Splotch Monsters and Hodge-Podge

Which is also mutton soup. There, you didn't know that, did you? Or even want to.

Firstly, apologies to all; metaphors about biting and chewing are not far from my mind at the moment. I used to have a busy life. I do not actually want to think about what I've got now. This means I've hardly seen a Bus poem yet, and it's Tuesday! For whilst it's the Monday Bus, all the keenies hop on very early and hog the back seats - you know the girls I'm talking about.

I keep thinking things will settle down soon, but it ain't gonna be this week. For reasons which will become clear.

Am I wittering? On with business.

First, the lovely Steve Loya, of A Splotch Monster A Day fame, here http://asplotchmonsteraday.blogspot.com/

has another blog which I had not found, go flying turtle !

And at go flying turtle ! he's posted his thoughts on my new pamphlet, Venti.

You can read them here: http://goflyingtrtl.blogspot.com/2010/09/venti-and-fat-plant-in-my-mail.html

Nice man.

In fact, a very nice man, as a little while back we got a Splotch package all the way from America, with some original (all senses) Monsters in and some splotches to work on.

The originals, obviously, had to get the Mr Girdwood treatment, and now live in the boys' room. I wanted them in mine and Mr T's, but the swift, shouted response to this was "No Way, Mum". You can see why.

They are hanging out with a poster you get free with your copy of The History of Everything, a brilliant pop-up book by Neal Layton.

Now, the boys did premium Splotch Monsters with the splotches that Steve sent us, but I have swithered (that word plus another, stramash, are Top Two on my list "Reasons To Move To Scotland", and there are only three things on the whole list) over posting them.

Why? Well, the name T1 came up with for his is funny for all the wrong reasons. It would make me look like one of those mothers who like to highlight the cute, stoopid things their kidz do, and I also don't like the thought that there would be an element of laughing at, not with.

However, after all my swithering I have decided to show and let them tell, because everyone who drops in here either is, or feels like, a friend. Have to say at this point I had a lot of trouble controlling my face when he first showed it to me.

In order to build the anticipation even more, I'll start with T2's anyway.

Drum roll please. This is T1's.

There's not much you can say, is there?

Anyway, the Hodge-podge. The second print run of Venti is commencing now-ish, as the first print run (Nos 1 - 50) sold out rather quick. And I have outstanding orders. A very few, for those currently waiting, will be printed on Hammered Paper, which I want to have a look at but is too expensive for really big print runs. Nos 1 - 50 were on woven paper, and the majority of the next 50 will be on laid. Then I can see which I prefer should we need to get past 100.

Now, why the second run? Because the Wigtown Book Festival starts on Friday, and I'm reading, and launching, on Saturday. This Saturday! Twice! Am I wittering again?

At 12 noon in the Old Bank Bookshop the Crichton Writers are reading, and launching, "I Remember, I Remember", a very moving, and often funny, collection of writings based on the memories generated by old photographs. Yes, I'm in it, as are Vivien Jones, Fiona Russell, Leonie and Katy Ewing and a host of other good writers.

It's a big book, laid out and designed by Vivien to look like a photograph album, and it only costs £5. It will be on sale at Wigtown, and hopefully via The Crichton Writers website thereafter.

I'm then reading in a Yurt (yes!) called The Ink Pot, outside of The County Buildings at 1.30pm.
It's a joint launch with Vivien Jones - obviously, I'm doing Venti and Vivien will be reading from her just-published first collection, About Time, Too. I realise it's a bit late to grab your plane, train and ferry tickets but if anyone's in striking distance it would be lovely to see you there. Might even buy you a coffee. If you buy a book. If I've made them by then.

There's a plethora of delights at Wigtown this year, the Festival runs over two weeks and you can download the programme from the Wigtown Book Festival website, here: http://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/

Right, in case you're all dropping off by now, there is to be a COMPETITION (hello Mum) soon in which your skill and ability to judge visual art could win you a copy of my pamphlet.

Yes, there are 3 copies of Venti on offer, if you can predict the winners of the Thornhill Summer Art Competition. All the entries are now hung in thomas tosh, and I took a photo of each one, which I'll post soonish. Then you just have to pick the ones you think are going to win in each age category. Simples! (must stop using that, but I do love that meerkat).

And I don't know the answer, as the results aren't announced until Saturday. This somehow seemed simpler than that last performance with the dog and the pieces of paper...