Like Walking on Red Hot Embers and Broken Glass

Four years ago I posted a short biographical sketch of William Steig, the author-illustrator loved for his fine children’s books like  the Caldecott Award winning Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and (more well-known now, I’d think) Shrek! Recently Letters of Note posted a copy of a letter Steig wrote that describes his fear of public speaking. Caldecott winners, you see, were expected to give a short acceptance speech, and William Steig had an extreme fear of “formally [addressing] a group of people larger than two in number,” which, he says, “for me will be like walking on red hot embers & broken glass.”

Despite his fear, Steig managed to give a charming acceptance speech. You’ll find the text of that at the link above, too.

Status Report: July

Sitting…on the couch in the living room.

Drinking…nothing. I had my coffee earlier. I am eating a bowl of raisen bran for breakfast, though.

Missing…youngest son, who is gone for a week. He’s visiting his sister and shopping for a suit for the wedding in a few weeks.

Returning…to my trim painting job in the living room.

Reading…Always Ready by Greg Bahnsen. You’re tired of seeing it listed in my status reports, aren’t you?

Also reading…40 Questions about Interpreting the Bible by Robert L. Plummer.

Loving…that the backyard fence is fixed. Also loving that daughter is taking the dogs for a run so I don’t have to walk them today.

Pretending…I have nothing on my to-do list today. Unfortunately, pretending doesn’t make it so.

Wondering…if hot summer temperatures will ever come this year. Will I ever need to use my fan?

Watching…the robins in the garden. The recent rain has brought the tasty and nutritious earthworms to the surface.

Anticipating…the wedding. What else?

Stressing…a little over what to wear to the wedding. I want to get a new dress, which I want to be dressy, but not so dressy that I can’t wear it frequently after the wedding. I love wearing brown in the summer when I am tanned, but I’m wondering if brown is right for a morning wedding in the summer.

Praying…for a few people I know who are being treated for cancer.

Remembering…that there were other years when the potato plants weren’t all up by July 1 and I still had a big harvest.

Realizing…that it’s hard for one person to keep up with the upkeep of a big old home like mine. I love this place, but it’s wearing me out.

Thankful Thursday

On this Canada Day, I’m thankful for my acquired country, which, more than thirty years ago welcomed us with a teaching job for my husband. I’m thankful for the city I live in, for it’s bounty of green space and walking trails and wildlife (although I could have done without this week’s grizzly in the city warning).

I’m thankful for the recent rain which was much needed by the grass in the yard and the plants in the garden.

I’m thankful that youngest son got the fencing problem in the backyard fixed, even if it’s only in a temporary sort of way, so that I can stop having to retrieve the pup from other neighbourhood yards.

I’m thank for good books and the ability to read.

I’m thankful for a busy day ahead.

On Thursdays throughout this year, I plan to post a few thoughts of thanksgiving along with Kim at the Upward Call and others. Why don’t you participate by posting your thanksgiving each week, too? It’ll be an encouragement to you and to others, I promise.