About ritalovestowrite
Freelance writer, graphic designer, musician, foodie and Jane Austen enthusiast in Northern Baltimore County, Maryland. As a writer I enjoy both fiction and non fiction (food, travel and local interest stories.) As an advocate for the ARTS, one of my biggest passions is helping young people find a voice in all the performing arts. To that end it has been my honor to give one-on-one lessons to elementary, middle and high school students in graphic design and music. And as JANE-O I am a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Maryland. I acted as that group's Regional Coordinator for several years. In 2025 I sat on the JASNA AGM (Annual General Meeting) Planning Committee where I held the post of Head of User Experience. I'm also the coordinator for the Maryland Jane Austen Fest in Monkton, Maryland. This year the Fest takes place on May 1, 2 and 3rd.
Maggie weighed in again, this time with her review of #90 on the list, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle.
I liked the female characters (well most of the characters actually). Meg is a disenfranchised character and I think a lot of people her age can identify with that. She exhibits a feminist perspective of the intellectual female who doesn’t always fit in with her peers. [– Maggie]
Reasons it may have been banned: Not really sure, but maybe for Religious View Point, Occultism, and some Violence?
Maggie recommends this book for readers ages 8 and up.
Madeleine L’Engle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Leave a comment | tags: A Wrinkle In Time, Banned Books, Madeline L'Engle | posted in A Year of READING Dangerously
Today we get a visit from royalty on 12 Days of Christmas Pets.
Asgard Warrior Prince, Marianna Herpel’s handsome schnauzer, is three years old and likes to take long walks in the woods. He is working on his Rally Novice title.
Marianna and Prince live in Garret County, Maryland.
UPDATE: Prince got his Rally Novice (RN) title today (1.11.15) at the Charlottesville-Albermarle Kennel Club Dog Show in Fredericksburg, VA! Congratulations Prince and Marianna!!!
For more information on Asgard Standard Schnauzers click on the link below.
asgardstandardschnauzers.com
Leave a comment | tags: 12 Days of Christmas PETS, Asgard Warrior Prince, Schnauzers | posted in 12 Days of Christmas PETS, Thought of the Day
Those of you following along know that this is a COLLECTIVE project where anyone is invited/encouraged to read a book on the ALA’s 100 Most Banned Book List. I’m very happy to report that Maggie has taken up the challenge and has reported back on several books. The first we’ll share here is #52 on the list, The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson.
In it a young girl navigate her way though yet another foster care placement only to get pull out of it when her mother shows up. The book is written from Gilly’s perspective and Maggie says that makes for an interesting read. “It is definitely a good book that sticks with you. She uses the tool that is her brain for self-destructive purposes instead of constructive purposes. It takes a really long time, but you get to watch as Gilly gradually slowly evolves a moral compass. I think it’s a book that smart kids will identify with.”
Maggie recommends this book for readers aged 11 and above.
Possible reasons that it was banned: Cultural Insensitivity, Racism, Offensive Language, and some Criticism of Religion.
2 Comments | tags: Katherine Paterson, National Book Award, The Great Gilly Hopkins | posted in A Year of READING Dangerously
Happy New Year every one!
To celebrate I’m adding a bonus blog post today. This one is a logo for the 12 Days of Christmas Pets designed by my friend Hannah Eber.
How cute is that?
Hannah is a 3rd year in University of Cincinnati DAAP’s industrial design program. She works mostly in product design, but enjoys handlettering and graphic design as hobbies. Also loves: sketching, dancing, playing the bass, eating steamed crabs (in addition to most all foods), and slowly reading classic novels.
Visit https://www.behance.net/eberhr for some of her work in progress.
Leave a comment | tags: 12 Days of Christmas PETS, Christmas, Graphic design, Hannah Eber, University of Cincinnati DAAP | posted in 12 Days of Christmas PETS, Art
Artist Julia DeNuzzio did this special picture for her mother, Sue, for Christmas. The subject is of Matilda, the family’s beloved Bichon who passed away this April. Matilda was the family’s only dog and they had her for 14 years.
“We felt very blessed for having her for as long as we did.” Said Sue. “This is the first Christmas with out her and we really miss her.” That made the painting even more special for the family. “I love the look in her eyes, and the little pink nose is right on.”
Julia attends Wake Forest University where she majors in Studio Art and minors in French and Entrepreneurship.
Leave a comment | tags: 12 Days of Christmas PETS, Bichon, Christmas, Dog, Wake Forest University | posted in 12 Days of Christmas PETS
Writer and friend Lynn Reynolds sent in this set of Christmas photos of her cat Tiger.
He liked the Elf on the Shelf, although he apparently felt the shelf was the wrong place for it.
And judging from the maniacal gleam in his eyes, he especially liked the silver snowman Christmas wrapping paper.
Tiger is an old cat (nearly 19) but he still knows how to have fun.
Lynn writes contemporary romantic suspense and mysteries with a chick lit vibe. Her novels include the “chick noir” Thirty-Nine Again, a book that RT Book Review called “a first-class mystery…and first-class read.” Most recently she was featured in Bake LOVE Write edited by Lois Winston. For more on Lynn go to http://www.lynnreynolds.com/
Leave a comment | tags: 12 Days of Christmas PETS, Chick lit, Christmas and holiday season, Christmas Pets, Lynn Reynolds | posted in 12 Days of Christmas PETS
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 30,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 11 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Click here to see the complete report.
English: sydney opera house (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Leave a comment | tags: Annual report, Sydney Opera House | posted in Thought of the Day
My cousin Shannon Baker commissioned artist Sam Peterson to paint this picture of her dogs Pete and Josie for Christmas a few years ago.
Sam Peterson is a visual artist who explores his relationship with other species using many different mediums. He works on commission, using either photos he takes of the subject, or photos chosen with the client. The works are small, intimate, lively, and thoughtful. His most recent commission was for the recently deceased beagle mix Tangerine, whom he drew in a field of bluebonnets (she’s Texan) that turned into butterflies arching into the sky, representing her now-free spirit.
Learn more about Sam and his art at handsofsam.wordpress.com .
Leave a comment | tags: 12 Days of Christmas PETS, Art, Christmas, Illustration, Pets, Sam Peterson, Shannon Baker, visual artist | posted in 12 Days of Christmas PETS, 12 Days of Christmas STORIES
Hello kitty… 
Today’s special furry friend is Melo of Accident, Maryland. Melo lives with Grace Herpel. Grace’s aunt Marianna snapped this adorable feline fa la la la la.
Leave a comment | tags: 12 Days of Christmas PETS, Christmas Cats, Pets | posted in 12 Days of Christmas STORIES
ritaLOVEStoWRITE 