Newest Member of the Baird Household

Welome Bailey, our newest lapdog. He's a 60 pound German Short Haired Pointer puppy. We rescued him from a local shelter and he has instantly found love. He loves to walk and run and has had the unique ability to get Jeff off his butt and out for walks, so everyone is grateful.

See if you can tell who is the better singer.

NY Times Best Seller-Here We Come

The release of our newest anthology: "Once Around The Sun" ISBN # 978-0-9892650-0-3 is now available online and in major bookstores. We had a successful book signing party at the Moravian Bookstore in historic Bethlehem PA and they liked us enough to come back for a second signing on December 18th 5-8 pm. In addition we have been invited to have a book signing at the Clinton Book Store in Clinton NJ from 1-3 pm Saturday,11/16/16

In "Once Around The Sun" you will find my two stories: Redheads by the Cement Pond and Prisons and the Digital Age Here is a link to the Bethlehem Writers Group where you can find our stoires and also our eZine Writers Roundtable where we host interviews, short stories and wriiting contests.

Book Signing at Moriavian Book Store

It was such a beautiful Saturday and once again I and fellow members of the Bethlehem Writers Group were at our favorite place: The Moravian Bookstore in downtown Bethlehem PA. They always go out of the way to advertise and accomodate us. We had a successful signing and look forward to our next signing there on Black Friday 11/23/12. Hope to see you there so that you may become an "Honorary Redhead".
Looking forward to our new book being published next year. OH BOY, OH BOY!

Book Signing @ Moravian Book Store

Hi All, Quick note that the Bethlehem Writing Group will be holding a Book Signing at the Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem PA on Saturday 11/12/11, from 3-5 pm. Hope to see you there so you can get your "New York Time" Best Seller, ;)signed and personalized.
Makes a great stocking stuffer.

A Christmas Sampler: Sweet, Funny, and Strange Holiday Tales
A Redheaded Holiday: Countdown to a Christmas Hug
Hardcover: 978-160844-111-2
Paperback: 978-160844-110-5
eBook: B002MH3ZC4

Winner of Two Next Generation Indie Book Awards in 2010
A Christmas Sampler placed first in the categories of Short Fiction, and Anthology
Winner: Honorable Mention Anthologies at the 2010 DIY Book Festival

Pete&C presentation in Hershey PA

Hi All, anybody following me that happens to be at the Hershey Lodge for the Pete&C Technology Conference. Stop by Cocco Suite 6 @ 10:45 Tuesday 2/15/11 for my presentation on using technology and data in the overall Response to Instruction and Intervention process. Here is a link to my Ning discussion page to access the actual presentaion.
See you in Hershey!
http://ning.peteandc.org/forum/topics/fl16-rtii-technologydata?xg_source=activity

You Can Pay Me Now Or Pay Me Later

Ok, I love the snow and the cold, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. We are out of school on another national holiday, Snowday number 17, at least it feels like it. All I know is that starting with today and what seems inevitable tomorrow as well, we will have to start taking back some of our future holidays.
As I lay in bed wondering if I will get THE CALL that school is closed all I think of is "You can pay me now or you can pay me later" Looks like I'm paying at both ends. Enjoy the winter wonderland.

Farewell Murphy

Our beloved Golden Retriever Murphy has joined his sister Cody in Doggie Heaven. Murphy has left a hole in our lives that will be impossible to fill. We were blessed at Thanksgiving that even though Murphy was having a hard time walking he was still strong enough to make the trip and perform his kingly duty over his court of two Golden Labradors(Zowie and Lance), a mixed breed (Molly) and a Yorkshire Terrier(Mimi). Our other dog Casey stayed home because she doesn't get along with one of the Golden Labs. I regret she did not get to share in this last celebration for her brother Murphy. I also feel so sorry for Casey, because she has lost both her brother and sister and is all alone in the house. It is so sad to see her lay around because you sense that she is lonely or doesn't understand where her companions are? However, despite the terrible circumstances, I have gained a new shadow as Casey follows me everywhere. In past times I would be petting Casey and the micro second that my hand would stop petting her she would bolt away in search of another petter. Now she cuddles with me and stays and gives me her love. I am sorry for the reason, but I am thankful to have Casey give me her love at a time when I so desperately need it. I can't begin to tell you how fortunate I feel that Murphy spent his last few days surrounded by his loved ones and being the center of attention. I took photos and videos out the ying yang so I would have precious memories that could brighten my day anytime the tears started to well up inside of me. We had been preparing for this moment for about a year as Murphy's hind quarters continued to deteriorate, primarily due to two knee operations that he had many years ago, that never fully healed. I kept watching and praying that he was ok and not in severe pain and that we were not being selfish and self centered in keeping him with us. There was little warning when the actual time came and caught us off guard as his back legs completely gave out on him. We agonized for 24 hours as we lay with him praying to God that he would recover, only to fully realize that the time had come to say farewell to our beloved companion. The love and comfort that Murphy gave to us is a treasured memory that will hold near and dear to our hearts. I know when I need it most he will give me one of his smiles that he was famous for and playfully but oh so gently, take my hand into his mouth and pull me around the room. Both Mary and I were able to pet and hug him and make sure that his last moments on earth were filled with love. But to be truthful, our love paled in comparison to the love he showed this family. Our fondest and funniest memories that we will cherish of Murphy start with the puppy that in a overcrowded showroom was so calm and cool that he stood out in the crowd by his inaction. While he forever remained gentle and kind as he grew from puppy to doggie, we wondered if he would stay alive on his own as he had a tendency towards various serious acts of destruction. Not one for the cheap stuff, he made us prove that we were worthy of his love. Evidenced by his eating electrical outlets, power cords, cell phone chargers, refrigerant lines to central air conditioners and apparently to add fiber to his diet, crown moldings in multiple homes. We are all still amazed that he survived these ordeals, but it was so worth it. Our fondest memories of Murphy: -Like the time he held three baby bunnies in his mouth to protect them and wandered for hours with them in his mouth. -Like the way he let Casey groom his mouth every morning (see page four of our Christmas Newsletter for the picture,) I kept telling myself that I wanted a better picture of this oral hygiene but I kept putting it off, telling myself that I will have my camera tomorrow. I can't begin to tell you how terrible I feel about this procrastination. Hopefully it will be a life lesson learned to not repeat this mistake. -Like the way he would smile for you, sensing it when you needed him to reach out to you. -Like the way he got lost and wandered into a homeless village and showed me the real meaning of compassion and gentleness. Yes he was worth it, our family lost a treasured family member. Goodbye my friend.