KSBI Channel 52

I just got the word,  I am scheduled to appear on KSBI Channel 52, Oklahoma Live! at 1 PM on July 5th. I can't believe my marketing rep pulled this off. Thanks, Travis!

Oh yes, I'm still in the process of re-doing the blog...a little at a time!

Blog Under Re-Construction

Please bear with me as I am updating my blog. Hopefully in a few days, you will see a new, improved blog. This is very difficult for me, the technologically challenged! I welcome ideas...hint, hint!

It's Summer in Oklahoma!

Anyone who knows me can answer this. What is the worst thing about living in Oklahoma? No, not the dry, hot summer.  Not the tornadoes. Not the winter ice storms. It's scorpions!

What brought me to this rant today? Long story...yesterday I got up to start my daily routine. I had left my shoes (inside) by the back door. I picked them up and watched the cat go over to inspect something. It was overcast outside and I didn't have the lights turned on, so it was a little dark. "What is it, Zoey?" and then I flip on the light. Hmmm! I can't tell. It sort of looks like a mole cricket. Nice thick body, but where are the legs?  A light bulb went off in my head as I remembered my new handy, dandy spider/scorpion spray I bought just 2 days ago. I run out to the garage to get the spray, still packed in the bag from Home Depot. The can says "kills on contact". I am glad the spray works from a distance. I push the trigger and hold and hold and hold until there is a huge puddle of spray on my floor and then the creature decides to straighten out. Oh my goodness! It is a scorpion! How dare that nasty thing come into my house! He evidently had been dazed from the spray that had been used outside, but dazed is not good enough. He had to die. He managed to get up his strength and rolled over and I let him have it again. That will do it! Why not just use the fly swat or a shoe? That requires too much contact and a chance of it getting me instead of me getting it!

I have really changed in my 10 years in Oklahoma. If this had happened 10 years ago, I probably would have run down the street screaming my lungs out. I'm so much better than that now. I can actually look at the scorpion and only shiver. I can't, however, manage to move the darn thing. I thought about the vacuum cleaner, but what if it's not really dead and it comes back out? The only resort is to leave it until Tony comes home and let him remove the little demon. And so the torture continues for several hours as I have to keep going to look and make sure it didn't move. Finally, Tony came home and got rid of it and I spent a few hours engaged in chemical warfare in the Lawson home! There should be no more this year...I can only pray!

And today is a brand new day! I am on the phone with Emily in a very intense discussion about our first digital camera. "I still have it," I tell her and I go to the guest room in the "camera basket" and pull it out. We talk about it, I hang up the phone and go to put it back in its designated old camera place and as I bend over, I pull back the long curtains. There is is! No question this time about what kind of creepy crawler is in my house! Is it alive or dead? I can't tell and you know they tend to play that game. It must be a brother to the one yesterday. Exactly the same size!  Two in two days? Now what am I going to do?  Ahh! The vacuum cleaner is pretty close and this time, I'm going to use it. Thank God it has a very long extension hose.  I extend it as far as it will go, hit the power button, ease back the curtain and let out a screech! It's gone! Beads of sweat pop out on my forehead and my heart starts to race. I feel a little faint. What just happened here? I inch back the curtain and boy, do I feel silly? It's still there and it has not moved. I rush to suck it up and hear the "clink" as it goes up the hose. I let the vacuum cleaner run a little while just to make sure it's really inside and then for good measure, I vacuum the rest of the house. A little dog hair and dirt on top might ensure it won't come out. I know deep down, it was already dead. Why does my mind continue to play these stupid games?

As I try to relax, I make one last phone call. It's to Tony, "Will you please stop by Wal Mart on your way home? I need a bottle of Ortho Bug B Gone in the red container. Last night, I used it all on the back of the house. I need to do the front now." And so, I know my plans for this evening!

Underground Coffee

Last Saturday, I signed books at the Underground Coffee House in Midwest City. What a beautiful and cozy place! It is family owned by a brother and sister (and spouses) and has all kinds of sandwiches, coffees and smoothies. It is the perfect atmosphere for college students to study, relax or just have a snack. I met 2 special little boys, Israel and Judah and signed books for them.  Also, there were 2 ladies there that do a blog on local events. It was very cool that they interviewed me for their blog! If you are ever in the Midwest City area, I highly recommend visiting Underground!

My beautiful gift

Here is a picture of the apron given to me at Liberty Elementary School.  What a thoughtful and appropriate gift! Thank you, Mrs. Spears!

Back in Oklahoma

After I returned to Oklahoma, I was exhausted! It took a few days to get back into a normal routine.  I returned on Saturday evening, then on Wednesday, I visited the Orange Leaf in Yukon, OK for a private event.  The Yukon Parks and Recreation Department brought a group of 3-5 year olds to the Orange Leaf to see how yogurt is made and also to hear my story. They seemed to enjoy it as did I. There is something special about the little ones. Perhaps because my book is geared for ages 4-8! This was the second time I've been to an event and met a little girl named Annabelle. That always makes me smile! (The main character in my book is named Annabelle.)

Junction City Elementary

After visiting Walnut Hill Elementary on Thursday, I went on to Junction City Elementary.  I got to read my story to the pre school class and they were just precious! Afterwards, I had 2 groups that went all the way to 5th grade. I showed some slides of Oklahoma and read my story.  There was a time for questions and the one that I remember came from a little boy, "Are Ferraris street legal in Oklahoma?" Now, how do I answer such a question? I don't know anyone who has a Ferrari, so when I got home, I asked my husband (as if he knows everything) and he said, "Yes, they are street legal." Oh yes, another boy asked me if I am Leah's grandma. Well, I hope I look a little younger than that! I am actually her great aunt.

One really cool thing, JCE has a daily news report. It's on schooltube.com. I thought that was the neatest thing! I had no idea that kids could even do that. It has the pledge of allegiance, perfect attendance report, joke of the day, weather, etc.  They even interviewed me for their daily report. You can check it out by going to the website: school tube.com and searching for Junction City Elementary and the date April 20th.

Since I was traveling alone that day, I have no photos of JCE...sorry.  It was an awesome school!

The Magic Pen

This is the winning story from Gabby Johnson, Walnut Hill Elementary 5th Grade Class.

The Magic Pen

Long ago, there was a pen. Not just any pen. No! It was the "magic pen". You're probably thinking, "There is no such thing as a magic pen!" Well, there is such a thing, and if you only knew half of the wonders that this pen could create in your life you wouldn't laugh so much. This pen could play a huge part in your life. Of course, that is, if it should choose you! That's right, I said, "Choose you..."

In your head you might be thinking, "What in the world is she talking about?" Well, I'm talking about the magic pen choosing you. See, this pen is very important. If it chooses to come to you, that only means that you have the privilege to write with it.  And not just school work writing either. That is where the magic comes in! With this pen, you could write down any wish that your heart desires, and it instantly becomes true in your life! You could even write down some ridiculous question or wish, and it would still come true. Now, you see how this pen is truly magical!

You might just be wondering about several different things right now. For example, "that can't possibly be true," or "maybe she is telling the truth." Whether  you believe this or not, you still need to be award. The reason being is if the pen comes to you, you should be aware that there are rules to the pen. This pen can be fun, but the rules that it does contain are not very fun...or for most of the kids, they aren't. I am going to name a few of the rules that this pen contains, so keep listening...or reading.

Like I said before, I am going to name the rules of the magic pen. Don't worry though, there are only a few! The first rule is, if you mistreat the pen, it will instantly disappear. The second rule is, if you try giving it to someone, it will immediately shock you and the other person. That is no fun for anyone. And the third is the one that most people argue and complain about. Rule number three is, you have to be able to keep up with it, at whatever time, wherever you are at. That just sucks. 

Now, you have a clue about this spectacular pen. So just remember, the pen might just pop out of nowhere. And if it does, just know that you are lucky to have this wonderful pen. And also, the pen could disappear was well. Remember the three rules, because they are very important. The pen...the pen, it could be anywhere...

Story Writing Contest

On Thursday, I went back to Walnut Hill to visit with the 5th graders and announce the winner of their story writing contest. WOW! It was extremely difficult to choose a winner, but finally after reading the stories multiple times, a winner was chosen. I was amazed at the unique entries showcasing great imaginations. Some stories were funny and others thought provoking. After the winner was announced, the class asked me to read the story and so of course, I obliged. Then I was able to read a few more of the stories that were very good. And the icing on the cake, so to speak, the 5th grade teacher asked me to return next year for the incoming 5th graders and do a contest. Needless to say, I was thrilled about that!

And the winning story is:  The Magic Pen by Gabby Johnson. 


Gabby gave me permission to put her entire story on my blog.  That's coming up next!

Gabby Johnson...will we see that name on a book in the future?

Kids Team

What an awesome lady.  Karen, I mean...not me!

It was such a fun experience visiting Kids Team in Liberty. There were about 32 little ones ages 3-5.  I love visiting this age group! They are so sweet and always seem to enjoy when I read my book.  They are  easily entertained (like being fascinated with my cupcake earrings)! And to make it even more special, the school made sure that each child received a personalized copy of my book.  How awesome is that? Also,  it was a pleasure to meet a little girl named Annabelle.  For those who don't know, Annabelle is the main character in my book.  All in all, a wonderful visit!