Debbie's Blog
Keys and Flying Fish
A quick travelogue of our catamaran trip through the Florida Keys. On the first day we sailed from Key Largo to Islamorada, where we anchored and rode a dinghy to the island. Even here we were able to watch the super bowl game and saw the Saints go marching in!
Read more
Early Valentine Gift
Wayne has an early Valentine gift for me. One he planned himself last summer. He’s kidnapping me (believe me, I’m a willing victim!) and taking me on a catamaran trip in the Florida Keys for a week. I’ll need to bring some work with me as I’ve got deadlines to meet, but it will be a fun, relaxing time for us both and the best Valentine surprise ever. It sure beats the box of chocolates he bought me last year, which he then proceeded to eat himself! Read more
Blowing Hot Air
I was driving and chatting on my cell phone with my friend Nancy the other day. She was telling me about three-foot-long icicles hanging from her roofline following an ice/snow storm in Oklahoma City. I mentioned how chilly it remained in Florida. I had my seat warmers on and the heater was blowing hot air. She asked me the temperature, and the car readout said 70 degrees. We both got a good laugh out of that. She was in sub-freezing temperatures, and I was wearing a sweater and using the seat warmers at 70 degrees. I guess it’
Good News/Bad News
Good news! I finished CALL ME MRS. MIRACLE and e-mailed it off to my editor. It felt so good to push that SEND button. I loved the story. I hope it’s not too cruel of me to say that without giving anyone an idea of the plot, and there are a couple of twists, too.
Read more
Stepping on Toes
Wayne and I started our dance lessons last night. We’re learning the rumba, which, according to our instructor, has a three-beat step that we can dance to with nearly every type of music. He proved it by having us rumba to a polka, a rap song and a waltz. To put it gently, Wayne and I aren’t exactly light on our feet. In fact, I managed to step on Wayne’s foot more than once. I covered it by claiming it was what he deserved, and he does, I’m sure, for some past wrong that slipped under the radar. It was simply delayed punishment! Read more
A Skillful Brush
I’m flying back to Washington State in a couple of weeks. I need a grandkid fix! While there I’ll also have a new publicity photo taken. I’m doing my best to look like my current photo, but sometimes the task is demanding. When doing an autographing I’ve noticed people gazing at my picture on the back of my book, looking up at me with a slight frown, and then gazing once again at the photo. Okay, so there’s a little air brushing going on. There probably will be with the new photo too! Read more
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.
Read more
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?
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
A Grateful Heart
Read more
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.
Read more
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