Halloween in July, Anyone? (It’s for a good cause!)

Update: 7/13/25 – Due to the recent devastating floods in Central Texas, the amount of money I earn through this fundraiser for the North Texas Wildlife Center will also be donated to the Kerr County Disaster Relief Fund.

Today, I glanced up at my shelf of Halloween coffee mugs and dishes, waiting patiently for fall to arrive, and suddenly I remembered a dream I had Monday night. Apparently, my unconscious brain remembered that the following day was the first of the month—just not which month—because in the dream, I was getting a blue mug for my coffee when I gasped and said to my husband, “Today’s October first! We should be using the Halloween mugs!”

See you in a few months, Halloween mugs!

Sadly, it’s not October. We still have dozens of hot, humid days to get through before that glorious moment. And while I’m known to slurp my coffee from spooky cups in September, July is too early to start decorating for Halloween, even for me.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t get into the spirit for a good cause.

Something SCARY is happening at North Texas Wildlife Center, the beloved rescue organization where I volunteer. Due to a vast increase in the amount of foot traffic at the center (because soooo many people bring animals in need), NTXWC no longer meets the zoning requirements for the residential neighborhood where they’re located and must find a new home in less than 60 days. As you can imagine, this is a daunting task, both logistically and emotionally, for the people who pour their hearts and souls into saving injured and orphaned animals.

NTXWC Facebook post from June 28th.
Note: The City of Plano is not to blame. They are in their rights to enforce zoning and have made a generous exception by offering NTXWC 60 days instead of the standard 13.

Thankfully, the support from the community has been extremely positive, and people are already calling with leads on possible locations that might work. However, even if NTXWC finds a new property in time, the relocation and set-up of a whole new facility is going to be difficult and expensive. And, contrary to what a grumpy man recently told the intake staff when he was informed that he would need to drive his injured animal to the center, the organization does not receive your tax dollars. They get no state or federal funding for the services they provide.

Click the image above to watch the Fox 4 News story about the center.

So… (get ready, I’m about to connect all the dots of this blog post)… What do you do when you’re dreaming of fall, but it’s too soon to decorate for Halloween, and something scary is happening to an organization you love?

Ghost Stories for a Cause!

From now until July 31st, all proceeds from Spooky America books bought directly from my online store will be donated to the North Texas Wildlife Center. AND… everyone who places an order this month will be entered into a drawing to win a free t-shirt from the NTXWC swag shop. You get one entry per purchased book, so three books means three chances to win.

The Ghostly Tales books are perfect for anyone who…

would like to learn the haunted history of Dallas or Austin.
is taking a family trip to New England this summer.
has a child 8-12 years old who likes ghosts.
wants to pretend it’s fall even though it’s not yet.

Also, if you live in Richardson, Texas, and don’t want to pay for shipping, send me a message before you order, and I’ll give you the local discount code.

But what if I’m scared of ghosts?

No one is forcing you to read ghost stories. There are many ways to help the people and opossums and raccoons and rabbits and squirrels and skunks and hawks and herons and blue jays and bobcats and foxes and finches and turtles and turkey vultures at North Texas Wildlife Center without scaring yourself.

You can:

Make a donation.
Buy an item from their swag shop.
Contact me if you have a property in the Plano, Richardson, Garland, or Dallas area that you think might suit their needs, and I will pass along the information.
Share this post with other people who care about wildlife and/or like ghost stories.

But what if I’m scared of opossums?

There is no need to be scared of opossums. They’re adorable.

An opossum receiving care at the North Texas Wildlife Center

Thank you in advance to anyone who buys a book or makes a donation this month. You really are making a difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them.

The Fine Print:

Only Spooky America books ordered from my online store will benefit NTXWC. I have no control over books sold in bookstores or via Amazon. Some titles have limited availability, so place your order soon if you want a specific one.
The books ordered from my store will be signed by the author (me!) and can be personalized by following the instructions on the website.
If you have any questions about your order or any problems with the site, please contact me. If you live in Richardson and want the free shipping code, let me know.
Books will be shipped within five days of your purchase date.
Everyone who orders a book will be placed in a drawing to win a free NTXWC t-shirt from their swag shop. This does not include hoodies. The winner will be contacted on August 1st and will be asked to choose the design, color, and size desired. Options are limited to the availability of the shirts in stock at that time. Items sold from the swag shop take a few weeks to arrive.
For more information on the North Texas Wildlife Center, please visit their website or Facebook page.
If you find an animal in need, text or call 469-901-9453. If the center is closed for intake, there will be a voicemail and/or automatic text message referring you to other resources, such as DFW Wildlife Hotline (972-234-9453) or ahnow.org.

Out-of-Print Books I Love: One Kitten for Kim

One Kitten for Kim, written by Adelaide Holl and illustrated by Don Madden, was published in 1969. It was one of my favorite books as a kid.

Like many of my favorite childhood things, my copy was stolen from my big brother.

Proof that the book was originally a gift for my brother on his sixth birthday.

Evidence of my shameless thievery a few years later.

The book is about a little boy named Kim whose cat has seven kittens. He wants to keep them all, but his parents say no. They tell him he can keep the mama cat and one kitten, but he has to find homes for the rest of them.

I love the way the kittens are drawn. Their big eyes are so cute.

Kim chooses a kitten for himself, puts the other six in a wagon, and starts asking friends and neighbors if they want one. Each person he talks to takes a kitten for a different reason (to cure their loneliness, to chase mice, as a birthday gift for their daughter…) but in return, they ask Kim to take an animal they need to give away (a noisy parrot, a goldfish, a lizard…) and he does.

Mr. Wiggins, the grocer, takes two kittens to chase mice, but gives Kim a puppy.

The book ends with Kim returning home, proud of himself for finding owners for all six kittens… and pulling a wagon full of other animals behind him.

Kim is bringing home a parrot, a puppy, a rooster, a lizard, and two goldfish, but no kittens!

When I read One Kitten for Kim to my husband this week, he was not at all surprised that this story resonated with me so much as a kid and is still a favorite today. He sympathizes with the parents in the book.

This picture book is out of print, but reasonably-priced used copies can be found at abebooks.com.

Curious Creations: Book Title Poems for National Poetry Month

I haven’t written as much poetry this month as I’d hoped to. Luckily, the month isn’t over yet, and even more lucky for me (and for all poets out there) you’re allowed to write poetry any month of the year, not just during April. But I did get a few drafts down that I hope might turn into something submission-worthy after a little revision. And, as promised, I made some new book title found poems.

About once a year, I get the urge to pull a bunch of books off my shelves, make a big mess, and see what poetic messages I can shape with my stacks. Sometimes a random combination of titles on my nightstand sparks an idea. Other times, the burst of creative energy is fueled by a cold front or some late-night caffeine or both. Regardless of what puts the bug in my brain, I always enjoy discovering what materializes.

My book collection changes with time. There are many old standbys that I’ll always keep and which reappear often in my found poems, but I accumulate new books and, yes, get rid of some too, so each time I craft new creations, I have different material to work with. This time, rather than spontaneously spreading books all over my office floor, I actually planned ahead and had the forethought to grab some extras to use. I gave myself thirty minutes to walk the aisles of my local library, choosing titles that would add some flair to my found poems. I think they helped.

Here’s what I came up with this year. Which one is your favorite?

The devil makes an appearance in three of my poems…

Before the devil knows you're here,
unwind the thief knot.
Set me free.
Together, we burn
the house where death lives.

*

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL

The uninvited black sheep
unsettled the loving spirit

and now you're back
somewhere in the dark.

I have some questions for you.

*

This one is not the best poem, but I enjoyed crafting something witchy…

A WAGGLE OF WITCHES

Call us what we carry:

Pumpkin heads,
a rattle of bones,
toil & trouble,
big magic,
a broom of one's own,
red suitcase,
my own true name,
my wicked wicked ways,
CACKLE.

Which witch?
The woman in black
walking the black cat.

*

These next two are nature-inspired…

Out of my dreams,
an object of beauty--
   accidental joy.
This wild and precious life
in blossom. 

*

This one might be my favorite…

Bird by bird,
wingbeats flutter & hum.
Every soul a star,
every bone a prayer.
The comfort of crows
a dark and secret magic
in a kingdom of birds.

*

These last two are for all the writers out there…

The woman in white
   collected ghost stories.
The hollow boy
   selected poems.
The outsiders
   fuel dark tales.
The boy, the bird, and the coffin maker
   transfer three messages and a warning.
And...
The madwoman upstairs
   still writing 
   the handbook of heartbreak,
   a lantern in her hand,
   the unfinished words 
   under the words
   horoscopes for the dead.

*

The storyteller's secret crossings
rattle the writer's journey.
1000 words--
   the devil's arithmetic.

*