The stars aligned for me yet again, in that this week’s Challenge Word enticed me away from my computer and into yet another outdoor adventure. I grabbed a picnic lunch, my camera, and a couple of books, and sped down PCH steered my roadster toward Laguna, which is where I photographed this constellation of stars.
There’s so much to love about Cynthia Lord’s upcoming release, A Handful of Stars. I’m reminded of my junior high school friend, Luz, the daughter of a migrant farm worker who takes a lead role in my contribution to the YA anthology, Dear Bully.
![P1130676](https://om7ee3.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/P1130676-1024x575.jpg)
Bibliophiles, don’t you fret! There’s a waxed paper barrier between this sweet little book & the wet sand.
Lucky me, I’ve also got an advanced review copy of Jeannine Atkins’ newest novel, Little Woman in Blue! At a time when women assumed subservient roles on the whole, artist May Alcott steps out from behind her famous sister Louisa’s shadows and becomes the star of her own life. *applauds wildly*
![P1130724](https://om7ee3.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/P1130724-1024x598.jpg)
Little Woman in Blue, sitting pretty on a lifeguard’s rescue watercraft
There’s a shortage of starfish in our local tide pools, so I brought one of my own, for the purpose of this challenge. Funny story: When I was snapping this picture, a cluster of Aussies gathered ’round, talking with animated gestures about what they’d assumed was a gift from the sea, washed ashore by these waves. We laughed about it afterwards, and they joked that they’d brought with them the whales that were breaching off shore before I got there.
![P1130691](https://om7ee3.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/P1130691-1024x645.jpg)
No, he’s not a star. But when this seagull kept wandering into the frame, I decided to give him his moment in the sun.
![P1130709](https://om7ee3.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/P1130709-1024x649.jpg)
This bright yellow bloom is a reflection of the sun itself, which everyone knows is a star.
![P1130776](https://om7ee3.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/P1130776-1024x712.jpg)
Blue on blue, what a stellar day! I’d rate it five starfish out of five!
![IMG_5223](https://om7ee3.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_5223-1024x1024.jpg)
Linkfest! If you want to see other bloggers’ responses to this week’s challenge, click here.
My photographic response to last week’s challenge, coats, is here.