Debbie Macomber's Blog, page 38

Major Holiday?

In case you were unaware, today--October 16th--is a major holiday.  While it's true the post office is still delivering mail, this is a very important day in the life of workers all across the land.  This particular day's celebration might have spread around the world.  (That part I can't be sure of but I'll have my personal assistant, Renate, check on it and get back to you.)  What is this momentous day, you ask?  Boss's Day.  My staff does an amazing job, and I am blessed to work with them.  Today they treated me to a huge, lovely bouquet of flowers and lunch.  It's so nice to be appreciated.

On Retreat

I’m attending a wonderful retreat sponsored by Books & Such Literary Agency this week in Monterey.   Here I am with Georgia Shaffer, Gayle Roper and Robin Jones Gunn.  It’s the perfect time to relax and renew with old friends and new.[image error]

Celebrating

This is celebration day for me.  My book is finished—well, the first draft, anyway.  Just minutes ago I emailed it to my editor.   Soon she'll send revision ideas and it will be back in the saddle again with Rose Harbor in Bloom.  But in the meantime, I'm going to have a fabulous weekend:  fun, friends and football.  There might even be a glass or two of champagne tossed in for good measure.

James, my football playing grandson

I know every grandmother is convinced her grandchildren are the most talented in the universe.  I am no exception.  My grandson, James, (my daughter, Jody's, son) is on the varsity football team for his junior high school.  I attended his game yesterday afternoon and watched him make two punts, both close to 35 yards.  Maybe 40.  He had one big run and caught a pass, which had me on my feet cheering.  Both plays resulted in first downs--the only two first downs in the entire game.  What can I say?  This family is just loaded with talent and I’m busting at the seams with pride for his accomplishments.

Of Football & Books

[image error]Wayne and I were at the Seahawk game on Monday night and while that game, especially the last play, will go down in the history books, it will remain in my memory for another reason as well.



I was able to meet Jamie Ford and his wife, Leesha.  Jamie wrote the book HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET.  The best part is that he’s a local boy—he graduated from South Kitsap High School right here in Port Orchard.  We're all terribly proud of him.  Jamie met Leesha in a library and proposed in a book store.



This is my kind of guy!

 

 

Race for a Soldier

Wayne and I helped sponsor RACE FOR A SOLDIER, a half marathon last Sunday.  Our son, Dale, was a runner, and it seemed a fitting way to honor his memory.  A watering station was situated next to our milepost, where family and friends gathered to cheer on the runners.  Soon Wayne and the grandkids were busy handing out water and juice to the runners as they sped past.  I took my role of encourager seriously by applauding and shouting out encouragements.



What I found interesting was the difference between the first runners to zoom past versus the late stragglers.  The serious runners barely broke stride as they grabbed the cups, gulped down the water and tossed the cups aside.  Those who came later cried out, "Water.  Water," as they staggered to the table and then lingered to drink it down with no rush to continue running.  I know I'd be in the latter group.  God bless them all for their effort to support our armed forces. 

Manly Men

I mentioned yesterday the advice I'd read about training dogs and husbands, and that reminded me of an incident that happened with Wayne and his best friend some years ago.  Wayne and his buddy Norm are two peas in a pod.  They're both big and burly and for years worked as construction electricians, driving trucks that required a step ladder.  Men's men.  The kind who would feel right at home in Texas.   Hunters.  Gatherers.  Well, Wayne and Norm decided to go in the woods with their guns and their dogs and do manly things.  So off they went with their dogs:  Ruffles and Peterkins. 

Training Incentives

Recently I read a magazine article about the essential elements for training dogs.  Apparently dogs respond best to three  . . . shall we say incentives.   Food, praise and toys.  I pondered that for a moment and realized I had used the same three training tools for Bogie.  He certainly enjoys his treats, and when I praised him, he looked up at me with adoring eyes, and oh how he loves his toys.  As I put away the article, I realized something else, and my friends I am more than happy to share this deep insight with each one of you.  Bogie and Wayne are not all that different.  Men, too, are trainable.  They respond to the same three incentives.  All a man really needs to be happy is food, praise and toys.

Fried Green Tomatoes

That's what I chose as the top winner at the Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival in Santa Rosa, California this past weekend.  Wayne and I flew in on Thursday and met up with our friends. Then Saturday I tasted approximately 540 dishes in which tomatos were featured.  Okay, there were only 54, but by the end of the afternoon it felt like 540 bites!  I took my job as the celebrity judge seriously, and it was extremely difficult to choose just one winner.  Runners up were the BLT ice cream (don’t make a face; it was fabulous!), the pulled pork with mole sauce, and the tomato mousse.



Other highlights of the weekend included  the opportunity to meet celebrity chef Guy Fieri and his wife, Lori.  He's a sweetheart and has a big heart for kids.  I also sidled up to Justin Wangler, the executive chef for Kendall-Jackson.  After enjoying the amazing meals Justin prepared last year on our river cruise, I spontaneously asked him to marry me!

Heirloom Tomato Festival

Wayne and I had the opportunity to take our first real vacation in years last April, and it was wonderful.  We took a cruise down the Rhone River in France on a wine tour sponsored by the Kendall-Jackson Winery. What's not to love?  Time with my sweetheart, lots of wine and meeting new friends.  We're having a reunion with these friends this coming weekend at Kendall-Jackson’s Heirloom Tomato Festival in Santa Rosa, California.  I've been asked to be the celebrity judge, sampling offerings from 54 local restaurants, all incorporating tomatoes in their dishes. Fifty-four samples, but luckily I’ll have a cheering squad.  Friend and fellow author, Christina Skye, is joining me for the Festival,  along with Candi Jensen, the Emmy-nominated producer of the PBS series Knit and Crochet Now.  Wayne will have guy company—Christina’s and Candi’s husbands.  And, yes, we'll all be wearing pants with elastic waistbands!