Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book? . . . . It took me years to write, will you take a look?

My sister in law recently mentioned dreaming that I was a famous writer. I didn't think to ask about her track-record for accuracy in dream prophecy.

But I had a similar dream once. Unfortunately, mine involved student loans, homework, brutal critique sessions, and rejection letters.

Fortunately, in the ensuing years Al Gore invented the internet so now I can write to my heart's content and then just hit a little button that says "PUBLISH."

Most satisfying.

I believe that Stephan Pastis, creator of "Pearls Before Swine" (one of my favorite comic strips), must have had a similar dream at one time. He recently ran a whole string of "Rat the Book Editor" strips that are probably best appreciated by someone who owns a personal file of rejection letters.

So I loved them.

(click on to enlarge)







Luckily, I developed other interests.

And as any fortune-cookie-fortune collector
worth her salt can tell you:


It's now been quite a few years since I turned in my pen for a needle, and thankfully the art buying public has been infinitely kinder than Rat, the Book Editor.

I'm currently stitching away on a couple of projects -- one is the commission I mentioned awhile back. It's a piece that involves 10 separate frames with characters (like the one in my banner).

These pieces are fun for me because when I make itty bitty people (approx. 2"), I cut them straight from the fabric and just start sewing.

No plan, no drawing.

It's a good exercise for a control freak like me.

And it's a little like a party in the studio -- I just put out the invitation and see who shows up!

Here are the folks who have RSVP'd so far:


Miss Kitty, cute but spoiled, and also slightly suspicious-looking . . .


Fish-head guy, who turns up from time to time and who I've never thought to ask why he has a fish on his head -- I think I should ask the fish, who always looks like something's up . . .


Flower-pot-head Lady, who never fails to show (invited or not), and who this time is sporting a painted paper flower
that I like quite a bit . . .


A rather serious/matronly looking bird woman, who looks as if she is about to lead the group in a chorus of some song I learned in 4th grade music . . .


And nerdy glasses-guy, who pokes his head in from time to time but never seems to say a darn thing.

This being Monday morning, I can't help but wonder who's going to knock on the door today . . .



I guess we'll all find out together.

But if it's a rat, he's not coming in.