I suppose you might say that I have experienced a “Writer’s Epiphany” of sorts. This came about due to several things which all converged in the month of January. Having to be a “wise man” and needing to “follow a Star”, I chose my favorite little white chicken, Pearl, to be my “Star.” She truly is a “star of wonder” and a “star of might”! 

How she has been able to endear herself to so many people is truly quite amazing to me! It’s nothing that I could have ever anticipated or planned. My secret guess — only a guess — is that she simply has always shared her tragedies and her triumphs. She is just Pearl, plain and simple Pearl. 

What’s new for me is that in February, I will be retiring from my day position and will be writing and illustrating my chicken books as a full-time job. When I retire, I will officially join the list of “Working Writers” which includes my online writing friends.

At this point, you are probably thinking, “Retire!?! Anyone as young-looking as that guy can’t possibly be of retirement age!?!”

But a less nosey question is likely to be, “Where does Pearl fit into all of this?” As you may remember, for almost a year, I have been working on a series of three books titled The Dictionary of Curious Words. While working on the third book, I found that the plot had taken an unexpected turn in an entirely different direction.

Pearl was selected to be the next Principalis Bibliothècarius, or Head Librarian, of the Living Library of the Songbirds. (This is a storehouse of all the information that the world’s songbirds have collected and turned into songs since the first birds sang out with joy and appreciation for their gift of flight.)

Until Next Time: Think about what you have to sing out about. What fills your heart with joy and appreciation?