THE BELLS OF NEW BEGINNINGS
Tomorrow marks the end of my dad's cancer treatment. He has been radiated, chemo-ed, and cut on. Pops has, in great Hemingway style, endured. And he has held up when the rest of us broke down.
The cancer center has a grand brass bell which patients ring at the end of their treatment. After his next to last treatment and although his vocal chords were badly damaged in surgery and seared from radiation, he mustered a mighty whisper, "I've got corn to put out for the deer, and these folks are going to need a new bell." At 10 tomorrow morning, don't be surprised if you hear the clang-clang-clang-clang-clang. For him, the bell doesn't signify an end; it rings in a new beginning.
I inherited his optimism, his ability to let go of yesterday's worries and enjoy the moment. I think you can look at autumn and see dead leaves falling and summer ending, or you can look at it and live in the rising burst of color. In that spirit, I've got other beginnings to celebrate.
First, my second novel is finished -- the ARCs will be out soon. I rang the sounding bell for PARADISE on my publisher's blog with The Sexy Truth About The Accordion. Read all about it here: http://mackids.squarespace.com/mackidssquarespacecom/2010/10/1/yob-jill-alexander-the-sexy-truth-about-the-accordion.html
Next, I'm kicking of my fall signing tour this Saturday at 1:00p.m. at the Barnes & Noble Educator's Event in Plano, Texas. They'll have lots of SWEETHEART paperbacks on hand. Hope to see you there!
Finally, I've been hosting this Little Critter (see pic below). Little Critter is the angelic, somewhat bovine appearing, creation of artist Ian Sands. My wonderful SCBWI friend, Christy Evers discovered Critter. In keeping with the Ian Sands' goal of interactive art, Christy has sent Critter into the world. He's made stops to authors and bloggers around the country, and I'm excited that he could come and visit me. Since I'm working on a new novel, Critter has spent much of his time near my favorite writing chair (pic). He heads out tomorrow for Washington D.C. then on to his final stop in Canada where he will be signed by the Naturalist painter Robert Bateman.
Christy, because she is loaded with awesomesauce, will then auction Little Critter off with the proceeds going to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Ring those bells! Christy is also giving away a signed hardback copy of THE SWEETHEART OF PROSPER COUNTY on her blog. Please check her out and watch for Little Critter. http://www.christyscreativespace.blogspot.com/
I hope y'all are blessed this fall with the bells of new beginnings.
XOXO
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
The cancer center has a grand brass bell which patients ring at the end of their treatment. After his next to last treatment and although his vocal chords were badly damaged in surgery and seared from radiation, he mustered a mighty whisper, "I've got corn to put out for the deer, and these folks are going to need a new bell." At 10 tomorrow morning, don't be surprised if you hear the clang-clang-clang-clang-clang. For him, the bell doesn't signify an end; it rings in a new beginning.
I inherited his optimism, his ability to let go of yesterday's worries and enjoy the moment. I think you can look at autumn and see dead leaves falling and summer ending, or you can look at it and live in the rising burst of color. In that spirit, I've got other beginnings to celebrate.
First, my second novel is finished -- the ARCs will be out soon. I rang the sounding bell for PARADISE on my publisher's blog with The Sexy Truth About The Accordion. Read all about it here: http://mackids.squarespace.com/mackidssquarespacecom/2010/10/1/yob-jill-alexander-the-sexy-truth-about-the-accordion.html
Next, I'm kicking of my fall signing tour this Saturday at 1:00p.m. at the Barnes & Noble Educator's Event in Plano, Texas. They'll have lots of SWEETHEART paperbacks on hand. Hope to see you there!
Finally, I've been hosting this Little Critter (see pic below). Little Critter is the angelic, somewhat bovine appearing, creation of artist Ian Sands. My wonderful SCBWI friend, Christy Evers discovered Critter. In keeping with the Ian Sands' goal of interactive art, Christy has sent Critter into the world. He's made stops to authors and bloggers around the country, and I'm excited that he could come and visit me. Since I'm working on a new novel, Critter has spent much of his time near my favorite writing chair (pic). He heads out tomorrow for Washington D.C. then on to his final stop in Canada where he will be signed by the Naturalist painter Robert Bateman.
Christy, because she is loaded with awesomesauce, will then auction Little Critter off with the proceeds going to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Ring those bells! Christy is also giving away a signed hardback copy of THE SWEETHEART OF PROSPER COUNTY on her blog. Please check her out and watch for Little Critter. http://www.christyscreativespace.blogspot.com/
I hope y'all are blessed this fall with the bells of new beginnings.
XOXO
Posted via LiveJournal.app.