Great News!
I am not pulling an April Fools joke. I’m serious. Yesterday word arrived that Doris Roberts, who played the mother on the television show Everybody Loves Raymond, has been cast as Mrs. Miracle for the Hallmark channel movie that will be shown in December. I am so excited! She is perfect and exactly as I imagined Mrs. Miracle!
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A Well-Deserved Rest
I think I might be overworking my poor husband. At my request, on Friday he put together a huge light fixture (the kind that comes with assembly required and lots of individual pieces) and hung it in the kitchen. Then later that afternoon I dragged him out to dinner and after that to the Sunrise Theater in Fort Pierce to see Three Irish Tenors. The three tenors turned out to be five young men who formed the group called Druid. Their music and harmony was incredible. I clapped, stomped and sang along. When I glanced over at Wayne . .
When You’re in Too Much of a Hurry
I was running late yesterday morning for my Bible Study class. Filled with purpose, I jumped into my car, revved up the engine, and backed out of the garage . . .
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Talk about the luck of the Irish! Read more
Giving Thanks
Wayne and I had Thanksgiving dinner with dear friends on Sunday evening. We gathered at the home of Anita and Alan Greenstein to celebrate the life of Minda Butler, who we all loved so dearly . You might remember from my February 9 blog posting that Minda succumbed to cancer February 6.
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An Early Weekend
Our good friends, Bob and Joan McKeon, (note dedication for Back on Blossom Street), are stopping by today. Wayne and I are planning to take them on a boat ride down the Indian River–that is, unless the dolphins and manatees decide to visit us, and in that case we'll stick around to watch them frolic! Naturally, Joan and I will spend time in my yarn room.
Not a Happy Puppy
Bogie was in to see the veterinarian yesterday to be "fixed." He is not a happy puppy about this. It was almost as if he knew what was about to happen to him. Wayne took him in, and Bogie gave him the big, brown-eyed look that said, “Are you really comfortable knowing what they are going to do to me?” Wayne has been feeling guilty all afternoon. Bogie hasn’t moved around a lot today and is walking—shall we say—gingerly, this afternoon. Poor sweetheart. Read more
More Classes for Bogie and Me
Bogie and I are back in obedience classes. The dog is a marvel. His teacher sat on the floor and talked to him, eyeball-to-eyeball, and Bogie did everything she asked. I sit down with him, eyeball-to-eyeball, and he ignores my every command, licks my face, then runs off with my shoe.
I love, love, this dog, but it’s time for me to learn how to be a loving dog owner and one Bogie cannot ignore. I’m afraid we have our work cut out for us!
A Fish Story
It’s been a crazy, whirlwind weekend with Wayne ‘s brother, Chuck, and his wife, Karen, visiting. The guys went fishing, and, naturally, we girls headed for the big sale at the Mall. Karen and I had a fabulous time and brought home several items.
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Bogie and Me on a Stroll
Bogie and I went for a walk this morning. Generally, I walk in the park with my exercise partner, Martha Powers, but Martha is off to SleuthFest, a mystery conference (her current book is a suspense/thriller!) for the rest of the week. I feel better, more energetic, if I exercise, so I decided Bogie and I would stroll the neighborhood. It was exercise all right . . . an exercise in patience.
A Good Weekend = Shopping, Visiting, Movies
My friend, Mary Lou Carney, arrives this afternoon from Chicago. Mary Lou and I wrote The Truly Terribly Horrible Sweater . . . That Grandma Knit, our first children’s picture book, which is due in stores this October. It’s destined to be a fun weekend with shopping, visiting, and probably a movie or two . . Read more
Three Special Birthdays
This is a special week. My daughter, Jody Rose, celebrated her birthday on Tuesday the 17th, which is the same day as my daughter-in-law, Laurie ‘s . Jody and I have a weekend getaway planned during my trip back to Seattle in March. We’ve ordered tickets to see Hello, Dolly for Friday night and on Saturday we’ll be at the Northwest Women’s Show where I’ll be signing.
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Dancing with Debbie
I’m back from the bitter cold of Minneapolis. While the temperatures dipped well below zero, the people I met at the Mall of America Knit-Out and Crochet event kept me warm and toasty. Thank you to everyone who came to participate, to support Warm Up America! and for your enthusiasm.
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A Visit with the Heart of Our Family
I’m on the road again, on my way to the great Knit-Out in Minneapolis with stops in Omaha, Nebraska and Aberdeen, South Dakota. I’m flying into Omaha to meet my wonderful cousin, Karen. Then the two of us are making a bee-line to visit my 98-year-old Aunt Betty in South Dakota. She is our sweetheart and the very heart of our family. From there we are driving to Minneapolis. I always enjoy meeting my readers, especially if they are knitters, too. While it might sound like a sacrifice to travel from warm, balmy Florida to the bit Read more
Minda Butler, Treasured Friend
I have sad news to report. My Florida friend, Minda Butler, passed away on Friday after a valiant fight against cancer. You might recall that I dedicated 8 SANDPIPER WAY to Minda. After several rounds of chemotherapy, Minda decided she would rather die on her own terms than suffer with the treatments. She was one of the bravest women I have ever known, and I will miss her dearly. Her funeral was this morning, and although Wayne and I were unable to attend, our hearts were with her and her husband and family. Read more
Of Groundhogs and Shadows
I understand the groundhog saw his shadow this morning, predicting six more weeks of winter. Personally, I don’t require a groundhog to tell me this has been a bitterly cold winter and that it is likely to continue. I have my grown children, all four in Washington state, reporting to me on a weekly basis how miserable this winter has turned out to be.
Super Bowl Sunday
Wayne and I were at Sam’s Club yesterday afternoon, stocking up on goodies for a small Super Bowl party we’re having with friends. I’m not entirely sure who’s playing, but I know the Seahawks aren’t in contention. It was a bad year for our favorite football team.
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Where Am I?
My monthly e-letter went out late yesterday, and already I’m being asked, “Has Debbie permanently moved to Florida?” The answer is no. We have a winter home here in Vero Beach, and it looks like we’re going to equally divide our time between our two homes.
Separation Anxiety
Wayne and I left Bogie for the first time since we arrived in Florida. I was scheduled to attend Book Mania in Stuart , Florida, over the weekend (I had a fabulous time!), and our housekeeper’s daughter agreed to take him for the weekend. We immediately underwent separation anxiety.
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Book Fair
Wayne and I are off to the Martin County Book Fair in Stuart, Florida this weekend. My husband generally attends with me, especially if the event is within driving distance of our home. The event starts off with an evening cocktail reception to raise funds for the library. While I’m practicing my power schmoozing techniques, he’ ll be doing a private wine tasting and menu sampling. I always enjoy book fairs. Not only is it a wonderful opportunity to meet my readers, but I often am able to spend time with other authors Read more
A Frost in Vero Beach
I don’t expect a lot of sympathy from those of you in the throes of winter, but it froze in Vero Beach last night. We’re talking Florida! I realize there is very strong evidence of global warming, but you’d be hard pressed to prove it to me this morning. I’m huddled over my computer, pausing every few words to rub warmth back into my fingers. I look a little silly in my Christmas tree sweater, but it’s the warmest one I have with me. Spring can’t come any too soon. Stay warm, my friends! Read more
Too Sick to Knit
Oh, woe is me! Picture me with the back of my hand pressed to my fevered brow. I’m down with a bad cold. How sick am I? Let me put it like this: I was too sick to knit. Now that’s really sick for me. I’ve been coughing, wheezing, blowing my nose, and generally feeling wretched. I slept nearly all of Sunday, but don’t know if it was due to needing that much sleep or all the meds I downed. What I really need is Charlotte’s chicken noodle soup. With or without the soup, I’m
Foot Fetish
Bogie, our 4 month old puppy, has a foot fetish. Not shoes, mind you, but feet. Yesterday I discovered him with his entire head thrust inside of Wayne’s shoe. For a moment I feared he was stuck and hurried to the rescue, only to discover a look of sheer bliss on his face as he quickly gulped down another breath and reinserted his head. It isn’t just the smell that interests him–he also loves our toes. No one is exempt. To our puppy, feet are a delicious temptation. Fair warning to all who enter our abode; bring steel-toe Read more
Short
I couldn’t stand it any longer. After months of patiently waiting for my hair to grow out, with visions of moving my head back and forth and my hair going swish, swish, I broke down and had it cut. Short. Over-the-ears short. Florida-comfortable short. Short enough to crawl out of bed, run a brush through it, and walk out the door. I think I’m gonna enjoy this! Read more
American Idol
Tonight is the night. American Idol–my favorite television show, starts this evening and I can hardly wait. I’m under no misconception of my own singing ability. Anyone who has ever heard me do karaoke (and that number is exceptionally few) will testify I should stick to my day job. Still, I know what it is to dream and I feel a certain kinship with the contestants. I encourage others to dream big dreams because you never know where those dreams might take us . . . Read more