AfTeR TrIcK oR TrEaT!

This is a 100 word, picture book story about Halloween. It was inspired by a draft illustration I did several years ago called "Eyes and a flashlight"

Happy Halloween!

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After Trick or Treat:

I cannot sleep.

The lights went out when the thunder came.

It's not the same bedroom in the dark...

...but I'm not afraid.

I forgot to close my closet door.

Eyes beside my backpack blink.

Something groaned or was it me?

Do trolls like stinky feet?

A ghostly bump sits on my bed...

...but I'm not afraid.

My under-bed-monster has a new address; I don't know where.

I wonder if he still eats toes?

Spiders, extra large, scratch at the moonlit windowpane...

...but I'm not afraid.

I keep my friendly flashlight handy!

It's not the same bedroom in the light.

 kah2016©

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Just a picture of my cat this time...

For my friends on the 'Reef' at http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com, this is a picture of Cedar's sister. Since I too have problems imbedding links without leaning on Colin, I chose to post it here.
Cedar and Fern express their happiness at being 'featured" on this page.
(Beth: I did get a picture of the elusive Fern!)

My entry for Susanna Hill's "The 1st Annual Valentiny Writing Contest"

Grumpy, Groany, Grouchy, Growl 
by Kathleen Higgins 2016

"Go to your room Mikey."

     "You don't love me!" Mikey grouched

"I love you but sometimes that's what mommies do
when they love you."

     Mickey stomped and stormed into his room and slipped
     under the edge of his blue blankety world.

"Hello? Anyone home?"

"Mommy won't let me do what I want to do. Mommy doesn't love me!" groaned Mikey

Daddy swooped under the blue blankety world.

     "Love is a funny thing." Daddy said, "My mommy wouldn't let me do
      what I wanted to do.
      Sometimes I sat in a corner for almost forever. "

"Grandma didn't love you either!" griped Mikey

     "She loved me but sometimes that's what people do
       when they love you"

"I hear voices but I can't see anyone?" 

"Popa slithered under the blue, blankety world."

     "Once my brother sat on my head," Popa said,
     "he wouldn't let me do what I wanted to do "

"That's really mean. He didn't love you." grumbled Mikey.

          

     "He loved me but sometimes that's what people do 

      when they love you"

"Is your blanket talking, Mikey?"

"Go away, Mommy!" growled Mikey

     "We are discussing love"

          "We are talking about doing things we shouldn't do."

Three cookies silently slid under Mikey's blue blankety world.

Because sometimes that's what Mommies do
when they love you.

A Valentiny writing contest from Susanna Hill February 2016

Susanna Hill, a wonderful children's book author, has a bright idea about a “writing contest in February to break up the winter doldrums” it is called the; "First Annual Pretty Much World Famous Valentiny Contest!"
 ... with prizes!

It looks like fun (and good writing practice) so I'm entering. Just 214 words about “big emotions for little people”  in which someone is grumpy. If you are interested: http://susannahill.com/blog/

PiBoIdMo

PiBoIdMo: that means Picture Book Idea Month. Easy, just come up with 30+ new, original, fantastic, picture book ideas. It's not like I have the time. I mean, I'm really busy but I am also very tempted. I imagine at least 7 impossible (to mis-quote Alice in Wonderland) and this will provide a way to log them and maybe just maybe one will eventually become a book. Want to know more? Visit: http://taralazar.com/piboidmo. I already have 3 ideas:

1) A story with frogs in it
2) The theme has to do with brothers
3) The story involves not sleeping

It has been suggested that we don't reveal all in a blog; Idea-ntity theft you know or possibly undead, idea zombies who'll eat your brain and suck those ideas right out of your head...humm...maybe idea number four...

Something Creative This Way Comes...

Amazing how creativity can lead you to where you've never been. Three months ago, in order to bring in extra cash in this stressful economy, I (re-)opened my Etsy shop (see the mini store to the right). I really didn't know if my summer brainstorm would be successful but jobs for graphic designers (and illustrators) were few and far between (there are 100 applicants for each one). So I gave it a go with something I knew I could do; create art I like.

Pelican Beakcan Bellycan

Andalusian Horse

Now in the new year I have a retailer interested in possible licensing of an exclusive character, I've produce two custom Flamingo Incognitos! and I'm still surprised that people want my artfully disguised birdies. There really IS a pink Plastic Flamingo in there somewhere (you can just see the tip of it beak in the pelican's mouth...like a tongue!)

This little shop has caused me to work in my studio more, stimulated my imagination and produced a multitude of great ideas for stories and illustrations. And I am not procrastinating. Or making excuses. Or feeling like my art is 'not good enough'. It wasn't the money (though it didn't hurt), it was supplying something completely different that others truly appreciated and wanted. Wow.

I not trying to please anyone but myself. I don't copy some other character style. It is just me and my imagination and I love it. Now I'm realizing what Mark Twain said years ago, "Do what you love and the money will come"... is true.

Flamingos with an identity crisis...

Before the transformations

Creativity can strike at anytime. This summer it came in pink. Pink Plastic Flamingos, those kitschy 1950s yard birds. Inspired by the thought that maybe some pink flamingos would like to be different than the big pink flock. Individuals. Unique.

Camo Flamingo

It all started as one of those weird dreams that grab at you at 3 am and start churning away until you have to DO something about them. So I did and now they are for sale to those who always secretly wanted a pink plastic flamingo in their yard. One of my flamingos is totally camouflaged so you really could have one and no one would know it. But somehow I think that goes against having a kitschy, pink flamingo in the first place.

Steampunky Flamingo

To showcase my dream birds, I have just opened a new section of my Etsy shop called: Flamingo Incognito©. Flamingo Incognitos are at heart, plain ol’ 1950’s, kitschy, pink plastic yard birds but I re-invented them with household plastic leftovers, handmade assorted body parts, objects d’art from the studio junk drawer, paint and large doses of imagination. These flamingos make you look twice or maybe three times. Come take a peek and tell me what you think. You never know what will pop up in a creative dream.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CedarMoon

A Different Perspective...

Ah, sooo long since I blogged. Sorry about that but this blog is as good as any to start up again. One blog I follow shows the value of a different perspective. A great way to spur bouts of creativity is seeing life through another's eyes, in this case a cat's or rather a kitten's.
The blog is called Housecat Confidential (http://housecatconfidential.blogspot.com) and it is written (mostly) from the viewpoint of a kitten named Quill. With a sense of humor and a distinct opinion of what humans are for – servitude – the blog is written for anyone owned by a feline.

This month Meg Hart is concentrating on the Cat-O-Lympics narrated convincingly by a pair of fictitious announcers named Jim and Bob. First round is the Hiding event. My Cedar, a 17lb, Maine Coon, Tuxedo cat is a late entry.

It is said humans once worshiped cats as gods and Cats have never let us forget that fact.
If you have cats or if they have you, you will enjoy Housecat Confidential. Let the games begin!