Welcome to a Remarkably Bright Creature

Welcome, Marcellus!

Here is some big news: I have added another creature to our collection! Somehow, I was searching for invisible dragons on Amazon (don't ask), when my search results yielded something odd: a glass octopus, a very fancy and colorful one, I must admit.

Well, none of the dragons suited me. However, in a trice, that unexpected octopus was in my cart, and soon it was on its way to central Pennsylvania. It arrived a few days ago, with very little fanfare. And here you may meet the newest member of our critter squad, as it is welcomed by Tiny Tiger and other friends.

I posted a link to my new octopus on Facebook, and a friend asked (well, TWO friends, actually), Had I ever read the book Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt? No, I hadn't, but I'd pick it up at the library just a few days later.

Well, I have LOVED the book, which I just finished this morning. I won't give away any of the plot, as you should read it yourself. But it involves an octopus in an aquarium, and a little old lady, and a search (in the end) for one's true family.

The octopus's name in the book is Marcellus, so guess what we're going to call this creature. Yep, Marcellus, for sure! We want to honor the story of a giant Pacific octopus and his love for a particular little old lady, and his desire to help heal the hole in her heart. READ IT. That is all. :-)

My soundtrack song is this one, for the little old lady and the octopus: Cyndi Lauper, from the film Vibes, with Hole in My Heart. (Which, by the way, I can't find digitally ANYWHERE. If you know of a place, drop me a message!)

P.S. If you loved this book, and/or if you love the octopus itself, the author recommends the book The Soul of an Octopus, by Sy Montgomery. I plan to look it up!