Hi all!
I haven't gotten many comments on the blog lately and am wondering if the entries are just too long or if there really are more than a handful of people going on? Of course, I'm very happy to write for the esteemed handful! Don't get me wrong!
But, if you do read the blog, please leave a comment and let me know you're there. I'd love to hear any questions you might have from watching Molly and McGee at theowlbox or anything you might want to know from reading Wesley the Owl. There is no such thing as a dumb question, remember that!
Someone asked if I have a press kit for schools. Not right now but i'm going to talk to Simon and Schuster about just that very thing this week.
I have had amazing experiences with Wesley the Owl being part of a curriculum for special needs kids and adults. Recently a day school for special needs adults did a big study of Wesley the Owl. The teacher either helped people read it or, in some cases, read it to them (there is an auditory form of the book on CD for blind people and anyone else who would do better hearing it than reading it, and it's unabridged). It was the first book that many of them had read and they took their time. They brought in a naturalist and someone who could bring in a live owl. We started out by me having a discussion with them via speakerphone, moderated by their teacher, then at the end a few months later, we had another speaker phone discussion where they asked questions they had about the book and about my disability. Many of the autistic adults could really relate to some of Wesley's attributes such as hating me to change at all. Wesley didn't even want me to change my hair. They could relate to why Wesley was so stressed by new people. I thought it was an interesting insight. There were a lot of good insights from the class and I enjoyed participating.
So, from that, I started thinking about a curriculum for special needs people, and then that morphed into thinking about a curriculum, period.
So I'm going to try to come up with something with Simon and Schuster, and I'm going to ask the teacher of that original class to participate in putting together something for other teachers, based upon her experience. She said that the book brought up a host of issues for people, including getting in touch with their own grief over losses they'd had, that they had never really dealt with. It also talks about coping with a disability and doing what you can within the confines of that disability - in my case a brain tumor and symptoms that cause me to only have a few hours of wakefulness a day. Sometimes only 15 really productive minutes in certain cases. And yet, with that 15 minutes, you can still move forward and have hopes and goals.
Anyway, a curriculum is in the works.
In the meantime, we do have a guide for book clubs if you're interested. There are questions in the back of the paperback that are conducive to book clubs as well.
I am available for book club and class discussions via speakerphone, which works well for clubs in other states, etc.
I hope this helps!
hugs,
Stacey
19 comments:
I just googled you b/c you are on the Owl Box right now. Picked up the Wesley book and will be reading it before giving it to the grands. What Carlos has done has given me an insight into barn owls. They have relationships, they have feelings and they act them out, it has been amazing to me. Blessings, Janet
I'm here! I always bemoan the lack of comments on my blog to my husband, who throws me a pity comment once in a while. But then someone at work will come up and say "Don't stop writing your blog, I love it." So from me to you: Don't stop writing. I love reading your blog.
Yes. People are out there reading your blog...just not everyone comments. I love reading your perspective. Question: Do you think Molly is about one year old?
I also love reading your blog! I do not usually comment because I do not want to take up space from someone with a legit question or something important to say. :)
-t-
I'm here reading your blog, Stacey! I used to have a blog, but stopped writing because of a lack of comments. I assumed no one was reading it. But I KNOW a lot of people are reading your blog, so don't stop!
After reading your book, I was wondering about your brain tumor. Is this something you have to live with for the rest of your life? You're in my prayers...
I love reading your blog. The entries aren't too long at all. Very informative! I'm learning so much, and come here every few days. I learned about you thru Molly's site ... so glad you're there too!
We're out here! I rely on your blog to make sense of the owl behaviors in Molly's Owl Box. And, no, the entries are not too long -- the more info, the better. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I'm fascinated by these owls, and by your story of life with Wesley.
i'm reading! i just never left a comment before. i love reading your experiences and explanations about molly and mcgee's behavior. i would also like to know more about your disability.
Hi Stacey,
I've just started reading 'Wesley' even though I've had it for awhile - I've been saving it. And I'm reading it v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y to make it last.
My house in Wales is called 'Nyth Gwdihw', which means 'Owl's Nest'. 'Gwdihw' is pronounced 'Goodyhoo' - it's a child's word for owl like 'owly' or 'hoot owl'. I just love it!
Thanks so much for writing about Wesley - it's the best thing since Farley Mowat's 'Owls in the Family'
Oh,PLEASE continue to blog, Stacey! I know there are many more people who read them than are comfortable writing in the blog. At least half a dozen people I know follow your blog regularly and they haven't even "signed up" officially as followers. Multiply that by all of us who are now confirmed owloholics and you've got legions.. I check in for your entries as often as I tune in to watch Molly!! Your informed, scientific insights together with the profound understandings that you have of the owl's emotional nature are something I wish everyone could read and take in. My entire orientation to the animal world has changed, largely due to your writing.. There's no way to thank you for that.
After the entry you posted about your book signing, a few days went by before you wrote again. I had to keep telling myself that you had other things that need attention in your life.. that you hadn't stopped writing!! Glad you're back!
p.s... if we have further questions or need to comment further about EARLIER entries, do you go back to check on new entries from us under those older postings or should we post under your more recent blog entry?
Stacey, keep on blogging girl. I love all the insight and information you provide. Always disappointed if I miss you in the chat room over at the owlbox.
I am amazed with how little I knew about owls when this journey with Molly and McGee started. Don't remember ever being exposed to an owl unit in school. So here I am at 44 recovering from surgery and fully engaged in the lives of 6 lil owls in CA. Received my copy of "Wesley" today and i am looking forward to digging in! Thank you for all your contributions to the owlbox and never stop blogging. Your story and knowledge is a blessing for all of us who have been seduced by those brown eyed beauties.
Laurie
I just wrote a very long and heartfelt comment, but I didn't know I had to be signed up. No time to rewrite it at this time, but I want to say to please keep blogging. Your book was fantastic and I enjoyed it thoroughly - even the tearful ending. Will write again soon. DJ
Hi Stacey, I check your blog every day. Im so fascinated with animals, and relish your insight. You could write on and on, and Id stay for every last word.
I was also curios about commenting on blogs from way back, and wonder if you read them. In particular, I was intrigued with Freedom and his relationship with his human. I look forward to reading your book and Freedoms story. Im very interested in your comments about ESP with animals. I believe this is so true. Ive had a couple of animals who convinced me of this. As crazy as I thought I was for believing it.
I, too would like to know more about your disability. That being a personal subject, I would understand if you chose not to disclose.
I wish you well. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
wow, that is a spectacularly interesting story about the special needs students. I know a lot of adults with autism and it really makes sense to me that this would be a great discussion point for students with disabilities besides an autism spectrum condition as well.
Found your blog through the Owl Box and I am reading every day. Thank you for insights!
I've been a lurker, having recently finished reading your book. :) IMHO the entries are a little long. I'd like to read more, but I subscribe to your RSS feed in Bloglines and often check into it (and all the other blogs I subscribe to) during my lunch break.
I'm reading too! Love to hear what you have to say. Enjoyed your book greatly after recommendation from the school librarian. I'm a F&W bio major, prior to that worked with wildlife biologists, have a cockatiel, presently teach hs bio. I could relate to sooooo much of your story. Sincere thanks to you for writing. Marguerite
Don't stop writing! I loved your book, and I love your blog. Short entries, long entries, any entries. Keep them coming!
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