holiday – Hey, Look! A Writer Fellow!

December 2, 2022

‘Tis The Giving Season! (And I’m giving you free stuff.)

Well, I know what I’m putting on my Christmas list this year. Shirt courtesy of lookhuman.com

The holidays are approaching! ‘Tis the season of giving (and buying)!

And if you aren’t my German mother, you probably still have some people to buy for.

Well, I can’t think of a better gift than Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles!

Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles is not a holiday book, but it embraces the giving, loving spirit of the season. Buy several. Or dozens. It’s make anyone and everyone FLOOF with delight.

Oh, I see. You’re not here for the commercial. You wanna learn about the free stuff.

Fair enough.

Here’s the deal. If you buy a copy of Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles AND write a review of the book on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, or anywhere else, I will mail you a signed bookplate!

It’s a sticker that you affix to the end pages so you can say, “Look! I got you a signed book!”

A signed bookplate in its natural habitat.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!

You’re nice. You deserve more than a bookplate. So I will also mail you an Official, Limited Edition, “Certified Capy Cuddler” Button!

A valuable keepsake!

They are made with love and hypoallergenic unicorn dander.

And, I’ll throw in a couple of bookmarks, too. Because why not?

Long story short, as you finalize your gift list this season, please consider buying a copy of my book and giving it a review.

It would be the best Christmas gift I could ever hope for.

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

July 7, 2022July 8, 2022

Is there a Capybara Appreciation Day?

What a great question! And YES! There is a Capybara Appreciation Day! And it’s coming SOON!

Sunday, July 10 is the big day, and thank goodness, for no creature on this big rock we all live on is more worthy of appreciation.

For those of you who’ve never heard of these guys (and for shame!), capybaras are the world’s largest rodent. They are native to South America, semi-aquatic, can weigh more than 100 pounds, and are very, very cute.

Unofficially known as “coconut doggos” and “guinea bigs,” these fine, floofy, fellas are devoted herd animals. If a capybara doesn’t have a herd of other capybaras to mingle with, she’ll happily assemble a new herd consisting of other species. Don’t believe me? Well, the internet is jam-packed with photos of capys lazily snuggling with turtles, birds, monkeys, dogs, cats, goats, pigs, guinea pigs, and about a zillion other things—so stop being such a contrarian, it’s unseemly.

Look! This capybara is hanging with a freakin’ alligator! Or maybe it’s a caiman? All I know is that thing is big and scary and Mr. Capy is like, “No biggie.”

So how can one properly celebrate this holiday?

That’s another excellent question! I have three suggestions:

1. Peruse the internet for photos and stories about capybaras. The more you learn, the more you’ll love these guys.

For example, did you hear about the capybaras who invaded a wealthy gated community in Argentina?

Did you hear about the capy (named Cheesecake) who serves as a foster mom to litters of puppies?

This is Cheesecake. Image owned by Rocky Ridge Refuge.

And did you know that if you pet a capybara in just the right way, she will floof her fur and collapse into a state of sleepy bliss? ‘Tis true!

2. Go visit your local zoo or wildlife sanctuary and see these critters up close.

Note: They’ll probably just be lying around. Unlike most rodents, capybaras don’t do many things with much urgency. Remember, capybaras are not here to entertain you; they’re here to gently encourage you to adopt a more Zen-like lifestyle.

3. Last but not least, consider preordering a book about capybaras. Not just any book, of course; that would be foolish. You’ll want to find a book that got a really, really good review from Kirkus.