Book Groups

From the Hill


Home. The word takes on such special significance when we have been away for so long. To be honest, it makes me think of refugees on foreign borders and those who will perhaps never have a home to return to. It makes me think of my Grandmother and old homes, and families, roots, returns, reunions and blessings. How full my hands are. How full my heart.

Last you heard I was flying over Utah. That plane connected me to another one where I traveled on to Great Falls, Montana where I walked out of the plane and into the snow. In April. Sans coat that I had decided to leave behind in Nashville. :) Off to the restroom where I began pulling out every layer I had to put on and heard my name being pages as the Director of the Great Falls Rescue Mission, Jim Kizer tried to figure out how to rescue his speaker from an airport disappearence. What I can tell you is that I went to Great Falls. That I had dinner with Jim’s wonderful family, toured the Rescue mission, spoke at the Annual Luncheon Banquet, spoke again at the Annual Dinner Banquet and flew out the next morning to Nashville. What I can’t fully explain is the mark these people leave on my heart when I travel. Leaving Great Falls I was not the same person as the one who flew in or wrote the last words you read. The graces, the faces, and the sweet people that I met left their impact. The small beds in the center, the homemade quilts that had been given to each woman who arrived there forlorn and without, the tiny pictures on the walls. The stuffed animals the grown men had on their cots. The good cheer of those who had found a new life. And in the midst of it all, a city with a heart for the broken, the lost, those who would be found. Sometimes, from our tiny places we don’t see all the good that is brewing in this world. Sometimes from the places behind our blue screens and radios filled with bad and broken, we don’t see the love. I assure you – it abounds.

Only one night home but it was an eventful one as husband and I sat staring at our seven new chicks. Little, tiny, yellow peepers. I would say we’ve become urban chicken owners but we aren’t so urban up on this hill and in these woods. One night to sit home and sleep home and hold my husbands hand and then off again.

The Festival of Faith and Writing takes place every other year in Grand Rapids, Michigan at Calvin College. While I have attended the festival in the past as an author with Harper One/Harper Collins I had never officially presented on panels and solo presentations. I can’t recommend this festival enough for those who are readers, writers, and spiritual seekers of words that delve into the world of faith, believing, hoping, reaching. The highly acclaimed authors Marilynne Robinson (Gilead) and Walter Wangerin (The Book of the Dun Cow) were two of the presenters and I was so amazed to be in their grand company. I also had the great pleasure of seeing author friends like  J. Brent Bill  and meeting new, increadible authors. I am greatly appreciative of the readers who attended presentations and thank you for your notes, comments and your blessed presence.

The closing of the event was Vespers led by the young people of the college and how delightful of a way to close with a moment of thankfulness, a pause, a reading, and a prayer.

It’s good to be home again. To sit on the porch, to watch the chickens, to water a few plants and begin to tidy up the many details that have gone to trouble in my travels. Unraveling knots it is. But in the midst of all these travels, in the middle of the paperback signing for Praying for Strangers at Bookman/Bookwoman in Nashville, speaking to the Nashville Business Women’s Breakfast, a quick travel to see author friend Raymond Atkins and his beautiful wife Marsha and speak with  the Georgia Writers Association – in the middle of all -

Grandbaby boy, Damon Lee Ryker Riddick was born into this world. And that is the grandest news of all! (photo to follow)

Blessings!

From the Road – Florida to Montana and In Between

From The Road

From somewhere over Utah it’s been a road trip kind of a year so far. Many, many miles and what I’m thinking as I traveled on this journey is that I owe you so many words.

The last many of you of knew I was beach parked on the east coast after visiting with the great people from Wrightsville Beach. Since then I’ve been to San Antonio, hung out a few more glorious days with the Adorables, made my way back home, and then turned around to head south to the University of Central Florida Book Festival in Orlando. One of the blessings of being a writer is to be able to hang out with writer friends as if it’s a glorious family reunion and to make new Friends in the process so I have to give a short shout out to some friends and panelists I had the pleasure of serving with. Joshilyn Jackson – no one rocks the Sidecar and some serious storytelling like you do. Nor should they try. Funny ladies, and beautiful writers (or is that reversed) Rachel Hayck, Lisa Wingate, Mary Beth Whalen – it was so good to spend some quality time getting rained on, waiting for trolleys, talking story, eating cheese grits, and getting to know you even better. For the writing and presenting team Dr. Michael Palmer and Daniel Palmer , you both inspire me in so many ways. Senator Bob Graham and beautiful wife Adele, “I see you.” You are real people and in was a pleasure to be in your company and share stories. And Susan, you were a most excellent host over the entire affair. A special shout out to the people of The Lucky Pig. I’ll always wear my apron with a twinkle in my eye.

And then on the wings of that road trip before I could catch my breath was the flight to Montana for the Great Falls Rescue Mission annual banquet (actually there are two – one large luncheon and one large dinner) and meeting some incredible people with a heart for the lost and lonely. Of course, it doesn’t take very long to discover we are all lost and lonely in some ways and what a blessing each of us are to one another. I am still awaiting a few photos from the evening to post and I apologize to all those who love photos (particularly my mother) as I am so busy speaking with people I don’t capture the moment on film.

Now I’m in Grand Rapids at the Festival of Faith and Writing Conference and trying to dash just a few words as I ready for a book signing event this evening. Tomorrow will be a day of panels and Saturday follows the same. If you are in the area I’ll be on a panel on Writing About Spiritual Panels in the Calvin college chapel at 2:00pm and speaking on how Truth Finds a Way in words to the page – both in fiction and non-fiction on Saturday at 11:30. Just go ahead and come on out to Michigan if you will or if you can’t make it this far, share with your friends and facebook buddies. The conference has many, many incredible presenters including Marilynne Robinson, and Walter Wangerin, Jr.

I’ll be returning to Nashville Sunday night and celebrating the release of the paperback of Praying for Strangers at Bookman/Bookwoman Tuesday night, April 24th at 5:30pm Please join us as the Adventure continues for stories from this wild, wild ride this year!

Blessings!

In The Studio – Cathie Beck and Cheap Cabernet

IN THE STUDIO – Cathie Beck and Cheap Cabernet

Join us for a great visit down on the Gulf Coast with Sundog Books. Bob and Linda White the founders and owners spin tales of the past and recommend novels and stories that are must reads. Then author Cathie Beck steps into the studio to visit. And that’s just what it is.  No interview. No book pitch. It’s a visit that includes book talk, funny stories, Russian literature, stolen stories, wine, and road trips.

It’s always about the Power of Story, the way it connects us and grounds us, centers us and helps us find common ground. Come join us and celebrate the written word in all its glory.

What People Are Saying About Cheap Cabernet

What They’re Saying About Cheap Cabernet

Cathie Beck’s “Cheap Cabernet” is a vintage tale, a female buddy story chock full of the stuff of life: tears, laughter and love in the darkest of times. You won’t put it down until the final page — at which time a box of Kleenex and a glass of cabernet, cheap or otherwise, would be wise to have on hand: the first to deal with the story’s denouement, the second to toast Beck’s triumph.

Cheap Cabernet is simply awesome, such a poignant story, and so very well-written.

—  Patti Thorn, books editor,
Rocky Mountain News

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Some friendships survive beyond the final gruesome fight. Some last beyond the grave. Cathie Beck had that kind of friendship and she relates the roller coaster ride of that relationship in her memoir with a heavy dose of wit and a wine glass full of poignant reflection.

Beck’s writing is breezy, polished, and fun to read. Her vivacious personality comes alive on the page and draws readers into her world.

 ForeWord Reviews

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Cathie Beck’s wonderfully told and achingly poignant memoir will remind every woman to call her best friend right away to tell her how important their relationship is, and how she couldn’t survive without it  And, by the way, to run out and buy the heartbreaking book, “Cheap Cabernet.”

— Iris Rainer Dart, author of Beaches

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All [of the chapters describing Cathie’s life and friendship with Denise] are sharply focused and grip the reader’s attention. . . . Compelling as both an account of a special friendship and, more generally, of the dynamics of women’s lives and relationships.

— The Washington Times

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The book is beautifully written and I could not put it down … what an adventure … this book will be read by many people. … and will make the rounds and stimulate some wonderful conversation about friendship, surviving the rough times and enjoying the hell out of the good times.

— Susan Gatschet-Reese, host, “Mid-Morning Jazz”,
KUVO Radio

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“Beyond wonderful — wickedly funny, poignant, and smart.

Anyone who’s a fan of Mary Karr or Annie Lamott will find Cathie Beck’s “Cheap Cabernet” both laugh-out-loud hysterical — and heartbreaking.”

— Best selling author, Elle Newmark,
The Book of Unholy Mischief

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“Cheap Cabernet is utterly seductive … a page-turner … impossible to put down.

Not since “Thelma & Louise” have women and friendship been so beautifully and powerfully painted. This hilarious, heartbreaking memoir is a joyful and exhilarating ride for the reader.”

— Sandi Gelles-Cole, host “Ask the Book Doctor”

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Cathie Beck’s Cheap Cabernet is a bracing story of a woman who took the crappy hand life had dealt her and turned it into a big win. With an awe-inspiring stamina, she kept going long past the point other people — like me — would’ve quit. I devoured this empowering and very funny memoir from the first page.

— Julie Klam, author of Please Excuse My Daughter


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Into the Studio – Julie Cantrell Leads us Into the Free

IN THE STUDIO – Julie Cantrell Leads Us Into the Free

Wednesday at 12:00pm and Sunday at 6:00pm on 107.1lpfm Nashville and Streaming Live at http://www.clearstoryradio.com

We have a great show for you this week as Julie Cantrell shares her story as a new novelist with a story to inspire others. It’s getting rave reviews and she’s just as down to Earth and humble about all that as a soul can be.  We visit with that Bookseller Around the Corner and this week the corner is down Memphis way with Burkes Books. Check out their site and the fact that they have over 12,000 of their used books on line that you can browse and order in addition to brand new selections and signed copies of John Grisham’s latest. You can also ‘like’ their facebook page and visit the neighborhood before you make it to Graceland.

About Into the Free

Millie Reynolds knows firsthand the shame of family secrets. With an abusive father and a “nothing mama,” she craves a place of true belonging. Over time, the gypsies that travel through town each spring offer acceptance. Then tragedy strikes and Millie leaves her world of poverty to join a prominent family on the other side of town. There, with the help of unlikely sources, Millie uncovers painful truths about her family’s past as she struggles to face a God she believes has abandoned her. When unconditional love is offered, Millie learns the power of forgiveness and finally discovers where she belongs.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT from David C Cook: February 13-19 pick up a FREE COPY of Into the Free by Julie Cantrell for your Kindle, Nook, or other reading device! This offer is available for ONE WEEK only through most e-book distributors including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Great Musical Interludes

Jack Johnson
David Byrne
Sting
Mumford and Sons
Bent Fabric
Jesse Cook

It’s always about the Power of Story, the way it connects us and grounds us, centers us and helps us find common ground. Come join us and celebrate the written word in all its glory.

The Truth and Nothing But the Truth

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.

In The Studio-Michael Morris Discovers the Long Arm of the Story

FROM THE VAULT – One of our Favorite Shows of All Time – Mr. Michael Morris and the Long Arm of the Story! Wednesday at 12:00 Noon and Sunday Night at 6:00pm

This week award winning author Michael Morris takes a break to share with us the new readers who are discovering and connecting with his work, his great ideas in the works, and a certain someone determined to rope in Clint Eastwood to play a starring role in his new novel. (Are you listening Mr. Eastwood?)

YOU Can listen to the entire program here at your Leisure -Clearstory Radio Show, November 17, 2010

A great litchat, a real city where people read, some special advice from the Writer’s room and yes, that perfect mix of a few great tunes, special guests for writers they’ll actually love..

Be inspired on Clearstory

 

 

 

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In The Studio – Robert Leleux & The Living End!

Tune In to Clearstory Wednesday at 12:00pm Central or Sunday nights at 6:00pm in the Nashville area on 107.1lpfm or streaming through Clearstoryradio.com world-wide. (You can also subscribe to Clearstory Radio via Itunes and download for your Ipad/Iphone/ipod)

FAVORITE QUOTE FROM THIS WEEK’S SHOW
God’s Grace comes to you sometimes not in spite of tragedy but through tragedy.” Robert Leleux
(But don’t take it out of contexts – you need to tune in to the show to get the full impact of that conversation.) 

 

This week in the joy of Celebrating Story we visit with author Robert Leleux as he shares a story very close to his heart about his Grandmother, a wild and larger than life, movie star persona, her eventual journey into Alztiemers and his continuing relationship with her during that time. Heartwarming, funny, poignant and meaningful, The Living End showcases the love of relationships and how they may change in character but never in passion.

Author Pat Conroy had this to say about the memoir. “The Living End is Robert Leleux’s exceptionally moving memoir about his beloved grandmother and his heroic caring for her as she slipped into the grip of Alzheimer’s. The book is at times hilarious, tender, and heartbreaking–further proof that Mr. Leleux is ripening into one of the best prose stylists in America.” 

Check out more great BUZZ on The Living END!

Tune in and listen to Robert share his story that you can be inspired and perhaps remember some of the many reasons we should treasure the simple moments we have in life with those we love.

And for more information the epidemic on Alzheimer’s, Caregiving, and General INFO please follow links to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

On Book Tour Now! Robert Visits Nashville’s new Parnassus BooksMonday, January 30th, 6pm! See you there!

We're Open for Business

3900 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 14 Nashville, TN
37215. | Get Directions | 615.953.2243

JUST FOR FUN! VISIT THE INCREDIBLE SPREAD OF ROBERT’S APARTMENT IN NEW YORK VIA LONNY MAGAZINE

We also visit with That Bookseller Around The Corner and feature Blue Willow Books down Texas way recommending great books that should be, could be, on your reading list. They have 14 FOURTEEN! book loving booksellers reading from every genre of all types and have the special talent of matching a reader with a book they will be certain to love.

All Mixed in with a great line-up of musical interludes . . . This weeks program features -

CLEARSTORY MUSICAL INTERLUDE PLAYLIST

A little Bit of Jazz – Show Opening
The Best Is Yet To Come – Frank Sinatra
Toot, Toot, Tootsie – Al Jolson
You Mean The World To Me – David Gray
And the Wind Cries Mary – Jimi Hendrix
Russian Lullaby – The Blue Healers
He’s  A Son of The South – Louie Armstrong
Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology – Jack Johnson

 

 

 

Pulpwood Queens, Baseball, and the Golden Hoe

Pushing 60 degrees today in Nashville and forgive me my dear mountain man of a husband of mine, but this Gulf Coast Girl doesn’t mind! Neither does Big Dog as I will actually take him for that word he knows how to spell, a WALK in the sunshine.

The Pulpwood Queens

Most of you know I’ve just returned from the fabulous Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Getaway Weekend. I had to arrive many road miles tired but there is something so special about Jefferson, Texas in January! Maybe because there are hundreds of women converging who are avid book readers, and some of the most creative people I’ve ever known. I’ll try to lead you to some of the websites of the incredible authors in attendance but there were too many for me to grab them all. I also wish I could fill this page with photos of the book clubs and their costumes. But I can’t. Not enough time till I find HELP! (And thanks to all those who have offered your talented services. As soon as I find time to describe the help I need, I’ll get right back with you. Seriously.)

Last weeks Clearstory Radio program was a montage of some of those writers and their comments about the event. The most important thing I think I heard was that it was a special gathering of a book event where the walls were truly broken down between the reader and the writer. There are no magic curtains, no dividing lines. Somehow founder Kathy Patrick has formed a family of sorts and the book club event is in many ways an annual reunion of the great family you never had or wished yours was :) . Year after year readers pour into the charming town and fill up the historic hotels like the Jefferson and the Excelsior, all of the b&b’s in town so that there isn’t a room to be found – and celebrate the power of story and the gift of reading. Tickets are already being sold (and bought!) for 2013 so if you have a desire to discover this wild and wonderful even for yourself you might want to purchase early and make reservations soon. This year’s theme was The Greatest Show on Earth so the costumes varied from this shot with two of my favorite queens, Andrea and Mary Yetta (daughter and mother) dressed as a white tiger and a lion. All those pink pictures are from the Pink prom night but that too is another story. Follow the blogs, find it on facebook. It’s called Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Getaway Weekend and it has happened once again. The Greatest show on Earth for certain. I attended this year and spoke primarily on the latest book, Praying for Strangers to a warm, receptive crowd of women (and some men) who were a great blessing to me. Praying for Strangers was a sell out at the event and I thank you all for buying and sharing with friends! This year’s event featured the author of In the Garden of Good and Evil,
Robert Hicks, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Karen Harrington, Carolyn Turgeon, Michael Morris, Nicole Sietz, Robert Leleux and so many more that I’ll try to backtrack and get them posted for you.

Baseball?

Yes. Baseball. With the Superbowl upon us and temps in the high 50′s my attention turns to – baseball. Spring Training. Buying tickets to the Sounds games in Nashville or sneaking off to South Florida to watch the Phillie’s in  Spring Training. Look – warm, sunshine, baseball. What’s not to like? I have a thing for baseball. Maybe it was those old nights at the neighborhood ballpark, the sound of the bats to the ball, the announcers, the smell of popcorn and hot dogs, the actual families and kids that were out in this safe environment full of life and fun. My sister and I both have really fond memories of the place, the season, the smell, and sounds. We were allowed to walk there alone! And hang out for hours. And we were good kids. We went right there. We watched the games. We loved it so much it wouldn’t have occurred to us to go elsewhere.  And yes, I have a passion for the poetry of baseball movies. I decided this year I’d like to have a collection of my favorites on dvd just so I could watch them on days of drear and we all get them. The Natural, The Sandlot, Bull Durham (yes, I know it’s what it is but . . . c’mon it’s baseball), Angel in the Outfield, Field of Dreams, For the Love of the Game, and even the recent Moneyball. Wait, wait, and A League of Their Own and you can just email me the list of all the great ones I’m missing or not remembering. (Oh, yes, that other one but I’m just not that into Charlie Sheen) – and the NPT total collection of the series on the history of baseball. And, you guessed it, right at the top of my reading list. The Fielders Handbook. Spring it cometh  - which leads me to . . .

The Golden Hoe

This is an old story but it’s a repeated one in my life and bears remembering because – I’ve been looking at seed catalogues – again. Wanting to order something to plant. Now, never mind that I’m challenged to keep my one aloe plant alive which I NEED because I burn myself so frequently, I am possessed with a desire to PLANT this time of year like some sort of through back to my rural farmer family genes. You think I’d be able to keep things alive but no, it’s just the urge to plant that gets me. I kept telling the husband that we need to plan our garden. He asks – “What garden? “Exactly! I tell him. That’s the problem we don’t have a garden and the farmers almanac says it’s time to plan what you are going to plant NOW. He sighs. “Whose going to work the garden considering we both work 14 hour days now and you are on the road speaking and touring?” I tell him not to bog me down with the details. When a woman has to plant, she has to plant. (And at this point I’m going to try to go dig up an old blog that illustrates this better than anything I can say here.  – Oh, look. I FOUND it buried in an old blog no longer published. For all you hopeful planters out there, I offer you -

The Seeds of Change!

It was a wintry, grey day in the city. (Which may sound something like a kick-off line from an old Sam Spade novel or maybe an opening from a Calvin and Hobbs cartoon – the Tracer Bullet -phase.) But that day has passed. It seems only a week ago I landed in Nashville with a snow and ice encrusted car and now, 70-something beautiful degrees today and what to my wondering ears appear but the sound of crickets. The sun has past and the windows are open as I relish every second of this early Spring night and yes, I hear them. This may pass with a last cold snap or two. Even a freaky, late snow but it won’t matter. Not a bit. Spring is here. It arrived a few weeks ago when I dashed in from a biting wind, stuck my hand in the mailbox and pulled out the days mail. It was filled with seed catalogues filled with pictures of blooming flowers, plump vegetables, ripe fruit.

I order them every year like a farmer. As if I’m going to get really serious now about planting.

I am looking at trees, at blossoms, at berries. I read names like Desertgold Peach and Kadota Fig and Purple Passion Asparagus. I study trees like the Bonfire Ornamental Peach. I tasteEmperor Francis Sweet Cherry’s and smell Frangrant Purple Lilac and Variegated Weigela and I run my fingers over the colored map, find the planting zone I live in which promises to help me select the best varieties for my area. (I’m in the lowest part of the blue zone just above the pink zone.) I search out the Farmers Almanac which I know within a reasonable doubt can tell me the exact day that I’m supposed plant – anything – anywhere. And I thumb back through the gourmet greens section tasting names like Arugula Sylvetta and Bellesque Endive and Persion Garden Cress. Huazontle. Komatsuma. Magenta Spreen. I’m imagining eating from the good earth and my skin just glowing, pumped twenty-four/seven full of natural minerals and vitamins. Why, I would be able to look down at my veins and see the healthy blood flowing freely which on some days (particularly after family reunions) feels a little greasy and clogged.

“Why do you order these?” Husband asks. “You’re not going to plant anything.”
“Well, I am.” I turn the page and study germination stations. “I think I really am.”
“Honey, face it. You don’t have a green thumb, you have the opposite. You have a brown thumb.”

He’s making a joke. Kinda. And because I love him a lot I don’t hit him with a shovel when his back is turned. (Well, he’s kinda big.) I drop the subject and put the catalogues to the side and go to sleep. But I am dreaming of flowers. Big Yellow ones. Furry Purple ones. Large pick antique ones. And I wake up with the brown-thumb blues which is what I have still when the husband finds me moping, sitting on the steps and staring out the window at the grey day.

“What’s wrong?” he asks like he doesn’t know because he really doesn’t.
Tears well up in my eyes and I say, “I really wanted flowers.”
And he laughs, but it’s not a mean laugh, it’s more of a chuckle and he says, “I was only kidding, honey.” And he was. Kinda.

My mother has a green thumb. My Mother-in-law Nancy has a green thumb. My sister’s thumb is showing some serious promise. (I should realise my situation when I visit her and say with surprise – “Your flowers are still alive.”

The only thing that I had that was THRIVING was a fern I named George of the Jungle and I had to leave it in Florida. Ferns are easy. They need a) lots of water and b) lots of water and c) shade and D) more water.

Other plants seem so temperamental to me. They thrive by the window and then one day I look at them and they seem . . . distressed or maybe . . . depressed so I move them. Or water them. Shade them. Or sun them. I bring them in if they are out. I put them out if they are in. But in the long run we both know there are signs that it is the beginning of the end of our relationship. One dropped or droopy leaf and I might as well give them to Goodwill where they will have at least a chance for survival.

(The truth is – maybe I watered them a lot for a week and then I started writing a story and in the story all the plants are flourishing so that is that and there is my focus. If a flower in a story wilts a character shows up and waters it. They always know exactly the right thing to do at the right time. Or they know a friend who does – and then I have another character in the story which is very warm and wonderful as my plants lose another leaf around me.)

Later in the day Mr. Wonderful walks in the door with a present. A peace offering. It’s a hoe, painted gold and wearing a large red bow. And I laugh. A lot. To which my husband is grateful – he says, “You know, that could have gone either way.” And he’s right.

But I’ve noticed something special about Nashville. People get serious about Spring. About planting and putting new things into the ground. I mean really, really serious. In Florida something is always in some stage of blooming or about to be – Camellias in the Winter that were planted by someones great-grandmother who had two green thumbs that are still winning awards all by themselves- just flourishing – and about the time they stop blooming, the azaleas come out that were planted by someones great-grandmother. But Nashville has what one might call a bit of dormant, sleeping stage – and OH the Glory that causes when it is time to reawaken. It’s a veritable feeding freezy at the garden department! Trucks and trunks loaded down with dark rich dirt and tiny heads of blooms that promise to multiply and bloom all summer long. Just come visit and see if what I’m saying isn’t the truth because it is. And it’s catchy. And even my brown thumb is getting twitchy.
So, I have the catalogues, I have the hoe, and a friend, a movie-buddy friend mind you, just called as I was writing this to invite me Saturday to a LAWN AND GARDEN SHOW (she doesn’t have a yard.) “We can look at seeds and flowers and herbs she tells me,” and the sound of that Spring planting fever has taken her, I can tell.

“I’m writing a novel,” I tell her. “I can’t leave home until it’s finished.” But my fingers are twitching. Herbs, I’m thinking, Maybe I could grow herbs. And I imagine fresh basil and endive and cilantro. “Call me back. Give me a last minute chance.”

The thing is – I believe in the power of renewal and transformation. In the ground and in people. Even in me.

Maybe this year, catnip. But someday soon, with the right amount of hope and joy and determination, York and Lancaster antique roses, bringing a little bit of story, a little bit of history forward in the process.

Breathless and Blessed!

It seems I’ve been on the road since Kingdom Come but this writer girl is home up on the hill. The woods of Nashville are changing and it’s been a blustery kind of few days up here – very, Winnie the Pooh kind of days. And as much as I love my Gulf Coast Florida roots, I appreciate the seasons so much. Yes, those who know me well know I’m entering the season where I sit by the fire all the time and try not to venture out too far into the cold because well, I stay cold. 85 day/75 night – perfect! But we hit a low of 49 up here in the other day and windows open, I built the first fire of the year and lay in front of it in the middle of the night, watching the flames dance and contemplating. It’s a good season for it. To enter in to a greater stillness, a shuffled quietness, to watch the leaves change and to let the rythem of the days help my soul take a different path of quiet reflection in still moments. I find myself gazing out the window just a little longer than during the summer heat, all caught up in the green that engulfs our house. Just a little longer, I watch the wind play in the trees and it speaks to me of time passing. And for me to greatly appreciate these moments – all of them – in the

fullness of the time I have on this Earth whether that be a day or a ten thousand days.

I’ve had the extreme pleasure of again being out on the road meeting readers, visiting with booksellers, seeing precious author friends and meeting new ones. This time travels have included the monster size literary event known as The Decatur Book Festival, the great Southern Independent Booksellers Trade show, The Hoover Library, The Maury County Library and a special Visit to Greenville South Carolina. I’ve been in the company of some of your favorite authors  - and mine – and people I’m delighted to call friends. Spent the weekend at SIBA in the company of so many booksellers I love as well. (And there are many but some that are closer to me so we are a little more acquainted.) Just to name a few author friends who have been out on the road and at events as well and are so awesome to spend time with  - Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Karen Zacharias, Lisa Patton, Nicole Seitz, Mary Alice  Monroe, Signe Pike, Ellen Brown, Joshilyn Jackson, Patti Callahan Henry, Michael Morris, Kerry Madden, Nancy Dorman-Hickson, and so many, many more. Was also able to chat up with some of my favorite booksellers including – Eagle Eye Books, Reeds Gumtree Books of Tupelo, and That Bookstore in Blytheville.  And to have dinner at the house of infamous chef Natalie Dupree! Shrimp and Grits and so much more. biscuits to hush over. And the chatter of words about – words, words, words – everywhere. Loved every minute of it.

And it’s so wonderful to be home.

In The Studio – LIve with Author Lisa Patton

Clearstory sits down with Author Lisa Patton July 6, 2011 to talk writing and the authors life! Tune in for Great Music, a Word of Advice from The Writers Room, The Perfect Writer’s Hideaway,  Lisa’s writing secrets she’s sharing with everyone, and so much more! Don’t miss us at Noon on WRFN 107.1fm Nashville or live and streaming at http://www.clearstoryradio.com

Southern to the core… funny to the bone.
In Lisa Patton’s new novel she proves that
we can go home again, and in many
cases we should.

Fannie Flagg

Patton debuts with a peachy-keen summer read about a Southern woman’s misadventures as a Vermont innkeeper…
This sassy, lighthearted romp twists and turns toward a conclusion that is not at all foregone, but is immensely satisfying.
Dixie chicks and damn Yankees alike will enjoy seeing the world through Leelee’s eyes. – Kirkus Reviews




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