Mr. Gettysburg
It’s a sad day in Gettysburg today. Our dear friend, Bob Mullen, died this weekend. For the past three summers Wayne and I traveled to Pennsylvania to tour the Civil War battlegrounds. Because Bob was on oxygen, we often sat on his back porch and listened to him list battle details. Bob was a renowned Battlefield Guide and will be buried in his Guide uniform. We will miss the man known as Mr. Gettysburg. He was a true historian and good friend to us. Read more
An Early Start
I’ve always been an enthusiastic person; eager and naturally upbeat. This morning, however, I outdid myself. My walking partner, Martha Powers, and I meet at 7 a.m. to walk. Because of the deep freeze we’ve been experiencing in the south the last couple of weeks we haven’t been walking. The alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. Read more
A People Person
Feed me and I’m yours! I’m visiting a local readers group this morning and joining them for lunch. I always enjoy meeting people. I guess you could say I’m a people person. Everyone has a story and I’m fascinated to hear the way God’s hand works in each of our lives. I don’t often have the opportunity to actually meet with the group physically–most of these sessions are done over the phone–so this will be special. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a lunch meeting, either! Read more
Inventive Problem Solving
I boarded the plane bright and early Wednesday morning to catch a flight to Dallas for the Daystar television show I was on yesterday. Once I was settled in my seat, the pilot’s voice came over the intercom. He apologized that we would be not be able to take off because of a rather unusual problem–the plane’s wings were covered with ice. In ORLANDO, FLORIDA! Unfortunately, the airport had no de-icing equipment. To solve the problem the pilot rolled the plane into the sun and we waited for thirty minutes until all the ice melted.Read more
The Sunshine State?
If you’ve been watching the news lately, no doubt you’ve heard about the cold spell here in Florida. Actually, its been warmer in Seattle than it has in Vero Beach. I was tempted to serve Baked Alaska and snow cones for dinner last night! Temperatures have dipped below freezing for a week now. Remember, this is Florida, the Sunshine State, and now the land of frozen orange juice! Read more
Is Grandma Dumb?
I’m missing my grandchildren. They are funny and smart. Let me give you an example.
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Wednesdays
Wednesdays are a cool, middle-of-the-week catch-up day for me. I put aside whatever project I’m currently writing and tend to matters at hand. Doctor appointments, errands, lunches, those sorts of things. Oftentimes I’m in the office most of the day catching up on e-mail, writing articles or returning phone calls. It’s my take-a-breather day. As it happened, I went shopping yesterday with a friend. I’m back to work this morning refreshed and eager to write. Emily Merkle (aka Mrs. Miracle) is impatiently waiting for my return. Read more
Buttered Popcorn
Yesterday afternoon Wayne pulled me away from the computer to go to see the James Cameron movie Avatar in 3-D. I resisted and reminded him I really needed to be writing. Then my dear husband, who knows me so well, whispered those magical words–buttered popcorn. I have to say the popcorn was great, and the movie was even better. This show is destined to become a classic. The special effects were breathtaking. If this movie doesn’t get a nod for the Oscars then there’s something drastically wrong. In as few words as possible: I loved every minute. Read more
Excitement at Sea
Wayne and I are back from our family cruise, and to say we had a grand time would downplay how fabulous it was. Can you imagine 14 of us all aboard the same ship?
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Christmas Greetings
With only a few days left until Christmas, I’m pretty much rushing hither and yon getting everything ready, as I’m sure you are, too! And yet there is a gentle peace about this holiday that affects me more than any other. How well I remember my childhood Christmases–staying up late, opening our gifts after midnight mass, sleeping in the next morning, laughing with my cousins. And really, family is what is important during the holidays, and all year through.
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25 Santas and Washing Machines!
After being on the road virtually full time right after Thanksgiving to complete the final leg of my book tour for ONE SIMPLE ACT, the next stop was New York. That turned out to be a whirlwind week with meetings with my publisher, agents, and also the chance to see some Broadway shows.
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A Grateful Heart
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Picture Perfect?
While in New York last week I had a new publicity photo taken. My publisher wanted a new photo for the back of my 2010 hardcover titled HANNAH’S LIST. Nina Subin has been the photographer for the last several photographs. She does an amazing job of making me look good. (I told her I’d double her fee if she could make me look like Sandra Brown!) As it is, I struggle to look like my publicity photo, so if we happen to meet while I finish my tour for ONE SIMPLE ACT, I’m giving you fair warning. The woman pictured on the back Read more
Coloring Contest
Three of my grandchildren were at the house last night to judge THE TRULY TERRIBLY HORRIBLE SWEATER . . . THAT GRANDMA KNIT Coloring Contest. They made their decision, and the winners will be notified shortly. It was fun watching them go through the decision process.
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Twist and Shout!
Wayne and I attended a charity dinner event for Hospice of Kitsap County with friends Susan Mallery (Be sure to check out Susan’s book, Hot On Her Heels, which is currently on the stands!) and her husband, Mike Redmond. The Kingsmen of Louie, Louie and Jolly Green Giant fame performed. Wayne literally dragged me up on stage to dance while the band performed their last number. I have to say this ole body of mine doesn’t exactly Twist and Shout the way it once did–I’ve got too many replacement parts these days.&nb Read more
Airport Security
I’m flying off to Dayton, OH tomorrow morning. This will be my first experience getting through airport security with my new knee. Several years back I had an airport incident that still causes me to hyperventilate every time I think about it. My parents were moving from their home to an assisted living complex, and I flew from Florida to help with the transition. My mother had a special butcher knife she loved and wanted to be sure I got, so WITHOUT MY KNOWING she tucked it into my carry-on bag. Read more
Candy Thieves
Happy Halloween! Because we live at the end of a long driveway that winds though lots of trees, and our house isn’t visible from the road, we don’t get Trick or Treaters. Read more
My Big Weakness
I’m doing an autographing at Yorkshire Yarns later this afternoon. To my surprise, Wayne offered to go with me. That is rather unusual for him. If he does attend an autographing he generally goes to an entirely different section of the bookstore so that no one will make the connection between the two of us. Then he’ll wander by once or twice to see how the line is moving. If I point him out, he smiles and quickly leaves. So when Wayne offered to attend the signing with me, I knew something was up. It didn’t take me
Good News and Bad News
For those of you who are patiently, and not-so-patiently, waiting for 1022 EVERGREEN PLACE, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I’m writing like a fiend. The story is moving along beautifully, and, frankly, I think it might be the best Cedar Cove book to date. The bad news is that after three complete weeks away from the office following knee replacement surgery, I’m hopelessly behind. Yes, the book will get written, and yes, it’s going to be great, and yes, it will be on the shelves on time–in late August of 2010. Read more
What Was Wayne Reading?
I’ve enjoyed reading the responses to my blogs. For those of you who' ve asked about the book Wayne was reading so intently that he didn’t notice I had arrived home, I have an answer for you. He was not reading one of my books. It was The Devil’s Punchbowl by Greg Iles.
Alarm Bells Ringing
Wayne is reading far too many mysteries. I say this because we received a phone call claiming that the burglar alarm had gone off and police had been dispatched. I was half asleep when the call came, so I quickly dressed and Wayne and I rushed down to the office–to find no one there.
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Honey, I’m Home!
Having a creative imagination can be a frightening gift. For example, last night I drove home from the office to find the house locked and Wayne missing. All the cars were home, so I did a quick search of the house.
Wayne wasn’t anywhere to be found. I started dinner, but my head was filled with dread. Fearing Wayne might have had a heart attack, I searched outside and looked down from the deck into the ravine next to our home. Ninety minutes later panic mode started to set in.
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The Pacific North Wet
The October rains have hit. When I went to let Bogie out this morning and he saw the deluge outside, he glanced at me over his shoulder and seemed say, “You’ve got to be kidding if you want me to go out in that!” It took a bit of less-than-subtle persuasion to convince my puppy to do his business in the rain. Still, this is a lovely time of the year, and I’m just happy to be able to come into my office and write again. Life is good. Read more
My New Buddies
I’m back in the office half days this week. I had to get out of the house and away from the cooking channel, which had taken over my life. That channel is addictive! Now I understand why my mother enjoyed it so much. I’m in love with Tyler Florence and Bobby Flay and feel like Rachael Ray and Paula Deen could be my best friends. Even worse, I think I’m gaining weight, but then, it’s difficult to tell. I’m sure the new knee is much heavier than the original, old, worn out one, right? Right? Read more