Debbie's Blog
Happy Thanksgiving!
Like many of you, I’m getting ready for the big Thanksgiving feast. I have our turkey soaking in a brine, the recipe from Martha Stewart. The kitchen countertops are loaded down with the items I need for all the recipes I intend to cook. Later this morning, I’ll set the big table in our dining room with our best china and silverware. Then I’ll place a Bible verse by each place setting lest we forget all the things for which we are thankful. My list is long this year. I have been blessed in so many ways, and for that I tha Read more
When I’m in the Middle of a Book . . .
What’s Up, Doc?
My week has been filled with doctor appointments. Thus far I’ve been pinched, poked, and prodded, and it’s only Thursday. I still have a mammogram and the dentist to see. Because I also have physical therapy appointments squeezed in with everything else, it all got condensed into this one week.
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Minnie Pearl and Me
This morning I had an early physical therapy appointment. I was feeling really good in my brand new pair of pants and new sweater, both in lovely autumn shades of beige and brown.
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Veterans Day
On Monday we celebrate Veterans Day. For years my father proudly marched in the veterans parade in my home town of Yakima, Washington. He served in the Army during World War II, was captured toward the end of the war, and held as a prisoner of war in Germany.
My father was fiercely proud of his role in the war and became active in the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). My parents were part of the Greatest Generation and I am exceedingly proud to be their daughter.
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A Shot in the Dark!
I was back to see the physician (the one who left his signature on my hind end). He explained that this wasn’t actually his name, but instructions on which side to give me the shot. This shot was for the last injection of the series for back pain I’ve been experiencing.
Had I been smart enough I would have had Wayne write him a little note, just for him, penned on my derriere: a smiley face, perhaps an arrow pointing in the right direction or, better yet, a note telling him…THE END IS NEAR.
Random Act of Kindness
One of the nicest things happened yesterday and it started with an accident. I was in the Newark airport, waiting to catch my flight back to Seattle. It was an early morning flight, so I stopped at the Starbucks stand to get a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, I spilled the entire contents when I sat down in the seating area. I cleaned up my mess and decided I wasn’t going to wait in that long line again.
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Twenty-Five Years
Yesterday I celebrated 25 years with the same publisher. The thrill of the sale and publication of my first book will always be with me, even now after all these years.
What is a joy for me is to watch the many talented authors who are just starting out. One new author to watch is Geri Krotow, whose first book is currently on the stands. Look for Rendezvous To Remember, a November title from Harlequin Everlasting Love.
New York
I’m heading to New York City early Sunday morning. I love visiting The Big Apple, especially this time of year when the autumn colors are in full display and the air is crisp. It doesn’t hurt any that some of my favorite people in the whole world will be there. Naturally, I’ll squeeze in a bit of shopping and more than one fabulous dinner, and a friend managed to get us tickets to the hottest play in town—“Jersey Boys.”
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Shared Birthday
My granddaughter, Maddie, and I share a birthday, which just happened to be yesterday, October 22.
My daughter told me Maddie woke up in the wee hours of the twenty-second and with gusto shouted “I’m eight!” I’m here to tell you, my friends, I slept through the entire night and didn’t once think to toss aside my warm covers and declare to the world how old I am. It must be an age thing!
Luxury Bath
My two eight-year-old granddaughters, Maddie and Bailey, spent the night with me Saturday. Tradition insists that we take a luxury bath with bubbles, scented water, bath oil beads—the whole nine yards.
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Renaissance Yarns
Wayne is nervous, and with good reason. I’m making an appearance at Renaissance Yarns in Kent, Washington, this afternoon. Any time I’m in the close proximity of a yarn store, Wayne knows there’s trouble. I simply love to buy yarn. In addition, knitters are my kind of people. We can chat all day long. I did promise my wonderful, patient husband that I would use restraint . . . as best I could. As a reward, I’m treating him to his favorite dinner . . . in a restaurant. I don’t have time to cook–I’m knitting!
Yarn Harlot
I’ve been working on my knitting lately, finishing up a number of small projects and getting ready to knit others. I finished the socks for my son, added the fringe to an afghan I knit for my brother, did the last of the beading work on a scarf project, and finished up two hats.
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is known as the Yarn Harlot, and I know exactly what she means. I hate to admit it, but I’m one, too.
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One of Those Days
Have you ever had one of those days in which everything went wrong? And I do mean everything! That happened to Renate, my personal assistant, and me yesterday.
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Haut Chocolat
Speaking of chocolate, my friend Christina Skye brought me the most unusual chocolate I’ve ever tasted. The small Vosges Haut-Chocolat bars came with detailed instructions on how to eat, savor and enjoy this treat—I swear I’m not making this up.
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Chocolate!
I have the most wonderful readers and some of the most responsive, too. When I returned from South Bend and Knoxville late Friday afternoon, I discovered that Pam and Barbara, a mother and daughter, had mailed me three Cadbury dark chocolate bars to replace the one Wayne ate.
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The Volunteer State
Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State. If I understand this correctly, the term goes back to the time of the Alamo when a large number of men from Tennessee volunteered to fight. From what I can see, the tradition continues. I’m in Knoxville as part of the Literacy celebration and have been touched and encouraged by the dedication of these volunteers. Knoxville is experiencing summer-like weather. Yesterday it hit 91 degrees. I brought autumn clothes. That’s OK; I look good with a sheen on my face.
I’m in Knoxville, TN
I’m in Knoxville, Tennessee for the annual East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame literacy event, which will take place the evening of Thursday, October 4. I flew in on Monday from South Bend, Indiana. When you’re trying to fly from one small town to another, sometimes you hear, "You can’t get there from here.” But indeed I could, thanks to small commuter planes. Read more
A Lesson Well Learned
Wayne claims that since I let the word out about how he ate my Cadbury dark chocolate bar, he’s the most hated man in America. That’s only a slight exaggeration. I’m shocked that after all these years of marriage he apparently doesn’t know the problems associated with getting between a woman and her chocolate; especially dark chocolate. He might as well tangle with a mama bear protecting her sweet, little cubs. Go gently on him, my faithful readers. I believe Wayne has learned his lesson and learned it well.
The Rules of Chocolate
I have a crime to report. My dear friend Lois Faye Dyer (check out the February 2006 anthology, Hearts Divided we both had novellas in it, mine a Cedar Cove story) stopped by to visit recently. Along with a get well card, she brought me a number of goodies to aid the healing process. Included in this package of treats was a chocolate bar. Not just any off-the-counter chocolate; this was a Cadbury bar—dark chocolate. In my humble opinion, dark chocolate is the very best.
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Therapeutic Naps
A Knitting Weekend
Tea and Knitting Needles
I forgot to mention the Cedar Cove Tea that was held this past weekend at the Victorian Rose Tea Room in Port Orchard and what fun we had. As I traveled from table to table to greet everyone. I was astonished to meet women from Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Indiana, California and Oregon. What a thrill that was!
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