'Winter Song' - cover in Irish

A Snowy Day at The Book Market in Crest Hill

As part of my commitment to "keeping it real" in terms of sales expectations, I like to share how many books I sell at any particular event.

I think authors, as well as other artists, sometimes have unrealistic (or uncertain) expectations regarding sales volume at bookstores, vendor fairs, craft shows, etc.

So on January 27, Rebekah and I hung out at The Book Market in Crest Hill for a few hours.

It was a snowy day and store traffic was light.

We sold seven books, which was more than we anticipated, actually, considering the weather.

So we were pleased.

And we had a great time meeting and talking with customers.

Bertrand's Shades of Snow

On Sunday, Rebekah, Uncle Barty, Bertrand  the Mouse, and I drove to Barnes and Noble in Joliet to meet a friend for coffee.

Snowflakes fell thick and fast during our drive, and Bertrand gazed happily out the window, looking forward to finally play in the snow when we returned.

Well, the snow had stopped by the time we left, and Bertrand was super disappointed.

So far, the winter of 2022-2023 is a mild one, in terms of snow. 

That's why Bertrand asked me to share some of his favorite photos from past years, hoping it might encourage the Midwest winter to do its job.

Enjoy!

Before COVID and remote working, I lived close enough to The Herald-News office to walk back and forth to work with Bertrand, even in winter. He loved it!

And some days, he skipped ahead of me.

Even crocheted mice get cold in the snow, so Bertrand makes sure to bundle up!

We;;, he bundles up most of the time...

But sometimes Bertrand would be so excited to play in the snow, he dashed out the door without his winter wraps ("extra" mittens that lost its mate).

Although on sunny days, Bertrand didn't mind the cold at all.

But snow does get Bertrand's yarn all wet. When you're a crocheted mouse, you not only need to warm up when you come inside, you need to dry out. So it's best to be proactive.

But thinking ahead doesn't always happen when you're an impetuous pretend mouse that can't resist adventure.

Because for Bertrand, adventure is everywhere and always calling him.

    This was one of our easier winter walks to The Herald-News.

But some days are too bitter cold for me to chase a crocheted mouse in the snow. So Bertrand has to content himself with living his nonlife from the inside and patiently waiting for better days.

Soap bubbles in the snow? Makes sense to Bertrand!

Snow by day, snow by night: it makes no difference to Bertrand. All snow is fun snow.

Yes, he walked across all of it. No, I did not follow him.

As much as Bertrand loves snow, he enjoys a good whiff of spring air like many other creatures, real or pretend.

And sometimes Bertrand even persuades his Uncle Barty to join him in the snow, when Uncle Barty isn't too busy reading, which is Uncle Barty's favorite activity.

Reading is Bertrand's favorite activity, too. His reason for being is to share the joys of reading with children. But when adventures calls...

...sometimes Bertrand just can't resist.