Friends:

What a whirlwind week it has been! I returned from California at 1am on Saturday morning and performed at the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge at 2pm. First, I performed in the Storytelling Tent, telling The Cajun Cornbread Boy, singing “Shake Dem Bones,” an original song, and telling “The House That Witchy Built,” an original story. I had a great crowd. Both children and grownups alike participated in the show!

10-17-09 LA Book Festival - Even dads participate!

I got to see old friends and even make new ones!

10-17-09 LA Book Festival - Dianne with a fan

After my show, I signed books in the Barnes & Noble Jr. tent. It was nonstop busy. Several fans and friends bought my books. Yay!

10-17-09 LA Book Festival - Dianne signing books in the Barnes & Noble Jr. tent

My oldest daughter, Soleil, goes to LSU in Baton Rouge so she spent the day with us! Eliana was so excited to see her big sister again…

10-17-09 LA Book Festival - Eliana & Soleil

One of my dearest fans, Aly Guidry, who is now a beautiful 12 year old young lady, came to see me perform and even had the courage to wear Madame Poulet on her head. You rock, Aly!! I <3 U, girl!

10-17-09 LA Book Festival - Aly and Dianne

After signing in the B&N tent, it was time to sign at the Pelican Publishing Table in another tent. Again, it was busy and VERY windy. The wind knocked down one of the poles that held up the tent. The tent did NOT collapse but it was a scary moment!

10-17-09 LA Book Festival - Dianne signing books at the Pelican Publishing table

I can’t believe how quickly time passed. After my last signing, it was time to go… but not before taking a picture of Wonder Woman!!

10-17-09 LA Book Festival - Eliana is Wonder Woman!

The book festival was a blast. I look forward to next year!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

7-24-09 Dianne, Antonio, Eliana & Soleil with Tulum Mayan Dancers in Mexico

Friends:

It was supposed to be an idyllic family vacation in Cancun, Mexico. Turquoise waters. Sugar sands. Mayan Ruins. Fun in the Caribbean sun. And it was. Until we got home.

7-25-09 Soleil and Eliana being goofy in the hotel room on our last night in Cancun

Our family (my husband, our 19 year old daughter, Soleil, our 9 year old daughter, Eliana, and I) vacationed in Cancun, Mexico from July 20-26, 2009 at Dreams Resort & Spa. On the last day we were there, Soleil didn’t feel well and stayed in bed while we went to Mercado 28 downtown and took a last dip at the beach. Before we left, Soleil asked if she could see the resort’s doctor but there was no time. We had a flight to catch.

7-26-09 Last day in Cancun, view from Dreams Spa & Resort hotel room balcony

We arrived home late Sunday night, July 26. Soleil went to work late on Monday. By Monday evening, she was complaining of a sore throat and asking for tea. She went to work on Tuesday but later that night, she began coughing and sneezing. She felt so bad that she decided not to go to work on Wednesday. By this time, her nose was dripping and we thought she had a really bad cold. She took over the counter medication, which provided little relief.

On Thursday morning (July 30), she barely had any voice. When I looked at her, she was flush. I touched her skin and she was burning up. When I took her temperature, she was running 102.5 F fever. She didn’t want to eat the soup I made for her and complained of achiness and chills. I was alarmed but I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. Still, my mind wandered… “We did just return from Mexico. She has all the flu symptoms.” I called the doctor’s office and talked to a nurse who advised me to bring her in right away.

So, of course, I did. While waiting for the doctor, she had uncontrollable chills and was still burning up. She wanted nothing more than to lie down. After a long wait at the “Urgent Care,” they finally called her name.

The doctor swabbed her nostrils and said she tested positive for Influenza A – H1N1, commonly referred to as the “swine flu.” Concerned about pneumonia, he took chest x-rays, which fortunately showed no signs of pneumonia. The doctor prescribed her Tamiflu, Ibuprofen 600 for the headache and aches, and Robitussin with codeine for her cough and mucus build-up. We were also given a “Swine Influenza” information sheet.

7-30-09 Soleil's Influenza A - H1N1 medications

After filling her prescriptions at our Neighborhood Wal-Mart, we went home where she promptly crawled into bed. Unfortunately, Soleil has to be quarantined. If she comes into the common areas of the house, she has to wear a mask. I am supposed to wear a mask when I enter her room. Because she is quarantined, I have to wait on her hand and foot. This, I don’t mind. I am her mother. That’s what mothers do… We take care of our children and we pray for their speedy recovery.

We had to send our 9 year old daughter, Eliana, away to stay with my mom. She is young and we wanted to minimize her exposure to the illness. This, I mind. She’s starting school soon and I am sad that I don’t get to spend as much time with her.

The swine flu is a costly illness. Soleil is missing a lot of work. Since she is a student worker, she does not get paid for the days she does not work. She has no “sick leave.” The doctor visit included the H1N1 swab, x-rays, and medication administered on-site. That will no doubt cost a pretty penny. Tamiflu is not cheap either. Fortunately, we have health insurance but all these costs add up and we pay for it, one way or another.

The good news is that Soleil seems to be responding well to the medications. Earlier today, she was listless and exhausted. This evening, she was sitting up in bed, asking for orange juice. She has been drinking a ton of water so dehydration shouldn’t be an issue.

When we booked our vacation, our resort promised a “swine-flu free guarantee” or they would give guests three free vacations. It is even advertised on the hotel’s Facebook page. As soon as we arrived home from the doctor, I wrote a letter, attached a photo of Soleil’s prescriptions, and emailed it to their customer service department. It will be interesting to see how they respond in the face of a claim. I will let you know how all this works out… Of course, I wouldn’t trade three free vacations for my daughter’s health any day. Her well-being is tantamount. But I do hope the hotel follows through with their guarantee as a show of good faith. One of the reasons we chose that hotel was because of that guarantee. We postponed our family vacation from May because of the swine flu epidemic and U.S. travel advisories.

Thank you to everyone who sent their well-wishes. Soleil is strong and is already conquering this swine flu. It too will become yet another story in our lives…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

I am very excited. Soleil and I produced my second book trailer for my new picture book Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach (Pelican Publishing, September 2009). I really love the way this came out. The illustrations are by the talented Marita Gentry. Music is by Betsy Braud and the Jazz Nurse Prescription from my World Fiesta: Celebrations in Story and Song CD. Let me know what you think! Thank you so much!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Dianne de Las Casas & Tedd Arnold - Sept 25, 2008

On Thursday and Friday, the Baton Rouge Public Library hosted a children’s book author/illustrator program (this is their 31st year). Their featured author/illustrator was Tedd Arnold. Tedd Arnold is the author/illustrator of Green Wilma, No Jumping on the Bed, Parts (and its sequels), Super Fly Guy (and its sequels), and many other books.

Thursday night’s program was a family program with the presentation geared for kids. Tedd Arnold shared how he was inspired by his two sons, Walter and William, and their stuffed animals, Charlie (the dog) and Foxy (the fox) for a couple of his books. No More Jumping on the Bed was inspired by Walter. No More Water in the Bathtub was written for William. Tedd’s books are filled with laugh-out-loud humor. If you haven’t read any of the Parts books, you have to! Here is Tedd drawing the main character from Parts.

Tedd Arnold Drawing character from book, Parts - Sept 25, 2008

Tedd’s presentation was infused with great humor and light audience participation. He held the interest of children and adults alike. Super Fly Guy is one of Tedd’s most popular book characters. Tedd drew Fly Guy for the audience.

Tedd Arnold's Fly Guy - Sept 25, 2008

Marita Gentry, the illustrator for my picture book, The Cajun Cornbread Boy, won an illustration from Tedd Arnold.

Marita Gentry & Tedd Arnold - Sept 25, 2008

Here is a picture of our book cover. Isn’t Marita talented?

The Cajun Cornbread Boy By Dianne de Las Casas Illustrated by Marita Gentry

My 18 year old daughter, Soleil, is majoring in art at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She wants to pursue a career in children’s book illustration. I thought it would be a good idea for her to attend the program. Soleil really got a lot out of both the Thursday night presentation and the Friday morning program. She was able to see the other side of being a children’s book illustrator – presenting for the public. Here is Soleil with Tedd Arnold.

Soleil & Tedd Arnold - Sept 25, 2008

I highly recommend Tedd Arnold’s books. He’s a phenomenonally funny author and great guy, a super “fly” guy! LOL

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne