Blabble #1
The Popsicle Man (well... he was an older woman with gray hair this time) came by on Saturday. I bought my youngest a Banana popsicle because, well... I'm trying to maintain my 'World's Greatest Dad' status... at least to my youngest daughter. Later on, I was sitting in my chair, she crawled in my lap and swung her little arm around my neck and said, 

"Daddy. If you were a little boy and I was your mommy... I'd buy you a popsicle."

She's a peach, that one. She can officially ask me for anything and I'll give it to her... no question.

Blabble #2
I was discussing my Anti-Piratical book with my wife. While I sketched up a character I had in mind for her... I had an epiphany. The one I was waiting for. This book needed something... that one thing that will set it completely apart from other Middle Grade adventure books. And now I have it. 

Funny... I had spent days forcing my brain to come up with it, to no avail. Then... blam! And I'm thrilled with it. I can't tell you what it is just yet, but this picture will give you a clue.

Sorry! That's not the picture. Here's the REAL picture that will make The Off-Blue Lagoon stand out on the shelves. Ready?
There! See! Makes perfect sense! No? Bah! 

Blabble #3
Sometimes life beats you up. Kicks, punches and pummels. And sometimes you want to fight back... but that doesn't work. Just take the beating and learn from it. Then, as the wounds heal, take action so you don't position yourself for another trouncing. 

Blabble #4
I don't care how many rejections you've had... keep writing! I don't care how much you hate to create a rough draft that reads like sh$t... keep writing! It amazes me how a book goes from "crap" to "not-so-crap" to "hey... this ain't crap!" It happens every time. But you must first HAVE the book in order to complete these arduous steps. (arduous is my BIG word for the day!)

Blabble #5
Lifehouse - Who we are
Linkin Park - Minutes to Midnight

These two CDs are brilliant from start to finish IMO. 

If you have a recommendation for a CD that can be played non-stop and inspires... please leave me the artist and title, I'd love to listen to some new stuff.

That will end Today's Blabble. "Hey! Are you cheering because it's over or because this Blabble was so dazzling? Oh, yeah! Well.... you just enjoy that coffee."