In this Entry:

A Map of Her Own/ The Big and Little Steamboat
Personal Reflection/ Power of Human Connection
Book Recommendations/ This is Happiness +
Postscript

Big and Little Steamboats

I had a lot of fun during my recent interview on KBOO’s Jonesy Hour. Having listened to previous episodes, I knew Ken Jones to be a terrific interviewer. Although I was delighted by many of his questions and comments, I’m certain I full out giggled when he referred to “the big steamboat and the little one,” in passing.

As authors, we are particularly touched when a reader takes the time to mention something, even a small detail, that felt so right to us in its creation. After all, we might have laughed, giggled and cried when the idea first came to us, in all those early drafts of our book. I don’t want to give it away for those who haven’t yet read A Map of Her Own (um, whatcha waiting for?). Suffice it to say that yes, Emma does get an opportunity to ride on a steamboat, something she yearned for as a child. Yes, that is the big steamboat and I had fun having it not be just any steamboat, but the T.S. Potter about which I have my own grandfather’s written memories to flavor her trip. And then, there is the family heirloom, the little steamboat. If you’ve read this scene, you can imagine how I did in fact both giggle in my discovery of the idea, and cry in the scene’s sentimentality, when Celia catches up with it. Above all, I love the message about how sometimes, when we are lucky, we learn about small treasures so meaningful to those we loved. And sometimes, like now for me with my dad’s old Astoria Column keepsake, I won’t know how he acquired it. I do, however, know what it symbolized for him.

Writing what I do, I desire authenticity. When I understood the scene I was creating with the heirloom steamboat, I searched in all the obvious places to help me with its description. Online, eBay, and in fact, I even inquired with a welcoming historian with the Columbia River Maritime Museum whose own curiosity brought her into my query.

While I’ve gotten rid of many of my parents belongings as I’m generally not a collector, I too have held onto many that matter most to me. Like the column, and the tiny ceramic typewriter I gave Dad for a long ago birthday. From my mom, of course there are treasured writings and books, and a few knickknacks. Some I know the history of and others I don’t, but I’m certain they were meaningful to her. As they are to me now.

I was recently feeling just a bit blue about my book and remind myself “enough is enough.” I came across the term “author’s hangover,” which seemed fitting. I remind myself that it is those comments that people choose to share with me or that I happen to see if someone left a review, that are most meaningful, rather than challenging myself to get dozens or hundreds of book reviews online. Like the person that emailed me telling me how much they loved the little steamboat scene. Thank you readers for sharing your hearts. And yes, it usually makes me cry. And that’s good.

Power of Human Connection

As if to remind me about what matters in this days we live, I’ve experienced beautiful connections recently. After all, if you have read any of my fiction, you understand how much I believe in the power of human connection, even among strangers. Last weekend as I walked along the William Stafford Trail near George Roger’s Park, I was certain I recognized someone. I said hello and called him by name but as he neared I could tell it wasn’t who I thought it was. And yet, somehow, we went on to have an amazing conversation. Both of us with long ago family stories within the Willamette Valley. It was such a special conversation, that I even took a picture (yes, with the approval to share here). After all, it turns out that Phil Rossi is the grandson of the man who donated the land that became George Rogers Park. George Rogers was a Lake Oswego Councilman, business owner and community leaders who donated the land for the city’s first public park in 1952. The man I met, Philip, lives in his grandparents’ original home which sits on the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the chance of me having this conversation just a few hundred feet away from this park? I’ve probably passed him many times before. And that, my friends, is the power of human connection.

Book Recommendations

One of the gifts of retirement for me, is having much more time to read. I continue to challenge myself to read books in genres outside of my favorites or what I might typically choose. On any given day I have one audiobook going (thanks Libby) and two or so books in progress. I also try hard to support other local authors and have quite an assortment of local authored books I am making my way through. It seems when I have cold hard cash from in-person book events, some of it goes right back into buying books from others. A recent book completion was Couch by Benjamin Parzybok who I enjoyed meeting at the recent Ides of March Book Fair. What I most loved about this book was his take on the characters journey through Portland (not to mention the couch), along the Columbia River and beyond. I could not imagine a genre or book more different than my own books or writing style.

My library choices, which are plentiful, tend to be more widely distributed books or from larger press, though not exclusively. I did recently check The Antidote out from the library, by local author Karen Russell and highly recommend it. I particularly related to the journey of recognizing the “haunted museum of forgotten truths.”

However, the quote that has stayed with me from a book is from This is Happiness by Niall Williams. Robert Reich recommended it recently on on his podcast and I listened to it via Libby. I found parts of it particularly profound for today’s moments, like this quote.

“…you could stop at… most of the moments of your life, stop for one heartbeat and, no matter what the state of your head or heart, say ‘This is happiness,’ because of the simple truth that you were alive to say it”.

This is Happiness, Niall Williams

Postscript

Upcoming Events

A Map of Her Own and More: In conversation with writer Patrick Webb (okay now this is cool and I can’t wait!)
Astoria Public Library, Astoria OR
Wed., June 24 at 5:30 pm

Northwest Book Fair and Media Fest
Geiser Hall – Clark College, Vancouver, WA
Sat., June 27 from 10 AM – 3 PM

Washougal Community Market, Featured Author
Downtown Washougal WA
Friday, July 17 from 2 -6 PM

KBOO April 26 Interview

Other Books

Yes, it is Mother’s Day. My book recommendation? From First Breath to Last: A Story About Love, Womanhood and Aging. Available in paper, ebook and audiobook.