Photosynthesis and seasons of life

I'm just off the phone with Kelly Long (pictured left) from KREJ Radio in Kansas, and we had a wonderful chat. She coordinates the Proverbs 31 Wannabe Club on that station (which has the most wonderful listeners). Thanks, Kelly, for the interview. It's always a pleasure!

It's an absolutely gorgeous day here in Nashville. The air is crisp and fall-like, perfect for a walk. Despite the fact that 'scientifically speaking' all the plants and trees are preparing to go dormant for the winter--or to "rest"--this time of year is rejuvenating to me. And it's my favorite season by far.

Picture I snapped last November in Atlanta when visiting Mom and Dad. Doesn't a scene like this just beg for a walk? Which is exactly what Jack and I did that day, down this very road. So beautiful!

The barrage of beautiful color that accompanies this season always fascinates me. There's a wonderful website called Science Made Simple and they give the scientific explanation for why this transformation takes place, but the following paragraph from their answer is what jumped out at me.

"During winter, there is not enough light or water for photosynthesis. The trees will rest, and live off the food they stored during the summer. They begin to shut down their food-making factories. The green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. As the bright green fades away, we begin to see yellow and orange colors. Small amounts of these colors have been in the leaves all along. We just can't see them in the summer, because they are covered up by the green chlorophyll."

Small amounts of these colors have been in the leaves all along. We just can't see them in the summer...

I love that! Just as there are seasons to each year, there are seasons in life. And living through the ever-changing seasons of life helps us to appreciate each of them more fully. Each season has its special joys and purposes too, as God intended.

I don't know what season you're in right now (and I'm not talkin' age, ladies), but I'm in a bit of a "winter" stage right now (still, with touches of spring, don't get me wrong). The winter phase is understandable, with Mom's recent passing, and I know I won't be here forever. After all, seasons change. That predictability is one thing you can always count on. Just like the certainty of God's constant presence, whether we can see Him and feel Him or not. His sovereign work in our lives, the coordination of the Master plan, isn't based on our emotions or our circumstances. And aren't we thankful!

I snapped some pics of my office this morning and thought I'd share. But honestly, I think I'll head outside to write today!

And now to continue writing, right after Jack and I go for a walk! I hope there's a touch of fall wherever you are in the world.

Dinner with writing buddies

What fun! Terri Blackstock (right foreground) is in town on a book tour for her newest book, Intervention, and we met tonight for dinner at Boscos West End (delicious!) with fellow writing buddies Tamara Leigh (left foreground) and Kaye Dacus (left background). We had such a great time chatting about writing and just catching up on life.

(L to R: Tamara Leigh, Kaye Dacus, me, Terri Blackstock)

If you're in the Nashville/Murfreesboro area, why not run by and meet Terri at one of these booksigning events:

Friday, September 25, 2009, Nashville (Cool Springs)–Friday, 7-9 pm, Book Signing at Barnes & Noble (Cool Springs), 1701 Mallory Lane, Brentwood, TN (615.377.9979)

September 26, 2009, Nashville Area–Saturday, Noon-2 pm, Book Signing at Barnes & Noble, Murfreesboro, 2615 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro, TN, 615.895.8580

September 26, 2009, Nashville Area–Saturday, 4-6 pm, Book Signing at Davis-Kidd (Green Hills Mall), 2121 Green Hills Village Drive, Nashville, TN 37215

Check Terri's website for more information!

Husbandry, Heroines, and Two Dianas

What do those three things have in common? Absolutely nothing--unless we're talking about the books I bought at a used bookstore in downtown Nashville today.

My dad and brother are visiting from Atlanta this week and while my brother played golf this afternoon, Dad and I had lunch with my daughter then afterward we "happened upon" a bookstore crammed full, floor to ceiling, with volume after wonderful volume. I crossed the threshold and the smell alone was worth the venture inside. Though admittedly, I did sneeze a few times.

My "treasures" found today at a used bookstore aptly called "Books" in downtown Nashville

The first of my finds is The Two Dianas (Vol. II, copyright and printing 1891) by Alexandre Dumas (author of The Count of Monte Cristo, among others). It's a book whose title was somewhat familiar to me, though I couldn't place it until I read the author's last name. Part one of a two-part historical romance, it's a gorgeous little book (pictured far right). Note that these books are available to read on-line, which is how I'll read the first volume.

The next find is Heroines of History by John S. Jenkins (copyright and printing 1889). It's also a beautiful book, complete with handsome illustrations of its subjects (covered with tissue paper, as was customary of that era) such as Elizabeth of England, Josephine, Joan of Arc, Marie Antoinette, and others. A plaque in my office reads, "WELL-BEHAVED WOMEN RARELY MAKE HISTORY," and I look forward to reading the accounts of these unmundane women who left their mark in the world.

Lastly, The Handy-Book of Husbandry: A Guide for Farmers, Young and Old by George E. Waring, Jr. of Ogden Farm is my most treasured find. Why? Not only because of the many suggested uses of manure, but because this particular book was printed in 1876 so, conceivably, my current heroine could have read it, which is fabulous because based on her current predicament, she needs some advice! Not necessarily on manure, however...

I love it when life and writing converge this way. Who knew when I walked into that bookstore this afternoon that I would leave with a copy of a book that one of my characters "actually held." I said that to my son earlier this evening and he just stared at me like he sometimes does and said, "You know that your character didn't really hold that book, Mom...right?"

But I just smiled, knowing full well in my heart that she did. Just like I know that God orchestrated that moment in that bookstore today, just for me. It was a moment I needed and that I'll treasure. Thank you, Lord, for being present in every detail of our lives--no matter how small those details may seem at times--and for loving us so thoroughly. I needed that encouragement and reminder today.

So, are there others out there who can't pass by a used bookstore without venturing in? If yes, then happy browsing and I hope you happen upon a "treasure" the next time you cross that threshold. And have a Kleenex handy, those books are dusty.

The Help, the best audiobook

If you're a fan of audiobooks, I highly recommend The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Oh. My. Goodness! This is the best audiobook I've ever listened to. Robin (Lee Hatcher) first told me about it (thanks, Robin!) and then several other friends raved, so I finally caved and got it--and was swept away. Each time I had to pause my iPod, I couldn't wait to return to these characters and their stories.

This is a book I'd listen to again simply to enjoy the richness of the voices, and the heart and soul of the characters these women capture so beautifully.

If you have any great audiobook recommendations, please share!

And if you'd like to read my recent post on Writes of Passage, click here.

Boeuf Bourguignon anyone?

I used to love to cook but in recent years that love has faded to a "have to." And long vanished is the urge to tackle anything that requires more than five minutes and three ingredients. Then I saw the movie Julie and Julia, and I've been craving Boeuf Bourguignon ever since. So, I'm making it this week. I'll let you know how it turns out--if I can remember where the kitchen is.

I'm diving back into writing full time this week too, and it's been a while. Within My Heart, the story I began last fall, before Mom's cancer diagnosis, has been sitting on my laptop. And though I haven't written much recently, the story hasn't been dormant. It's been living inside me, growing and taking shape.

For a while, I tried writing in the hospital (as I stayed with Mom, sitting close beside her bed) but I quickly learned that hospitals are no place for rest--or for writing. The real clincher for me (when I knew I needed to lay aside this story for a time) came some time back when Mom started to speak, then stopped, and said, "Oh honey, I'm sorry. Am I bothering you?"

I closed my laptop with a click.

I'm so grateful to my publisher for their patience as I finish this book (which will be released in late summer 2010 now), and I'm keenly aware of how the story has changed and taken shape in recent months. Everything a writer experiences eventually makes it to the written page in some form, at least it does for me, and my experiences these past few months are no different.

I treasure every moment with Mom, every overnight hospital stay, every "early wee hours of the morning" chat when she couldn't sleep and we'd sit up and talk. Every one of those times is written on my heart and has changed me and my view of this life, I think for the better. When my time comes to cross over from this life to the next, I'll do a better job of it because of watching Mom go before me. Thanks, Mom.

And now, back to Timber Ridge, Colorado, 1870s.

~Tammy

Christian Fiction Online Magazine

Check out the latest issue of Christian Fiction Online Magazine...

Valerie and I had a great time sitting down to chat, and I hope you'll take a moment to check it out.

Author by day, cover model by night?

My sweet Dad and I are headed out to Fayetteville, TN this morning (his hometown) to visit relatives and see friends today. It's gorgeous here--fall-like and sunshiny--and I'm really looking forward to the time with him. If I have a chance, I'll post pictures of our escapades this evening, but for now I wanted to share what arrived in the mail this weekend.

The mega "omnibus" of Fountain Creek Chronicles (three books in one volume--Rekindled,Revealed, and Remembered)

The cover is that of Veronique, the heroine in Remembered (Mom's favorite), so it seems appropriate that Bethany House chose that one for the series.

And while I know Bethany House told me they'd hired a model forRemembered's cover...upon closer examination the picture reminds me of someone. Perhaps an author we all know and love? Can you guess who she is (sans umbrella)? ;)

Back later today...

And we're back...with pictures:

Vista around Dellrose, TN where I spent summers with my Uncle Ben and Aunt Lyda

Dinner at Cahoots (the old jail in Fayetteville, TN) with Dad and some of his high school friends (L to R: Ben Hugh and his sweet wife, Melba, Tippy, Peggy, Marilyn, June and Jack, and my dad, Doug)

The gals outside Cahoots (L to R: Peggy, Melba, June, Tippy, me, Marilyn)

Me and Dad (thanks so much for your prayers for him in light of Mom's passing, please keep them coming)

Sunset on the way home. Beautiful day in all...