A New Review for Twink

I was poking around the Internet with no particular objective in mind and was surprised to find this book review of Riddle of the Lake. It ran in the magazine last winter. I was pleased to see the reviewer considered the cats' antics amusing. Others have told me the books message of environmental change was NOT unduly depressing but I was happy to see this reviewer apparently agreed. Having said that change continues and not all of it is for the best. More soon.

Book review from Life in the Finger Lakes Magazine by Laurel C. Wemett
Twinkle Toes and The Riddle of the Lake
By Susan Peterson Gateley
Ariel Associates/Whiskey Hill Press
www.silverwaters.com

Paperback: $15.95

The notion of three landlubber cats sailing one of the Great Lakes is the perfect plot twist for author Susan Peterson Gateley’s latest book. The action unfolds through the perspective of a cranky but determined cat named Twinkle Toes. She and her mother, Dusty, and her cousin, Miss Piggy, reluctantly accompany “Skipper Sue” across Lake Ontario to Canada in the yacht Ariel. Along the way, the feline protagonist regularly “converses” with Harry, a seagull, among other lake dwellers.

The book will appeal to youthful readers and adults alike. A strong underlying ecological theme steers the reader to learn about some of the disappearing species on the lake.

Gateley’s narrative captures cat attitudes perfectly, and Pat Cooper’s illustrations add appeal. The journey through fair weather and foul naturally tests the cats’ endurance. From seasickness to repeatedly sneaking ashore, the trio’s amusing escapades help illuminate the serious changes in the lake’s environment.

Part two of the book is called “Skipper Sue’s Notebook.” It offers a lengthy appendix filled with fascinating historical data and essays on assorted ecological topics.

A New Year a New Blog

When I initiated this experiment I stated I'd be writing about Lake Ontario, beach combing and other topics. After a four year hiatus, the blog is steering a new course. You never know what will turn up when you go for a stroll on the neighborhood beach. Likewise, this writer never knows what the next story will be as I amble through life itself. But I do know this. Tom Wolfe was right when he said there are stories all around you.

I sometimes finds unexpected topics that cry for coverage. Like shale gas. A friend of mine down in Pennsylvania who I met through sailing on Lake Ontario is watching a well that's going in behind her house. And last winter the 'thumper trucks' were all over the next town south of here doing seismic tests for gas. So I wrote two articles on shale gas fraking and the concern about its impact on local water for a regional magazine. I've also sent out magazine stories on circumzenithal arcs, sailing an old schooner without a motor, an all female tall ship training program and lake based wind turbines.
Last fall I posted to a personal blog about beach combing ( and other activity) in Denmark. We fly all the way over there as tourists for ten days and what do we do? Fill our pockets with Danish beach pebbles for keepsakes!

A few months ago I was amazed to learn that Oswego County was being considered for an 80,000 cow feedlot operation, the biggest concentration of bovines east of the Mississippi in connection with the new ethanol plant in Fulton. (I guess they feed the cows left over crap from the ethanol plant. ) What has this got to do with Lake Ontario? Well, the ethanol plant grain is coming in by barge through the port of Oswego. And the manure from 80,000 cows has lots of potential to be of interest to lake watchers.

So hang on to your hat. Anything goes this time around. More soon if I can remember my password!