tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13292462866085497982009-10-12T22:16:43.088-05:00Death Roll's authors talk about wildlife, the writing life and the things that drive them wild.Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-26942803399868313812009-07-09T18:53:00.004-05:002009-07-09T19:19:28.976-05:00

The United States may be #1 in GDP (that's gross domestic product for those of you who, like me, don't pay much attention to that stuff), we fell short in HPI -- Happy Planet Index. The HPI, thought up by the New Economics Foundation, is a way to measure something other than how many products and services a country has to offer. The index measures environmental sustainability relative to

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-59704781144797104662008-08-08T22:26:00.004-05:002008-08-08T22:46:49.847-05:00

This week the Woodbury Review News named Death Roll a "Hot Read for Summer."We were thrilled to be one of the five books selected by the weekly newspaper. Woodbury is a suburb of St. Paul, MN."With the hottest days of summer now arriving, you might want to stay indoors and read a good book. The following works were penned by Minnesotans or surround the events of our great state." --Heather

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-89027416280134188682007-12-26T20:55:00.000-06:002008-12-10T20:33:40.188-06:00

While writing our zoo mystery, Death Roll, we did a lot of research on animals escaping from zoo enclosures. Some are comical, but some end in tragedy, usually with the animal’s death.Yesterday an endangered Amur (Siberian) tiger escaped its enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo. The tiger killed a young man and injured two others before police shot and killed her. Our sympathies go out to everyone

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-5193229037221636392007-12-18T12:05:00.001-06:002008-12-10T20:33:40.526-06:00

This year don’t forget the zoo when you’re planning your holidays. Zoos around the country are festive, fun and educational. There are light displays and special events throughout the month of December and on into the new year.The Indianapolis Zoo has set up a landscape of Christmas towns and villages in the conservatory, where “O” and “G” sized model trains travel throughout the day. The Toledo

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-3723534798932422612007-11-20T12:16:00.001-06:002008-12-10T20:33:40.689-06:00

This photo has circulated around the internet for some time, but in view of the recent fires in California, seems more dramatic than ever. While the loss of lives and property due to a wildfire is tragic, what happens to the animals caught in the path of these fires?Animals are often more resourceful and resilient than most people think. While some animals die, most often from suffocation, most

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-49914479764375738542007-11-14T18:42:00.000-06:002008-12-10T20:33:40.818-06:00

Inca doves are common in the southwestern United States. They thrive in an area that stretches from Central America to the American Southwest. That range does not include any part of Minnesota. So it was a really big deal when Jim Lind spotted one at his neighbor's bird feeder on Oct. 30 in Two Harbors. Since then at least 100 birders have made the trek for a glimpse of the first ever Inca dove

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-58072357859967392652007-11-09T12:20:00.001-06:002008-12-10T20:33:41.272-06:00

In February Fuji, a dolphin at the Okinawa Churami Aquarium in Japan, was fitted for an artificial fin. The fin was developed by Bridgestone after the dolphin lost most of its tail fin to an unknown disease. Volunteers tapped the full range of Bridgestone’s rubber technology and the team delivered its third prototype in March 2004. Fuji was able to regain her swimming ability and returned to

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-63623957663036853182007-11-02T11:54:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:41.444-06:00

September 30 marked the birth of a rare, red-capped mangabey monkey at the Denver Zoo. The mangabey was named Kanzu, a Swahili word for treasure.Kansu is one of only 27 red-capped mangabey’s living in the eight North American zoos that count them amount their collections, including the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, Binder Zoo in Battle Creek, MI and the Houston Zoo in Texas. Denver has six of these

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-33583764412183080392007-10-29T22:06:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:41.657-06:00

This Halloween have a fun and safe trick and treat experience at your local zoo. Zoos across the country are celebrating in ways the entire family can enjoy.The Denver Zoo’s annual Boo at the Zoo’s theme this year is “Be a Zooper hero for the planet,” inviting children of all ages to come dressed as their favorite super hero and learn about how they can help the environment. The Great Zoo

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-57889129867527396072007-10-24T19:56:00.001-05:002008-12-10T20:33:41.875-06:00

A pink flamingo that escaped from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas a few years ago has been spotted in a southwest Louisiana ship channel hanging out with a wild flamingo. Officials identified the escapee by the numbers on its leg band. Last December the Sedgewick flamingo and its traveling companion were spotted at the Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-3895282378167622502007-10-22T19:27:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:41.994-06:00

Last August a man boarded a plane in Peru with a pygmy marmoset under his hat. Not only did he get through security in Peru, he managed clear U. S. Customs in Florida. It wasn’t until he boarded a plane bound for New York that other passengers spotted the playful primate playing with the man’s ponytail.Marmosets are New World monkeys found in South America. Pygmy marmosets are one of the smallest

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-76592958525559254732007-09-16T12:27:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:42.444-06:00

Becky Lovejoy is a volunteer at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, OR in their horticulture department. She’s loved animals and gardens all her life. It’s in her genes. Her ancestors were farmers, teachers, doctors, and gardeners. One imported trees and created quite the arboretum and another was instrumental in starting the Berlin Zoo. She’s taken naturalist training with Audubon, Jackson Bottom

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-65347107712027544822007-09-05T19:44:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:42.641-06:00

Looking for some fishing of a different kind? The Boat Tavern in Bath, IL has started a new tradition: the Redneck Carp Tournament. But fisherman beware: these aren't your father's carp. These are silver and bighead carp from Southeast Asia -- weighing in at 20 to 50 pounds each -- that have invaded Midwest rivers and could someday be coming to a Great Lake near you.Neither of these species will

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-23461826879899905872007-08-30T21:34:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:43.213-06:00

A huge whoop and sigh of relief.The September issue of Animal Keepers' Forum, the official publication of The American Association of Zoo Keepers, was delivered today. "Death Roll" was very favorably reviewed by zoo animal professionals. Here's some of what they had to say:"...an engaging romp...""...Despite the fact that this is a novel, its conservation-themed undertones may well provide

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-29343532629477667282007-08-30T20:07:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:43.402-06:00

Even in this day and age, nature can still baffle us. Take this sprawling spider web in Texas that has been woven across several trees and shrubs along a 200-yard stretch of park trail in Lake Tawakoni State Park. Officials at Lake Tawakoni State Park have never seen anything like it and it may be a once in a lifetime event. But John Jackman, a professor and extension entomologist for Texas A&M

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-65153262537826137992007-07-31T19:48:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:43.557-06:00

On Saturday, July 28, 2007 we appeared live on "The Jill Spiegel Show" on FM107.1 in the Twin Cities. Our first radio interview! It was a great experience. Jill was very welcoming and excited about Death Roll, even reading the opening lines and quoting from the book later on. We got to talk a little about the journey of how the book was written and found its way to print.Thanks Jill!Jill Spiegel

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-16475630239118169782007-07-14T13:43:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:43.912-06:00

It takes about 20 million trees to produce the paper needed to manufacturer a year's worth of books bought in the United States. That's a mind-boggling number, especially to us eco-friendly types. And especially to an author who writes a mystery featuring a eco-friendly zookeeper.Eco-Libris at http://www.ecolibris.net/ has come up with one solution. They would like you to donate $1 for every book

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-48454101008711953882007-06-25T18:06:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:44.104-06:00

For over 14 years we've been feeding the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and ducks that come to our yard without incident. Every day there are probably a dozen squirrels who visit; often we'll see six or eight at a time. We have red squirrels, grey squirrels, and two albinos. Last winter we started seeing something odd---the squirrels started chewing the bark off the boxelder tree in our back yard.

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-91772948944524359502007-06-24T20:17:00.001-05:002007-06-25T18:19:38.934-05:00

I volunteered at the zoo today. While doing my rounds on the Tropics Trail, Steve, the lead bird keeper stopped me. "Are you the author?" he asked. I was taken aback by the question. I've never spoken to Steve except in passing and I don't think I look that much like our picture in the book. But it seems he's been getting some ribbing about being the cranky bird keeper in "Death Roll." He wanted

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-38344033242070999762007-06-15T07:17:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:44.825-06:00

Last night was the official launch of our novel, Death Roll. And it was incredible. Good friends, family and co-workers (who we also call friends) joined us to celebrate the publication of our first mystery. I couldn't believe how many people showed up. We got flowers and presents, too! I felt like an actress on opening night.It was an amazing evening. There was a line outside of Once Upon A

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-34911135891201239542007-06-02T07:44:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:45.295-06:00

I think we've finally recovered from a fun and exciting weekend in Omaha. If you've never been, we highly recommend attending Mayhem in the Midlands. Held each year over the Memorial Day weekend, Mayhem is a small friendly mystery conference run by the tireless Omaha and Lincoln librarians and the local Sisters in Crime chapter. We made new friends and met up again with those we had met last

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-9795998591778590922007-05-22T23:55:00.001-05:002008-12-10T20:33:45.455-06:00

My wife Cathy and I spent a wonderful weekend in Ely, Minnesota. We volunteered at the International Wolf Center, spending an educational and satisfying two days cleaning out the wolf enclosures, hauling out last winter's straw and doing other chores. The retired pack enclosure got cedar chips and grass seed, some new fencing in the holding area, plus we got to hide bonedust meatballs in the

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-28754811951766397502007-04-21T11:31:00.000-05:002007-04-22T10:18:51.635-05:00

Tomorrow is officially Earth Day. Celebrate by being kind to our planet. It's our home, and until someone discovers a way to get off it, it's the only one we have.So today resolve to make three changes in your life that will benefit us all.1. Plant a tree.2. Drive economically. Better yet walk whenever you can. It's good for you, too.3. Plant milkweed -- the monarchs will reward you.

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-9131590976516268272007-04-10T19:03:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:46.029-06:00

Four years ago when I first moved into my new old house, there was no garden. Not so much as a shrub. There was a big old catalpa tree in the front yard and that was about all I had besides grass. Today there's a lot less grass and I have a garden that's been certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.This means that I have provided enough water, food and shelter for the

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329246286608549798.post-70159141142677924252007-04-02T19:08:00.000-05:002008-12-10T20:33:46.193-06:00

In December, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced a proposal to list polar bears as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. Climate change has caused Arctic ice to melt earlier in the summer and freeze later in the winter, shortening the polar bears' hunting season. For every week lost on the ice, the bears lose about 22 pounds of fat. Thinner bears tend to give birth to fewer

Marilyn Victorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468033011864416309noreply@blogger.com