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Click on date to see these newsletters:
December 10, 2000 -- October 15, 2000
-- Archives 2004 --
Archives 2003 -- Archives
2002 -- Archives 2001
December 10, 2000
Dear Friends and Fans,
Hope you're all having a holiday season that's not too stressful. Don't
forget to take a few minutes off and make some hot chocolate with some Van
Houten cocoa (Benni's favorite) with a little whipped cream on top. That's
what Dove would suggest as a sure way to ease any holiday tiredness or blues!
As she would say, "A little bit of sugar never hurt nobody."
As I'm writing this, I'm watching "It's a Wonderful Life" and envying
all of you who are having a snowy December. Make a snow angel for me!
I hope, before I die, to experience at least one Christmas with snow.
I'm working hard on Steps to the Altar. The manuscript is due at my
publisher in mid-February. It takes me about a year to write a book and my
publisher about a year to do their thing. After it's turned in, my
personal appearances start again. Actually, I have a couple in January--a
talk at the Rancho Mirage library (near Palm Springs) and a two-day book signing
at the Ojai Quilt Festival in Ojai, California. I'll be signing in Clare
Bazley's booth (aka The Button Lady). The Ojai Quilt Festival is a
wonderful experience--the whole town gets in the spirit displaying quilts
everywhere, even in the local tavern! It's three days--Thursday, Friday
and Saturday. I'll be there Friday afternoon and Saturday. More
information is located in my appearances column.
My tour hasn't been firmed up yet by my publisher, so I'm still as much in the
dark as you as to where I'll be appearing besides my usual Southern California
and Central Coast spots. My whole schedule will be posted on the website
as soon as we know it. I'm really looking forward to visiting with some of
my longtime friends and fans...and to meeting some new ones. I'll be
sending a snail mail postcard some time in March announcing Arkansas Traveler
and giving my book signing schedule. If you know of someone who wants to
know my schedule but doesn't have a computer, please feel free to sign them up.
You can do that on the website's homepage.
Now, as promised, I'll tell you the story about Tina (esteemed webmaster) and
how she inspired an additional scene for Arkansas Traveler. While we were
in Nashville at the American Quilter's Society quilt show we, of course, had to
eat every meal out. Every time, Tina, in complete innocence and sincerity,
asked our waiters and waitresses, "What kinds of herbal teas do you
carry?" Now, Nashville is the home to all kinds of wonderful
foods--pulled pork barbecue, fried chicken, ribs, peach cobbler (my personal
favorite), turnip greens (not my favorite...or Benni's), but apparently herbal
teas haven't quite become a staple in most of the restaurants (one helpful
waiter did tell us he thought there might be one restaurant in Nashville where
they served it but he couldn't remember where). Tina, ever the optimist,
never gave up asking, even at the Loveless Cafe, a Nashville tradition, where
the biscuits would have made Aunt Garnet sigh with envy. They also only
served Lipton tea. Seeing the waitress' "Is she serious?"
expression when Tina asked again for herbal tea inspired me to write a scene
between Benni and Elvia in a Waffle House restaurant (also a famous Southern hot
spot). It's in the first chapter and now you know where an author's ideas
come from!
That's all for now. We wish for all of you a Happy Hanukkah, a Blessed
Christmas and a New Year full of good health, happy horses, faithful friends and
all the fabric you can carry!
Happy Holiday Trails,
Earlene and Benni
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October 15, 2000
Dear friends and fans of San Celina,
Well, its fall and though it doesn't feel much like it
here in South California where it is still seventy
degrees, I'm sure most of you are experiencing cooler days
and nights. It's hard to believe my website has been going since May.
I hope you've enjoyed Tina and Tom's creative design talents and hard work.
Trust me, this website would not exist without them! I
only supply the pictures and text and they pull them together. Tina
coordinated the connection with Electric Quilt (I met Penny
McMorris in Nashville in September--lovely lady) and is also the designer of the
quilt patterns each month. Tom, her husband, has provided all the
technical support and expertise (and makes dynamite biscotti too). We have
lots of fun new things coming up in the next six months including a peek at the
new Arkansas Traveler cover and my upcoming 2001
book signing and speaking schedule.
So, what's new in my life and in Benni and Gabe's?
First, them. In Arkansas Traveler (on sale April 10, 2001), Benni,
Gabe, Dove, Isaac, Elvia and Emory head back to Sugartree, Arkansas, to attend
the 100th anniversary and homecoming of Sugartree Baptist Church. Elvia
goes along to meet Emory's dad because her and Emory's relationship is finally
getting serious. Since they all stay at Aunt Garnet's house, you know
things will also heat up between Dove and Garnet. Benni and Emory visit
many old friends and family, but also get embroiled in a
local race for mayor which is tainted by crooked politics and racism. Running
against the incumbent mayor, a powerful local man, is Benni and Emory's
childhood friend, Amen Tolliver. And you'll have to read the book to find
out why she was named Amen!
My husband, Allen, and I, had a great time
two years ago on a research trip to Arkansas, my mother's home state (she was
born near McCaskill). It's a beautiful state with lots of trees, heavenly
pulled pork barbecue and friendly, helpful people.
I'm currently working on book number nine, Steps to the
Altar. To those of you who have been wondering, Detective Ford "Hud"
Hudson makes another appearance in this book and yes, there is at least one
marriage though I won't reveal who's jumping over the marriage broom.
On a personal front, my appearances are almost over for
2000. It's been a very busy year. A couple of recent highlights were
the Creative Arts & Textiles show in Atlanta, Georgia, where I introduced my
friend, Clare Bazley (the Buttonlady and owner of Churn Dash, the racehorse) to
one of my favorite places, Waffle House. The opening scene in Arkansas
Traveler takes place in a Waffle House. I stocked up on BC and Goody's
headache powders (which we don't have in California) and most importantly, spent
time with lots of old and new fans.
Labor Day weekend Tina and I went to Nashville to the
American Quilter's Society Millennium quilt show at the Opryland Hotel. At
the Fabric Patch booth I signed books for four days, visiting with more of Benni
and Gabe's fans. The quilts were breathtaking and vendor booths (400 I
heard) were equally impressive. Tina and I had a memorable time swooning
over Collin Raye at the Grand Ole Opry and eating at the Loveless Cafe where she
inspired an additional scene for Arkansas Traveler (which I'll tell you
about in a future newsletter).
I just got back from San Luis Obispo (aka San Celina)
where I taught at the Cuesta College Writers' conference and visited with
friends. I did some research for future books which included a ride-along
with a Highway Patrol officer (thanks, Pam!) and a trip to the Hacienda, a
restaurant and inn on Fort Hunter Liggett. The Julia Morgan-designed
building (I mention her in Seven Sisters) was, during the 1930's, a
hideaway and ranch headquarters for William Randolph Hearst.
That's about it for now. Just wanted to let you all
know what was going on and to thank you all for being such wonderful fans.
Next time you're in San Celina, drop by Liddie's and have a cup of coffee and a
piece of pie...and have Nadine put it on our tab!
Happy trails,
Earlene and Benni
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