Casting around for something to photograph today, I only had to raise my eyes from my computer to get inspired. Hanging on the wall above my desk is the original Pogo comic panel I have had since I was in elementary school. As a kid I read comics voraciously and also loved to write letters. In those non-commercial days, artists like Walt Kelly and Charles Schulz responded personally to every piece of fan mail scrawled by an eager kid. As a result, I have this panel by Walt Kelly and two Peanuts strips inked by Charles Schulz. I have been told they are worth thousands but I just enjoy looking at them and remembering the thrill of getting a gift from a real live artist. As a librarian, I still feel that thrill when meeting writers and illustrators. As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.
How luck you are and to think that you've kept them, all these years! I don't think I have a single thing from my elementary years. (We made a major move when I was in junior high school.)
I, too, adore listening to authors speak! In fact, I heard David Wrobleski (sp?) talk about The Story of Edgar Sawtelle last night!
And, he was a fascinating author to listen to! The firsdt chapter was actually written in Aspen during a Summer Writers Words "conference." As he said, Edgar lived in Wisconsin, but he was conceived , born, and reached teenagedom in Colorado!
I, too, adore listening to authors speak! In fact, I heard David Wrobleski (sp?) talk about The Story of Edgar Sawtelle last night!