it!
        The bitter, winter wind whistled down the gorge.

11 - Describe your favorite dessert - how does it taste?
        I love warm apple pie - I think we all know what that tastes like!

Thanks to Marcy at mainewords for tagging me; now it's my turn to tag:

Kriston
Tina
Tanya

Check out these great bloggers listed above.
Hope you have fun with this game, ladies!

Sentimental Serendipity

Welcome Friends!

Today we are celebrating
Writ of Whimsy's first birthday in Blogosphere! (Cheers erupt from hundreds of giddy guests!) To get the festivities started I'd like to acknowledge a few special scribes:

First up, is my talented writer pal, Kristine Birch - Tina to her friends. I met this lovely lady several years ago when we both attended a college creative writing course - I knew I liked her immediately. Her quiet, reserved manner was a shield hiding her wealth of knowledge - not only in literature - but in a plethora of other passions! Seriously, this gifted gal writes, blogs, cooks, bakes, sews, knits, gardens - and even did some of the minor remodeling on her idyllic home! In the midst of all that, she found the time to aid me in the design and creation of my original blog. For that reason I would like to pass on these two awards to my special friend:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Next up is another special writer I befriended at the aforementioned college writing course, please welcome the gifted storyteller -

Kriston Johnson!

Kriston and I have been close writing pals for some time- through thick and thin. Her vibrant and youthful energy have both cheered me, and challenged me to go on. In her own life she finds time to write, blog, be a great wife and step mom, and work full-time at a job where she recently headed up a charity fund drive during the holidays. This faerie-friend is usually found peeking through a portal to an alternate world or hanging out with her numerous online pals.  Right now her YA manuscript is with an editor.

Kriston's blog recently had a major makeover - it is truly on fire!

In gratitude for being that friend who I know would go to Mordor with me-

I bestow on Kriston the following award:

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

My next featured friend hails from Saskatchewan Province in Canada. Please give a warm Yankee welcome to the amazing writer:

Tanya Reimer!

Although I have only met Tanya in Blogosphere, this wonderful blogging buddy wasted no time in making me feel welcome. In addition to her writing and editing, she stays busy as a wife, mother, and working as a community developer for a fantastic Fransakois community. This courageous crusader recently had to battle a health problem - but never missed a beat at being there for others. She seems to have a special intuition: every time she commented on my blog was a time I really needed some encouragement. In honor of that fact I bestow on Tanya the following award:

                                                         * * * * * * * * * * * *

My final friends are veterans in this blogging business, as well as in the writing world.

Please welcome these two super scribes and fellow friends:

Carol Riggs and Julie Musil!

Both of these ladies have informative and inspiring blogs with hundreds of happy followers. However, what sets them apart in my mind, is that they both took the time to reach out and befriend a newbie blogger.

I met Carol while attending the SCBWI Oregon Fall Retreat last year. It wasn't until the last morning that we had a chance to chat. This unassuming lady was very interested in my writing - never once did she mention all the manuscripts she'd written, critiques she'd done, or that she was represented by the wonderful agent - Kelly Sonnack of Andrea Brown Literary Agency. When I returned home I looked her up on her blog and discovered just how experienced a writer she really was, as well as being an amazing artist...and a wife and mother. It has been a blessing to get to know you better, Carol!

Our final guest is a great gal from sunny California. Julie is a published author, wife, mother of three sons, and is represented by the awesome agent -Karen Grencik, Co-Founder of Red Fox Literary. Although she is extremely busy, already has more followers on her blog than should be legal (^_^) she too, reached out and made me feel welcome in Blogosphere. Whenever I read her posts I feel like I'm listening to a kindred spirit - maybe it's because I also have three sons.

(In fact my eldest son recently moved to the California coast - when I get down that way I may have to look her up and "do lunch!")

Her generosity in sharing her wealth of knowledge has set the standard extremely high for the rest of us.

These two ladies already have so many awards that I decided to design a new one for them myself.

In honor of their high level of excellence as bloggers, writers, and for just being amazing women, I bestow on each of them the following award:

* * * * * * * * * *

(I have taken liberty at issuing these awards - clearly the only two I have received, that I issued, are those that I awarded Tina. Still, I hope my fellow bloggers will allow me this heartfelt indiscretion.)

In addition to the awards, these five fantastic ladies will also each receive a $10.00 gift card from either: Starbucks or Barnes and Noble.

This is just a small thank you gift to them for their kindness & support.

Listed below are the links to the wonderful blogs of these winners:

Julie Musil - Julie Musil - http://juliemusil.blogspot.com/

Carol Riggs - Artzicarol Ramblings - http://carolriggs.blogspot.com/

Tanya Reimer - Life's like that - http://www.tanyareimer.blogspot.com/

Kriston Johnson Words Escape Me http://kristonjohnson.blogspot.com/

Kristine Birch - Capable Garnet - http://capablegarnet.blogspot.com/

I would also like to mention so many more of you who have helped me, or befriended me, on this blogging journey - you know who you are. Thanks, ever so much!

As the winter sun fades, the writers of Wordlandia

enjoy a slice of cyber-cake, as well as a hefty helping of friendship!

Thanks for popping over to Writ of Whimsy's birthday party!

(This was so much fun - I think I'll do it again next year!)

Sentimental Serendipity

                          After two years of writing, revising, editing, and playing tug-o-war with my sweet artist husband ^_^ we have finally completed a mock book of our Christmas story - The Scandinavian Santa. It is classified as a storybook/picture book, however at 3400 words we will be hard-pressed to get it published traditionally -since the recommended word count these days is no higher than 1200 words. However, Michael's impressionistic style paintings in the book are exquisite, & we did stick with a 16 page format, so we'll see what happens. Since this collaborative effort resulted in something extremely special to us, we are open to self-publishing this work if that is our only option available. The main character, Santa Swanson - (St. Nicholas' nephew) was inspired by my own maternal great-grandfather, Peter Swanson, who immigrated to this country from Norway.

Sentimental Serendipity

Recently we visited a commercial farm in northwest Oregon; I enjoy writing in natural settings while my husband paints en pleine air. This is a favorite spot for families to visit in autumn to purchase their Halloween pumpkins. Inside the barn is a variety of farm animals - so cute!
(Unfortunately, they were difficult to photograph.)

The market, and the farm, are only open from June through October. Inside they sell a wide variety of produce, baskets, and fresh cut flowers. Visiting this setting was like stepping back in time; the farm is located on an agricultural island - they don't even sell gasoline locally.

My husband, Michael, got so excited when he saw this vintage truck. (He is hoping to paint another composition of the old vehicle in his studio.) It is full of miniature pumpkins that were loaded while we were there. Everywhere you turned nostalgia was there to greet you.

This is part of the bucolic scene we looked out onto for much of the day. As Michael painted, I was busy writing and reading. It is amazing how much beauty is only a day trip away from our home. As summer gives way to fall, it was good to spend a few hours in the warm sunshine before the rains of the Pacific Northwest arrive!

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Saturday in Seattle           


A couple of weeks ago we had a chance to visit our boys in Seattle. We enjoyed a picnic lunch on the rooftop deck of Kevin's condo; this bi-plane was just one of many landing on Lake Union that day!

L-R:  Kevin, Brian, & David

Later that afternoon we visited the Washington Park Arboretum, near the University of Washington. The nature walk was beautiful; a wide variety of trees, plants, and wildlife-right in the heart of a big city!

(Can you tell which one is the ham?)

At the end of the nature walk, you end up at Elliott Bay. This tugboat is a familiar sight in Seattle; along with various other watercraft.
The day included other adventures: purchasing art supplies for Michael, attending an art show, & even dealing with Brian's car problems! All in all it was an action-packed, fun filled day.

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Although my husband, Michael Lindstrom, and I both have blogs - we rarely mention one another on our respective sites. But...congratulations are in order! Michael had been invited to be a guest artist at the annual Art in the Heart art show, sponsored by Art on the Boulevard  pictured here. He has shown his oil paintings at small public venues before, but this is his first gallery sponsored event. If you're a local, check out his art next month; the show is Aug. 5th and 6th.     
For more information, and to view his paintings - check out his blog:
http://michaellindstromartist.blogspot.com/

Sentimental Serendipity

Earlier this week I attended a "sneak-peek" of the new Fort Vancouver Regional Library - the Grand Opening is on July 17th. Although I will miss our old community library - this new one is breathtaking - take a look...

This wall is both inspiring and artistic; the entire library pushes the architectural boundaries of tradition out the window! By the way, the old facility will become the new home for the business and administrative offices, for all thirteen library branches in Clark County.

The children's section takes up a full floor of the library; complete with lots of opportunities for educational interaction - like the little boat! This will be a familiar area to me, since I volunteer at the library on Tuesday mornings, helping out with the children.

Earlier in my blog I mentioned this new library and I said that it has four stories; technically it is considered to have five stories - with the basement floor. The openness and light in this modern facility are wonderful - it will help to brighten even the grayest of Northwest days!

Although I am an avid reader of adult novels, I must confess to spending alot of time in the children's section. Check out my blog on Mondays; Bibliophile's Corner includes a book review of great children's literature every week.

This beautiful south facing observation deck includes bamboo trees, metal sculptures, and an amazing view of the Columbia River! If you are a local, be sure and check out your new library later this month, when it will be open to the public. I hope you enjoyed this tour of one of my new favorite places.