There are many things I am grateful for today, and so I am offering a Christmas giveaway of my memoir,
Why I Left the Amish and a one of my fabric reusable gift bags to go with it. First of all, I am grateful to all of you for visiting my blog. I know how hard it is to choose how to use one's time and I also know how many other interesting blogs are out there. So, I feel like giving a token of my appreciation. Simply leave a comment after this post, stating clearly whether you'd like to be included in the drawing. I will be drawing a name on Monday morning, so the winner can still receive the book before Christmas.
David's business of making mini villages is starting to blossom. He is very gratified when people recognize the talent it takes to make such wonderful little creations. If you haven't had a chance to see his Vintage Village Designs, please visit his blog by clicking here. He is offering a giveaway of one of his mini designs. He also has posted his larger Vintage Village Designs. There is still time for you to receive an order for Christmas, depending on where you live, so be sure to visit his blog.
Now a little of this and that.
Last night I delivered my last author talk for 2011 — it was number 70. This was in the beautiful town of Guilford, Connecticut, on a mild December day. David and I drove down there, past the hospital where he was born, in Middletown, Connecticut. We got a glimpse of the ocean at sunset at Guilford Harbor.
Here is David looking out to sea, less than ten miles from the place where he used to play along the shore as a toddler. Guilford happens to be near Clinton, where his family lived until he was three years old.
When we got there, the sunset was glowing off the windows of these houses so that it looked like they were on fire. It was so cool to get there at that moment, because it faded really quickly. For a better view, click on the image.
I gave my talk in the community room of the Guilford Free Public Library, where they had a fabulous quilt display. I had an enthusiastic audience, made up of 75 people. It is always a wonderful feeling to connect with the audience. When that happens to the degree that it did last night, I come away from my talk feeling energized. The questions were great; the response to the talk was exhilarating, and the dialogue afterwards was engaging. I think I wasn't the only one who didn't want this evening to end.
So, as I bring my book talks to a close for 2011, I am grateful for all that this year has brought. I'd like to thank Julie Loehr at Michigan State University Press for deciding to publish my book. None of the book talks could have happened without that. David and I have gotten a chance to connect with more than 3,000 people that we would not have, except through the book talks. We had the opportunity to travel to many places we wouldn't have otherwise. We both enjoy traveling and I think David is the best traveling companion there is.
And finally I'd like to end with expressing my gratitude for David's sense of humor. The other day we were walking to the local market. We were talking about ideas. David is an ideas man and most of the time he has good ones. Once in a while, I have a good idea and when I do, David is sometimes hesitant to acknowledge it. I was fishing for a compliment, and he wasn't giving it. So I said, "You have a lot of good ideas, but you are not the sole owner of them, you know. Maybe you are too proud to recognize that." He said, "I didn't grow up practicing competitive humility like you did in the Amish." I laughed so hard, I almost couldn't walk. Did I mention that David also has the best lines? He nailed this one!
May your holidays be filled with peace, love, joy, and good cheer. (David says "and humility.")
Congrats to you for your successful book tours! How thrilling that must be. :)
I’d love to be entered into your gift drawing.
Thanks!
As much as you seem to have enjoyed the book tour, it must be nice to know that you can sit back and relax now and enjoy the family…
I would be thrilled to win a copy of the book. Our local library does not have a copy…
Competitive humility! Love it! I’ve got to remember that. It sounds slightly akin to inverse snobbery, but much more classy :)
Thanks, sign me up, would love to win your book! And I love David’s sense of humour too!
Please, add me to the drawing!
I love reading your blog, and check for it daily.
We are going through a very trying time right now and reading 3 or 4 of my favorite regular blogs helps me escape things.
I love David’s remark!
I’d like to be entered in the drawing. I love visiting your blog and always look forward to a new post by you :)
I have been enjoying your blog but I haven’t read your book. Since I grew up Amish as well, your perspective is interesting. My husband and I a belong to a more conservative Mennonite church, and that term depends on which end of the spectrum you look at.
I want to be entered in the drawing, please.
So glad your Book Tour has gone so well. Would love to be included in your drawing for a copy of your book. Loved the pictures of the Conn. Coast. I grew up on the Virginia coast and always like seeing pictures taken on other areas of the coast comparing the sameness and the differences.
I would be most interested in receiving a copy of your book. I have been wanting to see you speak in person. Sadly, all the venues have been too far for me to drive.
Thanks for the chance!
Manuela
Wow. I would love to read this book. I would definitely cherish it. Thanks so much for taking the time to blog. It is much appreciated.
I just stumbled across your blog and am really enjoying it. Please include me in your book give-away — I adore memoirs of all ilk but this (I live near an Amish community, and have raised my children in what I figure must be a very liberal Mennonite congregation) is particularly fascinating to me….
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and would really love to win your book. I could then review it for my blog. Please enter me in the giveaway.
njones127 at tampabay dot rr dot com
David cracked me up too, great line. Congratulations on your wonderful book tour. Please through my name in the hat for the book giveaway. Thanks. Vicki
I would love the book!!!
I would love to be entered for your giveaway please.
Love your blog! I so wish I could have attended one of your talks this year, but sadly it didn’t happen. Please enter me into the drawing. Thanks.
I think your book would be an interesting read, so feel free to enter me if you would. Richard
Hello Saloma,
As you probably remember … I have your book, read and all, so please don’t include me in your giveaway. I just wanted to say how good it is to read that you had a great time with your tour. I wish I could have been there, oops, too far away!
That comment of David is very, very funny, grins
Take care and all the best wishes for you and your family too.
Dutch greetings, Carolien (who is very, very happy by the way, due to a REAL Amish quilt which is lying on our bed since a few days, I’ll post about it on Sunday I suppose … I’m still pinching myself ;)
I’ve been enjoying your blog and would really like to win your book. Thank you.
I love your blog and enjoy reading all your posts. It has really enlightened me to the Amish. I was unaware (as most are I’m sure) to the negativities of that lifestyle. I am glad there is someone out there that is willing to show the dark sides of their lives.
I would dearly love a chance to read your book. Please enter me in the drawing?!
Good morning,
Please enter me in the drawing for your book – if It’s not too late!
I think speaking and connecting with people is the ultimate. I’m in a stage of life where most of my friends are young and not very deep. I had my boys when I was 35 and 40 which puts me smack in the middle of midlife with a six-year-old. Talk about wierd. I think that’s why I’ve become a blog reader. Though not ideal, it’s a way to connect when the pickings are slim. I do like your blog and am most appreciative of the efforts you put into it.