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Sloutions Oriented Politics - The Interview

2010-05-31T21:12:00Z

Shady Pines is a small Southern town. Like many places in America, its citizens are grappling with tough community issues, budget concerns, and political challenges. Zulah Talmadge is the Editor of The Shady Pines Gazette newspaper. It's her job to get to the bottom of things. And in this town, where politics are often shady, a special mayoral election is about to take place, Zulah turns to the two people who should be in the know: Mary Jane McKittrick and Bob Ostrom. Mary Jane is the author of Boomer and Halley(c) - Election Day and Bob is the illustrator for this third book in the Boomer and Halley series.

Zulah: OK. So Mary Jane, you know that our Mayor, Beauregard P. Fibbs, has difficulty with the truth.
Mary Jane: I do know that.
Zulah: After all, that's why you named him what you did.
Mary Jane: Very true.
Zulah: And Bob, you've had some fun coming up with a unique look for Beau.
Bob: Well, Zulah, you've known him since grade school, so you know that Mr. Fibbs has always had a commanding presence.
Zulah: Uh-huh.
Mary Jane: The thing that intrigued Bob and me, was that the town likes the man, even though he has not always been honest.
Bob: When so many things around town are in decay and 'ole Beauregard has new office furniture, that should have been a tip off.
Zulah: True, Bob. But you know we kinda got sucked in with all his promises.
Bob: Isn't that always the way it happens?
Mary Jane: What we liked about this storyline was watching the town coming together to solve its problems.
Zulah: I am still shocked by that.
Bob: And, y'all held the mayor accountable. When does that ever happen?
Mary Jane: Once again, the Sanders' blended family with an Aussie dog (Boomerang), and a silver cat, (Halley's Comet), acts as guides for the learning portion of this book.
Bob: The reason I like the Boomer and Halley series is that we sneak in the core values being offered up in each book without
hitting readers over the head with it.
Zulah: Hey, when do I get a major storyline with those critters and their parents?
Mary Jane: Soon Zulah.
Bob: Soon.
Zulah: Guess we'll end things there for now. More on the upcoming special election soon!

Grandparents connect to Boomer and Halley

2010-05-21T19:52:00Z

Did you know that 1 in every 12 children in this country is being raised by a grandparent? I find that to be a staggering statistic. A lot of grandparents do too. They hadn't counted on "parenting" full-time, the second time around. They tell me their grandkids are not well behaved and have no sense of responsibility. It's now their job to instill values that in many cases, just aren't there. They wonder how young children are going to learn the value of hard work, manners, and kindness. These are the very life lessons found in every Boomer and Halley story.

In a similar twist of fate, I am now the main caregiver for my two, aging parents, I am constantly reminded of the huge responsibility that has been thrust upon me. Had i not learned that you hang in there, even when it's not easy, where would my parents be? They can no longer take care of themselves.

What's going to happen in the future to the elders who will need this kind of commitment from kids and grandkids who have no foundation? Have you thought about that? I have. And it's why I am going to tweak some of the upcoming Boomer and Halley stories to help grandparents with this formidable task. It may not be much, but it's something I can do. What will you do to address this need in your family?

Election Day Interview

2010-04-13T12:08:08Z

Shady Pines Gazette Editor, Zulah Talmadge, continues her discussion with the author and illustrator of the latest Boomer and Halley(c) book, Election Day. Talmadge has been the editor of the small town paper for many years. She discusses the importance of Shady Pines politics with author/creator, Mary Jane McKittrick and Illustrator, Bob Ostrom.

Part four:
Zulah: Mary Jane, why write a book about politics when your audience is young children 4-8 years old?
Mary Jane: Well Zulah, the main thing to know is that the Boomer and Halley stories are as much for the parents and adult readers as they are for the kids.
Bob: It's the thing that's different about this series from many other children's books.
Zulah: Bob, you've been illustrating children's books for more than twenty years. What attracted you to this series?
Bob: Mary Jane and I work as collabrators. As a parent, I am worried about the negative tone in politics.
Mary Jane: We decided to use our format of introducing core values to tackle the concept of political corruption.
Bob: It gave us a chance to introduce, The Mayor of Shady Pines, Beauregard Fibbs.
Zulah: I grew up with 'ole Fibbs. He always had a hard time with the truth!
Mary Jane: And that was the starting point. The premise for Election Day is that Mayor Fibbs has taken off with public funds.
Zulah: Everything around town was falling apart. I could see that!
Bob: It was up to the town to solve the problem.
Zulah: Who decided Edna should run against the Mayor?
Mary Jane: That was Bob's idea.
Bob: And it raised all kinds of questions.
Mary Jane: Yea, because if she lost to Mayor Fibbs, the kids would be upset. If she won, it would create restrictions for future storylines.
Zulah: So how did you handle that?
Bob: Like we always do.
Mary Jane: Exactly. Bob told me it was my problem!
Bob: (Laughing) What's wrong with that?
Zulah: I'm beginning to see why there is humor in every Boomer and Halley story. More from these two creative types next time!

Conversation Not Confrontation

2010-03-25T21:02:00Z

When did it become normal for politics to turn violent? The latest examples of unrest following the Health Care Bill vote are unreal.

That's why the good folks of Shady Pines use conversation instead of confrontation to tackle politics in their small Southern town. They may be in an uproar over the alleged misdoings of their mayor, Beauregard Fibbs. The man does have trouble telling the truth - like most politicians. When it seems he may have made off with some money, the townsfolk turn to the ballot box, instead of turning on one another.

When honesty is on the ballot and up for a vote, you know you are dealing with Politics UN-usual! As with all Boomer and Halley stories, leave it up to a rambunctious dog, a precocious cat, their parents, and a winning number of characters to lead the way back to civility. Now, isn't that the kind of news you'd like to see?

An Election with Integrity Part 3

2010-03-15T18:47:00Z

Zulah Talmadge, Editor of the Shady Pines Gazette talks to:

Author, Mary Jane Mckittrick and illustrator, Bob Ostrom about the latest offering from the Boomer and Halley^©project. A series of Little Lessons. Big Results.™ stories for children 4-8 and the adults who love them.

Part Three:
Zulah: OK. We’re back talking with Author/Creator of the Boomer and Halley^© - Election Day book, Mary Jane McKittrick along with collaborator and Illustrator, Bob Ostrom.

Mary Jane: Imagine a campaign with honesty on the ballot.

Zulah: Now that’s a novel idea!

Mary Jane: Wonder who writes your lines for you?

Bob: Or, draws you in all those outfits you like to wear?

Zulah: Oh, yea. That would be you two. We were talking about how you guys came up with the look for the characters.

Mary Jane: From the beginning, we envisioned this project going to animation.

Bob: Right from the start, we took vintage, iconic looking characters from the 60’s and gave them a modern twist.

Mary Jane: One look at the Sanders’ family of Harold, Edna, Boomer and Halley and you can see that.

Bob: it took about a month to get those four down.

Zulah: Wait, go back. I could wind up on Saturday morning TV?

Mary Jane: That’s the idea.

Bob: The town of Shady Pines is filled with great characters.

Mary Jane: By having more than just the four, main characters, we can introduce multiple demographics.

Zulah: How do you decide on the way a character looks and acts?

Mary Jane: They have to act in a way that is consistent with the integrity of the Boomer and Halley stories.

Bob: That means they can’t intentionally harm property – that sort of thing.

Mary Jane: Sometimes I give Bob a written description of a character.

Bob: Other times we just bat it back and forth ‘til we get a final look.

Zulah: Who has the final say?

Mary Jane: Well…

Bob: Ugh...

Zulah: I guess this is a good place to pause. We’ll pick it there next time.

Make The Connection

2010-03-14T19:12:00Z

So many times I get asked about the inner workings of the Boomer and Halley project. My answer to most of those questions comes down to this: Reach out - make a connection. The personal gestue often gets lost in this hectic world of ours. That's why in each Boomer and Halley story we try to show people helping people. Two and four legged critters reaching out to one another in order to reach a positive outcome.

First, the connecting happens in the home. The characters of Harold and Edna Sanders really love each other and it shows. Their caring attitude and behavior is pased along to their unruly "children" - Boomerang, the rambunctious dog, and Halley's Comet, the silver streak of a cat. The animals learn to be behaved by watching the role models in their own lives. Next, we see people in the town of Shady Pines caring about one another. In the book, "Election Day," we see how they come together to make sure their community is the best it can be.

Setting high standards for ourselves, our children, and our communities shouldn't be something we only read about in books. It should be a part of our lives. Is there an example from your life that you care to share?

An Election with Integrity Part 2

2010-03-05T20:43:00Z

Zulah Talmadge, Editor of the Shady Pines Gazette talks to:

Author, Mary Jane Mckittrick and illustrator, Bob Ostrom about the latest offering from the Boomer and Halley^© project. A series of Little Lessons. Big Results.™stories for children 4-8 and the adults who love them.

Part Two:

Zulah: Mary Jane and Bob, how do you work lasting values into the Boomer and Halley storylines?

Mary Jane: From the beginning, our intent was not to preach or teach, but to serve up stories that promote conversation – not confrontation – about tough subjects.

Bob: And we do it with humor.

Mary Jane: Yep. Kindness and caring are at the core of every Boomer and Halley story.

Zulah: So you came up with the idea for a mayoral election.

Mary Jane: Politics has gotten so nasty, we wanted to present a better kind of election.

Bob: At least we can control the outcome.

Mary Jane: I had already created the character, Mayor Beauregard Fibbs – so named because he has trouble telling the truth!

Zulah: We ALL know about the Mayor. But not everyone knows his middle name.

Mary Jane: Well, you grew up with him, Zulah, so you have the advantage.

Bob: Everyone else will have to read the book!

Zulah: So how do the two of you come up with the storyline?

Bob: It’s a lot of back and forth.

Mary Jane: And a lot of laughter.

Bob: When we get stuck, I just say, “Mary Jane, that part is up to you!”

Mary Jane: So true.

Zulah: And how do come up with the look of the characters?

Mary Jane: Oh, that’s a whole ‘nother story.

Zulah: Let’s take a short break. When we come back I want to pick up the conversation there and hear more about that. Back in a moment.

An Election with Integrity Part 1

2010-03-02T14:07:00Z

Zulah Talmadge, Editor of the Shady Pines Gazette talks to: Author, Mary Jane Mckittrick and illustrator, Bob Ostrom about the latest offering from the Boomer and Halley^© project. A series of Little Lessons. Big Results.™ stories for children 4-8 and the adults who love them.

Zulah: Mary Jane, how did you come up with the idea for the “Boomer and Halley - Election Day” book?

Mary Jane: During a phone conversation with Bob.

Bob: Yeah. We were talking about the craziness in politics and I said, “We’ve got to have an election in Shady Pines.”

Mary Jane: The challenge was to include lasting values, like we do in all Boomer and Halley stories, and make that work in a book about politics.

Zulah: Especially politics in a small town.

Bob: This is why I really like this project. We take topics that people are talking about and make it possible for adults to talk to kids about them in a different way.

Zulah: So true. A book about an election that includes lessons about honesty and forgiveness is a neat trick.
Let's take a short break. We'll be back in a moment.

Time Honored

2010-03-01T13:26:00Z

There's a reason I chose a small Southern town for the Boomer and Halley stories. Shady Pines may be a place of make-believe, but it helps us believe there is a setting where we can slow down and pay attention to our neighbors. Kindness and caring takes time. And time, these days, is in short supply.

The good folks of Shady Pines tackle many of the modern-day dilemmas that we do: Dealing with the multiple issues inherent in blended families, corrupt politicians, children who need to be re-directed when they are bored, etc. But they confront these problems - and one another - with compassion, not confrontation. This used to be the trademark of living in American cities and towns.

Each of us longs for that kind of community. We search for it in our spititual endeavors, employment settings, country clubs, and community centers. We talk about it on the radio and on-line. We long for a connection to others that is meaningful. Mostly, all we hear is noise. Most people feel isolated.

That's why I urge you to be mindful of your ability to connect. Pay attention to the person waiting on you in the store, your neighbor, your friend, your child. Random acts of kindness and caring really aren't all that random. They just take time. What have you done for someone else today?

Wheels Of Life

2010-02-25T02:37:00Z

So, there I am, pushing my elderly father in his wheelchair down a hallway at the rehab center. He is just days out of his second, week-long stay in the hospital for congestive heart failure. He is very frail, in need of oxygen and constant assistance. I watch the spokes in the wheels of that mobile chair go 'round and 'round. It strikes me I've been here before in a different way. Many decades earlier my mom and dad had a similar task. They would push their young daughter in her stroller so that I could be part of their activity. As I drive around the Southern California streets I am visiting, I watch parents wheeling their children across sidewalks when the light turns green.

The wheels of life are the same at the beginning - and toward the end. I never thought about it before. The momentum that makes those wheels move is kindness and caring. Children, too young to help themselves, have to rely upon the adults around them for help. We attend to their needs because we recognize they cannot help themselves.

As we become aged, the same truth applies. Without someone to care for our physical, emotional, financial and legal needs - where would be? In the case of my parents - each 88 years old and both in wheelchairs - I find I have to be there for them. I am their advocate in the confusing and sometimes frightening world of elder care.

I think there is something profound to be learned from this kind of service. It is often draining, difficult, and yet very rewarding. As a culture, we are so rarely asked to serve. Military families certainly know this kind of sacrifice. So do many others.

Tell me, what are you doing to serve the ones you love?

From The Heart

2010-02-10T19:50:00Z

Everywhere you go in Shady Pines, and elsewhere this week, all you see are Valentine cards, flowers, and sweets. While the good folks of our favorite Southern town are making preparations for this day dedicated to the heart - I am on a different mission.

My father has experienced congestive heart failure and pulmonary bronchitis over the past six weeks. At 88 years old, he is having a hard time bouncing back. That's why, as I wade through the mountains of red and white confection all around, I am preparing for my second cross country trip in less than a month. Dealing with life threatening illness is always a challenge. Coping with heart disease in the middle of "Heart Month," is almost too ironic.

My dad and I have a complicated relationship. For me, this is yet another journey of obligation mingled with opportunity. There is precious time left to heal the emotional wounds that have probably left both of our hearts with scars from the past. I am also travelling coast-to-coast to tend to the needs of my 88-year-old mother. She is a story for another day. But her 57-year marriage to my dad is testament to the enduring power of love.

And so, as you buy something special for your Valentine, I ask you to consider what have you learned from love? It may not be as easy a question to answer as you think!

Kindness and Caring

2010-01-20T20:01:00Z

Each Boomer and Halley book carries a stamp on the front that reads: Stories to entertain and motivate Kids to be Kind and Caring . When I was first approached to define these episodes of our Little Lessons. Big Results(tm) series for ages 4-8, I though that those two words were kind of bland. Not much sizzle there. That was then. This is now.

As the country continues to spiral into a deepening spin of negative discourse, I realize the power invested in those two words. At the end of the day, parents want their children to grow up to be Kind and Caring adults. Employers want those qualities in an employee. You want your friends, your spouse, your local store owner to have those qualities. They are the basis of a quality person.

It is amazing to me that the humorous stories of a rambunctuous dog and precocious cat learning life lessons as they go, could have this kind of impact. Kids love the fun, adults appreciate the core values imbedded in the story lines.

Ever paid attendtion to the random acts of kindness you see in a day? Are you contributing?

The Four-Legged Approach

2010-01-19T23:33:00Z

Ever wanted a four-legged approach to the two-legged challenge of teaching civility to young children? That's what we've created with the Boomer and Halley project. Boomerang, an Australian Shepherd dog, and Halley's Comet, a silver streak of a cat, are always having adventures and mis-adventures. They are guided back to good behavior by their adoptive "parents" Harold and Edna Sanders without violence, anger, or bad language. The family learns, laughs, and plays together along with a variety of "characters" in the small Southern town of Shady Pines.

When I started writing these stories, I had no idea they would tap a growing angst in this country. Time after time, I hear from parents, grandparents and educators they can't believe how rude we've become as a nation. They wonder how the kids growing up now will learn good values.

I tell them there's a lot to be learned from the four-legged friends who inhabit our lives. Consistent parenting doesn't just happen between the two-legged types. When you see the woman taking her dog to obedience class while her child runs screaming through the pet store - you know we need to take a good look at our own behavior!

Welcome

2010-01-13T15:55:38Z

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.