Early Book Publicity

 

I am starting to try to generate some PR and publicity for my new book. This week I received disappointing news from Palmetto Publishing that delivery of the first batch will be three weeks or so later than I was told in mid-June when the manuscript was ready to be printed. Looking at early September for the first 100 copies, instead of mid-August. 

Chicago's Holiday Season Charm!

On the eve of Christmas and New Year's, Chicago was a great place to visit for several days!  Alesia was sent there on a business trip and I was able to join her after completing finals and final grading. Our younger son lives and works there now too, so this trip was much anticipated, to say the least!

This may be my favorite photograph (from among the hundreds taken) during my Chicago December visit. The sax playing, Santa hat wearing musician provided a pop of sound and color on this one day that was very foggy from dawn to dusk.

This picture is a favorite too. I took it from the stairs going to the "L" train station near our hotel.

Northwestern University Birds

During a very pleasant walk around my grad schoool alma mater Northwestern University I encountered a delightful variety of birds.  The flashy yellow one caught my eye and I did my best to capture its image from a pretty good distance.  Peterson Field Guide and Google images helped me identify this beauty as an American Goldfinch. 

It was a nice surprise to see several Red-Winged Blackbirds in a couple places around campus.  Used to see these all the time at the old Kings Grant golf course here in Summerville, S.C.  The males are distinctive by their red and yellow epaulets.  The other bird pictured on the fence I believe to be a female Red-Winged Blackbird.  The females don't have the flashy markings of the male. 

I also enjoyed seeing a number of American Robins.  They are quite busy birds and are approachable, allowing me to get fairly close for my photos.