These past few weeks have been a little crazier than usual and I've had to forego my blogging duties so I can focus on my day job's suddenly increasing demands. However, this evening as I was browsing a little about local news, I stumbled upon an article about one of PAWS Dr. Dogs--- Adonis. I really don't know why I have not posted about this particular aspect of PAWS' advocacy on these pages...

Read the whole entry...

In this day and age w hen things just seems to be getting smaller a teacup puppy may not be such a novel creature after all. Times were when an entire room had to be set apart in order to accommodate the early versions of computers. Now-a-days these same computers can be put on laps and [...]

CYBER MONDAY (and a little beyond) ADVERTISING SPECIAL!! through December 10, 2008 Add your new business listing before December 10 and pay only $28! (Business listings are normally $36/year) PLUS: You’ll get two extra months! Instead of a year, you’ll get 14 months. That means your ad will be seen on PetsitUSA.com until the end of February, 2010. That’s only $2 a month for [...]

The Snow Queen (Sneedronningen) is a fairy tale by author Hans Christian Andersen (1805 - 1875). The tale was first published in 1845, and centers on the struggle between good and evil as experienced by a little boy and girl, Kay and Gerda.

The story is one of Andersen's longest and is considered by scholars, critics, and readers alike as one of his best. It is regularly included in selected tales and collections of his work as well as being frequently reprinted in illustrated storybook editions for children. The tale has been adapted in various media including animated film and television drama.

In the story, the Snow Queen, is the queen of the snowflakes or "snow bees", who travels throughout the world with the snow. Her palace and gardens are in the lands of permafrost, specifically Spitsbergen. She is successful in abducting Kay after he has fallen victim to the splinters of the troll-mirror. She promises to free Kay if he can spell "eternity" with the pieces of ice in her palace.

She is not the hero of the story of course. But as bees have a queen, so the snowflakes have a queen which is why they are called "Snow Bees". They sting with their frosty chill and guard her palace. Her throne sits on frozen lake, which she calls the "Mirror of Reason".

Interesting enough, the Snow Queens palace is said to be located near the North Pole, but Santa Claus does not figure into the story.

The story was made into a 1957 animated film, and then later influenced a 2002 made for TV movie.

You can find the story online at The Literature Network. It is not long and you should be able to read the whole thing in one short sitting.

It is a very pretty story, but of course, I like the Snow Queen the best, even though she does not come out on top.

For this month, my blog is now the Ice Palace in Spitsbergen, and I am the Snow Queen, sitting on her throne on the Mirror of Reason. Watch out for my snow bees, or they will sting you!