Sunday, February 28, 2010

XXXIII - March, 2010

We've had a gracious plenty of snow here on the mountain and I know that a lot of you have had even more. I continue to believe that Spring will come someday.


I still haven't received my final cover copy that I told you about last month.  Publishing has always moved glacially anyway and the many layoffs, due to the economy, in the past year haven't speeded things up at all. But, like Spring, maybe next month . . .


We lost another dog in February.  Jack, one of the Border Collies, was operated on for a tumor and, in spite of seeming to be recovering, suffered a seizure the next day from which he didn't recover.


Jack wasn't the prototype for one of Elizabeth's dogs -- although we had five,  I limited her to three so she wouldn't seem like a crazy dog lady. But he was a much loved member of the family and we miss him.

Dear me, this is sounding awfully down so far. I don't mean it to.  Suffice it to say that all is well on the mountain. I'm working to finish up Under the Skin  -- the fifth Elizabeth book -- even as I'm longing to get  outside and get to work in the garden.



Questions and Observations

Pat in TN says: Finished WENCH and wasn't too thrilled about it.  Definitely NOT like THE HELP, which many compared it to.  Mmmm, what were they thinking!?!?!  Now I'm reading BLOODROOT by local author Amy Greene.  A good Appalachian novel ... the kind I like best! . . . I highly recommend it and I've only just started.

Joan C. recommends Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts for a different take on history.

Nancy B writes: Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder is quite a story of the founding of Health Care Partners in Haiti. In fact, quite a description of Haiti's history. This book is a must-read!

Sue P in Dallas was snowed in and read all three John Hart novels and two of the Ann Cleeves Shetland Isles mysteries! Eight inches in sunny Dallas!


Recent Reads and Re-reads

Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island. Anne of Windy Poplars
Chronicles of Avonlea  - all by Lucy M. Montgomery. Books from my childhood, definite comfort reads

Little Men - Louisa May Alcott - another much-loved comfort read about an  early progressive school

Heaven-High, Hell-Deep- by Peggy Poe Stern, a NC native  and farm woman, writing from the heart about a tough mountain girl in the early 1900's.

Kitchen Confidential  by Anthony Bourdain. Could NOT put this down! A look behind the scenes in various high dollar eateries. (Don't order fish on Monday.)
 
These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner - the (fictional) diary of woman in the Arizona Territories, 1881-1901. I really loved this.
 

SCHEDULE ~ 2010
May 17 - meet with Read Between the Lines book club in Morganton, NC

September 28 The Day of Small Things (aka the Miss Birdie book) will be released!



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20 comments:

Witch of Stitches said...

So sorry about Jack. XO
Elizabeth K

Anonymous said...

Very sorry about Jack. We have Border Collies too.
Caryn

Anonymous said...

Hi again. I didn't want to publish as anonymous, but that's the only way it would let me? What am I doning wrong? I thought I could post as a google account, but nope...
Caryn

Vicki Lane said...

Thanks, Elizabeth K and Caryn.

Caryn, I haven't a clue how all that works. You certainly should be able to post with a Google account. Maybe it was a momentary glitch.

Anonymous said...

Vicki,
So sorry about your dog Jack! I know all too well about losing our "fuzzy children!" I have 5 dogs and 4 cats. Guess I am a crazy animal lady! :)
I am looking forward to your book being published! It has been way too long!
May your memories of Jack give your peace and comfort. God Bless. Evie B. P.S., I can only post with anonymous! I don't know why!

Vicki Lane said...

Thank you, Evie -- Until last year, we had six dogs and two cats -- which definitely put me in the crazy dog lady category.

Really don't know what the problem is with Blogger -- sorry!

Lise said...

Condolences for your loss of Jack...losing a loved family member is never easy, no matter how many legs:) This is the part of the life cycle I don't like so much.

Vicki Lane said...

Thanks, Lise. Too true!

Judyknits said...

So sorry to hear about your dog...they really crawl into our hearts and become members of the family!

Vicki Lane said...

Thanks, Judith -- I'm just bracing for the next one. Three of our remaining four dogs are pretty old. So it goes.

Anonymous said...

Vicki, do you like police stuff? If so you might enjoy Leslie Glass' April Woo series...I got addicted and read 'em all! This is from Eleanor W as I don't know how else to tell ya...

Vicki Lane said...

Hey, Eleanor -- Usually I do -- like Elizabeth George and Deborah Crombie but I'm not familiar with that series. Will have to look into it!

I don't know what's the matter that these comments are doing this!

I hit the COMMENT AS box and select Google Account and it lets me post that way.

Anonymous said...

Vicki,
Always enjoy your comments and your stunning pictures!! My great friend Donna S. reads your blog daily...great comfort since she lost her husband before Christmas to cancer. All of us derive comfort and solace from your many snippets of daily life. Can't wait until your new book is published - know that Elizabeth is well taken care of and that her "fellow" is both upright and loving..... Betty L. Greenville, S.C.

Vicki Lane said...

Betty L.- Thank you so much for the kind words!
If my random ramblings bring comfort and solace to even one person, I'm delighted! Thank you for telling me this!

North County Film Club said...

So sorry about Jack. I used to be a crazy dog lady but have ended up being a crazy cat lady. They're all getting old now and I'm dreading whats to come. It makes me not want to get anymore pets but I can't imagine life without them. I can't wait to read your books. I'm in a book club so I can recommend your book and say it was written by a "friend".

Pame Recetas said...

Oh my!!! Were do you get the energy (and the time!) for all this activity.!! Sorry to hear about Jack: I used to have three boxers at home, now we only have one left, I understand what it feels like to loose them.

Vicki Lane said...

Thanks, Barbara! I love book clubs -- they've given me some good feedback!

And thank you, Pamela! I love boxers -- though we've never had one. My son has a boxer mix who is just adorable -- more personality than any dozen dogs rolled together!

Katherine said...

Thank you Pamela for visiting my blog, I really appreciated your comment.
I would also like to extend to you my condolences on the loss of your beautiful Jack! Our pets are also loved & valued members of our family & it terrifies me to think of losing them.

Tipper said...

Loosing a beloved pet is always so hard. I just finished Bloodroot-and really liked it!

But I've been wondering what Elizabeth Goodweather is up too : )

Vicki Lane said...

Thank you, Katherine and Tipper!

Oh, my Tipper, she's just been attending a seance where.... But you'll have to wait.