Off we go, from Sea-to-Shining-Sea on our Excellent Adventure Booktour celebrating the publication of Distilled Genius! Did we have fun? Oh yeah . . . we had fun ~ we saw our girlfriends! Grab a cuppa, get comfortable, click on MUSICA, and enjoy your
Last post we did England, this post, we’ll do America! Because that’s what we’ve been doing this last month … since August 
fourth when we embarked on our sea-to-shining-sea booktour . . . stopping at bookstores all across the hot-hot-hot US of A to see as many of our Girlfriends as possible, our first book-signing tour since 2016! Too long! We’ve finally landed, here in California, visiting family and seeing oldest friends for the first time since the dam-panic disrupted everything . . . and here I am, checking in with you, sharing the adventure. PS Rabbit-Rabbit! Happy September!🍁
Here we are, driving out of our driveway heading for the ferry . . 
. waving goodbye to Jack’s wonderful babysitter, Barbara . . . we’re in a rented car so we can turn it in at the end, and take the train home . . . it’s stuffed to the gills with two ice chests, all our vitamins, clothes, pillows, tea kettle, cups, camera, and pens. Would have loved to take Jack, but he is not the traveling kind! 🙀 A homebody if there ever was one!💖
Kisses goodbye and . . .
Off we went . . . with only 3,000 miles to go!
We weren’t the only ones traveling . . . I told everyone to meet me halfway … and they DID! While we were driving, we were seeing photos on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, of Girlfriends in their cars coming to meet us too! So fun, this is Mary Brehm, with her husband Bill and their two daughters, Jessie and Sarah (and sweetpeas from their garden) on their way to meet us!
Mary, who I “knew” from the blog and Twitter ~ and me, finally meeting in person! No one really knew what to do about masks, sometimes we wore them, sometimes we didn’t. I just didn’t want to be like a bee, going flower to flower across the country, leaving any sort of bad pollen behind!
Bill, Mary’s husband, referred to himself, considering the company, as “chopped liver.” He was funny! Definitely one of the good guys! And not a bit chopped liver! Giver of my favorite flower!
Every event was filled with families like the Brehms, moms and daughters, sisters, grandchildren and grandmas, best friends . .💞
Kelly with her adorable baby, Marjorie ~ Girlfriends Elle, and Kathy
Daughter Amanda and her mom, Loretta
Mom Shalana, with her girls, Gentry and Cierra
Daughter Carlie with her mom, Suzie
Three generations: Stephanie, Violet, and Jan.
Sisters Nancy and Kathy
Kathy, on the left, is Kelsey’s Great Aunt!
Nora and her mom, Julie
Linda, is a first grade teacher, with her daughter in law, Jen.
Mom Bonnie, with her two daughters, Kristi and Bobbi
Mother and daughter, Marie and Molly
Olivia, Kayla, Leah … Sisters!
Daughter Gabrielle with her mom, Dana
Sisters Sandy and Betty
Meet Laura Ashley! Yes, her mom named her that! She loves it as much as I do!
Easy to do when you still get scared every time you have to talk in front of people! LOTS of heart-throbs!
I met old friends, This is Dawn . . . still bringing people together ~ she put us in touch with Prairie Path Books in Wheaton Illinois, and here we are!
Thank you Dawn!
My high school girlfriend Cathy came and brought her son Kevin and his wife Reyna. Cathy’s last name is Bliss! Isn’t that perfect? Ah, the memories we share!
And making more memories to share in the future! Say hello to Darlene and Barbara!
Linda and Christie, not the first time we’ve met!
Always so much fun to reconnect … Christie was on the Queen Mary with us!
Tawni, a very old blog friend I’d never met, in the middle ~ her Aunt Penny on the left, and Susan, who they met in line!
Lori is the sister of my island girlfriend Lynne! She lives in Salt Lake City . . . lovely to see her again!
Doreen and Greg Peterson ~ if you were a Twitter friend of Karen Peterson’s, I think you will know the lovely story of these newlyweds.
After I wrote my first book, Heart of the Home in 1987, I started receiving mail from readers. Letters so nice the writers stopped being readers and started being Girlfriends. It was a complete surprise, but a wonderful one … Everyone writing about the things that brought us together, 
love of home and family, our petty pets, recipes, decorating, gardening, homemaking in general (most creative job in the world, all happiness depends on it) our other creative projects, our dreams, hope for children, and for the future . . . SUCH nice letters, I wished so much that 
everyone could meet each other and realize what a really wonderful world we live in. Didn’t matter where they lived, north, south, east or west, from the middle of the country, the bottom, top, or the sides, even from other countries, their letters all had everything in common: kind, courageous, optimistic, generous, working out the life things that come to us all, a treat to the heart. No computers when I first started, so the chances of us ever meeting were slim … 
but baby, look at us now! My dream came true! Between the Willard, our booksignings, picnics, social media, and penpals, we’ve done a great job of finding each other, our kindred spirits! And totally organic! I met friends from 1987 at these book signings, all the way up to “brand new today!” Under the radar we have run … all word-of-mouth, friend-to-friend, sister-to-sister, but it’s true . . . 💞
💝
The people standing in line at book signings are laughing and talking so much, getting to know each other, meeting up from the LAST booksigning, or the Queen Mary 2, or an English picnic, it’s all I can do not to get out of my chair and join them!💖
Looks like it was ALL Girlfriends at the book signings, but it wasn’t . . . lots of our kindred spirits brought their kindred spirits too… This is Amy and Carl.💝
John and Sharon💘
Malissa and Jacob 🧡
Me and darling friend JoEllen @alicesroses, meeting again. . .💛
Pudgie, Cindy, and Carol, you can tell by the name tags that we have met before!
I had the most fun . . . answering questions is so much easier than “giving a talk” … I get the best questions!
Heidy
Christy, Jody, Lisa, and Lisa!
Sisters Johanna and Elaine ~ more family love!
Two adorable people. .. Kristina and Anjuli . . .
Four more adorable people … We didn’t get their names! But they were so color-coordinated 💞 ~ they said they didn’t plan it!
I gave a short talk about the inspiration for Distilled Genius, how inspired I’d been when I first discovered quote books back in the 1980s …in the nick of time as I was trying to figure out how to make a new life and searching everywhere for the secrets of life. 
I talked about Holly Oak, how it was living there alone, and how my search for meaning had changed my life, discovering, through 
quote books and biographies, with the help of my heroes and teachers, the things that I would love and pursue all my life. I’ve always felt I write children’s books for big people, but never more than when writing Distilled Genius. How much I hope children will be attracted to the watercolors. I talked about hope and the future, and being passionately curious. I asked everyone when they were done with their book, if they would please donate it to their local school library, so kids can read the brilliant inspiring words of the geniuses of the world while they are still young, and know they are not alone. Lots of teachers at the signing were saying they would be using Distilled Genius in their classes. Made my day!
Me with Susan Shirley, “Miss Shirley” to her students! She was one of the wonderful teachers who asked me sign books for her class and school! Could not have loved it more! You can see her at work on Instagram …
Bookstores, Schools, Churches and Town Halls filled with Kindred Spirits . . .
I took pictures of everyone . . . sometimes I even included my finger . . .
With Scott, manager of Tattered Cover in Littleton, CO. He was the BEST!
A WONDERFUL store if you get a chance to visit! Tattered Cover, in Littleton CO … say hello to Scott for me!
Here are Alice, Lynda, Rose, me, and Kym at An Unlikely Story in Plainville, MA 💞 I did a really fun Zoom with Kym during the Pandemic . . . I think lots of you may have been there!
Ellen, me, Anastasia, and Lisa . . . at Rakestraw Books, in Danville CA . . .
Wes and Kate who own the Charming Learned Owl in Hudson, Ohio, commonly known by the locals as “The Owl” ~ it’s the shop around the corner we all dream about!
Hudson, Ohio, a charming town with a very special bookstore. The world would not be the same without our quaint atmospheric 
hometown Independent Bookstores (no two alike!), heroes of the Pandemic, keeping everyone creatively entertained with Zooms and Newsletters, Contactless Pick-ups, Support for kids and their stuck-at-home parents. They kept the home fires burning… many lost their employees, they had to stay home too, and somehow the owners, often alone, but sometimes with one or two crew, managed it all on their own, not only surviving, but thriving. Being invited by these book-lovers to launch my new book in their lovely bookstores was a pure gift. Gratitude is my middle name.
Susan, Vivien, and Roger from the wonderful Rainy Day Books in Kansas City, a community gathering place since 1975! They’ve withstood the tides of time for all these years! For us!
Kate and Sandy at Prairie Path Books in Wheaton, IL.
Because so many of the events were actually in churches or schools, I didn’t see the inside of a lot of bookstores! But look how cute they decorated Prairie Path Books! Just for me!💞
Here I am with the cute people work there . . . Sandy, Sandy (yes, there are two), Kate, me, Susan, Linda, and Leslie … 
The girls at Titcomb’s Books … Love the body language between me and my friend Vicky Titcomb (that’s Vicky’s niece Rae between us, it’s a family affair at Titcomb’s since 1969)… Can you tell we’re both the oldest of eight children? We had to be bossy. Otherwise all those children would have been running around with no socks, with Cheerios stuck to their cheeks, wearing wet clothes, crossing the street without looking, and cheating at Candy Land like crazy! We know they never would have survived without us big sisters! 💖
Across America we went, Joe and I, loving every minute of it! Been a very long time, and we love our cross-country trips.
Over the river and through the woods . . .
🎶 . . . It takes two, baby . . . 🎵
All the views America has to offer . . . Barns and corn . . .
Small towns and big towns . . . and plenty of space with no towns at all . . .
But how gorgeous!
We drove next to this beautifully decorated train ~ I took this photo from my car window. BTW, we saw almost NO political flags or signs across the country.💞 Only the stars and stripes, I found that heartening. 
Couldn’t even THINK of passing through Missouri without stopping to see this famous house, two blocks from the Mississippi . . .
This is the house where my hero Mark Twain grew up! Sam Clemens, actually! It was our second visit!
I put these two photos together after our first visit! I like to choose gigantic shoes I will never fill to be my heroes. Considering the lives they led, it always amazed me to think that people like Mark Twain or Ben Franklin were only children at one time. How did they get so much done???? Ben Franklin’s formal education ended at age 10…Same with Mark Twain, who was done after the 5th grade … but he gave a clue when he said, “Don’t let schooling interfere with your education.”
All our motels and hotels had different views and personalities. All we cared about was 1. air conditioning, 2. fridge, 2b. a freezer if possible, for the ice, 3. microwave, 4. electricity, 5. bed.
Out front of that little room we had views to forever. It was soooo quiet there. We thought the Field of Dreams was across the street, but I had my “Picture This” app for plant identification and it wasn’t corn … it was soybeans, the Field of Beans.🤣 Was so hot and parched and humid all the way across the country. Who plans a booktour in August!!! 🤣
See the temperature at the top? Worst it got on our trip was 106º … in a couple of places ~ it wasn’t under 90º! BUT, we had air-conditioning in that big ole’ car, and everywhere we stayed, and everywhere we visited. So it wasn’t bad at all!
We loved seeing some of the famous supermarkets our Girlfriends recommended as we drove along . . . this gorgeous grocery store is Harmons Neighborhood Grocer in Salt Lake City. You get in, but it’s not easy to get out!
We made a sort of ‘home” everywhere we went!
We had mostly blue skies, but every so often we saw something like this storm coming our way! Because of the world, weather took on a much bigger part of travel-worry than ever before! But we made it!
Hardly ever traffic . . . but sometimes…
Pretty cities, nicest people, delicious food . . . this is Kansas City, MO …
This is our first view of the Mississippi River . . .
Some bridge somewhere . . .
You get off the coasts and gas prices drop like a rock. We were surprised, we spent a little over $600 on gas getting across the country. We expected a LOT more! It was $5-something on the Island, it’s around $6 here in CA! But in between, not so bad!
I wonder how much this gets to the gallon???? It’s the Wienermobile! In a parking lot in Illinois! 💛 Last time I saw it was at the Piggly Wiggly in Reseda, California when I was about nine. I liked it just as much this time, and began singing that 
song, “My bologna has a first name, it’s O S C A R, my bologna has a second name, it’s M E Y E R . . . Ohhhh, I love to eat it every day, and if you ask me why I’ll say . . .
‘Cuz Oscar Meyer has a way with B O L O G N A.”
The moonrises and sunsets were spectacular . . .
We always came home late . . .
Through the blinds . . .
Aneeeway … we left lots of signed books everywhere we went. 📚 Of course, I know you know, I could not have done this without Joe!💖
If you’d like a signed book, call one of the independent bookstores on the tour and make their day … Here I am signing books to leave with Kings English, in Salt Lake City, Utah… with Jac on the left, Lorrin, and Rob helping . . . and Joe wielding the camera!
Next week we’ll have our last West Coast stop for Book Talk and signing before heading back to Fall on Martha’s Vineyard ~ it’s in Southern California at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, 11 am on Sunday, September 11th. Hope you can make it! I’ve felt such an intense feeling of gratitude this last month, it hasn’t completely hit me yet how amazing this trip has been, it all went so fast, like a blur, it’s been such a lovely reception, and meeting everyone along the way has been the frosting on the cake.
And, it’s still not over! I’m getting cozy pictures from Girlfriends like Mary Ann @maw1984. I especially like her tabs! But even more? The kitty!
Kitties with faces of love, blankets, and tea . . . and Distilled Genius . . . 💝 from Michelle @dersarkat . . .
Distilled Genius has even gone camping with Joanie @okjoan! I couldn’t be prouder!💖
So here we are, on the Central Coast doing as we are told on this postcard, “Sharing the Experience.”
We’re unpacked, laundry is done, and we’ve had time to wander around the garden. . . plus, we’re . . .
Staying at the Studio, having lunch out with Kellee and Sheri! Wonderful to be together again, and look at that view we have!!
You walk into The Vista restaurant in Pismo Beach and are instantly bowled over . . . definitely a room with a view … the entire Pacific Coast laid out before you . . .
And dearest friends to catch up with. The last time we saw these two was when they came to the Island to visit us in the fall of 2019. Been trapped far away by covid ever since, but here we are again, and YES! Wonderful happy news for all of us, Sheri is coming back to work with Kellee, only two days a week, but we are sooooooo happy! Anyone who’s met her knows why! My two best girls do an amazing job and make a wonderful team.👏👏👏 So, let me think, what did they say I’m supposed to tell you? Oh yeah:
This is the new wall calendar … but like always we have a purse calendar, a Mini calendar and a desk-top calendar, too. You can read about them HERE!
You’ll see this page again in Fall 2023!
I need to do another photo like this! This grouping stops at 2016 . . . There have been seven more wall calendars since then! I love laying them out so I can remember the history! All those years ago! What else? Oh, all kinds of little things . . .
Promise me the first thing you’ll do when you get your new calendar is choose a few days and put FUN on them. Be specific, make plans, make sure life doesn’t escape you! You put your dentist appointments on your calendar, don’t forget . . . ❌⭕️
A new Dream Charm is coming! Inspired by Distilled Genius, stars as seen from the rail of a ship across the ocean, my inspiration for the cover of the book . . . it’s coming later in the season, and it will say GENIUS on them, with little hearts . . . perfect for all the geniuses in your life, including you! I’ll let you know when they come in!
And new stickers for your packages . . . more moon and stars, more Distilled Genius! Available now!
These too, sweet new Notepads! Great stocking stuffers, more Distilled Genius!
And Kellee had more of these notecards printed . . . back in stock by popular demand, just in time for our season of love and laughter!🍁🍂🍁
Here’s what they say inside!
And in case you missed them the first time . . . we just received a new shipment of puzzles!
What a wild year we’ve had…. and now all the travel is almost over . . . in a week from tomorrow we’ll be at Vroman’s Bookstore, and then we’re on our way Home. Three-day train trip across the country . . . Just in time. . .because
We don’t want to miss a moment of this most beautiful time of year!🍁
I so look forward to this beauty . . .
To hearing the church bells and feeling that little fall chill in the air . . .
Watching leaves fly around our beloved home . . .
And blowing up behind our car . . .
Walking our walk through the woods . . .Cooking from my Autumn book, hugging our friends, and
Setting pumpkins out in the garden . . . and don’t forget, it’s almost time for Sleeping Weather! Ooooooo . . . .
Time to see our kitty! Just. Can’t. Wait!
Lumbering home by Amtrak … in our room with a view . . . 
Thank you dear friends . . . it has been a year of dreams come true!
This has to be my longest Blog… VERY hard to condense so much in such a little space . . . I have a zillion photos I didn’t use ~ I hope I’ll get to use them over time. So much wonderfulness!🧡
Bye for now, Happy September! Love forever!💝 . . . ❌⭕️❌⭕️
Gorgeous post, loved seeing America through your lense..especially the part about the gas prices and NO political flags. Thank you Susan for always spreading your joy and optimism and good cheer. Enjoy your time in CA and safe trip home!♡♡♡Amy
Love this blog!❤️❤️❤️. Believe it or not I have all your calendars back to 1998. I never write on them. I have the tiny ones and I use the one in my purse to keep up with appts. The huge one I have in my laundry room to put appts on so everyone knows what is coming up
When a month is over, I cut out the pics and quotes in my commonplace book! I make notes and will leave my book to my grandchildren or maybe even my great granddaughter😊
So glad your book tour was a smash!!! I wish we could have been able to stop and see you! I’m sure you are counting the minutes until you board the train for the trip back east…your favorite way to travel! Have a safe trip and I will look forward to the next blog post!!! xoxoxo
What excellent timing! I was JUST thinking the other day that I didn’t remember seeing any updates about a new blog yet and how I was looking forward to it. 🙂 And tada! Thank you SO much. I enjoy each and every one! I would love to take a cross-country train trip someday with my daughter, Aurora. Are there any particular routes you would recommend?
Sue, you are so wonderful! My home town, Reno has 1 Independent Bookseller! Wish they had booked you here. Ordered Distilled Genius from your website and it arrived beautifully wrapped with a bookmark, and of course, the sticker with your autograph.
Much love,
Susan Day
Next Time!
Fantastical!
Thank you for this wonderful post, Susan, filled with your adventures and book signings. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed your talk and book signing at Titcombs. Enjoy your last days in California and have a safe train ride back to the east coast. Autumn awaits your arrival!
Smiles,
Karen Holly
I was so excited to see you in Kansas City! I was so happy to meet my girlfriend💕
It is wonderful to see you and Joe settled in CA after such a successful book tour. We loved your talk in Sandwich hosted by Titcomb Books. It was great to catch up with you and Joe. Distilled Genius is quickly becoming one of our favorite books. Enjoy your time in CA and the train ride back East. 🙂
Wonderful Willard as always! Thank you for sharing your cross country trip and pictures of happy faces.
I am so enjoying your 📖 , while I wait patiently for fall. Autumn is my favorite season. Home is a blessing, so hope you settle in nicely with a cup of tea!
Sooooo wonderful knowing you’re nearby on the Central Coast;
someday we’ll meet and say A-Lo-Ha-Ha in person💕💕💕Keep
safe dear Susan💕💕💕Evie in San Diego (we spent Thanksgiving
Week in Cambria, Morrow Bay, Pismo Beach)
PS: thank you for The Vista recommendation.. on our next trip to Pismo💗
You’ll love that view Evie!💝
Sounds like a wonderful trip. Wish you’d been closer to me but I did get to meet you a few years ago in Grand Rapids. Loved it.
Your purse calendar is my life line! I keep a phone calendar BUT it’s my purse calendar that I love most. Thanks for still making them. And I love the quality of the paper.
It was so wonderful to meet and I’ve already received your books for my store. Thank you so much for the information ☺️💕. You have so inspired me.
While you were traveling East to West, my husband I drove from South Central Texas all the way straight up to MN near the Canadian border and back. I wish so badly we could have intercepted! We saw so many of the same things! Cornfields (and soy bean fields), trains, barns and farmhouses. In Iowa we saw covered bridges in Madison County, a wonderful independent bookstore – Dog Eared Books in Ames, and the land where my husband’s GGG Grandfather farmed! However, one thing that was different is that we saw LOTS of political flags and signs and I don’t think you would have liked those! We were driving straight up Middle America, after all.
Since we got home, I have been re-reading FTG and MVIOD and I have just been in heaven! I have a very small shelf of books that are to be grabbed if the house is on fire and those are included along with A Fine Romance. I’m about to read Distilled Genius and I’m so hoping you publish Enchanted. I’m about to order calendars and as always, I am so grateful for you and that you found your way to Martha’s Vineyard where you could begin writing (we all know who we can thank for that!) and enrich the lives of so many. Your dreams and doily mentality fit me like a glove. And… I can’t forget to thank Joe, who has given you so much love and joy and that has enabled you to share so much of that with us! I am wishing you the most blessed autumn and may God grant you many years!
Hello Sue and Joe,
Thank you for sharing your wonder-filled trip. I especially loved seeing all the sweet bookstores and their displays of all things SB.
I will miss the signings this year. Fingers crossed that Linda will make it to Vroman’s for us. I ordered us each a copy and had them sent to her for signing. Or, I should say personalized again by you.
I heard you went right past Truckee from Reno. If I knew you were coming, I’d have baked a cake and heat the water for tea.
Enjoy your last few days.
Love Forever,
Melin xoxo
Thank you Susan for such a heart warming blog. You really have brought so many kindred spirits together…it’s amazing and so wonderful. I am very excited for the Vromans signing. Destined Genius is an inspiring collection of so many of my favorite old quotes and new favorites too. See you on the 11th. 🌸
Thanks for a beautiful blog. I met you in 2018 at Apple Farm! Such a thrill. Your news is always so uplifting! I loved traveling with you and Joe through your exquisite photos. Thank you for Distilled Genius!
This was a wonderful post and they are never too long. Thank you for sharing your cross-country trip. My daughter and I saw you in Hudson, OH. One of the highlights of my summer. Safe travels to both you and Joe.
As always…your blog “makes my heart sing” ❣ Thank you, Susan. So wish I could have made it to Wheaton. Just glad to have the beautiful book and so enjoying it! 💕
Thank you so much for sharing your trip, inspiring and filled with joy as always. So fun to see all the girlfriends and boyfriends too. Safe travels home.
Hi Susan,
Such a lovely blog posting this morning. I’m sitting here at Windy Hollow Manor (our home) in the den, enjoying my first cup of morning coffee, reading your blog. I’m smiling away. Happy to hear you and Joe had a great time on your travels. I being a kindred spirit know how wonderful that first night home sleeping in your own bed felt, especially with that warm little Jack cuddled up right next to you. I’m sure he was thrilled to see you both! Thanks for the wonderful time we had at your book signing in Wheaten, IL and for including a picture of Greg & I (your children) in you blog. It was a very special time for the both of us finally getting to meet you and Joe as you know our story. Sending lots of love & hugs to you both… oh… and of course…to Jack too!!!! ~ Doreen ~ XXOO!!
P.S. Enjoy the beauty the wonderful season of Autumn brings to not only your home… but to your heart! ~ Doreen ~
It was so lovely to see you in Kansas City. I was sorry that Joe couldn’t be there, but it looks as if his nap helped him recuperate for the rest of your adventure. Thank you for the gift of your books and the gift of YOU!!
So lovely to see everyone having so much fun. as I’m now more or less housebound I can’t say loud enough to everybody do what you can when you can and enjoy every day as it comes to you. I got me a voice activated keyboard on my laptop which helps me keep connected! Isn’t technology wonderful?
Deb in Wales xoxo
It truly was such a JoY meeting you in Kansas City. The hubs and I actually had a delightful weekend visiting one of our very favorite cities and of course listening to you. Thank you for signing books and calendars and personalizing them to each and every person. That was a labor of love! You are the best!
Thanks for taking the time to write such an informative and happy blog post!
Just had a thought to check your blog, and there you were! I pulled your Autumn cookbook out the other day, read thru it, marked new recipes to try, and viola my crabby mood was gone. Thank you, thank you.
Thank you Susan for another beautiful inspiring Excellent adventure that we all can live vicariously with you. Love to you and everyone. 🙏🏻💜
My daughter faced timed me last night. “Mom have you seen Sue’s new blog post yet? You have to log on right now!” Omg…There we were, happy happy faces smiling back at me! We had such a wonderful time coming to see you. You can see it in the faces of all the girlfriends who did. So much Happy energy and all of us feeding off of it and bouncing it back to each other and into the world. That’s the effect you have on us all. I am so grateful. You and Joe were wonderful, charming and gracious and endured our (I’m sure) overwhelming enthusiasm.
You spread love and happy wherever you go. I love seeing all the pictures of your stops along the way. I had a long and hard spring. Major surgery and cancer scare, but i got through it and the reward was coming to see you. It was so worth it! I hope you are having a wonderful time in CA, seeing all of your friends and family. Did you get to have your memorial service for your mom? If so, I’m sure it was full of emotion and sad/happy tears.
I’m sure you are looking forward to coming back east and our lovely fall time.
It has been getting a tad cooler here in the evenings. We actually had a few days where I could turn off the a.c. and open the windows. It feels great! Makes me more energized and motivated to do things.
Have a safe trip home. Love, Mary (and Jess, Sarah and “Chopped Liver”)
It’s me again! I forgot to mention about the Wiener Mobile. Did you know that the people that drive it are called hot-doggers? There was a story about it. I think on the CBS Sunday morning show. The wiener mobile spreads, happiness and goodwill wherever it goes! Just like you. <3
Love all these pics! Such a nice travelogue of your cross country jaunt! So many smiles even behind the masks! And I even picked myself out in one of the photos. I’m still in awe that we were able to meet. It was so nice to talk with you & Joe. My summer highlight for sure. Thanks for connecting with us! ❤️😍💖📚 Hope to see you again some day.
I simply could not continue this day without taking time to read your words. Yes, there are tasks to do, with a late day work schedule, however I have my priorities!! Sharing your amazing travels and then to come to Home Sweet Home put my heart in a happy, content place, I’m able to go forward to complete the things awaiting me thanks to YOU! So thank you for all you’ve done and all you continue to do, brightening up days and nights with your words and paintings ❤️❤️
It was so lovely to meet you in Salt Lake Susan! My eyes were welling up the whole time you were speaking. Thank you for the wonderful advice on how to start writing! I was able to make friends with a girlfriend sitting next to me even though I came alone! It was quite a red letter day for me! thank you for all the joy and happiness you bring everywhere with you!
What an amazing tour and happy for you and Joe to spend some time on the Central Coast. So wish the stop in Danville had been an option. So many “Linda’s” in photos – perfect “tell” of an era when the name was popular. Next time, would love to help set up an event in SLO.
Enjoy your trip home!
Awesome post!!! Love, love, love all the photos of your cross country trip and love reading Distilled Genius. Slowly, a little at a time to make it last..
What a delight…this blog post along with my morning coffee. Thanks!!!!
Thank you for taking us along on your trips and for all the lovely photos.
Armed, or rather “lipped” myself with lots of balm, and I have smiled my way through this wonderful Blog. Almost like being there. Thank you for all the pictures of so many Girlfriends and a few Boyfriends!!
Tom and I drove all over this country in 4 extended trips in our teeny, tiny campers. We included the southern tier of Canada, as well. First time was 1988. We stayed away from the Interstate highways, and explored hundreds of towns that still had thriving Main Streets. By the last of those trips, in 2006-2007, the Big Box stores had left so many sad and lonely. But your pictures are certainly hopeful.
What a Stretch we’ve all been through, Eh? Covid, political Horror Show, the Dreaded Supply Chain, being smacked into the reality of Climate Change!! Holy Guacamole!!
Now we Dirt Road People here beside our little Hog Bay in Maine, are celebrating the first whiff of Fall. We’ll Save some for you and Joe. Slept with windows open and even had to arise in the wee hours to close those windows due to the Wonderful Chill. Aaaaaaahhhhhh. And we have a new couple up the road to join the circle around the fire pit next door!!
It was so nice yesterday, I cooked and cooked. I think it’s genetic, the first coolish days makes us want to feed people. I made a Mexican bean soup that is my own recipe involving 4 kinds of beans, lots of garlic, celery and my trusty blender stick. Then toasted pine nuts and fresh sweet corn. Oh, and a de-boned chicken. We’ll be sending a pot over next door. We look after their lovely dog during the day, so she brings us whatever she’s baking or making on the weekends. They got a little electric ice cream maker, so all thru the heat we received Wonderful sorbets and a few ice creams. One lemon one that made what’s left of our hair stand on in. I Love Tart, and she knows it.
Soon it will be apple picking time. I may have one more season of making apple butter in these old, gnarled hands.
Be safe, Dear Lady and her Gentleman,
Debbie in Maine
What a fun post. I would love to go to one of your book sightings someday, but for now I am an armchair traveler. That’s me, above, reading Distilled Genius and filling it with colorful tabs so I can go back and reread my favorite quotes. I couldn’t bring myself to underline or highlight in this gorgeous book, so this works. Thank you for all you do for your girlfriends, Susan. You are so appreciated and loved.
Saw you in Hudson, Ohio on August 8th. It was a thrill to meet you. You have been a hero of mine for a long time. I loved that you wore your Girl Scout pin on your sweater! When you were signing my book, you asked me how life was going. I don’t remember what I said ( I was a bit “star struck”), but I know that being able to stop and read a new Willard from you always recharges me. Life is good, and you help make it so. You always remind me that, even with all the craziness going on, this is still a beautiful world with good and caring people in it. Love you Susan! And meeting Joe was a thrill as well. He’s such a wonderful guy!
Susan…You certainly deserve all the “wondefulness” that came your way! I’m sure everyone that was lucky enough to see you on your tour has their own story and unforgettable experience meeting you, Joe, and kindred spirits. Thank you for sharing all the pictures with us. I could feel the camaraderie in each and every one of them. Get back to New England safely and enjoy fall in all it’s glory. Warm hugs from Lil Rhody. XO🌻🤎🍁
I felt as I am traveling with you! What a wonderful experience you have been having as you have made your way across our magnificent country. Thank you for sharing. My only regret is that you did not come to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Maybe another time!
Have a safe trip back home and a wonderful reunion with precious Jack!
Linda
What a wonderful trip! So sorry you had to endure the HOT weather along the way. It’s 108 degrees here in Bakersfield today and will be 114 on Tuesday. Now that is just tooo HOT!
I would dearly love to see you in Pasadena next week, but alas, probably can’t make it.😢
My son is at Pismo this weekend. I’m so jealous. Would love to eat at the restaurant you mentioned. Maybe someday…..
Thank you so much for sharing this trip. Your pictures are beautiful. I always enjoy your posts.🥰
Safe travels,
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
What a wonderful welcome blog. You know we traveled with you everyday and enjoyed at ALL. What great crowds..girlfriends and boyfriends too. You have such a wonderful way with words…when I read what you had to say when talking with Vicky Titcomb about your both the oldest of 8 and beling bossy when I got to the no socks and cherrios stuck to the face I just laughed out loud. So glad you trip worked out. Have a wonderful train ride back home. Kiss the leaves for me..living here in Southern CA we won’t see them till Nov…Kiss Jack too Hugs xoxo
Hugs right back to you Lana! Thank you!!
Oh Susan….what a delightful post. It made me feel like the scene when the little girl twirls with her mother in the “ Little Shop Around The Corner”. You and Joe bring smiles and joy wherever you are. Speaking of JOY….this is the month sweet Oma becomes 100!!!! I know she will love her surprise 🤫, and I have more planned. I will be sure to share pics ❤️🎂❤️
Please do … 100, and still happy, and fun and wonderful. What a blessing!!!💝
Oh Susan what a wonderful journey you and Joe have been on, and soon after your perfect trip to England. 2022 is turning out to be a banner year that’s for sure!! So many girlfriends to see so much joy, love and wisdom to share. I will be there with bells on next week at Vroman’s.. Can’t wait.
With love and girlfriend hugs.
Theee Beverlee 😉
Oh Yay, Beverlee, be sure to tell me you’re THAT Beverlee, Thee Beverly 💖. . . sometimes I miss on the connection, makes me so mad when I figure it out later! 🤣
Oh, Beverley, give Susan a hug for me, please.
Happy Autumn Susan! And tell Joe happy belated birthday! Love, Debby
I just did!😘 xoxoxo
hurry home Susan, Fall is almost here!!! hello Susan, and girlfriends. been a busy and hot summer and i for one am glad to see it go, no more triple digits, just cooler weather ahead and lovely Autumn colors to enjoy. and for me putting away the sprinklers, and rolling up the hoses for the season. i am so tired of watering, i try to stick to time limit but boy does it get tiring. especially wrestling with the hose when it decides to kink up on you. but soon and it is over with for the season and put away until next summer. sadly on July 29th we lost little Tabitha, she was a black cat and 12 years old. she was my lovebug and was always fussing about the house keeping everything on her little schedule. she was pure joy. i hope these hot days are finally leaving, we need the cool weather now, especially since we have a few fires going on around us, The Mills fire in Northern California and the Rum creek fire near Grants Pass, it has been awfully hot and not exactly helping the firefighters too much. got to love those guys, and we do appreciate them. we have been to the local Lions’ club Labor day festival and while my husband goes to the Tuff Trucks competition, i cruise around the festival and hit the craft vendors for gift ideas for the holidays. plus we both go there for the famous Lion burgers, big and juicy hamburgers that are loaded with good things to eat, lots of pickles, tomatoes and cheese and it gets the 5 napkin rating ( which is the best) for being so sloppy and juicy, takes 5 napkins to clean up your face and hands. school started last week for the kids. and soon it will be time to enjoy the beautiful colors and the wonderful scents and aromas of the Fall. also time to break out the Fall cookbooks and get busy on some hearty stews, soups and roasts. love the aroma of a turkey or chicken roasting in the oven with lots of onions and sage. and i love watching the leaves come down, and the cooler sweater weather to sit outside and enjoy it all. hurry home Susan and Happy Fall everyone. hugs ….. 😀
I’m so sorry to hear about Tabitha, Pat! 😢 Pure joy is what they are. 💔 But your thoughts about the delights of fall coming soon were wonderful and I couldn’t agree more. The heat has been too much, and those fires! Stay safe and keep in touch! 🍂🍁🍂
thank you Susan, we do miss Tabitha. i miss her scurrying around and seeing to it everything was on her schedule. she was such a joy and such a little fussbudget. she was my little sweetheart. the fires are still burning, and the temps are still hot, 107 today and 102 tomorrow … YUK!!! i cannot wait for Fall to get here, we need the cooler temps and the start of the rainy season. for me it is the enjoyment of seeing the leaves change colors, and the critters putting on their winter coats. i love the scents of Fall, roasts cooking in the oven, turkeys or chickens roasting in the oven with sage and onions ( best aroma ever), stews and soups cooking and best of all sitting out on the front porch enjoying all the sights, smells and colors of the season. yes i love Fall, it is my favorite season of the year. only 16-17 days to go and it will officially be Autumn …. YAY!!! hurry home Susan, you don’t want to miss the start of Fall. it will be gorgeous where you live, but i like what i see here, very colorful. Happy Fall and hugs …. 😀
I love this LONG post! Just what I needed. The sight of the wonderful people you met across the country gives us hope – and what a beautiful country we have! Thank you, Susan
All those smiles … all that laughter and heartfelt connection. Couldn’t have asked for more! 💞💞💞💞
What a wonderful trip you had across “this land that I love!” Thank you for sharing all the pictures of the girlfriends. You mentioned the date 9/11. On that Sunday my granddaughter, Emily Rose, is cashing in a coupon I gave her last Christmas for a tea party in my home, to be used anytime in 2022, so she finally said, “Grandme, let’s do the tea party!” (Up until last year she didn’t realize it’s spelled “Grammy” – I like her way better.) For many years I have had an original brown teapot made in England and a tea cozy showing a thatched-roof cottage with a white kitty by the door and a black kitty peeking out a window. I’m giving her this these as a surprise – she is a bona-fide 100% tea connoisseur and lover. Safe travels home – I’ll follow you and Joe on Twitter from the Twain! Oh! I love Distilled Genius. I love the idea of donating it to a school library – but i don’t think I can give it up. So. . . . I’m going to order another one to donate! ❤
Grandme!!! Just the truth! Grand you! Have a wonderful tea party!!! And thank you, and THANK YOU also for that donation! YOU are an inspiration! ❌⭕️❌⭕️
What a fun chronicle of your cross country girlfriends/book signing exploration. Loved every bit of it! Thank you for sharing the excitement and fun. Very entertaining. Stay safe. Looking forward to your exciting train trip back to Martha’s Vineyard. Enjoy the passage into fall color!
Thank you so much Carolyn . . . 🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂 It’s an exciting time of year!
Oh, what a beautiful post! Can’t wait to get my calendar and but I won’t have to mark the fun days. We made a vow on our 40th anniversary to celebrate on our date, the 8th, of each month…because we know so many couples who never made it to 40 years and we want to celebrate as much as possible. My sweet husband marks the 8th of each month ” monthly anniversary fun”!
BUT…with all the terrible news in the world and our country, it was SO uplifting to see all those smiling faces on this post…people who believe in the power of books, and good words, and a beautiful world. It gives me hope. You gave them hope. Bless you !
I love your wonderful and frequent celebration … perfect. Life goes by too fast and that love we share, so worth celebrating! 💟
Oh, dear lady! What a wonderful ride for all of us!! Lovzies forever! <3 <3 <3
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Susan and Joe,
Thank you so much for your time, kindness, and inspiration. Joe kept us company in line at the Rakestraw talk, and I was in the picture with Tawny and her lovely auntie. When Tawny told her story about visiting MV a few years ago, I enjoyed hearing her tell the tale to Joe. I’m Susan (Ms. Shirley), one of the (many) teachers you met. I gave the signed copy of DG to our school’s library-Tom Matsumoto, and our school media clerk was so happy to have it. I put copies of Distilled Genius, signed for my students in The Dragon’s Den, along with new copies of your Autumn book, and your memoir trilogy. I had to get new copies as my personal ones are too dear for me to take to school. The kids were impressed when you responded to a Tweet I wrote and told me I was, “internet famous” which caused me to heartily chuckle. Enjoy your last bit of time in CA, and I look forward to following your Tweets from the Twain this month.
See you on Twitter!
Love you Susan, what an inspiration you are to your kids . . . beyond proud to be included! Best of everything to you this school year… I went to your Instagram page and saw your brilliant advice to fellow teachers … such a hard time for teachers these days, but your feet are on the ground while your head is in the clouds.💖 We love our teachers, never forget that. ❌⭕️❌⭕️❌⭕️
I feel your love and appreciation and share it with my colleagues.
It’s so funny, I saw the picture of me with Tawny and her auntie, but my computer must not have loaded the image of you and me together! I didn’t see your post until someone added me on IG today! What an absolutely delightful surprise!
I will be more patient when loading my future Willards because this one was so lovely and picture rich.
Side note, my mom texted me this message yesterday, “Sweet daughter Susan, today has been one of those most delightful days! Took the time to do nothing but turn the pages of Susan Branch’s recent book Distilled Genius! What a most pleasant way to spend this day! Thank you for your introduction of this profound author! Many people included but many of her own writings are truly profound. Thank you! God Bless!”
I mean, isn’t that what it’s all about? What you do? What I do? Sharing your work with the world? One mother, one friend, one student at a time? My mom was born in ’44 in Sacramento CA, and she loves your Christmas memoir book as you two are close in age and have the Pollyanna gene that she passed on to me.
Keep in mind, it was well over 100 degrees where she lives in San Jose yesterday, and they (nor I) have AC so I love the image of her curled up reading your book on a day the earth is melting. Find your joy when you can where you can, right?
Again, thank you for sharing my IG account of my farm, fiber art, and my teaching shenanigans! I “met” a new girlfriend today who added me after seeing your post! She was in Danville in line, but we didn’t meet there. We met because of your blog, and I will continue to be inspired, impressed, and appreciative of all you do.
Another side note since you meet so many people, I’m the one who was trying to get you into Bookshop Santa Cruz, so perhaps another tour?
Can’t wait to see your Tweets from the Twain!
Wonderful, “sweet daughter Susan” ~ thank you so much. And please thank your mom for me, such kind words from both of you. We don’t have air conditioning where we are either! I’d love to go to Santa Cruz, maybe next time, and maybe in the winter!!! People will love knowing you on Instagram … my pleasure to share. It’s almost Twain-time! Take care Miss Shirley . . . xoxoxoxo
Susan, I fell in love with you when a dear friend/artist/blogger – Sue Shanahan – wrote about a visit to your place on Martha’s Vineyard. One day, unexpectedly, Sue gifted me with 2 of your books – The Fairytale Girl and Isle of Dreams – and what a change they began to breathe into me. I cannot thank her enough because books are so expensive in my country, especially hardcover beauties like yours. What a gift! They meant so much to me for a number of reasons. I didn’t have a very great life growing up and I brought a lot of the old darkness into my adult life as well. Even with a wonderful husband and 5 beautiful children, often the sun just couldn’t pierce through.
But Sue Shanahan lit a gentle fire within me through her paintings and her love for truth and beauty. Through that same fire, your books reached me and the gentle, healing warmth took deeper root within me. I face a lot of work struggles but reading your 2 books gave me the courage to break free and to go out and start to make my own heavens in order to open the door to the real Heaven. I had been so caught up in the darkness of life and my job that I hadn’t realised I could carve out another life, one far beyond shadows, a life in the sunshine or even in the dappled spaces of quiet and rest.
Oh what joy I’ve found since then! You said that you think you write children’s books for adults – oh how true! You helped to heal the child within me so that the old me now is free. For that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you, Susan.
Oh my Caitlynne, you made me cry. I am beyond happy to hear your story, you did this you know, you made this happen. SO proud and happy for you. This greatest discovery that we are in charge doesn’t come to everyone, but when it does, what a release it is. Life suddenly fits. I’m so grateful for Sue being your gateway . . . Our teachers are everywhere! And now, I suspect, you will be one, and pass blessings on to your beloveds. 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
❤️👍👍👍🗽🏤🕯🕯🕯❤️❤️❤️
Delightful to see you and Joe in Danville!! Can’t wait for the next cruise!!
Love from Pudgie, Cindy and Carol
Was wonderful seeing all of you you too Carol! 👏👏👏
I was not close enough to attend a reading but I let my cousin who lives close to Littleton, CO know about your plans. A few days later, a sign copy of your new book arrived. It was signed directly to me! How wonderful! Thank you for your part in making this happen!
My pleasure Helen . . . you have a sweet cousin!💖
Loved the blog as usual or maybe more. Each one is a delight for the eyes and heart. Bless you and have a wonderful trip home.
Thank you so much Margaret! ❌⭕️
Susan, have you ever thought of putting all of your past blogs into a book? I absolutely love reading them. When life gets a little rough, reading one of your older blogs is so calming and uplifting. During lockdown I read all the way through from beginning to end. It certainly made the uncertain time we were living in a little easier to deal with. I absolutely love Distilled Genius. I am reading it very slowly, saving it actually. I don’t want it to be end. I have all of your books within view of my sewing chair. When I sit down with a cup of tea, a lap full of quilting or cross stitch and your books close by, it is my happy place! You bring such peace and joy into the world. Thank you!
I would LOVE to do that . . . but when I look at that project it seems overwhelming . . . I’m not sure how I would format it with all the photos, plus the art, plus the words, how I would get it from the blog onto paper! That is what stops me ~ I think it would require starting all over and formatting for book … it might take someone a lifetime. It seems like I should be able to hire someone who could do it for me, but then again, who is that person? A lovely compliment Gayle …Thank you!💞
I have always loved the smell and feel of books. Even when some of my friends got kindles, I did’nt get it. I love a book in my hand, a cup of tea, sometimes, a glass of wine, nothing like it. They take you to places real and imaginery. And I love Distilled Genius. Taking my time to read, I don’t want it to go to fast. Some of these quotes, really make you think and feel. Wonderful.
My exact hope .. they did that for me too. 💝
Oh Susan, so thrilled to see your post! I wasn’t able to make it to the bookstore (awaiting surgery and unable to walk or stand for any extended period of time), but it looks like the girlfriends were able to give you some idea of how much you and your wonderful art, books, posts and well, everything you’ve given means to us! You are filled with gratitude and believe me, so are we! Reading the letter from the young lady in Glenwood, Iowa gives me hope! The generations of those who also delight in all things home, friendship, family, and love are still coming! Talk about something for which to be grateful! Praying for an especially joy filled trip for you and Joe as you soon make your way back to home and Jack. You are a blessing!
Ohhh, yes they’re definitely coming! I think they dream of wholesomeness since it’s been so much the opposite these last few years! Beauty, need of human heart. Thank you Rebecca! 💖
I have soooo enjoyed traveling vicariously with you. Here in Australia we are coming into spring after a very wet and cold winter (well cold for us but not compared to your Island winters). Reading about your road trip and seeing your photos = Distilled Genius.
Thank you. Lynn P xxxxx
Thank you right back Lynn! Happy Spring!🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
Great great fun and great travels but as you say so good to be home once again! I’m exhausted from the traveling. So much to see and so many new friends to meet.
Home will be a wonderful place to be, but I wouldn’t change a thing!💞
Dear Sue,
The loveliest blog ever.
Have a great trip home,
Lillian O. XOXOXOto you and Joe
❌⭕️❌⭕️
Welcome home, you’ve been missed💖💖☀️☀️💫
It went both ways!💖 Thank you Maria!
Seems like not long ago many were worried about the future of BOOKS that we can hold in our hands (not Kindles) and local book stores. According to this blog, neither seems to be threatened. That’s great. I’m an old-fashioned reader. Bad enough the newspapers have declined but happy that seemingly books have not.
We were, Amazon was such a huge shock to the system. But people seemingly have gotten used to it, and now make other choices, since we know what happens when we stop frequenting the shops we love. Two of the bookstores I visited have opened brand new bookstores in their area! New bookstores! That is such a good sign! And Bunch of Grapes where I live has brand new owners. Instead of closing their doors, they became heroes of the Pandemic and made such a difference to their communities!👏👏👏
🍎 Happy September, my birthday month! 🍎
Another fun filled blog! Thank you for sharing so many of your wonderful moments on the book tour. Even this blog has so many great quotes and drawings as well as photos. ❤
Some day I WILL meet you and give you a hug too.
Many years back, before returning to teaching kindergarten, I traveled across the country monthly for a major corporation. I visited so many big cities, small towns, mountains, rivers, plains, farms, oceans that I had only read about in books. And the people! That was the very best part. I am so glad you have been fortunate to experience this.
I taught my kindergarteners to sing America The Beautiful and explained the words. It was amazing to tell them what I had seen and how beautiful our country is.
Love you, Susan. ❤ Travel safe.
I thought I needed to celebrate quotes as I was celebrating all of us coming together over them! We always love our trips across country, it is a wonderful thing to do … So much beauty! I can’t think of anyone more suited to being a teacher Peggy! Imagine all the little lives you touched with your loving care! Happy Birthday! 🎉🥳🎈🎊😘
Thank you, Susan.
Teaching little ones was a gift to me. The hugs! The daily miracles that I witnessed! The love.
Thank you, Susan.
Teaching little was always a gift to me. The hugs, seeing daily miracles, the love. I enjoyed and am grateful for every minute with my students.
Wowsy!!! Just loved this post about your tour. I wish there had been a location near Raleigh, N C. Perhaps, next time! The happy people photos were charming and wonderful to hear about your travels. We are just about to leave for England! The fast way, by jet! 3 weeks of touring and some walking thru the Cotswolds. It will be fun but when it is time to return home, it will be autumn and lovely. We are starting to have some falling leaves right now floating down. It is the best time of year! Thank you for all your loveliness!
Oooooo Sharon, you’re planning such a wonderful trip! If you go to Blenheim Castle, be SURE to go out back and walk along the river . . . it’s an amazing place and so beautiful in nature! ❌⭕️
Yes Love Forever! No one is minding the length of the blog, WE LOVE IT!!!!!! Thank you for taking us with you! I’m also looking forward to your Amtrak return via blog! I want to duplicate a train trip someday! Love your Quote book and look forward to having you sign it for me, someday! September is here and I also love the fall! It’s my birthday soon and we’re selling our home. YIKES! So much to do and get rid of, but my Susan Branch Library is coming with me! xoxoxox
Happy Almost Birthday Sandi! Where are you moving? Not too far I hope! 🍂
This is the only time I cannot visit you at romans but recent knee surgery stops me. Enjoyed you trip accross the country and have a great train ride home!
And you keep getting well Christine! ❌⭕️
What a beautiful blog post! And what a gift to have as your life’s work the joy of spreading love and friendship everywhere you go, not only from you to your readers, but even through your books bringing new friends together at events as they bring the best of themselves inspired by the atmosphere you breathe out in words and pictures.
What a nice way to put it, thank you Joanna!💖💖💖
Susan, it is wonderful to be immersed in your art and writing and travels. So glad to be able to order your calendars and new book. Look forward to them every year. Don’t know what year I discovered you in a bookstore and fell in love forever! It was Christmas Joy. I just checked the book, 1995 First Edition 4th printing! Is it your first book? I have all of them. Your art just makes me feel so good! I have made some of my grandchildren pillowcases from your fabric. Autumn is my fave season. I love seeing the change of seasons in your blogs. You and Joe take care, lots of love to you both, and Jack, too! gmapat
Wonderful account of your trip. Crossing the country bookstore by bookstore. Fun to read. Loving reading Distilled Genius. Can’t put it down. Such a beautiful book. A real Treasure. Have a safe and wonderful train trip home. Hope the Fall colors are magnificent.
Susan, I enjoyed reading this post so much with a cup of tea this evening. It is so heartwarming, put a smile on my face. Thank you! I’m ready to pull out my Autumn Book, even though autumn will not come to south Louisiana for quite awhile yet.
What a great blog post… loved the salute to all of the great little nooks that we have in the USA! I had a great former job when I worked in marketing and was able to tour the country in all of the out of the way cities. Absolutely wonderful to meet some of the nicest people in the nicest places.
Can’t wait for the Dream Charm! It looks beautiful.
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An owl is hooting off and on as I write! Thanks for the minute by minute photo filled update of your heated (literally) book tour! The joy overflowed! It’s so good to see you back out in the world sharing your talent!
Oh my gosh, Susan! I just LOVED this post!!! It was wonderful seeing all of the amazing, smiling faces from across the country at all of your book signings! John and I were surprised and sooooooo happy to see ours among them (from Plainville, MA!) I cannot tell you what a pleasure it was seeing you and getting to talk to you and Joe! And of course, getting our books signed! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. We appreciate you so much. And this blog post is absolutely wonderful – filled with beautiful, happy photos and stories. Thanks again for everything!!
Fabulous post! So great to here about all the girlfriends and your trip across America. Stay safe!
Dear Susan,
I love all of your American spirit being shared from sea to shining sea! You certainly sprinkle happiness wherever you go! You are loved!
My goodness…I think I’m speechless. I enjoyed every word and picture. I didn’t want it to end.
Love reading all the comments! Some familiar names and some familiar faces in this Blog!!
Forgot to say how wonderful to see your “Lifeline from home”, Diana. Coincidentally, I picked up Fairy Tale Girl yesterday when I was cleaning some bookshelves yesterday.
Here’s my 2 cents on your future books…..I’d love to see Enchanted come to life. It seems as though we won’t be able to make another trip to That Green and Pleasant Land. I bit the bullet and cancelled the flights. We can still travel in The States and Canada. Planning another Canadian trip this fall. While we’re not happy they are suffering, getting $1.31 Canadian for every US $ lets us stay a bit longer. Was very helpful for our June trip.
Anyway, traveling down memory lane with you, Joe and your English friends will be just the ticket for Tom and for Me.
Also wanted to say that I have a framed poster of Morro Bay Rock on the wall in our guest room in Tampa. It’s from my first trip out to “The Coast” in 1966. My roomie and I were just stunned driving the little old VW Beetle up and down that highway.
Looking forward to your Twain Twip, Miss Sue,
Mucho Love from nice, cool Maine
Susan, thrilled to bits to be pictured in your blog:) It was so very special getting to meet you and Joe. Getting ready to break out Autumn book in a few weeks and I want you to know I begin each day still with your blog. Making my way through 2015 now! Oh and twitter—love your political posts. I’m right there with you! Happy almost fall!❤️
No words, Susan, except for wonderful, and thank you!
What a wonderful tour. So uplifting to see all those beautiful smiles.
Can’t wait for “Distilled Genius” to arrive via Amazon on Sept 19th. It will definitely be a red letter day! 🙂
Loved this post and the glorious pictures of the many smiling faces of good and gentle people coast to coast. Thank you!
Here is one of my favorite quotation for your next book – unless it is in “Distilled Genius” and I haven’t found it yet:
“The cure for boredom is curiosity.
There is no cure for curiosity.” – Ellen Parr
Happy homecoming (in due time)
Hugs!
What a beautiful cross country trip! Isn’t it wonderful to see how many people love you and your books? I just received Distilled Genius in the mail and I can’t wait to have a long spell of alone time so I can immerse myself fully into this book. xoxo
Susan, thank you for including all of us. This was so generous with words, pictures, quotes, and all the emotions that came through! What a journey!
Hi Susan,
I had ordered two copies of “Distilled Genius”- one for my cousin, and one for myself. I was anxiously waiting for them to arrive in July, but for some reason, the package was “returned to sender”☹️ I didn’t panic-just emailed your customer support team, and they sent out two more copies. Waited another 3 weeks or so for the package to arrive, when…I got an email that the package was “returned to sender”😳 (again!). Now I needed to make a call. Spoke to a lovely lady who handled the problem right away. FINALLY got my books, and I was worth the wait!!
Loved reading it, as did my cousin! Best gift ever😀 And thank you to your amazing customer service staff❤️
Looking forward to your book tour stop in Madison, CT later this year. Saw you there a few years ago, and I’ll be there again this time- with my cousin!
So good to share in your ramblings! Loved all the photos….the 2023 calendar looks wonderful! Hugs as you travel the last leg of your trip home….you know…where the heart is!
So pleased you found Harmon’s grocery store. We had a second home for a few years in St George UT and shopping there was never a chore. Yummy baked goods, cheeses, and the nicest staff. I agree with you that exploring grocery stores is a fun travel activity.
That was lovely. My favorite part of your tour pictures is the generations represented. Your work is a delight to young and old!
I have to agree, I love seeing all ages in the audiences!
Susan it is such a delight to receive your beautiful blogs. This one is tops. I did enjoy the last one so much, reading and re-reading as I “needed” to. For my sanity. This one I’ve given my initial pass thru, like a rabid dog…..now onto slow and meticulous. Thanks so very much for all you do. Linda d
BRAVO! Fabulous Blog, my husband and I eagerly looked for ourselves in your photos and we found us! I absolutely LOVED meeting you and Joe. I love my books and I will cherish having met you in person and hearing your talk. You have a “Star” quality that is lovely. You remind me of my mother and she was with me for sure that day. What a wonderful journey you are on with this book tour. I hope to see you again in CT. Thank you for sharing all of your adventures with us, I so appreciate the “work” you do with so much love. Safe travels home, I know Jack will be HAPPY too. Just in time for the wonderful season as Fall. God Speed & Blessings, Wayne & Brenda Tate (An unlikely Story Bookstore) We were celebrating our 35th anniversary.
Loved the book until the end when your political commentary ruined it. Seriously miffed at you. Your politics is not genius.
I’m so happy you liked it, sorry that you didn’t care for the portion about The American Dream. The quotes weren’t mine you know… they came from some of the most brilliant minds in history … Gandhi, George Washington, Mark Twain, Anne Frank, Virginia Woolf, Abigail Adams, Sojouner Truth, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Harper Lee, etc etc. I tried, but couldn’t see what you might be objecting to ~ most of these quotes are not current; the majority of the authors came before the current divisive politics …. I don’t necessarily agree with every quote, but I do appreciate the way they are expressed ~ they made me think! That’s what quote books are supposed to do. We’re in such harsh times, where every detail is examined and too often, found wanting, and all the time there are folks fighting and dying all over the world to get what this country has. We are so lucky.
Dear Susan and Sally, I am reading Distilled Genius slowly- very slowly, because I want to savor every word. For some reason, I skipped ahead to the American Dream section. I felt as if the words were speaking to me. Maybe because I’m older and have seen some of the changes in recent years that seem to be pulling us apart rather than uniting us. I especially liked the quote from Dwight D Eisenhower on p. 253. (He is the first president that I actually remember the election of). And I agree with you, Susan, the quotes are there to make us think. We all need to examine our values occasionally, especially in the face of difficult situations. That’s one reason why I like Jodi Picoult. She makes me think and examine my beliefs. With a closer look, my beliefs sometimes change completely. And sometimes they don’t change at all. Regardless of the outcome, I feel as if I am making an “educated” decision and not just following a crowd
WELL SAID … like the Dowager Grantham says “I don’t argue,
I explain” … 💕💗💕
So happy to see Doreen and Greg! Doreen and I have been FB friends forever; we met on the F.O.S.B. page years ago. She’s started her own Facebook group, The Sisterhood Of Far Away Friends. We meet there daily and talk about things we love (including your books), what we’re up to that day, prayers, things we’re cooking, things we’re discovering in junk stores and antiques shops, jokes, pictures…all kinds of things. Anyone can join (if they’re female 🙂 ). After lots of loss last year, of my brother and 3 kitties, this year has been better. Kirk and I’ve been married 4 years on the 18th! I vowed never to marry again-I call him my Unexpected Blessing. Thank you for bring beauty to the world and sharing your talents-I love commonplace books and will buying Distilled Genius very soon! Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth, May I ask where you live in upstate New York? Are you by any chance a knitter? I live not far from where the New York Sheep & Wool festival is held. I also have a lovely yarn and tea shop close by- The Perfect Blend in Saugerties
Thank you for taking us along!!!
Oh Susan,
Once again you sprinkled joy and smiles as you criss-crossed the country.
It is just an inspiration to see all that happiness. You’ve crossed the Ocean, ( i was there!) and traveled from East to West this year, like an ambassador of all things kind and sweet! One can’t help but think, hmmmm who did i make smile today? Who did i make feel special and important ( as you so kindly do!). I think on occasion, we all ask What would Susan Do? Joyfully, my pen pal ( from CA) and I have exchanged our first letters! So much fun. Please give Joe an extra hug from us because his care and quiet assist is SUPREEMLY important and we see you Joe!
Happy Fall, safe train travels and Thank you for making this world a little softer.
Kim from NC
So wonderful traveling 🧳🚙 across America 🇺🇸 with you,
traveling her roads🗺🚦🛣,
meeting all the girlfriends 👩🏽🦱🧑🏻🦰👵🏼,
enjoying Distilled Genius 📖,
meeting booksellers 📚,
calendars📆, notepads 📝,
Kellee AND Sheri!!! 👩🏼🦰👱♀️
Best longest blog ever!!!!!
Thank you for your wonderful post and sharing your travel adventures with us. My daughter Madison and I met you in Hudson, OH. It was such an enjoyable evening. (Actually, I met you the previous two times you visited Hudson as well). Each time has been a thrill for me. It was such a special night to finally get to share this experience with my daughter. Safe travels to you and Joe on your return trip home. Take care.
It was lovely to travel cross country with you and Joe from my living room this morning. Thanks for the ride. 🙂 As I was reading, it dawned on me that I was drinking tea from my Sweet Pea (Portmeirion Botanic Garden collection) tea cup. What a delightful coincidence since I learned that Sweet Peas are your favorite flower in this blog post! The photo of “Some bridge somewhere” looks like the Mario Cuomo Bridge which crosses the Hudson River. I’ve crossed it many times on my way from MA to see family and friends in PA so the view is very familiar. Loved the picture of the train with the flag! It’s so nice to see the world from your lens – camera and writings.
I ADORE the Tattered Cover in Aspen Grove–it’s right by my sister’s house! y family and I have been thinking of our own road trip to visit her, since flying is so insane (and the Denver airport is even more so!!)! Can’t wait to get Distilled Genius!