Another one coming out of the oven soon, a story that is

Hi everyone,

Happy news yesterday. Su Hutchens and I finished the first draft of a story set in the area where she and her husband, Dan, live in the far north country of Colorado. It’s a wild, wonderful place filled with stories. Ours is one of them.

We’re not finished with the writing yet but we’re a lot closer to the end than the beginning. We’re excited and eager to get our work out there as soon as possible, hopefully in the next week or so. Su, you make a great partner and I’ve had a fine time working with you. We look forward to having you and Dan stay with us again in November when I receive the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Medal. Let’s hope we’ll have something else to celebrate by then.

Susan and Danny Hutchens

Hi everyone,

Two days ago Sandy and I had the pleasure of a visit from our formerly-from-Missouri-now-from-Colorado friends, Susan and Danny Hutchens. They attended the Children’s Literature Festival in Warrensburg and were working their way home by way of a bit of sightseeing along the way.

Susan wanted to see Goose Lake because I natter on about it so much so I took them into our back yard and proudly introduced them to the lake. I pointed down the steps from the top of our yard to the water and explained that sometimes “Mother Goose” nests on the landing and I often have conversations with her.

Sandy walked to angle that allowed her to see the landing. Sure enough, there was Mother on her nest. Right on cue.

Last year the lake rose and drowned her eggs. Plus, this year we have sighted foxes in our yard. I fear the worse but intend to have a chat with Mother before long. I’ll let you know her mood.