Searching for Mother's

Book promoting is hard on writers…both physically and emotionally. We’re doing the one thing that most of us feel uncomfortable with, going out in public and explaining to you what we do in private. Some (somewhat sick, I think) writers cope with this by lots of exercise, sessions with their therapists or eating healthy. I and the writers I love, whine to our friends (when they aren’t avoiding us), watch daytime TV (thank you, ladies of the View) and eat our favorite junk foods. Yes, we should be working on our next book or our pecs or grouting the tile in our unfinished bathrooms. Instead, we eat cookies and candies and fried tacos. Please, no lectures. We do what we need to survive. So, during my tour I scoured the grocery stores for Mother’s iced animal cookies and I was dismayed to find them…nowhere! I tried the Keebler ones (too stingy on the multi-colored candy dots), the Nabisco ones (better, but still no blue ribbon) and continued to look for Mother’s. I rarely eat them and when I do, only the pink ones (I have no idea why–yes,I know the white ones taste exactly the same). But when I want them, I want them. Yesterday, at Vons, the fourth grocery store I searched, I finally asked a clerk. Apparently, Mother’s cookies went out of business! I had no idea and I mourn their passing. Another part of my childhood has disappeared. Mama always bought Mother’s cookies because they were cheap and we loved them. I haven’t googled yet to find out the details, so am taking the clerk’s word for it. But let’s give a shout out to Mother’s. I wish I could have supported you more, but if I had, I would have triple chins instead of a double one. I’ll always remember you with joy.
Happy Trails (of cookie crumbs…), Earlene

Love Mercy Tour -- Home

I know I sort of left you all hanging. After my signing in Fresno, I spent the day and night with my friend, Bunny Brown, in Riverdale. (Yes, she’s the “Bunny” in Broken Dishes!) We went up to a place on her ranch called Section 9 (near Coalinga) where we watched some of her horses, cattle and her five cattle dogs frolic in the gorgeous green hills. I swear, the dogs and horses acted positively drunk on the incredible air. There were about 20 of us there for a birthday party for her friend, Bonnie. I took photos of the dogs and horses and will post some of them soon on my website. Then I drove home! Boy, was I happy to sleep in my own bed. This was actually a short tour for me. I’m used to doing more like 15 cities in 16 days, sometimes flying cross country. So, despite my whining, this was a snap. It sure felt good to come home. Allen and Boo were glad to see me (though Boo was mad for a few hours, my punishment for being gone) I rested on Monday, then intended to start writing on Tuesday…then Allen got sick. So, there you go. It’s hard for me to work with someone in the house (especially someone hacking and coughing). But, he’s doing okay now (just a touch of the flu). I signed in Pasadena on Saturday; Garden Grove today. Tomorrow, it’s back to working on State Fair (though I’m starting to get a scratchy throat…) My deepest thanks to all of you who have taken the time to come to my signings and buy books. During these hard times, I so appreciate the support. Lots of creamers getting won at the signings. After my last signing (March 28), I’ll post the website winners.

Happy Trails, Earlene

Love Mercy Tour -- Fresno, CA

Sisters, sisters, everywhere! Last night I had a bunch (bevy? barrage?) of Beta Sigma Phi Sisters come to my signing in Bakersfield. Tonight I had a pre-signing meal with the San Joaquin Sisters in Crime, then after my signing, dessert with more Beta Sigma Phi Sisters. Sisters rule! And, to be honest, every person who loves my books feels like a sister to me, like someone who is traveling with me as I wander through the lives of Benni, Gabe, Dove, Hud, Ruby, Lucas, Love, Mel and Rett. When we all get together and talk about San Celina or Cardinal or Morro Bay, they feel like a real places (well, Morro Bay is a real place!) It still amazes me how one person–a writer–can put words, sentences and paragraphs down on a blank page and other people–readers–can create a world in their heads, one that is something like the one I invent, but not exactly. That’s the thing I try to teach young people about books, how it is the only art form where they can create along with the writer. It is such a personal relationship, the one between writers and readers (I know how you all feel because I’ve been a reader much longer than I’ve been a writer). I think that’s why it feels like we know each other when we meet. I’ll be going home on Sunday after spending tomorrow at my friend Bunny Brown’s ranch in Riverdale (yes, she’s the inspiration for the Bunny in Broken Dishes). This has been a short driving tour for me and I still have my local signings to do, but I’ve traveled to some of my favorite parts of California. Places I not only love because of their physical beauty (I had to stop and take a picture of the almond tree blossoms outside of Traver because they were so gorgeous), but even more because of the people. I appreciate your loyalty and support more than I can say. So, what was today like? I left Bakersfield and drove up Highway 99 with a fuel and food stop in the town of Traver. There’s a wonderful cheese and nut store there (the name eludes me because it’s so late and the bag of stuff I bought there is out in my car). I bought Allen some almonds and cashews, but don’t tell him…it’s a surprise. I also had a delicious tri-tip sandwich made the way it’s supposed to be made…on a open grill with an oakwood fire. I put salsa on it (like a native knows to do) and ate it with a large Coke. Best meal I’ve had on this trip! Can’t beat it. I’ll write again soon, but Sunday I’ll be home and Monday back to work on State Fair. This has been a short tour, but so much fun for me. Still have some local signings so come on out if you have time!

Happy Trails, Earlene

Love Mercy Tour -- Bakersfield, CA

Wow, I forgot how beautiful this part of California is in March! On Highway 46 from Paso Robles (where I signed stock at an adorable new quilt shop–Wine Country Quilts) things are green and blooming and absolutely gorgeous. At one point on the drive there was a flock of mama sheep and lambs on one side of me and an orchard of pink-white almond blossoms on the other. I listened to Willie Nelson’s “Stardust” CD, which seemed entirely appropriate for this drive. I checked into my hotel and was able to relax some before my signing tonight. So, I was feeling pretty good–watched a little television, read the USA Today, the San Luis Obispo Tribune, looked through the room service menu (always important, though I suspected I would just drive through Taco Bell after my signing). Then I started getting ready. So, I’m brushing my teeth and (truly, I have no idea how this happened) toothpaste squirted up into my left eye. I mean, really, what’s with that? Have you ever gotten toothpaste in your eye? It hurts! And it makes it red. Ay-yi-yi. So I washed it out and, luckily, I had some Murine (because I travel with a whole drugstore in my luggage). But it took a few minutes for it to stop hurting. I just thought that was weird. So, my signing was fanstastic, as it always is in Bakersfield. There’s something about the Central Valley that just feels like home to me. I think it’s because, like me, many of the people who live here had parents and grandparents who were from the South and the Midwest, who were sharecroppers or migrant workers like my grandparents. I know that my readers in the Central Valley are gonna “get” the character of Love Mercy Johnson. She’s a special to me and I really want people to take her into their hearts. I suspect the Valley people will. If you have never been to California, if you ever do visit, try not to leave the Central Valley out of your travel plans. You just can’t completely “know” California if you don’t visit this place. And make sure to go to Dewar’s for some of their famous taffy. It is not like anything you have ever eaten. I never come here without spending forty or fifty dollars there buying it for my friends and family. Oh, I finished the recorded book ”The God of Animals” (it’s in the car and I cannot remember the author’s name–yeah, ironic). You have to read this book. It was such lovely writing and such a heart-wrenching story. It’s very serious, but I just loved it. And the last scene ruined my mascara. So, off to bed now. Fresno, tomorrow!

Happy Trails, Earlene p.s. Though the room service menu looked good, I did go to Taco Bell. I just wanted to get comfortable and not wait for my food. My publisher loves me–I’m such a cheap date!

Love Mercy Tour -- San Luis Obispo, CA

It took me two hours yesterday morning to drive 67 miles. Yeah, that’s Southern California traffic. It rained and South Cals are like a bunch of turkeys when it rains. We stand outside with our beaks open, not certain what that water falling from the sky is. So I left my house at 6:20 am and arrived in San Luis Obispo about 12:30 pm because of a horrible accident outside Calabasas. That gave me a half hour to grab a green burrito at Taco Bell (I asked for extra green sauce and they gave me NO green sauce…ah, well…) and get to my signing in Morro Bay. The minute I arrived at the Cotton Patch it was worth it, of course, because I had fans waiting. It was a quick, fun two hours, complete with chocolate cupcakes the store provided in honor of Love Mercy. Then back in the car and back to San Luis Obispo. (My Subaru Outback already looks like I’ve spent two weeks in it rather than one day–I pack like I’m going on a five-month trip to the Alaska back country). At the Novel Experience, I spent another two hours signing books and talking to old friends and new. Some readers here in “San Celina” have come to my signings since my first book came out in 1994. We all agreed we looked the same, especially when we take off our glasses. Then dinner with three friends (hamburger with smoked mozzerella cheese–yum!) and to my hotel. I was so tired I knew I couldn’t write on the blog so I waited until this morning. (Good thing because I almost didn’t get connected–I had to call the desk and they had to walk me through it–honestly, is there a bigger techno-boob than me? I don’t think so). Before going to bed, called hubby Allen, got update on the Boo-meister (he’s doing fine, but he doesn’t understand when I travel, he waits by the back door for me, then finally gives up–yeah, makes me tear up to think about it). Today I’m off to Bakersfield, but first to sign stock at a new quilt shop in Paso Robles–Winecountry Quilts. If I miss a night (or day) on this blog, trust me, it’s because I can’t figure out how to get on the Internet. Free breakfast down in the lobby so I think I might check it out. I have had my first cup of coffee and the cup protector said this–”Because sometimes you need a cup of coffee to go downstairs to get a cup of coffee.” Oh, yeah, these people get it. That could my life motto.

Happy Trails, Earlene p.s. I tried to proof read this, but I’m afraid to touch any other button for fear that I’ll lose this posting. So, if there’s any weird mistakes, blame it on the fact I’ve only had one cup of coffee…

Love Mercy Tour -- This blog will drive me nuts!

Okay, I finally learned how to use the spell check, but then somehow these little boxes came on my blog and I thought they’d go away when I hit publish…and they didn’t! I would email Tina and ask her why, but it’s very late and I need to go to bed. Maybe we can fix it later. Anyway, eventually I’m gonna learn how to work this dang blog!

Not So Happy Trails right now, Earlene

Love Mercy Tour -- Scottsdale, AZ

Okay, I swear I checked and rechecked this blog SO many times! Tried the spellcheck…LOST another blog. Then I checked it again and, because I have to get to sleep because I’m driving home tomorrow, finally published it. Of course, I reread it one more time and realized I misspelled Scottsdale (and there’s a few commas and misspelled words too). What can I say? Mea culpa and sorry ’bout that. Honestly, I’m the type of person who has trouble when the sliding glass door comes off its runner, so this technical, bloggy, Internetty stuff…well, it just don’t come that easy to me. But I’m trying!

Happy Trails (and good night!), Earlene

Love Mercy Tour -- Scottsdale, AZ

Okay, I swear I checked and rechecked this blog SO many times! Tried the spellcheck…LOST another blog. Then I checked it again and, because I have to get to sleep because I’m driving home tomorrow, finally published it. Of course, I reread it one more time and realized I misspelled Scottsdale (and there’s a few commas and misspelled words too). What can I say? Mea culpa and sorry ’bout that. Honestly, I’m the type of person who has trouble when the sliding glass door comes off its runner, so this technical, bloggy, Internetty stuff…well, it just don’t come that easy to me. But I’m trying!

Happy Trails (and good night!), Earlene