Kathryn Magendie's Blog: Lonely Woman's Guide to the Galaxy, page 25

Sweetie, New Orleans Jambalaya, and Share the Warmth

Norah Kathryn's Beet Mustache! :-DI'm completely off my posting schedule, so I'll get back to MWF posting next week. Hope you all have a great weekend - Hope I see some of you Saturday, and I hope to do my regularly scheduled "blog walking" on Sunday.



It just smacks me over my pea-head that SWEETIE is now released and ready to go to bookstores, libraries, online places, where ever it will go - in your hands, I hope. I don't think it's on e-readers quite yet. I have my author copies that came in the mail and I've held Sweetie in my hands and put my own personal copy (signed with a note as I like to do) on my bookshelf. I'm feeling a little emotional this morning as I turn my head to the right and see three books on my shelves . . . oh!


Now it's time to wait for the galley for the Petey/Petunia novella where I'll be in the anthology with Deborah Smith and Sarah Addison Allen (release this winter, I believe), and to hunker down to write the final in the Graces Trilogy. Life is good.



So . . .  - We'll be celebrating the release of SWEETIE tomorrow (Saturday) at 4PM, November 13, at Blue Ridge Books Main Street Waynesville. To add to the celebration New Orleans native GMR will serve his home cooked jambalaya. The food is free, but if you wish to make a donation, all the money received will go to the Share the Warmth fund through Mountain Projects.
There will be a raffle for a copy of SWEETIE, with all proceeds going to Share the Warmth. We'll have some nice pendants Bellebooks made, as well, for give-aways.


First reviews for SWEETIE have been wonderful, so I'm feeling good. But, I'd like to really focus the spotlight on Share the Warmth - I know we are asked to give and give and give, and I know we pay taxes, but, this is what we do best - help each other.

Blue Ridge Books is located at 152 S. Main St in Waynesville. 828.456.6000.

And Suldog is again expressing his desire that we Celebrate Thanksgiving First! :-D

Veteran's Day

Today I also think of my nephew, just shy of his 20th birthday, who was killed in a training exercise about 15 years ago. He was so proud and excited to be a Marine. Something went wrong during that training exercise. David died doing what he had worked so hard for and for something he felt so proud about. We miss him.

When I soon visit my parents, brothers, and neices, etc, in Texas, I will be looking for those young soldiers as I talked about below.


(ps -the image says "american" veterans, but since I have friends in many places, I extend that to others who've lost friends and loved ones - and those who have served  - and . . .well, everything)
image link

A Whole Sackful of Crazy-let it out a bit of a time, Kat, and they'be be none the wiser -hahahahahahahaahahahha

Last night when I was doing this silly dance to some commercial's music, I thought how if someone followed me around with a camera every day, America would see just how weird I am. Then I thought, well maybe most of us are a little weird or a lot weird or somewhere in between. I told GMR, "When I first met you I wouldn't have danced like this (or whatever else I do or did or will do) because you'd think I was weird or nuts - so I let my crazy out of the sack a little at a time so you'd not run off screaming..." He just laughed, probably because he was thinking about his own stuff HE let out of his own bag a little at a time. Huhn.

There was an episode of SCRUBS about that, too - when the Janitor began telling his girlfriend alllllll about himself, and Carla stopped him then later told him to let his crazy out a little at a time so the girlfriend doesn't freak out. Made me laugh - made me think of . . . well, me! haw! whoop whoop!

I try to fit myself to situations, and I also try to be myself, but being myself could mean many things according to my mood or how overwhelmed by people I am or whatever--according to how much of my crazy is out of the sack that day or if the sack has contained most of my crazy.

This isn't crazy--um, not by my standards anyway, *laugh* - but, here's an example of Me and then other Me:
I met some friends/colleagues for dinner. One of the women I hadn't seen for a long time looked at me across the table, smiling away, and asked me, "So, tell us how is it going? You have another book out, right? Tell us all about it . . . come on, fill us in!" She was excited for me. And what did Kat do/say? My innards just sighed. I felt so very tired. I just mumbled something about how yes SG was now out and Sweetie would be out soon and it was all going fine. Then I shut up. Nothing else wanted to come out of my mouth. I actually just signed and looked down at the table, then across the room, then into my wine glass, then drifted off somewhere la l a la la tee dahhhhhh. She looked at me with expectation, with puzzlement, but all I could do was smile feebly and shrug and say, "I'm feeling a bit tired." I was - I'd just returned from the SIBA conference and I'd had it up to my eyeballs with people and writing and books and authors and talking about it all or, really, mostly listening to other authors as I walked around in a daze. And I won't even talk about the auction and how difficult it was to chat up a stranger who "won" me . . . lawd!

Now, flash forward to my trip to Oregon when I met the wonderful and beautiful Deb Shucka (Oh! Lucky me! she's marvelous!). I was feeling happy and upbeat and energetic and slightly hyper (okay, a lot hyper!). When we met, we hugged and smiled and while waiting for another blogger/FB friend (we never did see her--somehow we missed each other), I tried to reign in my crazy. But by time we had our coffee/chai tea, I was near bursting out of my skin. Maybe because I'd been with Little Boop and not writing or corresponding or whatever and had all kinds of words backed up. Maybe I'd had too much coffee. Maybe it was just my crazy spilling out of that sack. But I talked and laughed and carried on doodley doo dah day! I don't remember nary a word of what I said except a couple of disjointed sentences - haw!

If someone had been watching footage of both those Kats, they'd wonder which was the "real me," when both are the real me.  You never know which Kat will show up -- the quiet one, the shy one, the jittery wild one, the chatty-kathy one, the weary one, the wise one, the surprised one. I'm like one of those weird dolls they sell that you turn their head to change their mood and expression - haw! And those Kats can show up all at the same party on the same night, even - yup. Teeheeheeheehee.

There's more I can say about my crazy and the sack I try to keep it in, but I see I'm in my Babbling Phase, so I will reign myself in . . . yes. The post I had in mind about this was completely side-tracked by babbling - which is par for the crazy course . . . dang.
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I'm off my MWF schedule, but will get back to that soon. Tomorrow the 10th I will be back at The Tartitude's place for Part II of the interview. There will be another give-away. Come by, say hi, ask a question, or just wave at me. If you aren't following The Tartitude, please do! She's brilliant and funny and kind.

Also, I'll be at Blue Ridge Books & News on Main Street Waynesville this Saturday at 4:00 for Sweetie release "party" -there will be Jambalaya made by "Chef" GMR, and it is also a charity event for Share the Warmth. Above is a pendant image Bellebooks made that we hope to have those there as part of the event--they used part of the cover. Nice--fits with the charity event very well.

Later y'all.

"Mom" away from home in the airport & First WNC snow

First Snow came early to our cove!

Before I forget I wanted to suggest something to y'all if you haven't thought of it: On a trip about a year ago, I sat next to a young soldier. We chatted a bit, and right before departing the plane, I handed him some cash and told him to get something to eat and drink. I said just to think of me as a mom away from home, so he wouldn't feel weird about it. It gave me a warm feeling and he was so grateful. So, flash forward to this return trip from Oregon. I was rushing to get to my plane in the Atlanta airport and as I passed by, I noticed a young soldier waiting for his flight. He looked so sad and stressed. I looked into my purse and all I had was nine one dollar bills. At first I thought, "That's not very much to give," but then, I thought, well, it's something. So I went over and held out the money and told him to get him a snack or something to drink (airports are EXPENSIVE!) - he said, "Oh, that's okay," but I placed the cash in his hand and said, "Thank you so much. . . " and walked away so he wouldn't feel embarrassed.

So, now I'm going to make this a "tradition" - whenever I am in the airport, if I see a young soldier, I am going to be his/her "mom" and hand him/her some spending money. Traveling is expensive and I have no idea what the government pays them or if their flights are paid or if they have spending money or or or - and, I don't know - I just like feeling like I'm some mom who makes sure these young "sons and daughters" have a little extra money in their pocket. I'll make sure I tuck extra in my wallet just for that purpose.

Just something to think about.

Now - Go LSU! and y'all enjoy your weekend! Here's some pictures that show the snow mixed with fall colors here in our cove (and one of lil boop!).

I'll be round to visit either today or tomorrow -- see you soon. Thank you and hello to new follower-friends.

Granny Kat bought this outfit (boots too!) so cute

I'm Home & a Fun Interview/Give a way at the Tartitude's House

Mt Hood taken from airplaneHi Y'all --- arrived home yesterday evening without my luggage! yipes! Yup, it's the first time I've ever had lost luggage. GMR bought me a new toothbrush and we headed home . . . without my luggage. Did I say I do not have luggage? *laugh*


I have much to catch up on, but for now I am a bit whoogly in the head. Today was to be a guest blog for a new young writer, Tamara Hart Heiner, whose book image/photo is to the left, but I'm waiting on something from her, so I'll post that later.




However, I am over at the Taritude's House - she did a wonderful 'interview' with me with these really interesting questions - and she's having a give-away of Tender Graces and then in Part II of Sweetie. Head over and say hello or ask a question and check out her blog -it's a cool place.
Meanwhile, I need a nap even though it is still morning *laugh*

Last Day to spend in Oregon . . .

Well, tomorrow I fly out from Oregon back to my little mountain town in my little mountain cove. While I miss my mountains, I am going to have a hard time leaving - harder this time than last time because Norah Kathryn has responded to me with recognition and hugs and smiles -before she was so little she didn't know who I was; now she does *sob*.

 This morning, as has been for most every morning for the last 2 weeks, I've gone into little Norah Kathryn's room and she's smiled at me and reached for me to pick her up. This morning I just grabbed her up and hugged her so tight - because this is it. This is the last full day. She'll probably still be sleeping when I arise and leave early tomorrow morning to fly out. Trying not to cry here...*wahhhhh*

I'll miss my son, too, and my daughter in law. My family. This is sucky.

what an imp!My home and roots and 'soulness' to use a cliched word is in the Appalachian area, in the Smoky Mountains, in Haywood County, in Maggie Valley, but, my heart and wants are also with my little family here. It's a crappy thing to have to be separated from those you love.

I'm quickly writing this, so if it is full of errors - pardon, but, I'm keeping one ear out for lil Boop's waking sounds.

All morning I've felt this "offness" - this sadness.

I've done some thinking, too, while here. While here, many times I've not been able to be online, or just not bothered to log on, and just as when I visited here last time, nothing 'bad' happened - nothing went kablooey - no one threw rotten eggs at me for not being around or for not being able to visit so much or to be slow in answering emails, yada yada yada . . . so, when I get home, I'm altering how I do my online status. Spending less time on social networking and more on my little log house, on GMR, on ...um, WRITING my BOOKS *laughing* Yeah. I've also thought about priorities, and how in the big mess of life and love and happiness, how my books do is really quite small. I'm happy for the success I've had and love it when people enjoy my books, and sure, I like to know they are doing well, but, this here, my little family, has put things into a bigger perspective.....yes.

I have some thoughts I hope to set down later  - on families, young families. How hard it can be, but how joyful and wonderful, too.

Oh, and before I forget - somewhere along the way I said I'd have someone as a guest poster who has a book coming out - I'm going to put that up here sometime in the next few days while I'm getting myself settled in and home and unpacking and etc etc etc! I don't do guest posts often, but I do like helping out other writers.

Later - Almost time for my dear one to wake from her morning nap ..............

*sob*

Ghost Granny?

Happy 1st birthday to me!Hello again Y'all -- I've just finished a pumpkin pancake made by my Daughter In Law - I've had some amazing food from all over - Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Mexican/Southwest cuisine, Italian - I've had these wonderful dark chocolate almonds with sea salt - I've had carrot cake with cream cheese icing- omg - no running, no yoga, all eating! *laugh*

Anyway -this photo I took of Norah Kathryn is perfect for Halloween . . . The photo turned out blurry and strange, and, if you look to the right, you can see a face! A granny face! . . . do do do do do do do do

Her first birthday was yesterday - of course I have cute pics, later.

I hope to meet two 'blogger friends' tomorrow . . . looking forward to it.

Have a great day or great Halloween. I'll be round to visit once I return to North Carolina next week (won't think about that now).

PS - forgot to add how I thought I heard a door open, then footsteps and then I thought I saw someone in the hallway outside Norah Kathryn's door - I thought Sarah had gone to get NK, but then when I looked more carefully, no one was there and NK was still asleep! THEN, this morning when I woke I thought I heard footsteps in the hallway; I rose, went out, and no one was there - everyone was still asleep! These things didn't happen last time I was here, just this time - is a granny here visiting? do do do do do do do do

Peeking in from Oregon!

"I'm telling you, Granny Kat, no pics until I'm out of my jammies!"
Hi Y'all  . . . First, I want to say hello and welcome to new followers who've come visiting from Eddie's Roast (see below post-go by and visit his fun blog) and/or other places!

Second: the Rose & Thorn Journal Blog has a new post up -and it just happens to be one I'd written called "The Stuff of it All." If you've not visited the R&T Blog, or R&T Journal, I hope you will.


I'm publishing a few Norah "Lil Boop" Kathryn photos from my visit here in Oregon with my son, DIL, and granddaughter. That's why I haven't been as quick to come by your places to visit - I know you understand! - but as soon as I return, I will be back to my regular routine.

Norah Kathryn (Lil Boop)Right now, lil boop is taking a nap. This little girl is a joy. This is the happiest baby. Norah Kathryn and I have some time together while her parents are working  . . . they're taking some days off, but can't take the entire two-weeks off that I am here--which is okay by me, for I love having this time with her. *Big Ole Grin*


I'll be coming round and visiting as I can - but please know I appreciate your comments (I'm reading them all), and your visits and new follows. Thank you.
first time on slide (wearing the sweater I bought her *teehee*Oh! And it won't be long before SWEETIE is released! I'm so envolved with my family, I almost forgot my next book will be out in a few weeks.

What's up with all of you?

I'm "Sunday Roasted" and Enjoying Lil Boop

Hi Y'all -  I am enjoying my visit so much. Norah Kathryn is such a happy baby - I see myself and my son in her, and I see Sarah and her family in her. But, she has my little pea-head .... haw! Yup, she's petite with that petite head ... and she has my cackley laugh ... cracks me up. She's a joy - her parents are doing such a good job.


Next week I hope to meet some blogger friends who live here or near here - I will be in touch with them soon. Exciting!


While Norah Kathryn is napping, I wanted to come here and invite you to Clouds and Silvery Linings, where Eddie Bluelights has me on the roaster - his Sunday Roast is up and I'm the subject of his roasting. He has such a fun blog; hope you will stop by and say hello!

More Random Fall Photos in Haywood County North Carolina

I scheduled this post to go up automatically to finish uploading the fall photos I took while walking about Haywood County this week--the others were published Wednesday (below).

I am now in Portland, Oregon visiting my son, daughter in law, and little Norah Kathryn! I have been looking forward to this since I left them at Christmas last year . . . way too long. I simply must find a way to visit more often and that's that. Thank gawd for Skype.

 In the little log house, Two Dogs, Ghost Dog, and GMR are enjoying the absence of my tornadic vortex . . . um, I mean, they miss me terribly already *teehee*

Enjoy your weekend.

I may post some pics while in Oregon. But, if not, I haven't scheduled any other blog posts to go up and will rarely open my mini laptop while there, so don't forget me *grin* You all are what keeps me connected to Out There when I'm In Here.