we have a winner!

May 28, 2012May 27, 2012 ~ jama ~ 11 Comments

We are pleased to announce that we have a winner in the Iva Honeysuckle Discovers the World giveaway!

After the most recent fiasco, Mr. Random Integer Generator decided he needed some time off in the south of France, where he is, at this very moment, nibbling on Salade Nicoise and sipping L’Estandon. He was only too pleased to pass le bâton to Monsieur Cornelius, who then acted with the utmost discretion to avoid any jealousy in the ranks.

M. Cornelius made sure no one could impersonate Mr. Generator by securing all stray mustaches. No monkey business this time.

After reading Iva Honeysuckle for the fourteenth time, he channeled his favorite main character by cutting a fresh Y-shaped branch from a willow tree. Though this was his first experience with ~~dozing~~ ~~dowsing~~ divining, Cornelius held steady and employed enviable powers of concentration.

After a mere 3 minutes and 24 seconds, his dowsing rod twitched and dipped and pointed to one lucky commenter.

*drum roll, please*

Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of a brand new, signed copy of Iva Honeysuckle Discovers the World by Candice Ransom is:

WOOHOO! CONGRATULATIONS, JANE!!

Please send your snail mail address to: readermail (at) jamakimrattigan (dot) com, so we can get your prize out to you zippity quick!

BIG THANKS to everyone for all your great comments (please have some unsweetened cherry Kool-Aid). We hope you all discover wonderful new worlds in your summer reading!

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See, things went swimmingly this time. No monkey business. No monkey business at all.

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we have a winner (i think)!

May 21, 2012May 20, 2012 ~ jama ~ 8 Comments

So, I was very excited to see who would win a copy of Jo Knowles’s fabulous new book, See You at Harry’s (Candlewick, 2012).

But a strange thing happened when I entered the kitchen.

hatley — “Greetings! Mr. Generator at your service, Miss.”

As you may know, recently I’ve called upon the very reliable, ever steady Mr. Random Integer Generator to pick giveaway winners to avoid any ~~jealousy~~ ~~riots~~ ~~strikes~~ ugly kerfuffles involving the furry kitchen helpers. They all love giveaways and they all want to pick the winners.

Calling upon Mr. Generator therefore makes perfect sense. He is perfectly objective and does not wear fur, nor does he ever hold a grudge. Usually it is easy to spot him in his meticulously groomed mustache and stylish bowler hat.

But I don’t recall Mr. Generator ever sporting moose antlers (I did like that he called me, “Miss,” ever so polite). Before I could question him further, I was confronted with this:

bears — “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Generator reporting for duty!”

And then this:

Mr. Generators crawling out of the woodwork!

Wait! (I came to my senses.)

If any of you really are Mr. Generator, where are your bowler hats??!!

“We took them off. It’s impolite to wear hats indoors.”

Hmmmmm. Good point.

Then one of them tried to bribe me with this:

He looked strangely familiar. Excellent mustache.

I decided to ponder further while eating the bribe.

I knew that if I singled out any one of these rascals I’d have a riot on my hands for sure. Oh, Mr. Generator, the real Mr. Generator, please give me a sign!

Knock knock!

Why, hello. Yes, a nice mustache AND a bowler hat. Thank goodness you’re here at last, Mr. Generator!

I gave our wayward guest the names of all the entrants and their ice cream flavors. The information was processed with an extra helping of panache. After precisely 4 minutes and 28 seconds, one lucky commenter was selected.

*Drum roll, please!*

I’m happy to announce that the winner of a brand new copy of See You at Harry’s is —

WOO HOO!! CONGRATULATIONS, KELL!

Please send your snail mail address to: readermail (at) jamakimrattigan (dot) com, so we can get your prize out to you.

A BIG THANKS to everyone for entering the giveaway. Great choice of ice cream flavors — I imagine all of them are available at Harry’s. ☺

pad — “Hey, wait a minute! That’s not Mr. Generator. That looks like my Aunt Lucy!”

Oh no, here we go . . .

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sunday bear: john lennon

March 25, 2012October 2, 2017 ~ jama ~ 4 Comments

*“Crackers, Yeoman 2nd Class,” by Denise Dewire (German distressed mohair, blue chambray sailor suit, tea-stained cap, 1988).*

As a kid I had a dream – I wanted to own my own bicycle. When I got the bike I must have been the happiest boy in Liverpool, maybe the world. I lived for that bike. Most kids left their bike in the backyard at night. Not me. I insisted on taking mine indoors and the first night I even kept it in my bed. ~ John Lennon

♥ Today’s Sunday Bear Hug is brought to you by Mr. Cornelius, whose favorite Lennon song is “Imagine.” He also thinks you’d make a mighty fine Honey Pie. Rattle your jewelry, clink your teacups and have a smashing day!

(((((HUGS))))))HONEY PIE((((((HUGS))))))

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celebrating spring!

March 20, 2012March 19, 2012 ~ jama ~ 20 Comments

Happy Spring!

Though the calendar says March 20th is officially the first day of Spring, this season of fresh starts and renewal seems to have rushed in ahead of schedule.

In downtown D.C., the cherry blossoms have already popped. Our daffodils came up a month ago, last week we had temps in the 80’s, and the robins are already packing for their summer vacations. Winter was strange; our lawn stayed green the entire time, and not once did we have to clear our driveway of snow. We live in such a fast-paced world — now, even nature seems to be in a hurry. ☺

Continue reading →

sunday bear: mary oliver

March 11, 2012October 2, 2017 ~ jama ~ 14 Comments

*“Mary Ann and her kitty Jellylorum,” by Mary Holstad (beige mohair, shoebutton eyes, vintage low-waist frock, 1987)*

Why I Wake Early

by Mary Oliver

Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who made the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and the crotchety –
best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light –
good morning, good morning, good morning.
Watch, now, how I start the day.

♥ This week’s Sunday Bear Hug is brought to you by Mr. Cornelius, who wishes you the brightest and most glorious of mornings, hoping you’ll carry this light with you throughout the week.

(((((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))))))

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