THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS

My personal email is delightfully busy with heart-warming comments re-garding my book.  I am truly moved by all your reactions and kind messages.  I've now made it easier to leave a comment on my blog.  At the end of each posting, there is a place for comments, click on "comments" next to a pencil symbol (there may be a number before it) and a dialog box should appear where you will type in your words. You can review it first and click on "publish" Your comment should appear on the blog when you click on comments. Let's see if this proves easier for readers.

I am adding another local venue to purchase my book. It is now available at the GCCA Catskill Gallery, 2nd floor, 398 Main Street, Catskill NY. When I'm in Catskill, I love visiting this gallery just to see what the talented local artists are up to. 

From These Country Roads, I wish everyone a safe celebration on this Memorial Day Weekend.

A FORTUNATE JOURNEY

Through the lingering humidity of these past few days, I’ve been out-and-about making contacts and promoting my book but it is slow going. For all local readers, my book is also available now in the local authors section at: The Spotty Dog Books & Ale, 440 Warren Street, Hudson, NY. It is also on display, with my contact info at:  Cozy Cup, 538 Main St, Cairo, NY. 

Today I’ll venture out again with the intention to meet more positive possibilities to sweeten my day. I wish I could afford an agent because I’d rather be writing or taking photographs.  But I am discovering new and wonderful places and meeting so many interesting people on my journey. I can only feel fortunate and blessed to be having this opportunity now and to be living this creative life. 

BOOK EXCERPT

My book is only available on my blog right now as I am still setting up for Nook and Kindle. It seems that adjusting to their formatting requirements is a bit of a problem.  You should also know that my book is only available now in a soft cover printed version and I will gladly accommodate any signing of copies, if you request it.

Here’s an excerpt from my book, “From These Country Roads” which also appears on the back cover: 

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“When I first began writing From These Country Roads, I was overwhelmed by the contrast of living a country life with life back in the city.  At that time, I didn’t know how quickly its beauty would seduce me.”

“Some days, I enter the morning and listen to what shows up.  I feel compelled to write to express the wonder of my discovery. These trees, this mountain view and these singing birds do well for my meditation and reflect and compliment more than any mirror.  While gazing through branches, looking for distant memories, I find a whole other life to be born into.”

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I would like to thank my readers for their support and good wishes. Your comments are greatly appreciated and I love reading them.  

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOTHER NATURE

It’s another rainy day here in the country--placing all outdoor planting chores on hold.  But it is a good day for tending to dreams and plans for Mothers Day. Instead of measuring the day by the sun and checking the clock, I’ll savor the possibilities of this given time with remembrance.

One Mother’s Day, long before we moved here, when our country life was still in the planning, we made a promise to plant two special trees for our mothers and name them Julia and Molly. Every year afterwards, we’ll plant flowers around the two for honor and remembrance. Plaques with their names will read, “In loving memory of Julia and Molly.”  We can’t imagine our life without them or without trees.

The newly planted trees are still quite young but growing strong. Molly is a Red Maple and it is the tree my mother saw as she left the house each day. Julia is a Pink Dogwood that Don chose for its beautiful buds that will be opening soon. They still await their dressing of flowers below and a naming ceremony.

Franz Kafka said, “ Writing is the most personal form of prayer.”  Today, a few days before Mothers Day, We remember our mothers as the rain waters our trees for us and we wait for the sun to do its magic. 

GROOVIN'

                         

                                                     

That Young Rascals' song was playing on the radio in the next room when I was taken back to those early summer days in the city. On Sunday afternoons, our new sandals met cobble-stone streets that led us to quaint village shops. Wearing large bell-bottoms, love beads and headbands, we inhaled the aroma of patchouli and sandalwood while browsing through tee shirts, paraphernalia and the latest Dylan album. We were groovin’, just like the song said. 

In Washington Square Park we’d listen to the sound of guitars and tambourines playing for no one in particular. Mingling voices and songs echoed from the walkways and rose into the high branches drowning out all other city noise. But at the beginning of our lives we knew so little and maybe cared so little-except for the peace and love that those Sunday afternoons would bring us. While dancing and singing, we professed love to the world with flowers and peace signs and left those sunny afternoons that would never be there for us again.

Heading for the subway then parting toward different destinies, we still heard 
“ Groovin’, On A Sunday Afternoon” playing in our head and began our long ride toward a much more complicated life. 

MY BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE HERE!

Here it is!  Starting today you can purchase my book on this blog through PayPal. You can use a major credit card even if you don’t have a Paypal account. Relax and enjoy the journal and selected poems.

For Immediate Release

Margaret Sullivan Waldhelm

Skip Watt Publishing Co.

http://wwwskipwattbooks.com 

When I gave my transcript to my publisher, he wrote:

 "Upon receiving Margaret's transcript and reading it, I immediately knew she had written a winning book with her eloquent style in writing and her adept connection to the world and creatures around her. She has that beautiful ability to charm you, hold your attention, and make you smile and giggle with her lightning fast wit. I believe this book will make the best seller lists once it is released."  Skip Watt, publisher - Skip Watt Publishing Co.