A New Journey Begins...

It finally happened.
In July, after 10 years teaching special education full time (the last seven at the middle school level), I resigned from the school district where I completed my K-12 schooling, substitute taught four and a half years, and started my path as a public school teacher.


Courtesy of www.pixabay.com

Today I begin my official first day in a new school district at an elementary school. I am now a Media Specialist / Instructional Technology Teacher/ Core Support teacher in the areas of Language Arts and Math.

Through last week, excitement outranked anxiety. I am considered a "new teacher" again and completed new teacher training. I love what I have learned so far! However, today, anxiety outranks excitement. This is typical of my head each time I return to teaching after summer break. But, it is different this year. Today, it relates to the newness of my path. It relates to the not-knowing what I don't know and not fully knowing what to expect. It relates to knowing that there will be a learning curve for each role and that I am not expected to be an expert from the start--yet in my head, it also relates to the fact that I have to keep shutting down the thoughts that maybe I am expected to be great right away.

Change is scary. The familiar is safe. I could have kept doing what I had been doing for my job, but it had become a 24/7 job. It was in my head--the paperwork, the pressures to do everything "right". The pressures to place paperwork first, and teaching and my students, second. I did not feel peaceful. I told myself after my thyroid cancer diagnosis in 2015 (see past posts) that life was too short to be doing something that did not make me happy. This past school year was better. I was the Autism teacher, as well as a resource teacher in the special education department. I learned a lot from my students about autism. I also learned how little I knew. Despite being out of special education now, I carry my experiences with me. I expect to continue learning, and I wish to continue learning--only not in the role I have done for 10 years.

Courtesy of www.pixabay.com

I love teaching! I love helping children or anyone who I teach, problem solve and grow, and learn how to accomplish tasks maybe they struggled with before or maybe never knew how to do. Sometimes I wonder if I care too much. Can a person do that?

I will miss my former colleagues and many of my students. I thank my colleagues for the glowing references when contacted by my new employer. I especially thank my former principal for believing in me, recognizing that I have something to offer in what used to be my new career goal, and now supporting my decision to move on, even if it meant losing a devoted teacher at her school.

Today is the first official day of my new career. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues. I look forward to supporting my colleagues. I look forward to meeting my new students.
Yes.
Change can be good.

Today and tomorrow,

~ Tamara

The End is Near--or is it?

All I can say is that this has been a tough year.
Tough year at work.
Tough year combining work with grad school with parenting with adjusting to changes in health and thinking.
I recently completed my grad classes in Information Media until next fall. Super grades! I feel pleased, and more knowledgeable. And even a bit more confident should I be blessed with a job interview in the near future.

Now to get through the rest of the school year. Being a special education teacher is like having 10 or more major assignments all due around the same time. It's people forgetting that when we became teachers, the number one reason was to help and work with our children--to help them achieve success and believe in themselves despite having challenges related to learning or attention or physical disability. We knew that paperwork was a major part of being a special education teacher, but when there is more concern with the paperwork than the the teaching, it makes it difficult to feel that we, the teachers, can be fully focused and present for our students.

It has been a tough year.
I used to do all-nighters to get through my paperwork. Now I am zonked by 9:00pm--sometimes earlier.
My thyroid cancer--which is all clear now (as reported following my spring break scan--yay!)--was my wake-up call that life is too short to be spending time doing something that makes one feel frequently stressed and unhappy.

I am looking for a change.
Summer will be my break.
I am collecting ideas to share here.
I cannot wait.

Be back soon.

~Tamara

Refocusing--I am Back!

In my last post, so very long ago, I wrote, "I am determined to believe that just as with any other traumatic event, life eventually can take over and my main focus will be on that, and this wrinkle in my journey will be an extra appetizer that I may or may not have room for along with my main course." Since then, life has taken over, for the most part, but the emotional impact of the thyroid cancer diagnosis continues to haunt me, even though physically I am fine (I think).

It's as if I have some sort of survivor guilt because my cancer treatment and recovery is minute compared to what so many others who I know are dealing with right now as they undergo treatment for breast cancers, lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer. I know, though, I cannot help how I feel and I am allowed to feel angry and scared. One more scan and low-dose radioactive treatment next month should confirm for me that no trace of the cancer remains. Maybe that confirmation will be what I need most to move forward. As easy as treatment was, it is a lifelong change as I must depend on a pill, and will continue to need level checks for the rest of my life. Even before my diagnosis, I was told, what so many other thyroid cancer patients have heard, "If you're going to get cancer, thyroid cancer is the one to get." As if any cancer is the one to get.

In life, I have continued to parent, to work, but not to write--although I think about it constantly and about how difficult it is to go on when I'm not doing what I truly need to be doing. Writing is something I need, and I'm miserable without it being a part of my life.

A few weeks ago I attended a local event titled "Books and Breakfast" where attendees, a mix of media specialists, writers, teachers and others, shared breakfast tables with 31+ Minnesota authors and illustrators. Presentations gave each author and illustrator two minutes to share about themselves or a recent project. Attendees were also given time to mingle. I stepped out of my introverted self and talked to people. My confidence in myself and in my writing that had sunk during the time since my last post and had me convinced that maybe I'm just not meant to be anything more than a writer here on a blog, started rising to the surface again.

I am back.

As I prepare to refocus my posts again, I'm starting here with random reviews of new books that I recently discovered. Just to get back into the swing of writing again.

The two picture books today are both written by former Hamlinites (and writers who I conversed with at breakfast).

Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian; illustrated by Mike Curato (c)2016 
Balzer + Bray (publisher)

A marriage between two worms should have one worm identify as the bride, and one identify as the groom. Rings have to be worn on fingers, and someone will have to marry the two worms. "That's how it's always been done," Cricket repeats throughout the story. But rings can't be worn on fingers if worms do not have fingers. And, what if both worms identify as both the bride and the groom?
"Then we'll just change how it's done," says worm.
And the other worm agrees.

This story is a simple reminder of what truly is important when two worms want to commit to each other via marriage, or for that matter, when any two people wish to commit to each other via marriage.

Being someone who gets into my performance when I read aloud, I do voices for the primary characters in a story. In Worm Loves Worm the two worms, as well as all other characters, remain named throughout by their species. For the two worms, they are not identified differently as Worm 1 or Girl Worm or Boy Worm. They are both only named as Worm. Individuality only is apparent through features in the whimsical illustrations as one worm always has its mouth closed and the white of its eye showing, while the other worm has only a dot for an eye. This worm's mouth is always open. (My four-year-old pointed this out to me before I noticed.) When I read, for the voice of both worms, I use the same voice. When I commented  to Mr. Austrian at the breakfast event, he said that he also uses the same voice for both worms.

My daughter loved this book from the start. She especially continues to be humored by a comment from Spider that, due to its lack of commas, leaves Spider's words open to interpretation. (I admit that I laughed aloud when I first read it and my daughter wanted to know what was so funny. So yes, I explained.) You will have to read the book yourself to see to what I refer.


Rhoda's Rock Hunt by Molly Beth Griffin; Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell (c)2014
Minnesota Historical Society Press (publisher)

I collected rocks as a child. I continue to be fascinated by rocks today, especially as I connect to my daughter's curiosity of rocks. Perhaps it's genetic, because she started "collecting" rocks long before I showed her my childhood collection. One thing I tell her when she insists on taking this rock or that rock is that it's not up to me to carry them all. She needs to be able to hold them herself. This becomes part of Rhoda's dilemma in Rhoda's Rock Hunt.

Rhoda and her Auntie June and Uncle Jonah take a long, long hike from their "up-north" cabin. It does not bother Rhoda that cold lake water is her shower, or that she sleeps on a skinny pad in a ratty sleeping bag or dines on salami and cheese. None of this bothers her because of the presence of all the rocks she finds along the way. Her Auntie reminds Rhoda that she, Rhoda, has to carry them in her own pack. This is no problem until the weight of the pack becomes too much. What didn't bother Rhoda before, is now a bother and she feels crabby. She realizes she has to make a decision. Does she keep her beloved rocks or leave them behind?

Rhoda's solution to her problem is lovely and touching. She considers what she needs--to return to the cabin for a bed, a shower, a decent meal. She considers what she has--a vast collection of rocks, each chosen for various reasons. She decides to let go. To let go of many rocks, but hold on to a special few. With the rocks she leaves behind, she creates "towers of souvenirs" and then walks away happy.

It isn't only the connection to the rocks that touches me as I read this book, but also the message that sometimes we need less than we think, and if we let go of things, we will be all right. Illustrations of the north woods, and sensory details bring me and my daughter into the journey each time we open the story. I especially love the auditory details  of "rustling leaves and birdsongs overhead", "whispering water", "dragonflies whizzing past", and waves crashing on the shore while gulls call. My favorite description overall is of the rocks that capture Rhoda's fancy, "Smooth rocks and bumpy rocks and sparkly rocks and stripy rocks and rocks shaped like hearts and hats and horns."

If, when you read the book, you do not have your own collection of rocks to view, turn to the end papers (the paper that lines the inside covers). My daughter spends time at each reading choosing her favorite rocks and describing the shapes. We can keep these all, with only the weight of the book in our hands.

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Thank you for reading my thoughts.

More words in a coming tomorrow,

~Tamara

Foundation Shakers

As I recover from my thyroidectomy, the repeated prognosis from medical professionals, from acquaintances, from friends, from family, is that everything will be all right. That's great! Really! However, I still have to get through the now. Gotta learn some new scarf tying techniques as I await the tape to finish falling off and I can see the actual battle scar left behind. Thank goodness I always freeze in my school building. No risk of feeling too hot while I work.

A dear friend, who I recently reconnected with, told me that regardless of the prognosis and easy treatment, a diagnosis of cancer is still a foundation shaker. Those two words say it all. It still is frightening knowing that cancer has now been found inside of me. I have to put the "what if" thoughts aside regarding recurrences. I am determined to believe that just as with any other traumatic event, life eventually can take over and my main focus will be on that. This wrinkle in my journey will be an extra appetizer that I may or may not have room for along with my main course.
My plan is to live to be old. Really old.

On the thought of foundation shakers, I decided to connect my thoughts to some books that have shaken the foundation of many people, or may only have stirred up some things. These books are about love. They are about families. They are about being true to oneself. Unfortunately, two of these picture books seem to  "threaten" the livelihoods of many people to the point that they feel the need to try and censor them. I include the third book because it focuses on a topic that I know some people will take issue with. I anticipate that as more people learn about it, controversy will arise--but I hope not.

Heather Has Two Mommies (10th Anniversary Edition) by Leslea Newman; Illustrated by Diana Souza (copyright 1989, 2000)

In this 10th Anniversary Edition, Leslea Newman includes an afterword where she notes that as a result of writing Heather Has Two Mommies she was once declared "the most dangerous writer living in America today."  She is not a criminal. She wrote a book that features a little girl who has two mothers (and who happens to love the number two). According to the the America Library Association (ALA), Heather Has Two Mommies was 11th on the list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990 to 2000.

The story purely is about different families and the different groupings of adults and children that can comprise a family. Heather and her two mommies, Mama Kate and Mama Jane, just happen to be the thread that connects the whole story. The reader follows Heather as she starts her new playgroup, which I saw as a typical daycare class of similar-aged children. None of the children seem bothered or upset about different family makeups. As the playgroup teacher, Molly, tells the students, "It doesn't matter if your family has sisters or brothers or cousins or grandmothers or grandfathers or uncles or aunts. Each family is special. The most important thing about a family is that all the people in it love each other." It is clear in the story that Mama Kate and Mama Jane love Heather. They spend time with her inside and outside. They share their interests with her. They talk with her. They prepare her for starting at the playgroup. It is clear, also, that Heather loves both her moms as she tells them that she loves each of them best.

The writing of this story is geared for a young audience. My daughter can understand it. This past year, a new version was released (Heather Has Two Mommies (2016 version). I have not seen this version to compare changes in the text. The greatest change involves updated and colorful illustrations by Laura Cornell (the illustrator introduced to me through her collaboration with actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her picture books).

I love the focus on families. This book is  a resource for starting or continuing this discussion with our children.


And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; Illustrated by Henry Cole (copyright 2005, 2015)

This story is based on the true story of Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins at the Central Park Zoo in New York in 1998. Mr. Gramzay, their zookeeper,  noticed the two penguins developing a fondness for each other. He watched the penguins observe other couples and try to create a home for themselves just as other penguin couples did. They even sat on a rock as other penguins sat on eggs. When another couple had an extra fertile egg they couldn't care for, Mr. Gramzay decided to give it to Roy and Silo. The two penguins knew what to do and took turns caring for the egg, day and night. When it hatched, the penguins continued to care for Tango (named because, as Mr. Gramzay said, "it takes two to make a Tango").  Eventually visitors to the zoo could see the three penguins happily together.

While Roy and Silo are no longer together, the existence of the book And Tango Makes Three continues to shake up people who believe the book promotes homosexuality and does not belong in the hands of children. The book seems to have made enough people feel threatened that for a time it was known as the most banned book in the United States. According to the ALA list of top 100 books banned or challenged during the years 2000-2009, And Tango Makes Three  ranks fourth.  Recently, in 2014, Singapore planned to destroy (pulp) every single copy in its library system until citizens spoke out. The compromise was to move the book to the adult section of the library so that parents can decide to check it out for their children to see.

Justin Richardson, one of the co-authors said in an article in the New York Times in 2005 (following announcement of the "breakup" of Roy and Silo) that, "We wrote the book to help parents teach children about same-sex parent families. It's no more an argument in favor of human gay relationships than it is a call for children to swallow their fish whole or sleep on rocks."

I can agree.

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldachhino; Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant (copyright 2014)
Morris likes Sundays because his mother makes him pancakes those days. He likes painting and doing puzzles at school. He likes to sing loudly. He like to play dress up, especially when he can wear the tangerine dress and the shoes that "click, click, click across the floor." At first Morris pretends it doesn't bother him when the other children, both boys and girls, tease him and remind him at various times how he does not belong if he wears a dress or wears nail polish. By the end of the week, though, his thinking about the mean things his classmates said and did to him give him a tummy ache. While he rests at home, he reads books with his cat, Moo. He dreams of adventure on a space safari where he and Moo see blue elephants that swish like the tangerine dress when Morris walks, giant leaves that crinkle like the dress when Morris sits, and spaceship buttons that click like the shoes when Morris walks. He makes a painting of a child riding an elephant. His mother does not condemn him when he says that the child wearing a tangerine dress is him. When he returns to school, painting in hand, he creates his own spaceship since the other boys won't let him on theirs. The boys question him about the elephant in his picture. Morris invites them to follow him to find out more. Soon imagination and play override the fact that Morris is wearing a dress. Even when a girl chides him again, now Morris has the courage and confidence to speak up.

I love this story. I appreciate the focus on imagination. I appreciate how Morris has a mother who does not tell him he should not wear dresses. She does not tell him that he should not wear nail polish. She accepts him for how he chooses to be. After all, he is a child. It is his time to explore and be curious.

I anticipate that some readers will view this book and take issue that the main character is a boy, older than a baby, wearing a dress. Does it mean he will grow up to be a cross dresser? Does it mean he wants to be a girl? Who knows? He may just like the feel and sounds of different textures. Really, though, at this point does it matter? What matters is acceptance of Morris for being the little boy who he is. Don't stifle his curiosity and imagination.

My daughter loves this book. I love the conversations we have had as a result of reading it. I have no doubt that my daughter will comment if she sees a boy or a man wearing a dress. She'll comment because she won't see this choice for attire as being wrong. She'll comment, most likely, because she loves dresses.

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Looking at the families--the parents and children--in these books, and thinking of my own non-traditional family with my daughter, and some of the comments I have received when meddling folk feel the need to try and steer me down a different path because of my family make-up and my single status, I can understand how these three books may shake up one's foundation of what one believes is traditional or "normal". I would hope that the shake-up does more to promote discussion and re-evaluation. Times are changing and there is little room today for a lack of acknowledgement of these changes. We don't have to agree with everything about how people live, about what people believe, or about how people love, but there is no peace without acceptance of people as people.  The characters in these books are representative of loving families today.

I know from my years of working with youth and families that dysfunction exists in all types of families--including traditional two-parent heterosexual families. Love, however, connects people together and also exists in all types of families and toward all "types" of children. For anyone who thinks they know what "normal" is, I remember from my involvement with programs supporting people who have mental illness that "normal" is a setting on the washing machine.

I shall conclude here. When I consider why I will not watch or listen to the news or watch a crime show on television while my daughter is in the room or in earshot, I feel grateful for books such as the three I addressed  today. I can share these books with my daughter and we can talk about them. As I continue my desire to raise her in an environment that values love, tolerance, acceptance, kindness and open-heartedness, these books are only a few of the many, yet not enough, available to aid me in the discussions and learning. What my daughter gains from these books now will be different from what she may take away a year from now, or even five years from now. And that is what is wonderful about books and stories.

Just one girl's opinion.

~Tamara Riva

Update from Me

Hello Wonderful Readers,
I may not have achieved my two-week blog goal, but I'm not giving up, and I have every intention of keeping this blog going.

People have asked how I am doing.
I survived a week of teacher workshops and am now cramming to finish setting up my classroom and plan the first week's lessons and activities. I don't know too many teachers who feel fully ready for the first day when it arrives, but it all manages to work out.

I've been a bit tired, but livable tired. The pain from the surgery no longer requires pain meds. I get a little hoarse after extended speaking (which should make things interesting next week when I have students), but otherwise I feel all right or "okayish." I plan to take things one day at a time, as best I can as I prepare for the next major step in treatment--the radioactive iodine (it won't really make me glow or give me the ability to cook food--I inquired.)

I am appreciative of all the people in my life who have shared their experiences with me regarding their own thyroid issues. There are so many of us, fortunately and unfortunately.

I feel restless when I'm not writing, and the feedback from my posts keeps me inspired. I do have several blog posts in the works on topics including foundation shakers (diverse picture books and challenges), graphic novels, novels in verse, nonfiction picture books, and "what's the deal with adults intervening" in picture books. Yes, I tend to have a lot about picture books. I can't help it. They are amazing sources of stories. Plus, there is no excuse of a lack of time to read as long as picture books exist.

Please feel free to post comments on past and present posts. I love feedback and reading different perspectives. As a teacher, I want to "hear" (in this case, read) your thoughts.

Here's to reading lots of books in the meantime.

I'll be back soon!

Have a  great Labor Day weekend!

~Tamara Riva

Just Another Wrinkle

If I could transfer my thoughts directly to the page by only thinking, this post would have been completed in time for Monday, but I got distracted. I am allowing myself to accept that sometimes there is just another wrinkle that gets in the way of a smooth journey. That's what  happened since Friday's post.
A wrinkle--something unexpected, unplanned that may have a positive outcome, a negative outcome, or just an outcome that makes one think. That's what a medical diagnosis of thyroid cancer appears to be, as of now--just a wrinkle. It may be the most common and easily treated type with little to no complications, but it was unexpected, and not welcome. And perhaps it will all be fine. I'm sure, though, that  those who have told me, "Oh, I know people who had that done, and they're just fine" may not remember, I'm guessing, that the initial diagnosis likely terrified those people for a time as well as filled them with a mix of emotions for a bit. So, whatever I feel belongs to me and is allowed.
As for the diagnosis, it is what it is.
I have surgery on Wednesday, and should be "okayish" on Thursday. Writing these posts enlightens me. When I can express myself via writing, I am in my element. Content. Peaceful. Focused. Writing is my life and feeling motivated by something that I am passionate about, is a true gift.
So, I shall accept this recent wrinkle, and work to smooth out the fabric that comes after.
Now, on to my fun post.

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An assignment in my graduate class toward becoming a media specialist involved the creation of an award for literature. I considered several directions, but due to time limitations (imagine a full semester course fit into only one month with a 10-day residency for another graduate program thrown into the mix) I settled on the idea of  the "Wrinkle Award" for picture books with "an unusual twist" or “wrinkle” that usually makes a reader groan or scratch her head or laugh or just continue thinking about it long after the book closes.
I am a lover of bad jokes--not raunchy ones, just the ones that elicit groans. I love an unexpected good twist, dark humor, and of course thought-provoking tales.
While I created a page to share my Wrinkle Award choices (you can click here to see it and view the criteria or choose directly from the link under "Literature Pages"), I wish to start an ongoing list of books that meet the Wrinkle criteria. I may or may not like all of the books as I grow my list, but other readers may have a different perspective. So, all Wrinkle books have merit.

These are all just one girl's opinion.

My first "wrinkle" book of memory:
The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket; Illustrated by Lisa Brown; Copyright 2007.
I gave this book to an interfaith couple at the holiday time several years ago, knowing that they would probably enjoy the humor.
This dark humor story brings the reader to a house where a potato latke has been "born". As with people, this latke enters the world screaming. It happens when it starts to cook in hot oil. Terrified and in pain, it leaps out of the pan and runs away, encountering a variety of Christmas associated items such as colored lights, a candy cane, and a tree.  Each item questions the latke about his screaming. The latke explains a facet of the Chanukah story and Chanukah symbolism. Then the Christmas item responds with its potential comparison from the Christmas story. Each time, the latke grows frustrated as he explains how he is not part of Christmas. "It's a totally different thing!" he declares, screaming again.

While sitting under the tree, a family approaches. The father carries an axe. Each member fawns over what they see, but it's not what the reader might expect. The father wonders why he carries an axe as the family excitedly takes home the latke.  Family members welcome the latke into their home as they understand what a latke is and how it fits into the holiday. Then, they eat it.

This story makes me laugh every time. To increase the humor so you have a taste, I found a video of a cantor reading the book. While the video quality of the book is not so great, not much is missed by not seeing the pictures as the story still works as an audio version. The cantor's vocals, complete with different voices and screaming, make for an entertaining read-aloud presentation. Take a listen here.

Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper; Copyright 2010
I accidentally came across this book while searching the library bins for something else. I chose to read it as my daughter loves cupcakes, and how could she resist a book with a cover that features a cupcake wearing a happy face wrapper and sitting inside a sparkly glittery circle, surrounded by multi-colored polka dots.

This book follows friendly Vanilla Cupcake from his "birth" to where he joins his brothers and sisters, such as Pink Princess Cupcake, Stripy Cupcake, and Fancy Flower-Top Cupcake for a special event. At the end of the event, Vanilla Cupcake stands alone, not feeling special. He says, "Nobody picked me. I'm too creamy white and plain!"

A green candle hears the crying cupcake and commiserates. He talks about his fancy brothers and sisters including Balloon Candle, Twisty Candle, and Number Candle. Now both feel sad until Candle comes up with an idea to find a topping that will make Cupcake special.

Cupcake tries on the various toppings, but turns down the ideas for reasons such as pickles being too salty, spaghetti being too swirly, and a squirrel being too furry. Accidentally, Candle winds up sitting on Cupcake's head which makes for a perfect looking cupcake; however, this is not the end of the story. It's only a moment for Candle to think of another idea to try.

The twists include the candle who doesn't quite get it, and for me, the dark humor of a cupcake who feels  saddened that he is not chosen, which essentially means he is sad that he doesn't get devoured.
Disturbing. Of course, to my daughter, this book is quite funny and she does not recognize the disturbing elements. So, this book is definitely a Wrinkle book.

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen; Copyright 2011.
A Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor book, and a recipient of the E.B. White Read Aloud Book award, I Want My Hat Book includes dark humor with an ending that Klassen leaves open to interpretation.

A bear searches for his lost hat. Along the route of his search, he asks animals if they have seen his hat. The entire story is written via dialogue, but without quotation marks. Colored text indicates speaker changes. At times, the bear talks and processes only to himself. He desperately wants his hat back, but has become so routine in his questioning that he does not even realize when he questions the animal wearing his hat who responds in a suspiciously guilty manner. After the bear confers with three more animals, processes aloud to himself, and then talks with yet another animal, he suddenly remembers that he had seen his hat. He races past the animals and confronts the one wearing his red pointy hat. After a stare-down between the bear and the thief, the large bear sits alone with the out-of-proportion red pointy hat atop his head.

What happened to the animal thief? That is up to the reader to determine. I know what I concluded, and it's morbid. But, I have learned that children do not automatically come to the same conclusion.
This book truly is a fun read-aloud. The spare, brown-toned illustrations (with the exception of the red hat, and the background when the bear finally figures things out), along with the eyes and droll facial expressions on each of the animals define Klassen's style.
I personally love this book.

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Do you have other Wrinkle books to add? I would especially love to learn of older books, but also wish to keep on top of newer ones. Let me know in the comments so I can review the books and add them to the master list. Be sure to include the author and copyright date (if you can), along with any of your own comments.

As for my own personal wrinkle, no pity please. Be sad. Be grumpy. Be calm. If you pray or send blessings to the universe, please add me to yours and send some my way. Even if all will be good, positive vibes sent into the atmosphere definitely have a de-wrinkling effect. I'll take it!

~Tamara