EBB~N~FLO BLOG - JUNE 2012

EBB~N~FLO BLOG - JUNE 2012

Can you say “A-W-E-S-O-M-E?”  May has been an inspiring month for Ebb and Flo. Our muses have kept us amused for this flowers and showers month.

Sorry we've been away so long, but we'll explain below and you'll let us off the hook......we're sure of it!

On 15 May 2012, Ebb had the opportunity to meet with childrens' books writer/illustrator, Tim Egan. He spent the day at Norris Elementary School in Bakersfield. Ebb came away with three autographed books, an autographed illustration, and invaluable knowledge Tim so willingly shared. She can’t wait to get out the sketch book and get busy illustrating her own childrens' stories, as well as working on those she and Flo have already begun.

Among Tim’s books are: The Pink Refrigerator (if you are fortunate to have this one, hold onto it! It’s out of print and could be a collectors' item one day), Friday Night at Hodge’s Café, Burnt Toast on Davenport Street, Serious Farm, Chestnut Cove, Metropolitan Cow, Distant Feathers, The Blunder of the Rogues, A Mile from Ellington Station, The Experiments of Doctor Vermin, The Trial of Cardigan Jones, and most recently; a series of Dodsworth in London, Paris, New York…you catch my drift…and never, ever, without Duck! Duck just happened to come into Dodsworth’s life when Egan had him visit Hodge’s Café. Duck stowed away in Dodsworth’s suitcase and has been with him ever since. Check out Egan’s books with your little ones, and enjoy the journey!

The following Saturday, Ebb and Flo were both blessed with the chance to attend a seminar in Flo’s adopted hometown of Clovis, CA. Humor writer Gene Perret gave a double workshop on writing and getting published. He should know! Gene got his start in writing for comedienne Phyllis Diller. He then went on to write for Bob Hope, Carol Burnett, even Jay Leno. At age 80, he is still writing and speaking with the enthusiasm and the energy of a 60-year-old. He has written over 40 books. Ebb and Flo chatted quite awhile with Gene after the second workshop. What a character!He believes that you can’t get anywhere in this world without humor. Sound familiar??? That’s what Ebb and Flo believe!!!Check him out! He is one fun-nee guy!

Flo also had the chance to meet childrens' book author Margarita Engle earlier in the month. Engle also lives in Clovis, and since 2006, has published seven books for young people, many reflecting her family history and stories of famous and infamous citizens of Cuba, dating back years and years. Her imaginative titles include "The Poet Slave of Cuba," "The Surrender Tree,," (which won a Newbery Honor from the American Library Association; Margarita is the first Hispanic author to receive such recognition.) Other titles include “Tropical Secrets," “The Firefly Letters," "Summer Birds," and "Hurricane Dancers."

Margarita's newest heroine, in "The Wild Book," is based on her grandmother, who was dyslexic as a child and who lived to be 103.

Her books have universal appeal for all ages. This bilingual author is bringing honor and literacy to the Fresno area. Check her out! Viva, Margarita!

 Now will you forgive us? We are busy and prolific if nothing else. On a personal note, both Ebb and Flo are moving furniture and redesigning their homes: Ebb, because she's in a new home in a new town, and Flo, because she needs a drastic change of scenery. She's been living in her home since her daughter was four months old, and when asked about her weight problem, she just tells everyone “It's baby fat, but my baby's 38 years old!”

So onward and upward we go. Check us out on FaceBook, too!