Free Comic Book Day - May 2nd

Free Comic Book Day is held the first Saturday in May, this year that hit on this Saturday, May 2nd. Free Comic Book Day is when participating comic books shops around the world give away comic books free to any one who walks into their shop, yep, absolutely free.

To find out more details on this fabulous day you can visit the Free Comic Book Day website or to find a participating shop near you go to their official FCBD Shop Locator.

Book Lover's Purchase

As mentioned in the previous post I ventured out to the Highlands Ranch Tattered Cover to take part in the Book & Lovers' Celebration. They did not have any Gorey, Hellboy, or Fables in-stock (just probably too hard to keep those on the shelves), they did have Dresden Files, but then this book caught my eye on their display of poetry books for children. Well, what could be more inspirational than poetry from beyond the solar system? Poems from beyond the solar system with lots of bright and shiny pictures. I think I am going to be very happy with my The Swamps of Sleethe by Jack Prelutsky and after all, it is National Poetry Month. Also as part of the celebration, with my galactic purchase, I received a bookmark and rose. Luckily no one was behind me in line, because you had your choice of several colors. It was between a yellowish pink or pinkish peach one, I ended up going pinkish peach. I guess I should have gone with glow-in-the-dark alien green to go with the book, but you know, surprisingly, they did not have that color. Maybe next year...

Book & Lovers’ Day

If in Barcelona Spain, you would be amongst a celebration of romance today. Per an article from the Tattered Cover Book Store here in Denver:

It all began in the Middle Ages with an annual Festival of Roses to honor St. George, Patron Saint of Catalonia, who as a brave Roman soldier allegedly slew a dragon about to devour a beautiful young princess. Accordingly, a rosebush sprouted from the blood of the dragon and the soldier plucked its most perfect blossoms to give to the princess as a remembrance. In 1923, the Rose Festival merged with International Book Day, established to celebrate the lives of Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare, both of whom died on April 23rd in 1616. Now, bookstalls and flower stands sprout up along the Rambla, a two-mile stretch connecting the city with the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of Barcelonans crowd the streets to enjoy a festive atmosphere of readings, music, literature, and dance.

The An Open Book in Greeley CO, will be celebrating the day with a 20% off one book discount (if newsletter subscriber) and complimentary flowers.

I will be heading out shortly to the Highlands Ranch Tattered Cover Book Store where they too are celebrating with a 20% discount (if newsletter subscriber) and giving away complimentary roses and commemorative bookmarks with the purchase of a book. I haven’t decided what book yet, I am making my way through both the Fables and Hellboy graphic novel series, so those are strong contenders; however, I have been kind of missing Harry the Wizard from Dresden Files. On the other hand, I feel in need of some inspiration and nothing inspires me more than Gorey, perhaps the The Twelve Terrors of Christmas? Decisions, decisions.

Happy Book and Lover's Day!

Earth Day Stuff

Happy Earth Day!!

Here were a few things I came across Earth Day related that I thought I would pass on in case anyone out there in cyberspace was interested.

There was an article in The Denver Post this past Saturday on household items you could use to celebrate for Earth Day all year long. A few of them listed were: Post-its made in part from recycled paper available at select Target stores or online at target.com; The P3 International P4400, and really with a name like that, does it even matter what it does? Actually it is an electricity usage monitor that allows you to find out which appliances are using the most energy; UGlu adhesive strips, which are chemical-free, acid-free, odorless and waterproof glue strips supposedly powerful enough to hang artwork or hold down carpeting.

Sunset also listed a few ways to eco-nomize for Earth Day all year long:

• Compost and recycle
• Forgo disposables
• Line-dry your laundry when possible
• Garden wisely by choosing low-water or native plants
• Turn your wood-burning fireplace into a décor statement
• Support green businesses
• Replace incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (I also saw where Home Depot now recycles CFLs)
• Install an Energy Star-related programmable thermostat
• Clean or replace furnace and a/c filters
• Caulk and seal walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, and ductwork
• Host a solar party: get the information with friends over wine & cheese. I also think a “green” party would be a cute idea where all your party favors, table settings, and invites would be the color green (using recycled materials of course). It could be a potluck where every one has to bring a dish made from home-grown or local grown ingredients, perhaps every one has to wear green too and bring one green idea. The one with the best green idea wins a green prize. I don't know, could be fun?

Okay, just thought I would pass those along. I bought some lavender seeds the other day, which is a low-water plant, and also a plant I love (great for decorating). I don’t have much of a green thumb but maybe with it being Earth Day, the planting gods and goddess will be kind and in late summer I will be blogging about my abundant lavender crop.

If interested, you can visit the Earth Day Network site for a listing of Earth Day events by location and date.

Roadhouse Joe at the Little Bear Saloon

Since the Nuggets are off tonight why not head up to the Little Bear Saloon in Evergreen for some hard blues and full tilt boogie with Roadhouse Joe. The blues start at 8pm, for more information and directions visit Roadhouse Joe's website, roadhousejoe.com.

They had the house rockin' at The Barking Goat last Friday night.

National Library Week April 12 - 18

Just an FYI that this week is National Library Week. This year's theme is "Worlds connect @ your library." If you don't have a library card, this is a perfect week to get one and explore your local library. And during this time when we are all trying to pinch some pennies, you can't beat the price. For more information you can visit the American Library Association's website as well as your local library's to see what festivities they have planned to celebrate National Library Week.

Roadhouse Joe Buffalo Rose Snapshots

A few "blue" snapshots of the blues band Roadhouse Joe at the Buffalo Rose in Golden CO, last Thursday night. Great music, crowd and spirits. If you are going to be in the Denver area this Friday, come check out Roadhouse Joe for some hard blues and full tilt boogie at The Barking Goat Tavern, 363 Village Square Lance, Castle Rock, no cover.

April is National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month and I have stumbled upon several resources that I thought I would pass along for those who might like to celebrate this poetic month.

• The blog, Poetic Asides by Robert Lee Brewer, is having a Poem a Day Challenge (PAD). Each day he will provide a poem prompt to get your poetic juices flowing.
• For poetic inspiration, you can visit on Gregory K.’s blog, GottaBook. Every day this month he will be posting a previously unpublished poem by a different poet. A complete listing of the poets can be found in his 3/23 post, Announcing 30 Poets/30 Days. Yesterday he posted an amusing one from Jack Prelutsky, A Little Poem For Poetry Month, and today Midnight Stray by Rebecca Kai Dotlich. It is about a little stray cat, a subject very near and dear to my heart.
• If you need more poetry prompts for the month, Poet & Writers is also having a Poetry Challenge with a new writing prompt or poetry-related assignment everyday during April.
• Poet & Writers also has an article on their site on what the Academy of American Poets has planned for the month, including Poem in Your Pocket day on April 30th.
• You can also sign up at Dailylit to receive though out the month 30 poems from late, great poets for free for those who would like a little poetry in their inboxes.
• For the young poetry lovers in the Denver area, they can visit the children’s section in the Tattered Cover Book Store and write a poem or copy a favorite poetry verse onto a raindrop which then will be hung from the ceiling under a cloud for readers to enjoy spring poetry showers all during April.
• If you belong to Facebook there are several poetry groups you can join such as, Facebook’s Poets & Writers Registry or World Salad Poetry Magazine.

Roadhouse Joe at the Sedalia Grill Tonight

If you just happened to stumble upon this blog on Saturday March 21, and you just happen to be from the Denver area and just happen to groove to the blues, head on out tonight and catch the hottest new blues band in Denver, Roadhouse Joe, at the Sedalia Grill. Show starts at 8pm, no cover, the grill is located at 5607 N US Hwy 85, Sedalia CO. You can find out more details on the Roadhouse Joe site as well as other upcoming shows (next gig is at Hiccups, Thursday March 26th, 9pm). Plus you can get a sampling of their full tilt boogie blues.

Share a Story Week

Share a story is a week-long event where the online community of children's book bloggers are promoting reading. From March 9 to 13, 2009, blogging librarians, teachers, parents, authors, illustrators, and other people passionate about literacy will be writing about different aspects of reading. Each day has its own theme, with a host blogger and several guests. The organizers also have several giveaways planned, including a number of books related to reading. There will also be lots of free, downloadable content that includes ideas for making bookmarks and templates; links to book lists, children's book reviewers, and resources for selecting material; and tips for reading with kids and getting involved with your community. Please visit their blog, Share a Story - Shape a Future for more details on the week's events.

March is Small Press Month

Small Press Month is where small presses are celebrated nation wide highlighting the valuable and creative work produced by independent publishers. All month literary events are taking place coast-to-coast, visit Small Press Month to get a listing of all the events that might be taking place in your area as well as things you can do to help celebrate the month and small independent publishers. You can even get your own Small Press Month posters.

Roadhouse Joe at the Buffalo Rose Tonight

Sorry about the late notice, meant to post this on Monday but then somehow it got to be Thursday. However, if you stumble upon this posting today and are from the Denver area, stop by the Buffalo Rose in Golden tonight for some rockin' good ol' blues from Denver's hottest and greasiest new blues band Roadhouse Joe.

No Cover
Ladies Night (gals drink free)
$4 Pitchers

Start the weekend early. Opening band comes on at 9pm and Roadhouse Joe takes the stage at 10pm.

Birthday

Last Friday was my birthday and I caught a cold. Not a very nice present if you ask me. My sister did say though she would refrain from making comments about the body falling apart as one gets old. Not officially celebrating the milestone until later this month when the family can get together, thus I don't feel I need to officially count it until that date. The celebration of course will include me eating a massive amounts of birthday frosting with a little side of cake. It is my birthday, so I get the corner pieces, right?

Here are a few photos I took in my office for prosperity sake of sweet birthday wishes to chase away my aging blues...and running nose.

The flowers and teddy are from the hubby and the cards from family.



Yes, the bat one is from my sister.


The rest of the photos are me playing with my camera in other settings besides "auto", trying to prove you can teach an old dog, or in this case should I say old Icats, new tricks.

2009 Karma

I received an email last Friday from freekibble that during 2008 they served 590,333 delicious and nutritious meals to dogs and cats in shelters across the country. If you want to rack up a few good Karma points here in 2009, visit freekibble.com and freekibblekat.com daily to answer fun canine and feline trivia questions. Whether right or wrong, everybody wins as they will donate 10 pieces of kibble to animal shelters to help feed their hungry cats and dogs. You can even set up a daily email reminder. A pretty easy way to earn those Karma points.

Books Are Great Gifts

I stumbled upon BooksAreGreatGifts.com yesterday and this video below. The video, produced by Random House, Inc., has authors and celebrities sharing why they feel books make great gifts.



From what I have seen, I think you still have a few days to order books online taking advantage of free shipping and/or other discount offerings and get them by Christmas.

If you need some ideas for great books, check out the Red River Writers' Christmas Event (RRW Christmas Exchange) on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=32917461597.

Holiday Specials on Totes, Journals and Printable Gift Tags

If still needing to do some holiday shopping check out the All Us All the Time Blog. They were running a 12 Day of Christmas Special and Day 12 is where you can take advantage of any of the previous 11 day specials which include free totes, journals, and magnets with purchase. Also they are giving away free printable gift tags that are adorable. The offer is good through 12/16.

If you are looking for some cute stocking stuffer, unique gifts, reusable gift bags, or package bling, check them out but you will need to get the promo codes from their blog.

Day 8 of Holiday Specials

I particularly love today's special for the 12 Blog Postings of Christmas on the All Us All the Time blog. Purchase the Willow May Goes to the Midnight Carnival book from their site (it is even on sale!) and besides getting the free bookmark, button, book plate and character trading cards, if you order today, they will throw in a free Willow May tote. The great thing about the tote is no wrapping needed, you can just present the gift in the reusable adorable canvas tote. Hop on over to my site and print out some of the free coloring sheets to add in, throw in some crayons or markers and you are set with one neat gift. If to a child (because this book also makes a cool gift for adults who are fans of features like Nightmare Before Christmas and the Addams Family as well as enjoying to color, you know who they are), you could also include a coupon for a free reading, I suppose you could even include that if giving to an adult, it would depend on the recipient whether that would be awkward or not. You can visit the All Us All the Time Blog for the details and promotional code.

Also for more great book ideas check out the Red River Writers' Christmas Event (RRW Christmas Exchange) on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=32917461597.

Okay, I will stop with my special promotional announcement and let you get back to your normal Monday programming.

Free Holiday Gift Tags

The All Us All the Time's Day 5 of their 12 Blog Postings of Christmas is free gift tags...and they are pretty cool.

Hop on over to their blog if you would like to check them out.

Just a Friendly Reminder

Just a friendly reminder about two events that are currently taking place online.

The first is the Red River Writers' Christmas Event (RRW Christmas Exchange) on Facebook featuring great books of all varieties. There are over 400 entries to date with 16 participating groups. Grab a hot beverage or for those in warmer climates a cool one and do some fun perusing at this online event. I am new with Facebook, but I think this link should get you there. You may have to create an account, but that is rather simple, and I promise, we will befriend you.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=32917461597

The second is the 12 Blog Postings of Christmas happening online over at the All Us All the Time Blog. Each day between now and 12/12, they are have a one day only promotion for their site that is filled with creative goodies.

All Us All the Time Blog

The All Us All the Time blog is doing "The 12 Blog Postings of Christmas" where each day they have a new special for their site. If you would like to check it out, go visit the All Us All the Time Blog.