Winter Blues

I don't do winter well. In my humble opinion, nothing good has ever happened in February. When I think of tragedy, heartbreak and depression, it seems that the setting is always February. So, I'm glad March has arrived, even though, in my little neck of the woods, true to the old saying, it definitely came in like a lion.

Thanksgiving Memories

 

On this Thanksgiving morning, as I got out my mama's turkey platter, I couldn't help but think of all those poor turkeys she decimated over the years. Now, my mama was one of the best cooks I've ever known, but for some reason, turkey just wudn't her thing! I think, at some point in her life, she must have heard some horror story about an underdone gobbler, because she was for sure, bound and determined that any turkey that came out of her oven was gonna be DONE! She'd cook a turkey all night and half the day, and woe be to anyone who hinted that maybe, just maybe she might benefit from the use of a meat thermometer. I remember that glorious, mouth-watering aroma that permeated her tiny house, and the anticipation of that first bite. But the reality was more like jerky than turkey. And the stuffing... well, it'd been in there so long that any moisture that might have been present in the beginning, had long since evaporated. Then came the first Thanksgiving that she finally allowed someone else to cook the turkey. And... she actually assigned the stuffing to me! My uncle Lewis was a man of few words, and not one to spread praise around randomly. But he took one bite of my dressing and promptly announced, "Damned if that ain't the first dressing I've ever had that I could eat!" Mama didn't speak to him again until after Christmas. Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!

Reality Check

It's time for a reality check this morning. I've been agonizing for days over something that I now see as pretty trivial. I've been worrying and fretting over how to promote my book more, just to get sales up a little. And then I turn on the TV this morning and see all the devastation up north from Sandy, and suddenly I realize that my personal concerns are nothing compared to what those poor folks are suffering. Now I feel a little guilty. I live in an area where people come to visit and end up staying. It's a little piece of heaven on earth. And the real beauty of it is not so much the spectacular scenery, although it's everywhere you look. The real beauty lies in the fact that most here can live off the land. We're a bunch of self-sufficient, hardy folks who grow gardens in the summer, heat with wood in the winter, and don't worry too much if the power is off for a few days due to a snowstorm. But the citizens of lower Manhattan don't have that luxury. When they don't have electricity, they don't have heat, or running water... they can't prepare a hot meal or have a hot shower. Watching the news this morning, I found myself wishing I could just open my home to some of those poor, struggling people... just to offer a little bit of solace for them until they could get their lives back together. Yep, I'm reminded yet again that when we think things are dire, there's always someone else who has it much worse. Now, suddenly selling a few more books doesn't seem so important anymore.

Talk Radio

I am now officially a fan of talk radio. I was a guest last night on a show hosted by bestselling author, Elaine Roca Chase. The show is called "Author's Circle" and Elaine is a wonderful and gifted host. I am so appreciative of the opportunity and look forward to more such experiences. Thanks to everyone who tuned in.

Sharon Webb, Author

 I had my first book signing last week and it was a very heady experience! I feel so blessed to have such wonderful support from my friends and family, and the folks with the Chamber of Commerce were so easy to work with. The book reviews continue to be great and I'm looking forward to a busy and exciting summer promoting "Talking To Shadows". I've been invited to conduct a 2-day seminar at a literary festival later this summer and have another book signing in a few weeks. Life is good!

Sharon Webb, Author