Bargain Prices

Writing When Rivers Burned: The Earth Day Story transformed my thinking in a number of ways.
I recently found a sweater on sale--great styling at a bargain price.
But after the initial joy of purchasing it, I got to thinking. The sweater didn't cost me much, but how much did it cost the environment?
It cost vegetation in feeding the sheep for its wool. It cost petroleum in manufacturing the synthetic component of the yarn. It cost energy in spinning the yarn. Someone had to sew it. What were conditions like in that factory? Then it was shipped here from China, unloaded at the docks, and sent through the mail to me.
Did I really need a sweater that cost so much?

Resurfacing

I just finished When Rivers Burned: The Earth Day Story. I'm elated, but whatever will I do with all my time now?
Blog on a more regular basis!
Of course there are sure to be revisions ahead, but they won't be quite so all consuming.
But then it won't be long until I need to dive into my next American Notable Women book, Women of the Ocean State. My first lady is Ann Franklin, printer related to you know who.
Still, I hope to post more frequently, weekly even...

Early Morning Musings

Oak branches reach out their leaf-hands
Baptizing my head with dew.

Animal Action

I went to the zoo this week and that got me thinking of animal verbs.
Stop horsing around!
He weaseled his way in.
He snaked it through the pipe.

I thought it might be fun to create my own animal verbs:
He rhinoed his way into the room.
She swanned up to him.
She kangarooed across the dance floor.

Anybody want to share an animal verb?

Flowers bedded

I spent the weekend setting out all the flowers I grew from seed over the winter. It's lovely to see them nestled in their garden beds. I have a vision in my mind's eye of all their contrasting colors and textures.
As I do my research for my Earth Day book, I'm hyper aware of the environment around me, and my impact upon it. Every time I go to turn on a light, use a disposable, or have the urge to buy something, I ask myself, "Do I really need that?"
What ways have others found to lower their impact on the earth?

If you participated in the first Earth Day, I'd still love to hear from you. You can email me through my website

And the new and shiny tentative title for the book is: When Rivers Burned: Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day.

Earth Day Request

It's been a busy couple of months. I completed revisions on a fiction project and finished my bios for Women of the Prairie State. (It will be part of Apprentice Shop Books' American Notable Women series.) Plus I worked up a proposal for a new book.

Great news! My proposal was accepted! I'll be writing a book for grades seven and up, tentatively entitled, Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day for Apprentice Shop's new Once in America series.

The book will focus on the first Earth Day and its impact. I'm looking to interview folks from around the country who participated in that first Earth Day. (Since there were 20,000,000 demonstrators, some of you must be out there!) Please email me through my website if you're willing to share your Earth Day experiences with me. My website is: www.lindacrottabrennan.com
Thanks!

Historical Preservation Panel

I've been invited to take part in a Historical Preservation Panel as the local "noted author of children's history books." Here are the details:

Western RI Civic Historical Society is hosting a panel discussion on Preservation of Coventry History.

The panel will include Suzanna Prull of Preserve RI, historian Don Carpenter, Park Ranger Bob Grandchamp, Linda Crotta Brennan noted author of history books for children, the Coventry Town Manager Tom Hoover, and Guy Lefebvre of Parks and Recreation.

It will be held on April 14 from 7-9 p.m. at the Coventry Town Hall Annex, 1675 Flat River Road, Coventry, RI.