My lyrical picture book, The Edgecomb Jar, was a finalist in this year's Picture Book Party and resulted in my signing with my agent, Helen Masvikeni, of Megibow Literary.

Published in Dirigible Balloon, the poetry magazine for children.

My short story Racing Rules took second prize in the Owl Canyon Press competition.

Today I learned that the miter lock - the V-shaped pair of gates that control water levels in a marine environment – was invented in the 1490s by Leonardo da Vinci.

I've seen working locks many times, from the mighty Soo Locks with their capacity to move 1000- foot freighters from lake to lake via immense 250-ton gates, all the way down to tiny DIY wooden portcullis canal locks in the countryside.

I visited the Ballard Locks by land, and chatted with the operators, passing yachters, and a...

...And the adults are misbehaving.

Just like the green-necked pigeons, they wander around the platform. Their necks are ringed, albeit with scarves and not irridescent feathers.

They snack on junk food. Peck (at devices). Bump into each other, then look up, surprised. They look remarkably like the birds.

The train is late. The children are fine. They talk to stuffed animals or balance on one foot. A few chase the pigeons, delighted with cause-and-effect. I stamp: they fly.

I squat to gain a...

One of the reasons I love writing for children is the research – spending time with potential readers. I love their reactions: pointing to a beautiful illustration to identify colors or objects, or giggling at the humor of a raccoon pretending to be the babysitter. Children react with excitement to every turn of the page. What will happen next?

Working with children learning to enjoy words and books brings back memories of learning to communicate in different countries where I’ve lived. I...