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Why Not Write? Camp NaNoWriMo Begins!

Join a Writers Camp like no other!

Hello, folks!

NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month, and takes place each year in November. Folks from all over the world spend one month furiously writing novels — whoo hoo!

Camp NaNoWriMo is the summer fun version of this annual undertaking. Each one of us is invited to work on a writing project of our choice for one month, in the spirit of campfires and cook outs.

This month, my daughters and I have embarked on writing projects. And it looks like my sister-in-law and niece will be joining us too.

Here’s a peek of what I started:

Dragon Tale

by Jane Valencia

Santa here, reporting on a typical late winter predawn morning on Yonder Island. The birds are whimpering. The trees are drooping in the drizzle. Who wants to be out here in the damp? The birds don’t, and I bet the trees don’t. And I sure as heck don’t.

My sister Annie is snuggled in bed. My mom has forced me to bundle into layers of thermal underwear, wool socks, my insulated waterproof boots, and, ugh, rain pants. I’m pained as I put all this stuff on, but, see—I’ve been coming out every morning for quite some time. And though I despise all this stuff and nonsense, my scientific mind has to admit that, although I’m miserable out here in the damp, I’m far more miserable when I forego all these absurdities. So, layers and waterproofs it is. I’m bundled as much as I can deal with and still hike up from the house, and up into the Upper Woods. I bypass all my favorite places, our longtime haunts: the Mental Village and DragonAir, the Octopus tree, and all the other fun of the Hundred Acre Woods.

You could say that reason has overcome madness in this regard—or is the other way around?

Santa is not here to play. I’m here for a high purpose. The highest anyone is likely to find.

I’ve an egg hidden in the Upper Woods, an egg of the most incredible kind. And I intend to hatch it. …

[to be continued]

Do you want to be a writer? Then please join me at Camp NaNoWriMo, and let’s all write!

Share what your writing project is in the comment box below!

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Only Three Spots Left!

Hello, folks!

As some of you may know, I’m a nature instructor with the Vashon Wilderness Program. During the school year I teach a weekly program for 4-6 year olds. We enjoy a sweet, fun, magical time adventuring and getting up close and personal with nature.

Only three spots are left for the 2014-15 program! If you know any kids in this age range on or near Vashon Island (or have kids this age yourself!) please read on!

Wind Gatherers has only 3 spots left!

 

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Know any 4-6 year olds who would love to walk like a fox, hear like a deer, move like the wind, know what the bird songs mean, and more?  Looking for a safe place for your child to feel nurtured and celebrated for who they are and how they learn? 

 

 

 

Then join your friends – and make new ones – at our Wind Gatherer nature program for 4-6 year olds that meets weekly on Vashon throughout the school-year. For the past seven years, we’ve been providing families with the best in deep nature connection to help grow healthy, vibrant, and connected kids.

 

 

 

“This is nature education as it should be — mysterious, timeless, hopeful, evocative and playful.” ~ David Sobel, author of Beyond Ecophobia: Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education

 

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New Acorn To Oak – And May Day Celebration

The latest issue of our ezine, Acorn To Oak, is now posted!

I’m delighted to include a radio show clip, in which I tell a story and play harp. I’m also particularly proud and pleased with a video I produced of my kids herbal comic, Paloma And Wings.

Please check out the fanciful fun at:

Acorn To Oak - May 2014 Into The Forest Wood - cover art by Jane Valencia (c) 2014Acorn To Oak – May 2014

 

Oh, and psst! Shell and Govan from Because Of The Red Fox are celebrating their birthday today! I hear that the Hundred Acre Farm Community had a May Day celebration particularly in their honor, and that Bert cooked up a fine array of cakes and pies for the occasion. GK and the hounds served up heaping platters of meat. The hens wove some lovely May crowns using beak and claws, and the bard foxes served up some mayhem on the side.

Hope your May Day was great fun!