"Hey, I smell carrots, too!"
Okay, silly winter joke. Just read it in Reader's Digest and thought it'd be a great one to pass on (if you follow me on Facebook, you've seen it already). It's cute, clean and, most importantly, easy to remember! That's a plus this time of year for most of us who have these magic "to-do" lists that never, ever seem to get shorter.
All is well here in the Fowler household. Allen and I returned a few weeks ago from a 2 1/2 week road trip to North Carolina (visiting his baby sister who lives on Lake Norman) and to go on a long anticipated trip to Mississippi where we went to Oxford, saw Rowan Oaks, William Faulkner's house, down to Jackson where I toured Eudora Welty's house and to Vicksburg, where we spent a whole day in the battlefield looking at monuments, contemplating the effects of the Civil War. We drove back up Highway 61 and ate at Abe's Barbecue in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It is at the crossroads of Highways 61/49 where it is rumored that the "blues was born." We drove from California and it was a long, fun and something exhausting trip. You forget how vast and varied our beautiful country is until you hit the road and actually inch across it. The weather was a bit disappointing as we were hoping (and packed) for colder weather. It was unseasonably warm throughout our trip to the tune of twenty degrees higher than normal! We encountered South California weather (70's) everywhere we went. We finally had to buy some short sleeve T-shirts because it became so warm. I couldn't resist and bought two Piggly-Wiggly T-shirts (my favorite grocery store simply because it makes me laugh and I like saying "I'm going to the Pig"). Great trip, but we were glad to come home and see Boo. He vacationed in luxury at the place where he attends daycare two days a week. But even he was glad to sleep in his own bed.
So, now I'm gearing up for Christmas, which will be a quiet one for me and Allen. And I'm getting ready for the launch of The Road to Cardinal Valley on December 29th. All my signings are set so check them out under "appearances" on my website. Since publishers have cut completely back on promotion for mid-list writers, this is all on my own dime, so I'm only going to signing in Southern California, Central California Coast, Scottsdale, Arizona and a trip to Bishop, California (because the book is set in that area). If you are craving a signed book, you can contact any of these bookstores or quilt stores and I'm sure they'd be glad to sell you one! Wish I could travel all around the country and see you all...but those extravagant days are over. I was initially published (1994) during a "sweet spot" in publishing history, back in the 90's and early 2000's when publishers sent many, many authors on book tour. Now, unless you are a huge name, they no longer do so. Still, I'm thankful for all the times I spent on the road and met so many of you. Great, great memories. Someday, I'm going to scrapbook all the photos I took.
If you are so inclined, as of December 29, 2012, The Road to Cardinal Valley, will be for sale and I'd appreciate you buying it in whatever form best suits your needs. The winners of my last contest for the two signed books and Cardinal Valley totes have been announced. I'll do another contest soon. There were 1071 entries so your chances of winning in my contests are pretty good!
I pray that you all have a blessed Christmas, had a wonderful Hanukkah and a safe and healthy New Year. Thank you so much for all your good wishes, your support and your faithfulness through the years. I count you, my fans and readers, as one of God's greatest blessings in my life.
With love, Earlene
