As 2010 leaves, Arizona got some winter. Nicker, Danny ... the whole crew ... we live in the desert. Even so, what you see here is snow falling. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR ... from all of us here at Nicker Stories!

Dogs, dogs and more dogs. The story in this issue is about Joe, the black Lab puppy my nephew got for Christmas. This photo is of Kage (Danny's dog) and Gus (my dog). As our winter lawn is coming in (for us, and also as Gordie the Tortie's lunchroom), the sprinklers are going. Kage just loves to hop around in the spray!

Here is another Gracie Claus. She is just TOO CUTE! And from what I've been told, she is also quite a scamp. Did you go to read the story about her yet? WELL?

Do you remember the story of when Nicker went to visit his cousin in Scotland, but got sidetracked and ended up playing in the mud and water with Gracie? You don't remember? Well, all you have to do is go to "Story Hour" and then the archives. The story is there for you to read, and more pictures of cute little Gracie. Here she is again, all dressed up for Christmas.

We're taking the first steps to opening the Nicker Store. Among other things, you will be able to get coloring books, stickers, mouse pads, cups and fridge magnets. This is one of the "test magnets." And guess what. YOU can get one FREE! This is a sort of Christmas Contest. Between now and New Year, the first 50 who send in a drawing or photo, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, will get BOTH a free Nicker Sticker and a FREE Nicker magnet.

Our friend Phyllis sent in this photo from the little town of Lostine, Oregon. It's a tiny town - barely a town at all. Yet it has a unique coffee house (and a unique bathroom out back). THANKS FOR SENDING THIS IN, PHYLLIS!

Me and Nicker

My grand-nephew, Dylan, brought me this drawing. I think he did a GREAT job - and he got TWO Nicker Stickers!

A Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from all of us here at Nicker Stories

I'll tell you more about this critter later. My sister, Princess Victoria, sent me this photo of a coconut crab. It gets the name because it is known to get coconuts and crack them open with its claws. If you think that's easy ... next time you are in the store, tap on a coconut. Or try to crack one open with just your fingers.

Can you guess what this is? It's a baby turkey!

Do YOU have a pet? I have 3 dogs (Gus, Mabel and Kage), 2 cats (Sophie and Jabels), and Gordie the Social Tortie. Here's Gus. We'd been up since 4am. He loves an afternoon nap anyway. So do I. This day he took a nap in my own favorite napping place. I put my blanket over him. Oh, MY, he loves being pampered! I even made sure to cover his tail.

When you read "Gordie the Social Tortie" you will read that he was, at THAT time, 27 pounds. When he stumbled in here on Father's Day in 2008, he was 17 pounds. Here at Thanksgiving in 2010 he weighs 51 pounds. For this coming year, he will have his own website - and no doubt will continue to grow. And GROW!

Gordie came out of his cavern. He raced up for some head petting, and got a treat - brussel sprouts. They were a bit awkward for him to eat, but he quickly learned how to use those big feet and claws.

Gordie the Social Tortie was out today. Lately he has taken to getting into the water dish for the dogs. Usually, he climbs onto the edge and just tips it over.

Coming soon will be our companion site, Gordie Stories. And look! Here HE COMES!

Here's a bit more. Parents - get out some maps and have fun with it. If you look at the map in the story you will see the path where Nicker swam to meet Gracie. This is a different map. Nicker swam up the River Ribble!

OH, OW, GUESS WHAT!!!
Captain Kazoo has decided to open a store! What a great chance to get a kazoo like no one else! Captain Kazoo has the best collection of kazoos probably in the whole universe. Go on over and take a look.
captainkazoo.com

This issue has been delayed for a few days, but I expect it to be up this weekend. Meanwhile, Gordie the Social Tortie has been busy, too. This the shot of the opening as it is now. It's about 4-feet wide. I merely crouched, so the flash only reached in about 5 feet. One day soon, I plan to crawl into that cave to see, and photograph, the inside.

Nicker's friend Phyllis has a donkey. One day a rabbit with black fur hopped into the pen. the two became immediate friends. They share food. The rabbit loves to sleep cuddled next to the donkey.

We have sure been busy here at Nicker Stories!
Another story has been recorded, as I promised. Soon you will be able to listen and read along.
Other stories are also being recorded. In fact, we're even bringing in people to read guest stories, and do voices. What FUN we're all going to have!
The story of Nicker going to Scotland to meet Gracie the cute dog is nearly done.
Meanwhile, I have been asked to do another story about Gordie the Tortie. Since you are here in Nicker News, I'll give you a little preview that others don't know (unless they also come to Nicker News).
Gordie used to live in a sort of brick room. He'd come out each morning and go back each evening. These days, he lives underground, in a cavern he made for himself. he doesn't come out every day ... but is as sociable, and as goofy, as ever.
The new dog who has come to visit for a while is Kage. In the new story you will get to see Kage. He's CUTE! He's also very funny, especially when it comes to that walking boulder named Gordie.
All of this and more, including pictures, will be in the new story. (We're even thinking about adding movies to Nicker Stories, so you can see Gordie the Tortie get a bath, see Kage running around him .....)
It's time for ME to take another trip to Lake Edie. If you are a fan, you know the story about how Nicker got in trouble with the goose. And of course you know about the Lake Elf, Nicker's cousin Minni, and so on. Well, I'm going for another visit and have been told that there are no geese around Lake Edie. Hmmm, I wonder why, don't you?
Guess what. I will even bring a movie camera with me. Just in case.

Hat Month

Gracie, the star of our next issue, is already getting in the mood. Do you have YOUR party hat?

(the grapes)

pssst - they're in the lower right corner

Gordie Gets a Bath (and Grapes)

It's Saturday morning. Gordie was out early for some breakfast. Now that he prefers to live in his cave, he gets dirty. So I went out with the hose to give him a bath, and a drink. If you look carefully, you'll see that he also got some grapes - his very favorite treat!

Gracie

This is Gracie. She lives in northern England, near Scotland. Nicker has heard that he might have a relative living in Scotland in a place they call a loch, but in America we call a lake. Gracie knows the area better than he does - maybe better than most people. Coming soon will be Nicker's adventure with Gracie, the Wonder Pup!

It Works!

This is how the Nicker Recording Studio is beginning. If you have a favorite story you would like to hear, not just read, let me know.

NICKER'S RECORDING STUDIO

The equipment has arrived. We hope to have everything set up very soon. One of our first tests will be right here on Nicker Stories. Be sure to check in with Nicker News, because this is where we will tell you how to be the FIRST to listen in.

More "Take Your Pants for a Walk"

the new issue for "Wiggle Your Toes" is up, but that doesn't mean you should still take your pants for a walk! Go to this and you'll see someone taking their pants for a walk all the way across America, from New York to San Francisco.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/popcandy/post/2010/07/watch-this-one-guy-walks-across-america/1?csp=34life

Listen to Nicker!

COMING SOON!!!
We are now setting up the Nicker Stories Recording Studio. Why? Pretty soon now, when you come visit Nicker Stories, you will be able to click and HEAR a story.
Don't forget to come back on Thursday for the "Wiggle Your Toes" issue ... and more news.

Don't forget to visit Captain Kazoo (captainkazoo.com). He always has some fun things going on.

In Tempe, Arizona is the Tempe Town Lake. And inflatable dam was used to make it. Well, Tuesday night a part of that dam exploded! It popped just like a giant balloon. The lake drained. What a mess.

Here's Gordie the Social Tortie after his bath.

As you know, Gordie the Social Tortie has decided that the Arizona summer is hot, and that he is old enough now to make his own home. His tunnel is about 3 feet down (about a meter) and my best guess is that it is at least 15 feet (about 4-5 meters) long.
He came out this morning to have breakfast. Living underground, he was covered with dirt, and there were branch marks in that. Gordie was very hungry. He was eating a lot and very fast. Of course, I got the hose and gave him a nice bath and a drink. After that, he came over to have his head rubbed.

Nicker's Cousin Returns

I've been told that Nicker's cousin, Minne, is being seen on the lakes of Minneapolis again this summer. If you get there, be sure to say hello. And don't forget to visit Nicker's buddy, the Lake Elf. Come on into the main website and you'll find more about both of them in Story Hour.

COMING THURSDAY!!!

The new issue of Nicker Stories will be ready for you to enjoy this coming Thursday, July 15. It's "Take Your Pants for a Walk," and we start out by walking on the MOON! With this issue you can also be one of the first to get the FREE Nicker Calendar Page for August.
Then coming in August, we will be continuing some changes to how Nicker Stories looks and works. If YOU have some ideas, we'd sure like to hear them.

While I was away to Lake Edie, Gordie the Social Tortie was making a cavern. I blocked the entrance. He got mad at me and decided to make another. I'm not sure yet just where it goes, but judging by the amount of dirt he has tossed out of the cave, several of you could go camping inside.

Glicker's First Fourth

In a week, America celebrates its Independence Day ... its Fourth of July. Glicker, the baby sea dragon, has never seen one before. Has never seen fireworks. Danny is going to take her to the park for a picnic, the carnival and the big show in the sky after. This fun story will be posted here on Nicker Stories in a few days, so come visit us again.

It's Father's Day! Here's a fun place to go.
http://holidays.kaboose.com/fathers-day/index.html

While I was visiting Lake Edie, Gordie the Social Tortie took advantage of me being away and dug a cave. It goes about 3 feet down and is at least 7 feet long.

Things have been quiet here at Nicker Stories because I've been off for a visit to Lake Edie. There were 18 goslings in this brood! (Count them!)
The new issue of Nicker Stories is ready to go up. It's about Father's Day. Come celebrate with us. It would be fun to see all your Nicker fans - and father fans - make drawings of your own fathers to share with the rest of us.

In America, it is Memorial Day. Other countries have other days set aside for the same thing. Sometimes certain people aren't very nice. Then they make trouble, sometimes BIG trouble, where other people get hurt, or even killed.
We get wars.
Memorial Day is a day to say thank you for all those who have fought stop those big, stupid bullies!
It began as a day to remember Union soldiers after the American Civil War. But there have been many other times when people had to stop those bullies, right up to today, and not JUST in America!
It was set for the last Monday in May because that's when flowers were in bloom to put on the graves of those who died. It's an American "holiday," but wherever you are, please remember those who gave up so much.

Famous Sayings

Someone did a quiz for kids where they were to fill in the blanks for some famous sayings.

The pen is mightier than …. the pigs.

A penny saved is …. not much.

Two’s company, three’s …. the Musketeers.

Don’t put off to tomorrow what …. you put on to go to bed.

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Cry and …. you have to blow your nose.

If you lie down with dogs you’ll …. stink in the morning.

It’s always darkest before …. Daylight Savings Time.

I was about to have some pizza for dinner when Nicker came in a tugged at my pant leg. He whispered, "I had some visitors," and then smiled. "It was Kevin, Jeannette and Jennifer. And guess what? I think Jennifer likes to draw things."
I'm not sure how he knows that, but sea dragons sometimes just ... well, they just know things.
He asked, "If she sends me a drawing, can I send her a Nicker Sticker?"
I told him that of course he could!
Just before he left again, Nicker tugged at my pant leg again and whispered. "Guess what else. I think Jennifer is cute!"

http://www.parents.com/recipes/?_requestid=229055
Parents Magazine is one of my favorites. This link goes to some really fun recipes. I don't know how long it will stay the same as what I saw this morning, but if it IS the same, toward the bottom is a great set of recipes for Play With Your Food. FUN stuff, like making penguins from olives, snowmen from marshmallows, butterflies from peas.

The new issue is up for you, and the new FREE Nicker Calendar page for June. My sister knows most of the Nicker Stories, but when she saw the June calendar ... well, I had to get it out and read it to her. You can find part of it on the website, then go to Peek Inside.
Simon is Nicker's father. His job is to chase "bad creatures," and he is very good at it. He is so huge, so strong, that the bad creatures don't stand a chance. At first, Danny was quite afraid of him. Then Danny realized that Simon is really quite gentle and kind, and full of love.
Go take a look at Peek Inside. You can learn about Simon, and his father Gordie, and some of the other characters.

Hey everybody, the new issue is up. It's about Lucky Pennies.
And there is this, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5kifbVsHNM
Captain Kazoo has a DVD he just released.

Do YOU have a pet?

Here's one more shot of Danny's puppy, Cage. He's SO cute!
Nicker and Danny would sure like to see a photo or drawing of YOUR pet.

Lucky Penny Day

Next week there will be a new issue of Nicker Stories. It celebrates Lucky Penny Day. So, be looking around at pennies and other coins. Look at paper money, too. You'll be amazed at all the things you can find. Did you know that at one time the American dollar bill didn't have George Washington on it, it had MARTHA Washington.
Also in the next issue will be the FREE Nicker Calendar page for June. Tell all your friends.
And tomorrow in Nicker News ....

Danny's Dog

Danny has a new dog. His name is Cage. (You'll have to write to Danny to ask why he chose that name.) On Mother's Day, Danny came to visit and he brought Cage with him. Cage got to meet Gus. He also got to meet Mabel, and then he got to meet that 40 pound rock with legs named Gordie. And, he got to meet Nicker! Here he is meeting Gus.

Gordie the Social Tortie

As you can see, Gordie the Social Tortie has been busy again ... getting into trouble again. These tortoises love to dig. This hole is about 4 feet wide and 2 feet deep. I filled it in, even blocked it with a log and sticks. I'm hoping he finally gave up, but he can be very stubborn. For Mother's Day, he was more interested in being part of the family party, and playing in the sprinklers along with the dogs.

Mother's Day Visitor

We had a visitor on Mother's Day. His name is Cage, and he is Danny's new puppy. He met Gus, as you can see, and wasn't so sure about that. He also met Mabel the boxer, who wanted to play with Cage as though he was a cat. And he met Gordie the Social Tortie. Cage had never seen anything as big as Gus before. And he has never seen a "walking rock" that is 4 times bigger than him! But they all had fun, and even played in the sprinklers.
What did YOU do for Mother's Day?

Queen Edie, of Lake Edie, loves lilies. Next Sunday is Mother's Day. For my mommy ... I wrote a special story for the Mother's Day issue of Nicker Stories. I made her a silly drawing to make her laugh. I set up another visit to Lake Edie so I can pamper her. (She LOVES when I make bread! And when I make eggs and bacon at 4am.)
Do you remember her birthday last January? I sent her candy cane lilies. This time, I'm sending these.
What are YOU doing for Mother's Day?

Captain Kazoo and RePeet

Captain Kazoo and his robot parrot RePeet are coming for a visit next month. We're planning some fun stuff! For now, check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyZF_P56dlo

Prairie Falcon

As you know well, Marci draws a LOT more than just sea dragons. Come inside Nicker Stories, go to "Meet the Creators," and have a look at some of her art. For now, this is a prairie falcon that she drew. Look at the robin that Edie painted, then at this. You can see many differences, but can you figure out WHY the two birds are so different?

Grandma Edie Paints

Danny's grandmother likes to paint. This is a robin sitting on a branch as winter leaves and spring begins.
Have you been drawing pictures of birds? Have you been sending them to Nicker? That's what this issue is all about.
Next week, this issue will go into the archive. The new issue is about Mother's Day. How is this for an idea? Go to this issue and have Marci teach you how to draw a bird. Then you can draw some birds for Mother's Day!!!

New Issue

April got a bit crazy. Danny got in a car accident. No one was hurt, but it threw our schedule off. The completed and correct issue is now up, so if you visited before Monday, April 26, please visit again because it has changed.
You can draw a picture of a bird any time. May 4 is "Bird Day." You can learn about birds, draw birds, and in general have a "Happy Birdday to You!"
Don't forget to send Nicker the drawings you make.

Earth Day

Do you know about Earth Day? It came about in the hope that people would learn that we can't keep trashing our planet. It's the only one we have! So, I thought I would share with you a photo of where Nicker lives these days. This is the Arizona desert. What a strange place for a sea dragon, huh?

Today is "Draw a Picture of a Bird Day," and that issue will be up very soon. Marci is going to show you just how to draw a bird ... and Nicker will show you ... well, how a sea dragon with no hands draws a bird.
This morning, I was sitting on the patio, feeding grapes to Gordie, Gus and Mabel. My wife was again talking about these goofy birds we have out in the field. I grabbed my camera in hopes of getting a photo. They blend in with the desert so well that even a sea dragon could take lessons from them on how to hide. They are almost invisible.
So is their nest! I almost stepped on it. Here it is. Each egg is about an inch. From any distance at all, they disappear into the gravel. The bird that laid them is called a killdeer.
Especially because this is "Draw a Picture of a Bird Day," I wanted to share this with all of you right away.

How’s THIS for a kazoo? It’s called a didgeridoo. The “didge” is Australian. The kazoo is a little thing. The didge is usually 3 to 10 feet long.

Draw a Picture of a Bird

It's "Draw a Picture of a Bird" time!!!
Did you know that there are more than 10,000 kinds of birds?

Our friend Elanna from the United Kingdom sent us this photo. She celebrated “Walk in the Park Day” by taking her dog, Gracie to the park. The ball they were playing with got away from them. Gracie went after the ball, and Elanna went after Gracie. It bounced into this stream. Then Gracie bounced into this stream. Elanna said, “It turned out to be a good thing. First, I got to see a different park of the park that I’d never seen before. Second … I got a clean dog. Wet, but clean.”
I wonder if Gracie played ball, then played the kazoo? Nicker is a kazoo playing sea dragon. Gracie could be the world’s first kazoo playing dog!

HAPPY EASTER!
You all know how Gordie the Social Tortie crawled in here on Father's Day a couple years ago.
Last Easter, I was up early and guess what was in the yard!
For some of you, this wouldn't be a big deal. Where Marci lives, she would be surprised to NOT find a rabbit in the yard. She gets LOTS of critters! Birds of all kinds, deer, raccoons, whole flocks of wild turkeys ....
But for the Arizona desert, about the closest thing we have to a nice, soft bunny rabbit is the desert jackrabbit. Those are scrawny with long ears that stick straight up like an old TV antenna. (That's why those were called rabbit ears.) Where we live, even jackrabbits are rare.
But last Easter, this one came to the yard. Unfortunately, it didn't bring any colored eggs - not even a piece of candy.

April Fool's Day

It’s April Fool’s Day, so I decided to not come in. I didn’t post this, and it’s a good thing you aren’t here because you’re not reading this, because I didn’t write it. Be sure that you don’t tell your friends so they won’t come visit Nicker and not read this, too. That way, we can all not read it together.
It's a little like the Emperor's New Clothes, but in reverse. Only April Fools can read this, and since you're not one, you aren't reading this. I wonder how many of the friends you don't send can't read it.
Ahh, but, if you send a friend, that means you read this and that means ....

GOOD NEWS!!!
Today I got some of the sketches Marci is making for "How to Draw a Picture of a Bird Day." Oh, boy, oh boy! are we going to have fun! Did you look on your Nicker Calendar to see when this is? It's coming soon. Hmmm, maybe you'll want to get some paper and practice a little.

Gus Sings with the Nickazoos!

Here it is at last! It's "Walk in the Park Day!"
Gus just loves kazoos. Ashley, Destiny and Dylan came by for a visit, and soon we had a 4-Kazoo Koncert going on, with Gus singing along in harmony.
Are YOU ready?
Got yer kazoo ready?
Well, then ... let's all NICKAZOO!!!!!!!!!!

Did you get your kazoos? Even Sophie the Cat was in a rush to come join in the parade.

Thanks for Writing, Ashley!

Ashley has asked me to write a story about Gus and Mabel. (They are my two dogs.) I’ll do that one day soon. For now …. You know about the new Nickazoo kazoos that Marci painted for “Walk in the Park Day.” Gus and Mabel know about them, too. BOY, do they know about them. We were having a kazoo party in the kitchen. Gus joined in. He was singing and barking and whacking his tail against the cupboards like they were a big drum. Mabel came in and was dancing. If you’ve never seen Mabel dance, you’ve missed something. She hops up and down and back and forth and twists and turns.

Spring IS Coming

Here in the Arizona desert, Gordie is already out each day munching and grazing. This afternoon I got this photo of him taking a nap beneath a desert bottle-brush bush in the yard. Yes, this IS the desert! Did you expect endless sand dunes?

Here's another photo.
Are you getting your own kazoos ready for later this week?
Maybe planning a picnic along with the "Walk in the Park?"
Don't forget that this Thursday is WAFFLE DAY!