Summer’s End

but Adventures Continue

Good morning, Everyone. It is hot and too humid in Florida, where summer heat lingers through the autumn equinox. Yes, I’m back in Florida for a quick swoop in to bring my mom back to New York. Pour your coffee. Let’s catch up.

If we were having coffee together, I would explain that Mom originally plan to snow-bird early when my niece got married in Florida two weeks ago. Mom has a cozy condo overlooking the inter-coastal waterway (dolphins usually arrive in the morning) and is near her cousins, nieces and nephews, and a friendly bunch of neighbors in her complex. My brother and sister-in-law live in the next town. But the regular snowbirds are still enjoying their northern summer and glorious fall seasons. Even the dolphins are still in northern waters. It is lonely and VERY hot. She wanted to come home and not miss the chaos we produce. Mom is a decent traveler. Sh has TSA pre-approval and independently gets around the airport in her foldable scooter (marvelous product). The juggle is her 15+ year old cat, Paris. The poor thing does not understand all this transitioning. I am also very cognisant of airlines’ disruptive schedules. Risking Mom being alone in an airport terminal made me too nervous. It is simply smoother to have an extra set of hands traveling with her. 

If we were having coffee together, I would announce that my husband’s hip replacement recovery is going very well. Three weeks out of surgery and he is getting around with a cane. We went to the beach and visited our beach-bum friends on Tuesday. It was a beautiful day with light winds and clear skies. Matt got into the boat, drove it across the bay, and stepped out of the boat to walk to the shallow bay beach. He walked on the boardwalk and to the ocean side of Fire Island. I brought breakfast-our Bagels on the Beach set up that included garden fresh tomato slices, lox, and mimosas. My friend and I swam in the ocean-glorious. We all had a lovely lunch on my friends’ deck overlooking the beautiful ocean. In the afternoon, Matt easily climbed back into the boat. We fished for a while and I caught a snapper—almost baby bluefish size. Great day.

If we were having coffee together, I would say that The Hearts of Bakers and Artists traveled in a book tour with Stephanie Rabell of Book and Wine Lovers Marketing. She lined up a group of thoughtful readers, interviews, and a few podcasts. Jubilant reviews are rolling in. Many of the readers created beautiful memes. I will share the images and the reviews soon. 

If we were having coffee together, I would let you in on a peek preview.

TaDa!! The Dreams of Singers and Sluggers, book two of the Becoming America’s Stories series is due in late October-ish. The Dreams of Singers and Sluggers picks up where The Heart of Bakers and Artist left off. In the Lower East Side tenements of 1911, Lily, a nine almost ten-year-old daughter of Sicilian immigrants, has big dreams to sing out with her powerful voice, but must do everything, including baking the Daily Bread, since Mama has fallen into a deep depression, the baby is sick, and the “Black Hand” terrorizes the neighborhood, threatening her chance to sing at the New York Highlanders Fourth of July baseball game.

Currently, I am reviewing the edits. Heartfelt gratitude goes out to my launch team, who had read the manuscript and prepared blurbs and soon-to-be released reviews. Our fellow Weekend Coffee Share blogger, Gary Wilson, offered terrific feedback and a kind impression. I could always use more “press”. I could send you a PDF version for your thoughtful consideration. Since The Dreams of Singers and Sluggers features the beginnings of public health nursing, and the New York Highlanders, who would soon become the New York Yankees, readers who are nurses and/or baseball fans are encouraged to email me for a copy. 

Stay tuned for the full cover reveal next week. 

That’s it, Everyone. Great BIG thanks go out to Natalie the Explorer who keeps the Weekend Coffee Share percolating.

Have a good week. Make it Funtastic!

Enjoy ❤️.   Like 👍.  Share 😊. 

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Take a picture of you with Daily Bread and/or Becoming America’s Food Stories, and I’ll send you Reader’s Swag and add you to the Becoming America’s Stories Readers slideshow, coming soon! Kid pics are welcomed with parent or guardian permission. Don’t forget to leave a rating and quick comment on Amazon and/or Goodreads.

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