What I think

I think it should be easier for an American to get mental health care than a semi-automatic weapon.

Don't you?

Love,

Rachel Vail

Reviews

Just as I sat here shivering in my freezing apartment, despairing about ever being able to write all the books I am supposed to be writing while cursing myself

for opting for the cuter, smaller, more ecologically correct LITTLE radiators when we renovated... I got a lovely review on JUSTIN CASE from The Rusty Key. So now I am warm all over.

I think it's because of this wonderful write-up. But my new-found warmth could be also slightly

due to my three sweaters, fuzzy socks and slippers and corduroy jeggings (cordureggings? will the silliness of pants neologisms ever end?)

http://therustykey.com/Justin_Case.html

Love,

Rachel Vail

A Poem (or Invention) by me and my son Z

What There Needs to Be

There should be a thing

Like Google

Where you could type in

What is that poem I was thinking of

Or

Who is that actor who was in that thing with that guy I like who isn’t Michael Cera

And it would tell you.

Vacation-land

Are you on vacation yet? Any plans? If you could go anywhere/do anything on your vacation this year, what would you do?

I would definitely go someplace warm and sandy where lovely people would bring me fattening drinks with little paper umbrellas in them.

Instead I am going someplace cold and snowy where lovely people will ask me to bring them

toast slices with peanut butter on them.

But there is something wonderful about that, too. (She reminds herself.)

Speaking of nonsequators, I got some good news today: JUSTIN CASE was selected as a Best Early Novel of 2010! Here's the link to that fantastic announcement:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/12/19/868330/winning-choices-for-school-aged.html

AND... it's still in the running for a ReadKiddoRead Book of the Year Award -- but it's got some stiff competition... not mentioning any names but JUSTIN's worthy competition include some of the top bestsellers in kids' books and series... so stand tall, JUSTIN! You are the new kid on the block and still hanging in there.

If you vote for JUSTIN, at this link

http://www.readkiddoread.com/uploads/kiddos.php

I'll be so happy. As happy as if I had an umbrella drink? Maybe.

And that is pretty darn happy.

What would make you happy this season? Peace, love, health, and...???

Love,

Rachel Vail

Something Else to Feel Thankful For

Even post-Thanksgiving, I think it's important to retain a feeling of gratitude.

Even when your little kid is crampy and STILL not feeling like himself after WAY too long, a person must find things to feel lucky about.

Even if a person's back is in a tight knot so she is tilted 40 degrees forward, walking like her old social studies teacher from high school, one must remember that life is good.

Even when the news is depressing and the weather is crappy, and and and... no matter what, it is important to find a way to look at the bright side.

Which is why it is lov

ely to have been shown this website by my big kid. It is a whole website of Kim Jong Il Looking at Things.

Why this makes me unspeakably happy I am not 100% sure, but wow, it so does. You?

http://kimjongillookingatthings.tumblr.com/

Love,

Rachel Vail

PS I must go to sleep now. I will have to write about our own family Hanukah Miracle tomorrow or over the weekend. Meanwhile, for those who are celebrating, have a happy one...

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for today?

My big things are of course my family and friends. My little guy, who's been sick for a while, is on the mend, so I am particularly thankful for that.

Little stuff I'm thankful for:

the pot of tea my husband just made

the good run we just took (despite the cccccold)

the stack of good books beside my bed

that I finally finished eating all the apple pie so there's no more for me to gobble up

that Bruce Springsteen has a new album out for me to get

parades

good food and lots of it later today

the lovely letters and emails I've been getting lately

that nobody pressures me anymore to eat turkey even though it's Thanksgiving

cozy socks

and, here's a fun one:

JUSTIN CASE has been getting some really awesome reviews, including this one which is featured on Book Daily today!

http://www.bookdaily.com/book/2013463/justin-case-school-drool-and-other-daily-disasters

... and is even up for a KIDDO Award. You can vote for it right here (please do!!!!)...

http://www.readkiddoread.com/uploads/kiddos.php

... and, as of this moment, JUSTIN is in the lead! Nobody would b more surprised by that than Justin. Vote Justin for the win! Vote every day! (And tell your friends...)

Finally, I'm thankful for today. It's the only one, ever. Pretty cool. Gonna live the heck out of it.

How about you?

Love,

Rachel Vail

PS Let me know if you vote for JUSTIN!

Happy Halloween!

How bad would it be if I steal just a bit of my kids' candy? Vote quick because I am craving chocolate...

Just saw this lovely review of JUSTIN CASE, now that I am in from trick-or-treating and my angel wings are lying, still hooked onto my black leather jacket, in the hall...

http://sliscrimsonreview.blogspot.com/2010/10/justin-case-school-drool-and-other.html

Did you do Halloween? Did you dress up? As what? Did it feel like less pressure this year than last, since it was Sunday night instead of Saturday? Or did the Halloween spirit pervade the entire weekend?

Tell me your stories...

Love,

Rachel Vail