I almost forgot about this little project from 2011.

Today I am exactly half-way to completing the Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Ebird “Checklist-a-Day” challenge. I aim to record my bird sightings at least once per day for the entire 2020 year. I have made a comic in honor of this halfway point.
This challenge has improved my birding. I’m actually a terrible birder. But I’m getting better. I have become more familiar with my local ecosystem’s birds and their calls. I’ve gotten outside every day, which has been restorative during this pandemic. I’ve observed bird behavior and seen things, like a hairy woodpecker feeding its young, that I may not have noticed if not for this challenge. I look forward to what the rest of the year will bring – well, at least in terms of birding!
Gardening and cooking can both be restorative activities when weathering a stressful situation. Combine them by growing some healthful sprouts! Here are some (affiliate) links to get you started:
(image adapted from my book, Broccoli for Breast Cancer)
Here is a one-pot recipe I decided to illustrate for a contest that I did not win. Foolish judges. I borrowed heavily from my great-great aunt Katharine (okay, flagrantly copied) in order to learn some of her pen-and-ink techniques. I used Prismacolor markers. Next time I’ll go all authentic and use a quill and India ink, as she most likely did.
(right-click on the image and open in new tab or click here for a size you can actually read)
In honor of what would have been Fred Rogers’ 90th birthday, I am sharing a picture I painted.
I like you just the way you are: The Colors of Mr. Rogers’ Sweaters 1979-2001
12×12″
Oil on Cradled Board
2017
$250
Each square represents an episode and the approximate color of the sweater that Mr. Rogers wore. There were three episodes during this stretch when Rogers went without a sweater.
A donation of $143 (Fred’s favorite number) will be made to the Fred Rogers Center in Latrobe, PA upon the sale of this painting.
See Fred talk about sweaters here and here.
And if you know of a sweater pattern close the ones Fred’s mother used, please let me know!
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m eager to get the word out about my children’s picture book. I’ve set up a giveaway on Goodreads. No need to like, share or sign up for anything. You do need a Goodreads account however. Two winners will receive a free copy of my book!
Giveaway ends November 07, 2017.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.