#off the sidewalk

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Nadine and the Very Large, Very Small Book Club

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To his never-ending embarrassment, Glen was given the lowest gargoyle assignment because he has a fear of heights.

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Sylvia is a fierce protector of all woodlands, starting with this rock.

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If you see Henry on your way to the ice cream shop, please give him a high five; he's been waiting for days.

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Autumn is here and Glen has to sell all his acorns before the bottom falls out of the nut market.

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Reggie has pre-prepared for Chonky Squirrel Winter.

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Q: What do you do when it's too cold to draw outside?

A: To be clear, I do ascribe to the Northener's axiom that there is no such thing as cold weather, just insufficient layers of clothing. That's why many of my neighbors have been confronted by the eerie sight of a hulking and heavily bundled beast poking at the sidewalk with a piece of chalk when the temps are well below freezing. However, for those who don't find joy drawing al fresco in winter, there are plenty of indoor ephemeral opportunities – and even more if you befriend bartenders and servers. I don't indulge in coaster art as much as I used to, but here are several examples from my "waiting for a hamburger on a cold winter's day" era.

By the way, most of these photos and a full explanation of restaurant doodling can be found in the "Coasting Through Rough Weather" section of my book Underfoot Menagerie, currently available at zinnart.com. Stay warm!

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Truth be told, Patrice got stuck in a hedge this morning, but she is nonetheless accepting compliments on her new hat.