The Adorables

A Note From the Road – News & Events

Published on March 14, 2012 in River Jordan, Road Trips, Story and The Adorables. 0 Comments

Many of you know that I’ve been on the road for weeks and it seems like MONTHS! Working my way homeward bound and back to Nashville tomorrow. Have had an EXTREME time with the Adorables but it has involved homework, schoolnights, and near-misses on missed school buses! (for more on that  Check out Day 21 on the PFS Lenten Journey on the PFS Blogsite )

It has involved having a Great visit with the Wrightsville Beach Methodist Church who now all feel like family (and I can’t believe I didn’t take photos!) and a quick flight to San Antonio to visit and speak at the 40th Annual Prayer Breakfast for PCCA! What an awesome group of people.

Flight was possible because husband flew in and tag-teamed having fun with the Adorables so that I could go speak as Mom and Dad were having a few well-deserved cabin days away. And now the girls keep saying – We miss Baboo (husband) who got to beach with them, eat with them, movie with them as I returned just in time to say brush your teeth and go to bed! :) But we did get a little beach time and Dr. Suess time thrown in.

Please join me if you are anywhere NEAR HAMMOND, LOUISIANA ON Tuesday March 27th. I’ll be speaking at the Presbyterian Church at 7pm but the event is hosted by three area Churches in the Community which is just awesome. The new paperback for Praying for Strangers will be available to purchase. The event is free and open to the public and will be a great time of Stories and Truth Telling.

A few days later I’ll be deep in the heart of Florida – Central Florida to be exact at the UCF Orlando Book Festival hanging with the likes of Joshilyn Jackson, Mary Beth Whalen, Lisa Wingate, Ted Dekker and many other wonderful authors and readers. And then often with a quickness to speak at Discovery Church in Tampa, Florida. Again – all events are free and open to the public so please come find me and say hello!

If you haven’t been following the stories of the Lenten Journey you might like to pop over and check them out. Even if you are observing Lent or into prayer in any way whatsoever – story is story and for goodness sakes  I just realized there is about 20,000 words there free for the picking and choosing.

Don’t forget to tune into Clearstory Radio on a regular basis every Wednesday at NOON and Sundays at 6pm. 107.1lpfm Nashville or steaming at www.clearstoryradio.com Today is Classic Clearstory with Marshall Chapman telling stories about Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Mexico, songwriting, and The Big Lonesome. Thank you to all the people and authors who have requested to be on the show. I’m running a schedule of folks about a year behind and still trying to get some wonderful authors on that I promised spots to long, long ago. I have enough material for a daily show but not enough hours in the day to do one.

For those in the Nashville Area – Don’t forget that Literary Libations takes place soon, March 22 at 5-7pm at the Union Station Hotel. I’m in town for this one so would love to see you there. It’s also a celebration for a Great new Literary Magazine, 2nd and Church so Please put on your calendar and see the amazing unveiling of this little beauty!

Again – don’t forget the new paperback edition of PFS is available with Reader’s Guide, Notes from Readers and more that makes it just a beautiful little bargain and a great gift for friends, family, neighbors and strangers. And yes, that was a shameless plug for you to purchase and support this book of stories with a meaning.

Thanks for following and keeping up with me. Your notes, comments and emails mean so very much.

Home for a few days in April for Easter then back on the road again to Grand Rapids for the Festival of Faith and Writing, Great Falls Montana for an event for the Homeless and more. News to come!

Blessings Always,

River

The Truth and Nothing But the Truth

Published on February 13, 2012 in Book Groups, Books, River Jordan, Road Trips and The Adorables. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

It’s been a week to be thankful. A real beauty. Wednesday I was able to visit with the Pres club from Percy Priest Prespaterian church (why don’t I have pictures of those beautiful faces?) and Friday morning I was standing before a multitude of wonderful faces at David Lipscolm Campus. Both times I was sharing stories from Praying for Strangers and talking mishaps of my mistakes incurred from being human. Like this week when I grabbed what I believed was a bottle of organic vitamins and squirted them under my tounge. Only something didn’t taste right so I took a few steps backward, picked up said bottle off the kitchen counter and re-examined the label. It was the dog’s hot spot medicine. Safe to say, I don’t have any hot spots under my tounge. Off course my taste buds may be afflicted. Human? Oh, you bet. Praying for strangers, contemplating the Divine, and walking out my days sharing the realtity of these two things hasn’t stopped me from being human and a little ugly acting on any given day. Why, just this week I dashed into Bookman/Bookwoman to sign books in advance for Friday and found myself hanging out in the store just a little longer than I had anticipipated. Nevermind that I parked right IN FRONT of the store where I normally DO NOT park but hey, there was a space and there were other cars parked there as well. When I came out there were no cars in sight save my jeep which was about to be TOWED AND IMPOUNDED. Two words that are not the favorites of my vocabulary. Now, the wonderful officer canceled my tow truck forthcoming to haul my jeep away and was visibly relieved that I had returned just in the nick of time to claim my vehicle. However, there was a little matter of a ticket on my windshield which wouldn’t just go away. $50.00 – do not pass go and you are not getting out of this one kinda ticket. “You have to read the signs,” the officer says as he points to the obvious. No parking 4-6pm on the side of the street. But signs? Signs? As that old tune begins playing inside my head I think rarely do I take time to read any signs. I’m focused on the million tasks at hand. I’m suffering shock over the fact that I have lost four great author interviews due to technical problems for Clearstory that I must now all rescheulde and retape. So when the kind officer says- “You were in the bookstore signing?” “Yes.” “What did you write?” “Praying for Strangers,” I answer, “And how much is this ticket going to cost me?” “Well, congratulations on your new book and your success!” “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I say. I mean it. That’s my backhanded answer. On another day, a better day, a day when I was my better self, I’d have hugged him for canceling that tow truck and dashed into the bookstore to buy my own book for him. It just wasnt’ that kind of day. So out there somewhere is an officer of the law that is probably saying – “I don’t think that lady really prays a whole lot.” Oh, but I do. :) and now, I need to go search out his number and drop him a note of apology just for being well, you know.

But in the middle of a few bumps in the road, a parking ticket and a little hot spot med, I was able to have lunch with a funny, talented friend, take in the musical Crowns with another at Christs Church Cathedral (And if you miss out on one of the performances – you missed out on a great evening of music, laughter, and storytelling,) hang out in the front of the fire with husband and friends and big dog, meet a lot of beautiful, new people, and yes, pray for a few strangers.

A new week is now dawning. I have the pleasure of recapturing those interviews which means I get to speak to those great authors at length – again. To see Larry Wood’s movie debut at Green Hills, to speak at the Christian Women in the Media conference Thursday, and to plan that great trip next week to the East Coast to see the ADORABLES and speak at Wrightsville United Methodist Church. It’s a busy life but a grand one.

All parking tickets aside, blessings abound in the midst of it all.

The journey continues. What a wild ride! May all your encounters this week be Divine.

Miami and Madness

Published on November 18, 2011 in River Jordan, Road Trips and The Adorables. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Packing. It’s part of a writers life. And that sounds so romantic. But the truth Is my brain looks like this –

I didn’t get the dog’s nails trimmed or his eardrops! Can I make it to vet at 7:30, down to Nashville for haircut, back to the woods home again. Pack. Write. Find my whats that stuff I’ll need in Miami. Remember to complete radio show for Sunday Night. Are we out of cat food? Ooh, no. Moses must have his brand.
My pants are dirty. Can I pack dirty pants? Will the hotel have a dry clean service? A fast one?!
Where’s my ticket email? Does Mother have everything she needs while I’m gone? I really need to get a note to the adorables. Oh, great, here’s there Halloween treats I never mailed. What’s wrong with me? Must get Penguin those written pieces they are asking for. Must remember to ask readers of Praying for Strangers if they would mind their comments and notes being published in the paperback. Can I star this thought in my brain? as I rush to choose which worn down pair of shoes to throw in suitcase? Make mental note on some other level: Must shop for new shoes. Where are those protein bars I bought? Why are they missing when I need to grab a plane?

And so it goes for this Pilgrim on the road. And yes, I’ve been meditating on that Proverbs 31 woman and trying to figure out when does she really EVER rest? She’s up burning lamps late and the firsts to rise and seems to be doing enough things to wear me out and – everyone around her is happy because she is doing such a great job of taking care of them in the midst of running what looks like a pretty major international enterprise. So much so that they rise up and praise her IN THE MORNING. (Insert mad laughter here).

Big Dog wakes up and praises me in the morning with big furry hugs, Moses wakes up and purrs me before I get out of bed and on the very best mornings, husband and I have a few minutes for just some (sappy alert warning) to cuddle before we start the day.

All of life seems rushed, too rushed beyond measure. But – a beautiful, writer friend Jolina Petershiem surprised me with a gift this week. A box showed up unexpectedly for me at my door in the deep woods. It was a beautiful thing filled with tea and a note that said, “In the middle of taking care of so many others don’t forget to stop and take care of yourself.”

I took a deep breath, actually made a cup of tea, picked up a novel and went outside. Then I relaxed and looked at the trees and felt the sun on my face and sipped tea and didn’t even read that book. Just a moment to pause, a stone in the river of a life that has been filled with so many unexpected rapids this year.

I pray that each of us, that you and I, take time for tea, for an oasis moment in the middle of our busy lives. Whether we are packing for Miami or trying to get the kids out the door to school, homework done, teeth brushed, – or our parents taken care of.

Time. Moments. Precious. Peace.

Worth the journey.

Reflections on a Great Year!

Published on January 1, 2011 in Life, Story and The Adorables. 0 Comments



When all is said and done – what a great year it’s been. As so many things shifted in the world for better and worse I have to say that life has been good to this writer on the hill. Friends and family have ventured out to visit throughout the year, author friend Shellie Rushing Tomlinson and I managed to do 21 cities/stops in 14 days on the aptly named Great Southern Wing & A Prayer Tour last Spring and we still don’t know how that was physically possible. But what a blast meeting readers andbooksellers across multiple states. The Adorables had another great summer adventure where they were kissed by Sea Lions and shook hands with Dolphins, climbed in tree houses and played with cousins and gave this writer a real ‘put the work down’ vacation. The Nashville Dutch Lunch group which had featured book sellers, festival promoters, librarians and such author guests as JT Ellison,

Susan Greg Gilmore, Eric Wilson, Darnell Arnoult, Mary Buckner, Lisa Patton – and MANY more had culminated over a year of authors meeting and breaking bread together with a holiday party at Ad Hudler’s clubhouse high rise. But there had been no end to the amazing book events that took place all year including the kick off with the Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Book Weekend in January, literary events all year like the Dahlonega Literary festival, and the great Southern Festival of the book where the Pulpwood Queen herself Kathy Patrick showed up to host and plant cowboy hats on all her panelists!

The Miracle of Mercy Land debuted on my youngest son’s birthday and Praying for Strangers was embraced by Penguin/Berkley and will find it’s way into the World April 5 of 2011. Husband and I took multiple road trips to the beach, to the east, and to book festivals far and wide. Then we came home to sit on the porch or laze around a bonfire and take stock in what was most important in life. Love, faith, family, friends. Our cups truly overflow with blessings and gratitude. Wishing you and yours – all those you love and treasure and the secret dreams of your heart – PEACE, and BLESSINGS in the coming year!

City Mouse, Country Mouse

Published on November 8, 2010 in Books, Dogs, Life, The Adorables and The Miracle of Mercy Land. 0 Comments

One foot in the woods, surrounded by trees, living up on the hill and taking walks with the man and big dog- and one foot longing to be in Paris hanging out in streetside cafe.

Alright – so those walks are more like me constantly dawdling and needing to catch up to them as the photo illustrates. A little hammock time, tree time and then back to the screen where Moses, the steely-eyed furry editor watches me type every word.

Today I’ve left the woods to park myself in a popular little French Bakery. Maybe it’s not Paris but The jazz is lively and the smells are ohhh, so sweet . I’ve had to break down to grab that fresh baked Rustic Tuscan bread because husband made a pot of stew that should last us – oh, a life time. What’s hot stew without fresh baked bread? The Eagles (husbands hometown team) won, some of our old hero’s are still floating on top, tarnished though they may be, and our Tennessee Titans looking so good had a week to rest.

Tomorrow my mother celebrates her birthday and I’ve got her on my mind. She’s getting autographed Rick Bragg book – The Most They Ever Had – because she can relate so well to those stories, and perfume but that part’s a surprise. Wishing she was here but getting Mom on a plane takes a troop and an act of God. She’s just not much on flying. Which is why every time my plane lands when I travel and ring her from the ground she says, “Oh Thank God!” so powerfully I think there has been an international incident. Every. Single. Time.

We had trick or treat recently. Mr. Smarty and Miss Fancy invited me along for the fun. Fifty pounds of candy and four hours later we huffed and puffed our way up the hill toting sacks, SACKS, I tell you full of more candy than children in third world countries see in a lifetime. Crazy we are but the adults in costume passing out candy were the kickinest. And one tiny trick or treater cowboy who declared, ” I need me some candy!” With enough gusto he cracked up the whole neighborhood. The Adorables checked in via Skpe and pictures with their award winning make up jobs. (Go Mom!)

The Praying for Strangers book is going to bed for this round anyway. The Miracle of Mercy Land received a Starred Review in Publishers Weekly – and for a funny, personal take on those accolades you can read all about it on my recent post at A Good Blog is Hard To Find.

This weekend finds husband and I traveling to Dahlonega, GA for their great Literary Festival. What a great pictureque town and we are looking forward to loitering, sauntering, meandering along the sidewalks.

The clocks’ have turned back in our neck of the woods so the days are a little shorter, the light more precious, the fire in that old hearth lit a little earlier. I hope wherever you are this week love finds you, keeps you. And that your moments of your life are truly treasured.

Enter the Silence

Published on October 26, 2010 in Authors, Books, Life, The Adorables and The Miracle of Mercy Land. 1 Comment

Sitting before the fire on a cold night on the hill. I can’t believe it’s as early as it is yet somehow silence has finally settled in this house. It’s been busy lately with comings and goings – mine and everyone else’s. Those 200 plus authors settled on Nashville last week and the energy they brought with them was electrifying. Words and stories were flying everywhere. Not only did I enjoy the panels I particiapted in with Susan Gregg Gilmore, Kathy Patrick the Pulpwood Queen, Ad Hudler, Michael Morris Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Melissa Conroy, Denise Hildreth Jones, and others – I circled my Southern Festival of the Books program again and again so that I could try to figure out how to see friends like JT Ellison and Kerry Madden present. I had also wanted to really hear new discoveries and books of extreme interest such as The Blueberry Years with Jim Minick and Scott Huler’s On The Grid which takes a special look at the way that our lives are very, very connected. But we can’t be in more places than one so the best thing to do is to fully enjoy the few moments we have to listen to a great storyteller weaving their magic. Yes, the infamous Rick Bragg stepped up to the podium and did just that as he spoke about his father and family from his recent memoir The Prince of Frogtown. Captivating as Always. He later joined an all-star cast to share stories from Writer’s and the Day Jobs they quit that includes offerings from great writers across the board including Connie May Fowler, Pat Conroy, Cassandra King, John Grisham and many, many others.

Hit the road immediately following to join the beautiful folks at Two Sister’s Bookery in historic, downtown Wilmington, NC. Made a special side-road visit to go see the Adorables because I can resist. We collected shells, played crazy 8′s, and of course read storybooks. Their pick of the weekend – Melissa Conroy’s Poppy’s Pants – again and again. And OLD TURTLE which became a huge immediate hit as well. Both have made The Adorables favorite Top Ten Storytime list.

And returned to Nashville again, to changing leaves, new writing deadlines, The Nashville Brunch Bunch, Clearstory Radio production and on too rare occasion, popping into Facebook to see what friends and family are actually up to. Tonight – the calm after the storm, a little cooler air, a hush after what felt like a hurricane on that full moon.

Thank you to so many readers for your notes on The Miracle of Mercy Land and congratulations on the starred Publishers Weekly review. Your words mean so very, much.

On my Nightstand -The Blueberry Years, Jim Minick; The Most They Ever Had, Rick Bragg; Don’t Quit Your Day Job – Writers and the Jobs They’ve Quit, Edited by Sonny Brewer with a wild collection of true stories from some of my favorite authors.

The Adorables are coming – Again!

Published on June 28, 2010 in The Adorables. 0 Comments

I have this great note in one of my journals recently about how the adorables are with us (our precious grand baby girls) and what a blessing it is. I think the next note is about how the adorables are with us and any conceptions I had about my personal schedule are out the window, gone, history. Now that they are spending a few great weeks with their other grandparents I’ve found myself just staring off the porch or into space. I think it’s a type of pure shock. First all the joy of the constant chaos around me and now this strange quiet. My to do list awaits but it’s not getting done. And in a few days – I have the pleasure of getting girls again for a fast trip to the Gulf Coast to see if we can swim in the waters. Regardless – we SHALL goofy golf to our hearts content, soak up a little sunshine and come what may – revel in the pleasures of summer. Now if i can only check off all that yoga, errands, business, writing, and radio that should be done before I leave town.

Update

Published on June 2, 2010 in Books, Clearstory Radio, Praying for Strangers, Radio, The Adorables and The Miracle of Mercy Land. 0 Comments

It’s Actually happened. 70,000 words off yesterday to Penguin for the new Praying for Strangers book. I opened my eyes this morning, red-streaked and bleary though they may be and thought -I have nothing to do. No pressing writing deadline. But of course – that isn’t exactly true. There’s the big dog to vet, a reading group guide for The Miracle of Mercy Land to write, and a wonderful interview scheduled for Clearstory with Mary Buckner today. Life goes on wonderfully. And if it couldn’t get any better – the Adorables are coming Friday. I don’t think I’m ready yet for the energy of an 8 and 3 year old bouncing around and calling Zaza – but it doesn’t matter. I can’t wait to put all other things on hold, call it Summertime, and go fishin.

The Adorables