Our time at Florida Reading Association's annual convention in Orlando, Florida, was like "old friends" week. We enjoyed seeing teachers from Pensacola to Key West, from Venice to Jacksonville. The conference was smaller than usual, due to the fact that many schools had already missed an entire week of school, and Hurricane Ike was threatening to head our way. In spite of the small numbers, the conference was well received and countless teachers stopped by our booth to enjoy sandwiches, cream puffs, "freebies," and to just say hello.

When I was in St. Louis, Missouri, last week, my husband Rick and I visited a beautiful animal and nature park that is open to the public. Grant's Farm is about 30 minutes south of St. Louis, and located on the former farm of Ulysses S. Grant, and later the Busch family. There are animals from six continents, bird shows, a tram ride, and lovely landscaping. My favorite activity was feeding the small goats, as you can see. Those greedy goats didn't spill a single drop. If you're in the St. Louis area, this is a nice way to spend a few hours. You can see the entire park in two hours.

This past week I've been in St. Clair County, Illinois, teaching elementary primary and intermediate teachers. The teachers I worked with are a dedicated bunch. Most of them teach underprivileged children and face a variety of challenges that would seem overwhelming to some teachers. Susan Sarfaty and Judy Smith, the administrators who invited me to present the workshops for their teachers, want to make sure every child is given the best teaching strategies, every child has the chance to reach his full potential. That should be our goal for every state, every region of this country.

This week I've been working on getting the manuscript for The Astonishing Journey of Teddy Bodain ready to go to press so for the children's edition, which should be out by January. I've also posted my pattern for making a Teddy-Bodain-style covered wagon on the Free Handouts page. Feel free to print the directions right from the PDF. This wagon is intended for teachers to make one per classroom, not one per child, but of course, you are welcome to use it any way that works.

As I write, Florida is being inundated with Fay, her winds, and her flooding. Schools are closed. Florida is tensing for more wind and rain. A chaotic way to start the school year. I hope you are high and dry and safe in your homes.
I have spent an enjoyable week in St. Johns County, working with primary teachers and intermediate teachers. They were an enthusiastic bunch who kept me on my toes.

What a summer it's been. Our eight two-day writing conferences, hosted by Forney Educational, Inc., were a huge success. Over 800 teachers attended and left with The Astonishing Journey of Teddy Bodain, Writing Superstars: How to Score More than Ever Before, and enough manipulatives and ideas to last a year. I must say that working with such upbeat, innovative teachers was a great pleasure for me.