Debbie Macomber's Blog, page 35

Fun with Friends

We’ve been having a great time visiting with our long-time friends, Norm and Sharon Frelinger.  We’ve known them since before Wayne and I were married, which is a very long time indeed!  Norm and Sharon have been visiting in Florida and enjoying some R&R.  My first priority is my writing-related deadlines, but we’ve been able to squeeze in some sight-seeing too.  Last week we had a fun-filled couple of days in Orlando at Disney World and Epcot Center, and the week before that we visited the Keyes for a few days. 

Last weekend we hosted a rally/dinner party at our house for a car club Wayne and I have joined.  It was a last hurrah before we head back to Washington state.  This photo commemorates our good friends and the great time we’ve had.  Left to right: front row is Sharon and me, back row is Norm and Wayne.

All in a Day's Work!

I joined authors, Brad Thor, Kent Krueger, and Richard Snow today in Detroit for the Detroit Book and Author Society Luncheon. We were honored with a great turn out, a crowd of 1,300 readers attended including members of the Page Turners Book Club and The Friendship Recipe Club!  My publisher, who arranged for me to be at the event, knew exactly how to treat me to a good time—they found a hotel for me inside of a mall!  I was also able to try my first ever “Coney Dog” (the Coney Island version of a hot dog).  All in a day’s work! 

My Word for the Year

My word for the year is submit.  It’s certainly not a word I would have chosen, but it got planted in front of my face, and God’s message was amazingly clear.  I wasn’t sure what this word would mean but I was willing to give it my best.  Naturally, as I’ve already shared, Wayne was downright gleeful with my choice.  (He is such a typical man!) 

This morning I read the most wonderful quote by Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of Billy Graham.  She said, “Sometimes we submit; sometimes we outwit.”  Now my husband has a genius IQ, but I’ve learned that I can occasionally outwit him!   This isn’t to say that I’m devious in my dealings with Wayne, but sometimes I submit an alternative, and it’s been a great route to compromise.

Our Dog, Bogie

I admit Wayne and I spoil our dog.  We’d never had a dog sleep with us until we got Bogie.  I walk him every day and cater to his every wish.  He’s pampered and loved by both Wayne and me.  And Bogie loves us back.  The best part is he’s partial to me.  He has to be in the same room as me.  If I’m writing, he’s nestled by my side, and if I get up for a cup of coffee, he follows me into the kitchen.   Yesterday, while at the grocery store, I found a specialty product that Wayne feels goes over the line.  Doggie ice cream.  I’m not making this up, friends.  There is now ice cream made especially for dogs.  Wayne’s big fear is that he’s going to eat some by mistake.  Woof, woof!

Where to Hide Chocolate Eggs

Wayne and I are in Washington for Easter.  Even after a six-hour airplane ride, once home my first stop was my yarn room.  My son came downstairs with me, took one look at my huge yarn stash, and said, “Mom, let’s talk about hoarding!”  If you have a passion like mine, hoarding is easy.  Happy Easter everyone.  I just may hide a few of those chocolate eggs in my yarn room!

House Party

The House Party was great fun.  (See my Facebook page for photos.)  At one point during the brunch, I had everyone go around the room, introduce themselves and say how they know me.  Some of the answers were hilarious.  Sally and Suzie live on each side of our home.  Sally explained that her first introduction to Wayne and me was through a pair of binoculars the day we moved in.  She called Suzie to report we looked pretty normal.  April, who lives across the street, received my credit card in the mail by mistake and claimed she regrets returning it because she suspects I have a higher limit than she does.  Maureen and I met through the UPS man.  He delivered wine to both our houses and since both couples seemed to enjoy the same wine, he suggested we meet.  Taking him at his word, Peter and Maureen walked over one evening with a bottle, and we’ve been friends ever since. 

Where do you go when you need to de-stress?

One of the books I routinely read from each morning posed a question.  It asked when you are stressed and wish to escape, where would you choose to go?  The reading went on to offer several suggestions, such as walking along a coral sand beach, floating down a lazy river on an inner tube, swaying in a hammock . . . all of which are excellent suggestions.  I’m not sure why the question caught my fancy.  I found myself pondering my answer at various times during the day.  My choices bounced around from cuddling with Wayne by the fireplace with each of us involved in a good book to working in my yarn room, to my early morning walks with Bogie.  In the end, the place I enjoy the most, where I find I’m happiest, most at ease with myself and relaxed, is right here in my writing room.  I feel incredibly blessed to be an author.

A welcome visitor

Wayne and I are rabid Seahawk football fans and we’ve been hanging on every bit of news coming out of the Seahawk head office about trades and acquisitions.  Florida seems so far removed from our favorite team . . . and our family. 



Our Florida home is on the Indian River and we’re fortunate to see dolphins, manatees and a variety of birds.  Just recently we’ve been chosen by a large bird who has adopted our dock as his home base.  He sits up on a piling and views the water.  I’ve watched him catch fish and then return to the piling and enjoy his dinner.  The other day I tried to sneak up close enough to take his picture but he caught on to my act and flew away.  Nevertheless, I snapped his photo in flight.  Our visiting friend--you guessed it--a seahawk![image error]

Book Fair in Westminster

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Jeff Shaara and me.  We are part of the Random House Book Fair tomorrow at Carroll Community College in Westminster, MD.  I'm presenting at 9:30 a.m.; Kate Klimo at 10:15 a.m. and Jeff Shaara at 11 a.m.  It's a reader's festival--what could be more fun?!

Largest Knitting Needles?

[image error]This picture was taken as we made our way from San Francisco to Santa Clara for last week's fabulous Stitches West conference.  We stopped at Bluebird Yarns in Sausalito and were intrigued with the huge needles and knitted fabric in the display window.  Pictured with me is Candi Jensen, knitting and crochet designer.  Note me in my coat, fresh from Florida, and Candi in a short sleeved sweater!