Debbie's Blog
Happy 4th of July!
The 4th of July reminds me of potato salad and my father. He loved potato salad. In fact, I was married before I realized that not everyone ate potato salad for breakfast. (Try it with fried eggs; it’s great!) Dad was proud to be an American and served his country honorably. He was a POW in WWII and he marched in every hometown parade and flew the American flag proudly. We owe our freedom to honorable men like my dad. You can bet I’ll be eating potato salad tomorrow. Happy 4th of July, everyone. < Read more
Live Long and Prosper
While I was away on tour, the last of my father’s brother passed away. My Uncle Bernard lived a long, fruitful life and was so very precious to each one of us. What I loved most about him was his dry sense of humor and his quick wit. My cousin Linda told me about a particular telephone call she had with Uncle Bernard. It was after eight in the evening and she was a little afraid he might be getting ready for bed, so she asked, “Uncle Bernard, are you in your pajamas?” My sweet uncle hesitated and then drawled Read more
Twenty Questions
Our son, Ted, and his family are visiting our Florida home for their vacation this year. They arrived on Sunday. The day he arrived Wayne and I received no less than five phone calls. Questions like, “How do you turn up the air conditioning ? What’s the code to the garage? How do you get the top down on the convertible? What’s your neighbor’s name?” But it was the final question that gave me pause. “Mom, I don’t want this to scare you, but do you have a plunger?” Read more
Back in the Swim of Things
I was back in the office last Monday but now I’m really back. This morning I started writing again. Yippee! While I love meeting my readers and actually do well on tour, I’m happiest when I’m sitting in front of my computer with an entire group of people no one else can see. (Some people get sent off to the loony bin for the very same thing—I guess I should be more careful what I say.)
How Different We Are
Wayne and I are gradually settling into our lives here in Washington. We love living in Florida, too, but Port Orchard will always be home. One of the things we especially enjoy in Port Orchard is watching movies at home, and we’ve been having fun with that this week. Our tastes are vastly different, so we take turns choosing which ones to watch.
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Homecoming
Wayne and I rolled into our driveway last Saturday night both exhausted and excited to be home at last. We drove from the signing in Miami to my last signing in Fort Wayne, Indiana and then on to Port Orchard with a couple of stops in between. For the last thousand miles we were like horses heading for the barn. The very first thing I did, even before unpacking the suitcases, was hug my grandchildren. Now that, my friends, is a real homecoming.
20th City for 20 Wishes!
Saturday’s stop in Clarksville, GA was fabulous, hosted by A Twisted Skein. Thank you, Jan! I met some wonderful people. How can you beat books and yarn in one spot? Clarksville is not a huge town, so it’s easy to pick out strangers. Wayne and I were obviously not locals, and I got a huge kick out of a teenager’s question when we stopped at a small café in down own Clarksville, “Are Read more
City 19 out of 20
I’m in city 19 out of 20 and meeting up with Wayne tomorrow. From there we will drive to Fort Wayne, IN (with a side trip to Clarksville, GA) and on toward home. I’m not ashamed to admit I’m really home sick for Wayne, the kids and grandkids.
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Around the Corner from Blossom Street
Last night I spent a quiet evening in my hotel room knitting. I’ve had so much going on every night, the chance to slow down and relax with my knitting was a real treat.
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Kisses over Bananas!
This past weekend I was in Los Angeles for Book Expo America. I had a great time catching up with author friends, meeting sales and publishing representatives, and attending a special dinner hosted by my publisher. It was a respite from popping in and out of cities and airports for the tour, but I got a good bird’s eye view of what’s on the horizon in the publishing world. On the lighter side, I met several buyers from Safeway who kissed me! Come to find out they loved the scene in 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD that takes plac
Oldest Yarn Store in the U.S.!
My adventures continue in the state of Utah . Since I’m on tour for my book, TWENTY WISHES, it just made sense that I make a detour to a yarn store called THREE WISHES! It was a wonderful little store. I was also able to stop at what I’m told is the oldest yarn store in the U.S., called Heindselman’s Yarn and Needlework in Provo. Three yarn stores in a day plus Mexican food is a good day in my book!
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New England Coast
I had a wonderful signing in Madison, CT at RJ Julia Booksellers on Tuesday, which included a large group of knitters, who encouraged and inspired everyone with their knitting projects. To my surprise and delight, the local yarn store, Madison Wool, stayed open after 10 p.m. to allow me to shop after the signing. It seems my yarn buying adventures have spread far and wide, or at least along the New England coast!
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Meeting East Coast Readers
Right after Mother’s Day I hit the ground running, meeting readers in Baltimore, Maryland; Providence, Rhode Island, and Portland, Maine. Thanks so much to everyone who has come out to meet me!
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A Mother’s Day Tribute
Happy Belated Mother’s Day. I’m in my hometown of Port Orchard ever so briefly but wanted to share something special with my readers. A few months ago I received a poem from reader friend, Vickey Stamps, who sent me a copy of her tribute to her own mother, her mother, the Pointer. Below is Vickey’s tribute, shared with her permission. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
To my Mother, the Pointer . . .
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What a Week!
I am in Las Vegas, and wow what a week it has been! When I arrived in Vegas, I had to hit the tarmac running, as my flight had arrived late, and I had to get to my signing for the wonderful folks at the Paseo Library in Henderson. I did just make the Carr Chat and signing on time, and it was fabulous!
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Summer in the Plains
Last night in Kansas City I went to bed while watching TV with warnings of storms and possible tornadoes. I awoke to the sound of sirens blasting around town, so I jumped out of bed, ran around the bed twice, and grabbed my bathrobe. My thought was that if I had to evacuate my room, I’d at least have my bathrobe on and be ready. After all that I was worn out, and having received no instructions from the hotel, I decided to go back to bed and prayed.
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Earning My Road Warrior Stripes
Life on the road isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’m an early riser, but getting up at 4 a.m. to make a flight is early, even for me. I arrived in Kansas City at 8 a.m., only to find the hotel wasn’t able to check me in until 3 p.m.. Not my idea of fun–and there wasn’t a yarn store in sight! But, I did get to have lunch with my brother, and the day picked up after that.
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Chicago
I’m in Chicago, my first tour city. I’m excited and enthusiastic and I’ve already managed to do some shopping. My hotel is near Michigan Avenue, which is the main street for all my favorite stores: Nordtrom, Nieman Marcus, Macy’s and Sacks. So, I had a nice long walk yesterday, purely for the exercise, you understand.
I’m looking forward to meeting my readers in Chicago. Tuesday evening I will be on my way to Indianapolis, the next stop.
Packing My Bags
My bags aren’t packed, and I’m not ready to go . . . but I’m getting there. I’ve sorted out the knitting projects I’ll be taking: at last count it was four. I know that sounds like a lot, and I can’t possibly finish each one, but each is necessary.
Pieces of Eight
Wayne and I had a wonderful weekend—our last before I head out on tour. We went down to the local Farmer’s Market on Saturday, where I picked up a coin found here on Florida’s Treasure Coast—so called because of all the shipwrecks located off shore. It’s a Piece of Eight and minted, if that’s the right word, in 1675. I bought it for Wayne to thank him for his encouragement, support and love during this upcoming tour.
My Last Weekend at Home
This is my last weekend before I leave on my 20 WISHES tour and it seems I have a hundred things to do. One of the most important is to fill the cupboards for my sweet husband. He’s already given me a list of what he wants, mostly canned and frozen goodies. Many of you already know Wayne is my hero, supporting and encouraging me while I’m on the road, and because he’ll be here alone waiting for me makes him a real prince of a guy. And I’m not saying that just because he bought me a dozen red roses y
Choosing Titles
My editor and I are struggling to come up with a title for a 2009 reprint containing two of my earlier titles. Both were published in the early 1990s and are two of my favorite stories: THE COURTSHIP OF CAROL SOMMERS and FATHER’S DAY. The books each have matchmaking children and their mothers are widows.
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On the Radio
Wayne and I spent the morning on the radio with Rhett Palmer, our friend in Vero Beach. I co-hosted his show!
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A Good Excuse
I was out shopping this weekend, and I had an absolutely brilliant excuse: I need new clothes for my tour. I had to keep the fact that I’m going to be doing a lot of television in mind, so my new clothes are mostly solid colors. If you happen to attend one of my upcoming signings, please help me remember to remove all the price tags! Read more
Born to Shop
My trip back to Port Orchard for the weekend got cancelled at the last minute (no, I wasn’t flying American Airlines), and so I have a three-day reprieve. Three whole days in which I have nothing scheduled. Oh my, this is such a luxury.
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