Wow, look at the moon!

So did everyone see the lunar eclipse the other night? Wasn’t it awesome?? I took this picture from my backyard and magnified it.
lunareclipsefeb08ver2-1_edited-2.jpg
My fingers almost froze, but it was worth it. When I was working on EVERY SOUL A STAR, which is about a total eclipse of the sun, I got hooked on eclipses. I think it’s so interesting that the whole country could have seen this eclipse of the moon (unless it was covered by clouds), but only the smallest areas of the earth can see an eclipse of the sun. We tried to use our new telescope, but every time we centered the moon in the eyepiece, it moved again and we lost it! (The earth constantly rotates, so you have to keep moving the telescope in order to keep something in view). We’re so clueless about how to use it, that we finally had to give up before we missed the entire thing. You’d think the moon would be too big to lose! Apparently not! Binoculars worked almost as well though.
As promised, here’s another excerpt from my 5th grade diary:
“Dear Diary,
I’ve been thinking, when everyone asks me who my boyfriend is I always say Bobby, but a boyfriend is when you like the boy and the boy likes you. Now I’m all mixed up.
Yours Truly, Wendy”
I’m glad to say I finally got THAT all sorted out!
On the last page of the diary I had my younger-by-a-year sister Jennifer “rate” me at the end of each day. Here’s how I did:
Day One: Wendy is a good kid most of the time. We get into fights but we usually make up. She’s smart. 10 +
Day Two: Wendy did not get a good rating today. No offense. Good kid!! She’s tricky. -5
Day Three: We got along good today. She’s nice. 10
Day Four: Wendy was very nice to me today so I am going to give her a very high rating. 100.
Day Five: Wendy let me make rice krispy treats and she gave me TWO complements. 1000+
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea that we’re all different people to each person who knows us. Our parents see us one way, each of our friends another, our teachers a whole other way, etc. No one really gets the whole picture because we act differently around each person. We show different sides of us. This is what made me choose the opening quote for my second book, LEAP DAY – “The real you is who you are when no one’s watching.” So in keeping with this theme, I thought it would be fun to look back over my old report cards to see what my teachers thought of me:
Grade 3 – “Now that Wendy has begun to rely on her own good judgment, instead of a friend’s, her workbook and worksheets are much improved.”
Ok, so is this my teacher’s way of saying I was…gasp…CHEATING? Harrumph!
Grade 5 – “Wendy’s papers should be done more neatly.”
I’m sure this was true. My handwriting is still horrible.
Grade 6 – In the section under “Personal and Social Growth” my teacher wrote: “Inconsistent self-control.”
What does that mean? That I answered questions without raising my hand? Did I get up and dance on the desk? Alas, it is lost to the sands of time.
At least my 8th grade Hebrew School teacher appreciated me! She had this to say on my progress report: “Wendy is a lovely girl and a real pleasure in the class. She has a high interest level and great ability to learn. Let us teach her and encourage further studies in Judaism! Let’s also try for better attendance!” I love the dig at the end about how often I was absent. I’m not surprised. After all, instead of using a rabbi when we got married, my husband and I each had a close friend ordained over the internet to co-officiate. Instead of a rabbinical robe, his friend wore a college graduation gown, while mine wore a long black coat like Keanu Reeves wore in the Matrix movies. Actually, it WAS the one Keanu Reeves wore (or at least the Halloween costume version). Instead of reciting the prayer over the wine during the ceremony, my friend mistakenly recited the prayer over the Chanukah candles instead. It was pretty funny. Maybe if I hadn’t been absent so many days during Hebrew school I could have prepared him better. :o)
Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Leap Day on the 29th (or HAD a wonderful Leap Day, depending on when you’re reading this!). I had a lot of fun learning about what it would be like to be born on this day when I was doing the research for LEAP DAY. Take advantage of this extra day and do something special. I’m planning on learning a new magic trick and donating business clothes I don’t wear anymore to my local Dress for Success branch. You can also donate fancy dresses like prom and bridesmaid dresses to the glass slipper project (www.glassslipperproject.org) which offers prom dresses to girls who might have trouble affording them otherwise.
Leap On, everyone!

10 Comments

  1. Maggie on March 3, 2008 at 6:13 pm

    I think u should publish a Jeremy Fink book 2!!! I loved it!

  2. Claire F-T on March 6, 2008 at 6:44 pm

    I like this blog. Unfortunately, I missed the eclipse. I was on a plane and on the wrong side. I think I can relate to you, because of how messy my handwriting is. I didn’t cheat though. I can also relate to not raising my hand in class. I never do that. But, I think I am lucky that I do not go to Hebrew school. This is based on the amount of complaining my friends do about Hebrew school. Also, can you write a book about an orphan or foster-child. I like those kinds of books. But, if you don’t, any of your writing is totally fine by me, about orphans or not! Also, what did you think of school? I don’t think many kids these days like it. But hey, maybe it was more fun when you were a kid.

  3. Anonymous on March 9, 2008 at 11:19 am

    Hi Wendy,
    I am a random child from Valley View and wow you’re Jewish.
    So am I. In fact I just came back from hebrew school. I don’t want to give away too much info but I am in 5th grade and I made a poem for you.
    Rose Leaves
    Encircled,
    Intertwined,
    Slowly falling,
    Dancing,
    The music plays,
    As the color fades,
    It stops.

  4. May Robertson on March 11, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    Just read Jeremy Fink. Loved it!! To think there was an author sitting in class in Harrison School.

  5. rebel on March 23, 2008 at 1:43 am

    After reading your book (Mango) I found out that my husband of 25 years has number form synesthesia. And the alphabet is a certain shape for him. And the year 2008 isn’t the same shape/position that the number two thousand and eight would be.
    This is much more cool than when he told me, after five years, that he actually doesn’t like mushrooms.

  6. Lisa on September 22, 2008 at 9:12 am

    HI!
    Just finished Jeremy FInk and think you are a brilliant writer. I rarely find a book with such good writing that it keeps me interested and turning pages! usually I find the author loses the feel, consistancy, and passion for their story and characters – maybe they think it is not obvious to the reader but when I lose interest this is the main cause. Thanks you for an amazing work!
    Lisa

  7. christian on April 3, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    i love your book jermy fink and the meaning of life and your other book a mango shaped space
    AWSOME

  8. rebecca on May 10, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    i love your book called soul a star it cool and read your book 10 times it is awsome.

  9. anonymous on December 30, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    Dear Wendy,
    I loved your book every soul a star. one of the best books i’ve ever read. i got me interested in space too. i hope to see an eclipse some day.

  10. Lila on December 19, 2014 at 10:01 am

    Hey Wendy, why do you use July 14th and the name Lillian in your books? Also, so cool your Jewish. Happy Hannakah. שלום

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