I still think you should come to Hamilton College in Clinton, NY to speak. The Sacerdote foundation makes these speakers possible. Obama was the last one here. We have also had Bill Clinton and Tina Fey. It’s more of a question and answer discussion format. As for books read, I have not been able to find your book yet. But I haven’t been to Barnes and Noble yet. I buy my books on discount at BJs. Or if I am lucky, I can get the book I want at our library. Right now I am reading “the Calamity Club “ by Kathryn Stockett. Same lady who wrote “the Help.”
It’s over 600 pages long but I enjoy it very much. It’s about life during the 30s.
Hope you are feeling better and your leg is healing.
I feel so much of what you have written. The worse things get, the more I retreat to doing things that ground me in the moment. I don't want technology to advance any further unless it is for the treatment of illnesses and diseases. We don't need to see what we would look like as an avatar, we need clean water and air; we need to observe all the wonders of the natural world and recognize we are a part of it, not the center of it. To keep myself grounded, I spend time in my garden, read physical books, listen to records, paint (watercolor), bake and home can my garden vegetables. I am 53, but somehow my spirit feels like a young girl who wants to make daisy chain head bands, walk bare foot in water or grass, or be in awe of a butterfly or a flower. I am grateful for that and I don't want to lose it. Watching 24 hour "news" or being on social media drains me, so I disconnect from it as much as possible.
That's a great way to put it-all that is draining, for sure. It takes and takes and takes and very little in this way adds to our lives. It only subtracts.
I love your courtyard! So simple and lovely. You have created a beautiful space. I agree with you - with AI and everything going on in the world- we have to continue to find that inner peace and do what we can to make the world a better place. Turning “it” off is what helps me too. I write, send a friend a card (with a stamp) I draw…make art…do laundry, make some pudding… it’s those simple actions that bring us into the present moment, it’s a place where we feel grateful for all that we have. Keep writing your amazing books so I can continue to read them! One author I absolutely loved was Anita Brookner. In undergrad, I fell in love with major British authors, and as an English (and art) major that took me down quite a rabbit hole. The first book I found was when I was in London, going to college, and I walked into a bookstore and just started browsing around and a book title caught my attention. It was called Look at Me. It was by Anita Brookner. I bought it fell in love with it and the way she wrote. I have a collection of every single book she ever wrote, and I loved each one dearly. Sadly, she passed away- but it was only after a very long and very good life. It was such a strange feeling when I found out that she had died because her books meant so much to me and I always looked forward to the newest one. I don’t think authors often think of themselves or their books as being “collected” or being studied and appreciated. Your historical fiction books are absolutely amazing because they always lead the curious reader down a rabbit hole and your book is always the catalyst. Your level of research into a character is spot on, and you portray that person so vividly and so true to their own life because when I explore more literature, I find that you have included the essence of it all in your book! Your books also lead me to read more and more books on the very topic! So your books lead us to additional adventures into history! So I continue to explore and read…while I wait for your next book ❤️❤️❤️❤️ THANK YOU!
I still think you should come to Hamilton College in Clinton, NY to speak. The Sacerdote foundation makes these speakers possible. Obama was the last one here. We have also had Bill Clinton and Tina Fey. It’s more of a question and answer discussion format. As for books read, I have not been able to find your book yet. But I haven’t been to Barnes and Noble yet. I buy my books on discount at BJs. Or if I am lucky, I can get the book I want at our library. Right now I am reading “the Calamity Club “ by Kathryn Stockett. Same lady who wrote “the Help.”
It’s over 600 pages long but I enjoy it very much. It’s about life during the 30s.
Hope you are feeling better and your leg is healing.
Helen Dick
helen8dick4@gmail.com
These are tough times. But your garden area looks quite peaceful and lovely.
Lovely column, Melanie. I hear you.
I feel so much of what you have written. The worse things get, the more I retreat to doing things that ground me in the moment. I don't want technology to advance any further unless it is for the treatment of illnesses and diseases. We don't need to see what we would look like as an avatar, we need clean water and air; we need to observe all the wonders of the natural world and recognize we are a part of it, not the center of it. To keep myself grounded, I spend time in my garden, read physical books, listen to records, paint (watercolor), bake and home can my garden vegetables. I am 53, but somehow my spirit feels like a young girl who wants to make daisy chain head bands, walk bare foot in water or grass, or be in awe of a butterfly or a flower. I am grateful for that and I don't want to lose it. Watching 24 hour "news" or being on social media drains me, so I disconnect from it as much as possible.
That's a great way to put it-all that is draining, for sure. It takes and takes and takes and very little in this way adds to our lives. It only subtracts.
I love your courtyard! So simple and lovely. You have created a beautiful space. I agree with you - with AI and everything going on in the world- we have to continue to find that inner peace and do what we can to make the world a better place. Turning “it” off is what helps me too. I write, send a friend a card (with a stamp) I draw…make art…do laundry, make some pudding… it’s those simple actions that bring us into the present moment, it’s a place where we feel grateful for all that we have. Keep writing your amazing books so I can continue to read them! One author I absolutely loved was Anita Brookner. In undergrad, I fell in love with major British authors, and as an English (and art) major that took me down quite a rabbit hole. The first book I found was when I was in London, going to college, and I walked into a bookstore and just started browsing around and a book title caught my attention. It was called Look at Me. It was by Anita Brookner. I bought it fell in love with it and the way she wrote. I have a collection of every single book she ever wrote, and I loved each one dearly. Sadly, she passed away- but it was only after a very long and very good life. It was such a strange feeling when I found out that she had died because her books meant so much to me and I always looked forward to the newest one. I don’t think authors often think of themselves or their books as being “collected” or being studied and appreciated. Your historical fiction books are absolutely amazing because they always lead the curious reader down a rabbit hole and your book is always the catalyst. Your level of research into a character is spot on, and you portray that person so vividly and so true to their own life because when I explore more literature, I find that you have included the essence of it all in your book! Your books also lead me to read more and more books on the very topic! So your books lead us to additional adventures into history! So I continue to explore and read…while I wait for your next book ❤️❤️❤️❤️ THANK YOU!