Imagine my joy at seeing this in my email inbox this morning. Final changes have been made to Simon Says over the last few weeks - press date is October 15; release date is January 1. The printed galleys look great.
And A Sacred Feast continues to move forward, a joyful little book that helps me remember the great gifts of song, food and fellowship.
Last night was cool enough to sleep with the windows open - the Gulf coast version of autumn = not unbearably hot. Songbirds are migrating through on their way to Mexico and Central America and the mornings are a riotous cacophony of bird song.
Next week I travel with all the Eastburns to Budapest for Aaron and Philip's 21st birthday. I'm told we are staying in a hotel that was once in a James Bond movie, albeit a Pierce Brosnan Bond. Life is indeed strange and wondrous.
Joy comes in the most interesting places, eh?
Much Love,
Daniel
Posted by: Daniel Vasey | October 12, 2007 at 05:10 PM
Your book looks beautiful. Can't wait to hold copies of both!
Posted by: darksandal | October 19, 2007 at 07:50 AM
Simon Says in great in all respects. An easy read and very compelling. My daughter lives on Caramillo and I have been on the waiting list at Amazon.com.
Posted by: Alice Lee | December 25, 2007 at 08:07 AM
Kathryn,
I happen to be a nurse at Memorial and worked with Ted in the ER. Ever since his death I have had this need for closure and a need to tell his loved ones what a dear, special person he was to me. I stood quietly beside a tree at his memorial in awe of all he did with his life and how little we knew about it. He was a wonderful soul with an amazing smile.....
Recently I picked up a copy of the Independent and read the review on your book. The name Eastburn I knew, yet did not know it was you until I googled your name. How deeply this writing must touch you and I truly hope it helps us all understand the inner beings of our sons which we raise to become men. We live in Woodland Park and I am unable to attend your signing in the Springs. I actually went to Poor Richards to get a copy today, yet they are waiting on the release with the signing. I sincerely wanted to display a sense of our loss at Memorial on a small scale and wanted to wish you the best in your travels with the signing. May the days ahead be filled with healing for you and your family,
Best wishes,
Shannon LaFever RN
Posted by: Shannon LaFever | January 02, 2008 at 09:16 PM
Kathryn,
I feel humbled to read your blog here and want to first say how saddened I was to hear of your son's death. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain of losing a child and I am so sorry that you have had to go through this. I recently read that being a mother means knowing loss (that may have been in Mary Gordon's most recent work...not sure exactly-thanks to middle age!). Please know that you and your family are in my heart.
I have long admired your work as I have lived in Colorado Springs (since March of 1986) and have always been a fan of the Indy. I have long hoped that you will publish a compilation of your "Domestic Bliss" works and am still holding out for that. Can't wait to read "A Sacred Feast" and was simply stunned by your work on the Dutcher case in "Simon Says". I started it Thursday night and finished it this a.m.; had been chomping at the bit to read it ever since my oldest son and my daughter and I heard you read at C.C. this summer. (My son asked you a question at the end of your reading that you may remember-he knows a lot about firearms as he is a hunter and a quirky kiddo-he asked if Carl had a federal firearms liscense and I think there were those at least in the audience who were a little unnerved that a young teen would know about such a thing.) I have SUCH admiration for the way you portrayed the people involved in the case and had to say, knowing a couple of the folks involved in the legal aspects that you got some of the nuances of personality spot on. I won't be more specific than that here for obvious reasons. As the mother of a child who has neurological challenges, I was not surprised to read some of the report of Dr. Barron and remembered yet again what you said at the end of your reading last summer: it could have been any one of our children. My heart goes out to the families of the victims and of the children who perpetrated this horrible crime and I thought you beautifully and humanely described them all. I post frequently on the NAMI message boards and will be telling my pals there of your book as many of us are struggling to raise teens with challenges.
I grew up in SW FL myself and even though I have been in CO for nearly thirty years, I can surely appreciate the pull of the Gulf of Mexico. There is something so therapuetic about the water. And though I couldn't wait to get out of the little town I grew up in there, I long to return to it for a visit some day SOON. I hope that you are continuing to find solace there in your family and the beauty of the area.
Best wishes to you and thanks for all the hard work you have done for our community. As a writer myself (though not by any means on the par of your caliber), I have long admired you and greatly anticipate your future works.
Most respectfully,
Cat
Posted by: cat | January 05, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Katheryn,
I am looking forward to reading your book on Sacred Harp.
You are sure a blessing to my life and many others.
Thank You,
Syd Caldwell
Posted by: Syd Caldwell | January 15, 2008 at 03:03 PM