Well, it’s a miracle, I still remember how to do this! Including even MUSICA! I still got it!
I just wanted to say hello to you all, send a thousand kisses, and tell you how sorry I am for being away for so long. But most especially I wanted to thank everyone who’s been sending me positive messages via the blog and email.♥ You will never know how much they’ve meant to me. They’re like verbal backbone strengtheners! And I’ve needed every one of them! There’s an element of guilt you know, locking yourself away like I have. Your words tell me you forgive me.
Especially on the days when the blank page just stares back at me. If you wonder where I’ve been, I drew you a picture ⇑ . . . I’ve been doing this and this and this and this for all these weeks and months. And I am so close now. And when I get done, I will do my best to make up for lost time. I know you wonder why I don’t just put up a little something to say hello, but it’s the concentration thing that I really need to write a book, and almost everything breaks it.
Pay no attention to me . . . I have these little guys on my side now, one of them sits on my paintbrush just like in the picture below . . . and I’m almost done! I probably should have started writing books like these when I was 28 rather than 68 — I’d be so much better at it by now! ‘Course, then this would have been a much shorter book! (But that could be a good thing!) You do what you do when you do it I guess.
I think it’s turning out good ~ I just want to set it free and let it fly by itself and very soon, I’ll be able to do that. I just underestimated how much time it would take. But you know I couldn’t turn it in until I felt like I’d done my best on each 
page. You scrapbookers know what I mean! Also, I’m VERY boring these days, you would have been sick of me by now anyway because it’s all this, all the time. I’m a broken record living in Groundhog Day. Yes, you’ve heard this song before! 🙂 But soon, I will get interesting again. There will be food and gardens and home grown tomatoes and farmers market and walks and ocean pictures, maybe even a train ride and a Willard! Lots more Jack and much more Girl Kitty, and maybe even a little Joe.
One of the big excitements this week was when I remembered my baby book and thought how cute the pages would look as end papers for the book. That’s one of them up there. With my baby hair still on it! (What I ought to do is take that hair in and see if they can make a clone of me from my baby hair and have the clone finish The Fairy Tale Girl! Good idea!) Remembering those pages put me in a good mood for two full days! On one of them my mom writes about my birthday and says I received squirrel slippers for a gift! She is going to LOVE this book! BTW, she is healthy and happy and so is my dad! I spoke to him this morning and he says, Hello Girlfriends!
Pookie Boy! Even though this is short, and just a hello and big thank you, I know you would maybe never forgive me if I didn’t include a photo of my sidekick who is always right here beside me, just like you, through thick and thin ~ Jack will also be glad when I’m done working, he’s ready for MUCH more playing.
But he still loves me. And look at those paws. OMG I want to eat them.
I promise I’ll be back soon. Your generous words of encouragement, here and on Facebook and Twitter too ~ they’re what I’ve been leaning on to get through this. You keep me sane, and that is saying something ~ XOXO and see you soon! Back to work I go . . . I’m writing the words for the copyright page now! P.S. don’t get me wrong, this is a labor of love. I would do it no matter if anyone else wanted it or not. It’s been in me forever and has always wanted out. It’s actually more of an exorcism than a book writing adventure! xoxo
Finally~~Good to hear everyone is ok!! And soon you’ll be ‘free’ from the pen!
Susan,,
It was great to read your blog today. Thank you for taking the time out to “send us a quick note.” I am so glad to hear that your labor of love is going well. You go girl and put those finishing touches on those no longer blank pages! Happy thoughts being sent your way for quick completion! Wishing you and yours only the best!
Yeah, you’ve rounded the bend & the end is in sight !!! Almost didn’t check out your blog today—lovely surprise—looking forward to the new books. Thanks for checking in !!!
It’s so good to have you back, if only for a minute! Miss you when you’re not around and miss the kitties, too! Can’t wait ’til your finished and we can visit much more! xoxo to all of you!
Dearest Susan: Oh the JOY to see you post again on your wonderful, beautiful, uplifting website! I just did not know what I would do if you quit posting….many many days your pictures and words lift my heart when it needs it so badly! So to hear from you again just makes my heart soar!
Thank you so much for taking the time to send us all your loving heart felt wishes, dreams, and caring ways. Sending Bushels of Love and Thankfulness in Prayer for YOU!
Breathe deeply and enjoy a cup of your favorite tea .. then write to the end.
Can’t wait to read ‘The FairyTale Girl’.
Hugs and Smiles across the miles 🙂
So happy you posted! I think of you often and pray for you, hoping all is well with you and Joe and your kitties and your whole world. But, I don’t want to interrupt or bother you because I know you’re pouring yourself into your book and I, for one, will be very thankful you did. As always, thank you for sharing your life with us.
Thank you back Lori!
You GO, girl!!! Hugs!
Phew!! SO glad you are OK! Missed you. Edie
Susan, how wonderful to hear from you! I can only imagine how busy you must be with your new book- thank you for keeping in touch. I send to you in Martha’s Vineyard all the beauty of my wonderful New Hampshire. Take care and keep smiling!
Susan,
Thinking about you often, hoping all has been well with everyone and the kitties too! Glad to hearing is so…
Continue taking the very best care! Waiting patiently for the book of wonderfulness.
Sending squishy hugs and love. Do hope you are getting a bit of summer in too, it’s flying by.
XoXoX,
Jeanette
So good to have just these few words from you–I’ve missed your posts! Good luck on finishing this book. I have pre-ordered and can’t wait to get my copy to peruse, digest, receive warm fuzzies, pretend I had a fairy-tale life, etc. Still enjoy reading a page here and there from Falling In Love …. Helps any girl (or boy) to dream big-time! Thank you, thank you!!!
It’s okay for the silence. We all know that a wonderful book is coming. Can’t wait.
Yeah, so glad you came up for a quick hello. I’ve already preordered the book, knowing it will be full of you! And we like you! I suspected you were lost in your paints. I am the same way when I do projects: focusing, not hearing my husband try to talk to me, not hearing the timer that dinner’s done, not remembering the chickens are hungry—LOST. Enjoy the process.
There are some very dire quotes from famous authors that tell us what we might have to give up “to write.” Yikes.
I have been thinking about you, dear girl. You have been working away the summer. Glad you dropped us a word and good luck on the book. Mine is already on order…hooray.
Dear Susan: So happy to see a post from you and want to thank you for letting us know you and family are ok. We all know how much of yourself you put into your books and paintings and how this book is a LABOR of love. Thank you so much for sharing what is a journey of so many wonderful trips, lovely pictures, and interesting people. The time will come soon when you can walk with Joe down the path to the water, play with the Kitties, and relax in your lovely home. Take care, Bev
My goodness…..hope you’ve found a bit of time to enjoy summer! You deserve the sunshine and flowers. Take care….
So good to hear from you and just want you to know that I (and I’m sure all of your girlfriends) think that you are amazing! To write another book, illustrate it, finish it and publish it……. and still send a blog or two, never mind everything else you do……is absolutely amazing, accomplished, wonderful you!!!! xoxo
I kept checking to see if I missed a post,,lol, so happy when I found this posted!
I hope you are also enjoying the summer, I know you’re busy busy, take care,,
I almost hate to comment so I won’t take you away from finishing sooner! But I wanted to let you know I’m not upset with you for being away for so long. It will make your return all the more sweeter….and thank you for letting us know how your folks are getting on. Cathy
Very glad to see you were able to take a break and email us all. Good things are worth the wait. Be assured we want you well and happy being creative and focus. We can wait and want you free to finish your book that I am sure will be loved. Then we all will be delighted.
You go, girl! You’re an inspiration to us all! Blessings, Bess
You have been MISSED……but I have found joy rereading past posts. There can never be a day without SB JOY!!!! Oma and I are waving hello!!!! XXX
Hi Susan!
I am so happy to hear from you…I know that you have been up to your eyeballs with your new book and I give you sooooo much credit for being “on focus”…These past 2 months of not hearing from you has been long and hard for all of us, but we all understand that the finished product will be SO WORTH IT….And I can’t wait!!!! I have to admit, I have been worried about you..Long hours..but know it is something that you love to do and you are so good with your commitments..Glory! Glory! you are almost done…then back to some normalcy for you and Joe and the household…Will be so wonderful for all of you…….and for all of us, to have you back again! Praise the Lord!!!! Love ya susan…from my island to yours! xoxo
OH!!! forgot….. could you please post your banana bread recipe for all of us again…..that short posting about it was deleted somehow….I still would like to have it…and I am sure everyone else would too…..I have looked for that recipe on your blog, but not there!!!! Pleeeeeze!
Even just one short posting of that recipe would be wonderful!!! Thanks!xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoox
It was Zucchini Bread (not Banana) — here is a link to an old post that has the recipe . . .
Oh ya!!! what the heck was I typing? I knew it was zuchinni and not banana…must have been on auto pilot !!!! ha ha thank you!
Wow! Good to see a blog post from you after a rather long time! Good to know you’re making great progress on your book…..looking forward to reading it! (I also have my baby book – how special it is to see those words written so long ago! Hope my sons feel the same way some day about their baby books!)
So good to see you, the end must be in sight. I am looking forward to your new book!
Dear Susan,
So glad all is fine with you and so excited the book is almost complete….can’t wait !!!!!
Since we last heard from you, I was on vacation in Bar Harbor, Maine.sooo beautiful!!!
The National Park was amazing. The food was so delicious……blueberries, blueberries, blueberries.
Also went to Concord and Lexington, Mass….saw Louisa May Alcott house, Thoreau, Emerson history……both towns were lovely….History for my husband and Literary for myself.
Hope all the blog girls are doing fine. Look forward to more blogging in the future.
Kathie…from Limerick
Glad to hear you are all ok! We worry you know- because we care!
The book sounds fabulous!! :o)
Thank you for your post. You always work so hard! I, like everyone else, have missed you. Over these last weeks, every so often I would go to your blog to see if there was a new post, yet knowing that you were hard at work on your new book. Not being on Facebook or Twitter (just Instagram), I was a bit out of the loop. So, I would go back through my collection of Susan Branch books to have my daily fix, in anticipation of this new one which I know will bring joy to all of us.
We can’t wait!
Oh, how wonderful to see a new post from you, Sue!!! Please, NO RUSHING….
🙂 It’s summertime after all and I hope you’re enjoying at least some of it when you can!!!
Jack looks so mature now – I can’t imagine him as a sidekick!
Dear Susan, I’ve just finished reading A fine Romance and absolutely loved it. I’ve had it for a long time, but only just started and finished reading it. What a joy! I did not want to get to the end of it, I wanted it to go on forever. I’ve lived in Oxford, England for 5 glorious years of my life and recognized a lot of the places in your book. Thank you for making my life happy! I can not wait for your next book.
You lucky woman! xoxo
I have missed you indeed! Although I totally understand the need for undivided concentration. Is that even proper English? Lol. Oh well, you know what I mean. I wish you much success in this most recent endeavor & look forward to all future posts. Your Pacific Northwest fan, Deb.
Sending you my best wishes and encouragement – I so understand what you mean about maintaining your focus and avoiding distractions…and the oh too soon deadlines! I write too and find you an inspiration. Soon, soon, the story will be told. Looking forward to it.
Susan, I cannot wait any longer. So excited that you have done this labor of love and it’s inspired me to write and watercolor my own childhood story. Love to y’all. ~Kiki.
I have thought of you and your book. I can’t wait to see it soon. Sending good thoughts for the final push.
I just finished reading A Fine Romance for the 5th time! I just love it so much. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences. I (mentally) respond to you the whole time…recommending books (I Capture the Castle), videos (The Tale of the Flospsy Bunnies and Mrs Tittlemouse…all filmed at Hill Top with lovely music) and generally just agreeing with you on every point you make…especially regarding Jane Austen…although I do believe the Kate Beckinsale version of Emma to be the best! Enjoy your summer on the Vineyard…it is one of my favorite places in the world…especially the Scottish Bakehouse and State Road!
Oh! And Antheopologie had Sissinghurst Castle dinnerware!
It is SO good to see your posting this evening!! I knew you were very busy with the book, but, gee…it was lonesome without you 🙁 Sending thoughts and prayers for you to finish the book soon and return to your life. Yes, I am selfishly thinking of myself…haha!! Love you and miss you.
Good evening. Summer has flown. I love your watercolor fairies. enjoyed the post from you. All are being patient and wanting the best for you. Jack has matured. How handsome and debonair he appears. Hope you have had time to enjoy some precious time with your home family. They are dears to share you. Ahhh the end and reward is in sight. Your friends all across this land will love this book. We will savor it this fall and winter.
What a pleasure, Susan, to read this post from you! There is light at the end of the tunnel, you know, and we will be ready to welcome you back when this project is finished! Lovely idea to use pages from your baby book for the end pages of the book! What a blessing you have a baby book! Can’t say that I had one.:-) With the fairies all around to offer help, it is surely to come to a speedy completion! Certainly sending you all the wishes you need for everything to fall into place very efficiently! We join Jack in waiting.:-)
xo Nellie
Susan,
So happy to hear all is well. I just checked your blog once again before I went to wash dinner dishes just to see if….maybe…..and there you were. Keep up the good work and we will all share when your wonderful book is finished. I can’t wait.
XO
Mary
I think of you often, dear Susan! Knowing you are working so hard on your (our) new book is exciting and I’m looking forward to having my own copy in my hot little hands. Stay strong and before you know it you will have birthed another wonderful book! xoxo ♥
What a happy surprise to see your blog here tonight. Exactly what I needed to remind me to preorder the exciting new book. It will be so much fun to read and see your beautiful watercolor paintings. Do not rush, Susan. We can all wait patiently because we know the outcome will be perfect! Hard to see what I am typing here for 82 year old eyes. Annita..yes, …two n’s! xoxo
So good to hear that it’s almost finished. Thanks for writing to us!
So good to know for sure you’re ok. I knew why you’ve been away and didn’t know if you needed space or comments so I went with space. Glad not everybody else did! We are on a cross country road trip from NY to California (long road) and spent 2 days in Flagstaff and thought of you and Blog Daddy. In 3 more days we’ll be spending the night in San Luis Obispo on our slow way up the coast before turning right to come home. So…there you are again. Right about now I’m clicking my heels together saying “there’s no place like home”. Can’t wait to see the book.
I’m sure we will love the fruit of your labor! I can’t wait to read it and review it for others to love. I think of you when I’m working at my desk and my Maine Coon is stretched out near me or sitting as if to offer a paw of help. On my desk is one of her favorite places. Especially if there is double stick tape or washi tape or bubble wrap… You are in the prayers of so many of us!
So good to hear from you, even briefly! The book is your baby and it takes time to do it well. We happily await publication! Hope you are enjoying summer a little in between intense concentration. You know the saying “all work & no play…”
Ps …stay well
Oh! Hallelujah! I’ve checked your blog compulsively every day and occasionally more than once a day (hmmmm…do I have too much time on my hands?) and always felt a little sad when you weren’t there and HERE YOU ARE! You’ve brightened my day! I know you’ve been working hard, but OH, you’ve been missed! God speed! So here’s a bit of wisdom that I read the other day, but unfortunately don’t know who to give credit to for saying it: “The light at the end of the tunnel isn’t an illusion. The tunnel is.” XXO
Been checking everyday! So glad to know all is well! Admire the determination and dedication. So I go back to my quilt–head down, nose to the grindstone. Best wishes for a speedy finish for you—and me too!! So looking forward to your books.
Also happy to see the post! The new book will be incredible and I am so looking forward to getting my copy in the mail. I don’t know how you can top A Fine Romance but you probably will!!
Just glad to know you’re alright….
I had a feeling you were so busy and caught up with the book…and I know, I know, I know~~it will be well worth the wait!!!
Sending good thoughts and friendly fairies your way : )
Thanks for checking in and letting us know you are okay. We are selfish to want more, more, more of you. We know what you are creating is for us and we are so grateful. I am so looking forward to it! For me this is a great time to go back and enjoy all the beautiful books you have published in the past. Please take good care of yourself!!
I’m also happy that you posted today to let us know everything’s well, and that you’re in the “home stretch.” I do miss your blog updates, but know your books take so much time and effort! And they are so worth the temporary sacrifices we all must make. I actually don’t know how you manage to blog as often as you do when you’re not writing a book! And respond to so many of our comments! Good luck finishing soon so that you can enjoy some of the remaining summertime!
Dear, dear Susan,
I checked the blog this morning… and when I got home from visiting my mom this evening, I had a hunch to check again. And woohoo there you were!
Thanks so much for taking time to check in and give us peeks of your almost-done work in progress. Wow!! We’re getting excited now. We’ve missed you and we’ve been cheering you every day in our thoughts as we think of you often.
Sending lots of hugs… and love,
Brenda xox
You go for it! Can you hear it? We are all cheering you on!!!!
And we will all be so happy on the mornings when you are back. Sunshine from the heart of the home and you.
Waiting for you, Jack, Joe and Girl in Madison Wi Cheers from Peggy
Yea yea yea, it was just WONDERFULLY DELICIOUS to hear from you! We are so proud of you! We miss you bunches, send our love, our support, our hugs! Goodness I sound like I am speaking for all of us, YOUR friends! But I feel confident, I speak from my heart, that we all feel this connection, with our Susan Branch! Carry on, don’t forget your cup of tea, your kitty & Joe time, and check in with us soon, please! ♡♡
Thank you for the update, Susan. It was so good to hear from you and Jack. Keep your spirits up and know that the end is in sight.
Susan dearest,
It truly is a labor of love, a story filled with love, and a gift for all those who love you! I hope your mom and dad will receive the very first copies!! Just imagine the joy we will all feel as The Fairy Tale Girl starts popping into all of our mailboxes… very soon!
Treasure the last few details left to add! They are the final brushstrokes of a dream-come-true! Shout it from the rooftops when you are finished, so that we can all celebrate with you! ♡
Sending watercolor hugs!
Love,
Dawn (in Illinois)
♡♡
P.S. I think that’s precious that you still have a lock of your baby hair. I have my 2 son’s locks but not my own. I have pictures of myself when I was a baby but not as an infant.
Jack still loves you and we still love you — trudge on, girl!
Trudging forth!
My mom still has my baby book but I remember it looks almost like yours …. Also with a lock of hair. I think we are almost the same age. I love seeing your page. I’m so glad you will
Be including it. So personal and sweet and endearing! Yes your mom
Will love it! And the rest of us too. Hugs and wishes for a good nights sleep I’m sending to
you. God bless you!
I might not answer them, but I will definitely READ THEM! Thank you Georgeann! OK, really, here I go!
Hang in there! You see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m looking forward to reading your newest labor of love.
I’m holding on! But Girlfriends, I don’t think I better answer everyone of your lovely comments~ I gotta get going this morning, but THANK YOU so MUCH . . . I shall return!
I must have missed something and I know I missed the July 25th email. I am glad you are not ill and sorry I didn’t know about your book. I’ll have to go back through the archives and read your story –about your story.
You bring so much joy to my life. Thank you dear, talented lady!
You won’t have to go far, I’ve been a little slow in posting lately as I think you can tell. Thank you!
YOU boring? Never, Susan! I said “goodbye,” a few weeks back, but I guess you’ll still be doing your blog, so “hello,” after your long absence. Take as long as you like. You’re allowed. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
Ha ha ha, you had me worried Sondra!
So happy to hear you, Joe and the kitties are doing well.
I was worried about you since it’s been so long.
We will have to be patient a little longer so we can all enjoy the gift of your wonderful book.
Hope you have taken a moment or two during the summer to enjoy a little time off.
Keep up the good work. Very soon you will get your reward. Until then, you have our love and support!!
I appreciate that Lisa! Thank you!
So glad to see your message to us this evening! Looking forward to hearing from you with your lovely photos.
Thank you Carol!
Have checked often to see how you are getting on. Silly me. I never thought to leave a message…..seemed an intrusion, somehow….but now I know it wouldn’t have been. Keep on keepin’ on. That’s the ticket. You’ll soon be finished and it will be beautiful. And we can hardly wait!
Thank you Kathie! xo Never worry, I do feel the support even without the comments!
oh! Hello! Croeso! A Huge Hug and a Warm Welcome Back! Such a wonderful surprise to see you today!
Made me so hippy~hoppy~happy to see you here this morning ~~~
~~~of course, it is wildly wet and wutheringly windy in west Wales this morning with gale force winds to blow away the cobwebs ~ but do I mind? Not one jot~~~
Susan, earlier this week, my heart sank. As you know, the only place we can secure your merchandise is via Amazon {shudders} and earlier this year I placed advanced orders for lots of calendars. Imagine my utter disappointment to receive an email cancelling because ‘they have sold out of stock in America and have none to ship for the UK’ 😮 🙁
Not to be deterred, I looked at other sellers on Amazon and found replacements for almost everything cancelled AND a couple more items to add to my collection, so Happy Face restored 🙂 😀
{they are all ‘used but in VGC’ so I’m wondering if they are samples sent to vendors? The mini magnet calendars, already arrived, was film wrapped, so in ‘new’ condition}
So happy to see you again!
~~~Waving from Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
I can’t figure out how it all works. How could they be used? It’s still 2015! Mine is not to wonder why . . .! Just glad you found them. And that whole thing about not shipping to the UK, what kind of thing is that? Really, seriously, the wrong people are in charge! xoxo
Well, just to let you know, despite what the site said about Used, and VGC etc, everything is arriving in brand new condition, properly wrapped and everything as it should be, so I guess I lucked out!
btw, love you call Jack Pookie ~~~ “Pookie The Rabbit With Wings” by Ivy Wallace was my favourite childhood series of books. I have the complete set, all First Editions, now quite rare and sought after, by all accounts.
Deb xoxo
Glad to see you are alive and well…You are very special….it is good to come up for air
Miss everyone!
We all miss you, too, Susan! We know that you are in your studio making the magic happen! You are almost there…
You Go, Girl!!
Watercolor hugs,
Dawn (in Illinois)
♡♡
I can’t wait to enjoy this book !! I’m taking my daughter on a day trip to Marthas Vineyard on August 11th. I’m bringing one of your books with me just in case I bump into you in town (I might ask you to sign it if you’re not too busy). Enjoy the summer.
Re-emergence will be beautiful…when you are ready. And we will still be waiting. Miss you and your updates.
What a lovely way to start the day, with a new post to read! I know you’re busy with the book but I still can’t help being impatiently patient while you finish it. Priorities, priorities. I just finished reading A Fine Romance about a week ago. I loved it! Being that I am a new convert to your website and your work, I had debated if I should read the book. After all, I was never interested in England, although I do like to hear what the royals are up to. Well, am I ever glad I bought the book! I read….no, I SAVORED it: little bit every day to make it last longer. Of course, now I want to go to England myself. I know that will never happen but that is why you wrote the book, so we could go there and experience it through you. Thank you so much for your work. Thanks to you I have rummaged through my kids’ childhood books to find our copy of Beatrix Potter. I even made my poor husband listen to the Tale of Peter Rabbit because I just HAD to read it aloud! I’ve read several Elizabeth von Arnim books that I downloaded on my Kindle as well as E.M. Forster. It feels like Christmas waiting for the new book to come out. Oh dear, I’m gushing. Thank you Susan for your wonderful work!
Aaack! One final word, and then I’m done. Thought you’d be interested in how I discovered you. I have been a Gladys Taber fan for about 25 years. I love her books. I was looking up information about her and came across your website. What a happy discovery!
Can’t tell you how happy I am to see you back again. Every day I would check in and wonder where and how you were. Thankfully, all is well and you have just been busy creating your magic.
I love the first quote, I love the fairy at the top of your pen guiding you, I love your outlook, the way you see the world and capture it in your words and painting.
Wonderful, nostalgic baby book. I have my baby cards from 1951 and they are so sweet.
Thank you for the wonderful world you share with us. xo
You were missed! But this girlfriend guessed that you were working on the book, which I am sooooo looking forward to! Love to you and Jack, and of course, Joe!
XOXOX,
Ann
I love your baby book pages. I found a beautiful baby book from 1920 at an antique market. It broke my heart that it had not been kept in the family so…I adopted it. It was pretty well filled in in lovely handwriting complete with a chubby baby picture. Your parents are going to be so excited to hold your book in their hands. God speed.
I’ve missed your posts. Good to hear from you. I checked several times a week to see if you had time to post. I know you are very busy working on your new book, and I look forward to reading it.
Yippee! So glad to see a post! Have been trying to stay patient knowing you were hard at work. Blessings, Mary
You go girl We do miss you so much
Hello, hello, and congratulations on nearing the end! The book will be well worth our missing your posts this summer! I’m excited for you and for us readers waiting for The Fairy Tale Girl!
I love the new book already—you will razzle-dazzle us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m trying my best!
Get that book finished and come back to us! But, you will be done in time to enjoy the fall. The most special time of year. Good Luck with everything.
Treese/Colorado Cowgirl.
How wonderful to hear from you! I rarely post comments but I always read here…I work full time and have been working on my own memoir FOREVER and will probably still be writing when I retire in 7 years. Your creativity is astounding and inspiring and I can’t wait to read your new book.
You’ll do it. It’s hard when you keep getting interrupted and work will do that to you!
What a relief to know that you and Joe and the kitties are all well. This book is a labor of love and must take all your energy. I checked your blog each day and when you weren’t there, decided to re-read A Fine Romance for the fourth time. Am looking forward to the new book.
Hi Susan! I wish I could convey. . . I hope I can, I hope I AM conveying. . .how much everything you said is EXACTLY what I’m thinking these days, too. I have never wondered for a moment, “where you are”!! I’ve KNOWN so well what you are doing. And you truly are the best inspiration I have or have ever had of sticking to the job and getting it done. I’ve been “away” from Facebook for a month, and barely interacting or even noticing what is going on around me. I miss everyone sorely, but I simply cannot concentrate unless I block out the world around me and travel to my own, especially when it involves the world of fairy (in the old fashioned sense), and myth (in the literary sense). I’ve had a HUGE amount of lose ends to pick up and get going again, and I’m still picking them up as I go. My book has evolved into something much more than I wrote to you about earlier. I can’t wait for everything in my head to be “out there”! (I hope others will be as excited as I am. You never know. But I have to write for me, and say what is trying to burst out of me). I am still a LONG, LONG ways from “home”, but I’m NOT giving up. And you have inspired me. I’m good at having visions and dreams, and seeing stories in my head and writing, writing, writing. I’ve done it forever. Yet, often I get to a point and the “shotgun” approach takes over. I have to put it aside and do this, and that, and that, and pretty soon I’m doing things that won’t matter a hill of beans 100 years, let alone 10 years from now!! Then I screech to a stop and say STOP!! Get back to what matters! Let the weeds grow, and the cobwebs gather in the garage. They won’t matter later either. I TRULY am in my story again, and I don’t know if I’ll ever finish, but I’m keeping on going. And I have you to thank for that!! I KNOW you are chomping at the bit to let it fly, as you say, out into the world. And I KNOW you will, soon. I KNOW it will be great, because you are writing what is on your heart and it will be authentic! So, hang in there, dear friend, and keep on going. From other projects I HAVE finished, I KNOW the end is the hardest! That final push. And I think I can speak for everyone else when I say we are collectively behind you giving you that final PUSH!!! By the way, I have my baby book with the very same growth chart and lock of hair scotch taped in!! What a small world! And how clever of you to use these as end papers for your book!!! Best of everything on the homeward stretch! xoxo 🙂
Thank you Jane, and GOOD LUCK!!! You go girl!
LOVE it! You are truly inspiring to me… a stay at home mom with a less than thrilling life full of housework drudgery. You inspire me to look for all the lovely moments and little toddler adventures. And you inspire me to keep my eyes open for natural beauty. Thank you and keep up the good work!
Happy to have you here Naomi, it’s such a hard job you do, and so important too. xoxo
A special Sunday morning surprise!!! I’ve been going to the archive to read posts from earlier Julys – just pretending, don’t cha know… but today … a NEW POST! What a joy!!
I think – and hope – that we all realize how difficult it is to maintain the concentration necessary to produce the kind of work you do. And since we are all looking forward to getting our own special copies of The Fairy Tale Girl, we must give you a chance to get then pages done. Can hardly wait to see the results!!
Have a wonderful “last week of July”! How can August possibly be, not even just around the corner, but looming at the end of the week?!?! Tomatoes, corn, hot dogs roasted over the fire…. Ah!!! XOXO!
Hard to believe! Pretty soon it will be time for Downton Abbey again! eeeeek!
Isn’t it wonderful that we have so much to look forward to! Your book comes out soon. Jan Karon has a new book on the way too, and a new season of Downton Abbey – we won’t even think about the fact that it will be the last – is just around the corner. Just too good for words!!
You were in my thoughts this last week as I watched “Since you Went Away” on TCM. I hoped that you were watching along with me. I remember the very first time I saw this wonderful WWII film on TV – years ago when I was in high school. I cried then, but may have cried even more this time. It’s such a special film!
Good night and God bless! XOXO
I was “listening” as I painted! Still cried!
Oh, no! I still have to catch up, Season 1, episode 1! Hope I can make it.
Get going, it’s going to be FABULOUS this year!
So glad you are ok!! Cannot wait for the new book 🙂 I have missed you
Sooooo glad to see that you really are alive & well! You have been missed. I have my book preordered and cannot wait to savor it, just as I did with A Fine Romance. I know it will be well worth the wait! Keep your strength up and know that a whole, huge TROOP of Girlfriends is rooting for you!
Love the blog, love the glimpse into the book and your life, love the photo of fabulous faithful Jack, so glad to know everyone is well and you are still loving the journey and happy to take us along. Here in the Sacramento valley it is still hot and dry, so we are thankful for the cooling Delta breezes that reach all the way along the American River ino the Sierra foothills Happy Sunday dear Sue. XO
Best of luck as you approach the finish line, Susan!
Welcome back! I’m glad to hear you & yours are well. Your post was a happy surprise for me today..thank you!
Good for you to keep at it! You’ll be done soon — can’t wait!
I can’t wait for your book. I know it will be magical !!! You are very blessed to still have your wonderful parents in your life. I sure miss mine. Nothing really matters except having the ones you love. Hugs, Carol
So GLAD to have you back even briefly. And I figured you were deep in writing and painting but still missed your soul satisfying comments.
Keep the muse working and know you were greatly missed!
YAY!!!! What a sense of excitement and joy I felt when I checked your blog today to find a new post!! We TOTALLY understand your absence, but I will admit, I’ve missed your posts…You are just sooooo LOVED. I am looking forward to the new book, I’ve already pre-ordered it. Reading A Fine Romance (yet again) to hold me over. Thanks for checking in!! Glad all is well with your folks!
There’s absolutely NO apology needed, Sue. Nothing to forgive. You need the time to do your work of love and it takes time because of the quality you put into everything you do. So happy to hear that your mom and dad are well. That’s everything. Jack looks so grown up! The pic of your baby book brought sweet memories of mine. The cover of mine has the same or similar darling sketch of a baby like your page. After all these years the lock of my hair at 1 years old, looks like my mom just clipped it – brown with a hint of red. Even if you don’t hear from me (I don’t do Facebook), know that I keep you in my prayers.
lovely music for a lovely morning. Thanks for sharing updates. Those little fairies look like they’d be so helpful. Maybe they’ll finish the book while you sleep like the little elves who helped the shoemaker 🙂
“Patience, grasshopper, said Maia. “Good things come to those who wait.”
“I always thought that was “Good things come to those who do the wave,” said Simon. “No wonder I’ve been so confused all my life.” – Cassandra Clare, City of Glass
Lovely to read that all is well with you and your family.