My sister and I shared a little record player (no idea if it was Fisher Price, but it likely was) and we used to listen to The Three Little Pigs endlessly, reading along in the illustrated book provided (produced by Disney, I think). I can hear the "Who's afraid of the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf" as I write these words. Just as I could hear "When I was Young in the Mountains" as soon as I read the words "When I was Young in Mississippi." And then, there it was! What an amazing encounter you had with Maurice Sendak. His family history is unknown to me so I will have to do some delving. At the very last Nerd Camp in Michigan, I attended a session you did (I remember you invited Alan Gratz from across the room to join you). Ir was an incredible experience. I am grateful.
I remember those moments at NerdCamp. I think that was the first time we met, right? I am glad I got to experience one NerdCamp… I miss it. It did such good work in the world. (I know that Big Bad Wolf song, lol). Thanks for the kind words. xo
I am in the throes of absolute jealousy that you met Ray Bradbury. He is such a favorite of mine that one of my students knew to inform me that he had died as soon as he saw me at school that day. I think I shall forever picture him in dress shoes and running shorts now - such a strange vision to pop into my head when his kind face is usually there. And to think, you rearranged your entire life based on his advice to quit college. That's a definite influence!
It's now become a bit of a running joke too, if I make a hard decision or choose a difficult path I often say to myself "I'm pretty sure that's what Ray would want for me" or "I'll bet Ray Bradbury would agree with that decision" 😆 that brief meeting really just gave me the confidence to follow my gut even if it seemed like a bad choice to others. He was a brilliant writer but also truly eccentric.. marching to his own beat. He gave me the courage to do the same. Also it's okay to look silly to others! Who cares. Good lessons for a young person I think or at least they were for me. ❤️
I think it's *amazing* that we have a Ray Bradbury Fan Club here at Storybelly. I think we should all figure out what Ray would want for us, when the decision warrants a Ray Moment. xo
Wow! That’s wonderful, running shorts and all. lol. It doesn’t surprise me that he was so attired, as he was so “himself,” yes? We’ve talked about him here at Storybelly before, in some comments, or maybe in the Chat, I don’t remember off-hand, but I do remember suggesting this video — you’ve probably seen it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqp38_uS-eg I sent it to my editor, because I want to one day write about Ray, and his response was something along the lines of “what a character!” ha — and YOU, Valkyrie, met him! Very cool.
I have not seen this YouTube video! So thanks for sending that along. He's absolutely charming isn't he? I always admired the way he spoke about language, writing and life. He was a definite inspiration to me on my own journey after I read "Something Wicked this Way Comes" at the age of 14. Something very special about him to be sure.
My sister and I shared a little record player (no idea if it was Fisher Price, but it likely was) and we used to listen to The Three Little Pigs endlessly, reading along in the illustrated book provided (produced by Disney, I think). I can hear the "Who's afraid of the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf" as I write these words. Just as I could hear "When I was Young in the Mountains" as soon as I read the words "When I was Young in Mississippi." And then, there it was! What an amazing encounter you had with Maurice Sendak. His family history is unknown to me so I will have to do some delving. At the very last Nerd Camp in Michigan, I attended a session you did (I remember you invited Alan Gratz from across the room to join you). Ir was an incredible experience. I am grateful.
I remember those moments at NerdCamp. I think that was the first time we met, right? I am glad I got to experience one NerdCamp… I miss it. It did such good work in the world. (I know that Big Bad Wolf song, lol). Thanks for the kind words. xo
That is where we first met! I had read Countdown just before that event. That was my first and only NerdCamp! I miss it as well.
I met Ray Bradbury in person. He was a writer I idolized. I even wrote a substack about it too. (Of course I did! ) 😆https://open.substack.com/pub/spidersnack/p/come-one-come-all?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=96hc3
I am in the throes of absolute jealousy that you met Ray Bradbury. He is such a favorite of mine that one of my students knew to inform me that he had died as soon as he saw me at school that day. I think I shall forever picture him in dress shoes and running shorts now - such a strange vision to pop into my head when his kind face is usually there. And to think, you rearranged your entire life based on his advice to quit college. That's a definite influence!
It's now become a bit of a running joke too, if I make a hard decision or choose a difficult path I often say to myself "I'm pretty sure that's what Ray would want for me" or "I'll bet Ray Bradbury would agree with that decision" 😆 that brief meeting really just gave me the confidence to follow my gut even if it seemed like a bad choice to others. He was a brilliant writer but also truly eccentric.. marching to his own beat. He gave me the courage to do the same. Also it's okay to look silly to others! Who cares. Good lessons for a young person I think or at least they were for me. ❤️
I think it's *amazing* that we have a Ray Bradbury Fan Club here at Storybelly. I think we should all figure out what Ray would want for us, when the decision warrants a Ray Moment. xo
Wow! That’s wonderful, running shorts and all. lol. It doesn’t surprise me that he was so attired, as he was so “himself,” yes? We’ve talked about him here at Storybelly before, in some comments, or maybe in the Chat, I don’t remember off-hand, but I do remember suggesting this video — you’ve probably seen it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqp38_uS-eg I sent it to my editor, because I want to one day write about Ray, and his response was something along the lines of “what a character!” ha — and YOU, Valkyrie, met him! Very cool.
I have not seen this YouTube video! So thanks for sending that along. He's absolutely charming isn't he? I always admired the way he spoke about language, writing and life. He was a definite inspiration to me on my own journey after I read "Something Wicked this Way Comes" at the age of 14. Something very special about him to be sure.