Who Are You? And Why Does that Matter?

Featured by sarahsbookreflections, posted in Uncategorized

Each of us is the same as the other, but each of us is also different. The differences may make us shy or may embolden us. How we deal with our sameness and our differences is what makes us unique.

If you have strong desires and an independent spirit, it’s hard to follow the rules. And you can be ridiculed for it, even if you aren’t shy.

A Pinch of Magic

Michelle Harrison

Three sisters live in a place called Crowstone which has three small islands just off its coast. On one end of the area is a misty, moisty marsh which perhaps harbors sprites and other scary beings. The townspeople are frightened of the area, but Betty, the middle sister, wants to go on adventures including going across the marsh. The girls have been told they will die if they leave the confines of Crowstone, but Betty thinks it’s malarky. That it’s just stories Granny tells to keep the girls in check. Granny tells them of the curse they live under and gives them each a magical object. Betty thinks that if they combine their magic, they can break the curse and be free to roam wherever they wish. Not as easy as it might seem she discovers, especially when they accidentally set free an evil convict from the island prison. The story is told in an endearing style, though the writer and editors could have paid a bit closer attention to correct grammar. Betty and her sisters Felicity and Charlie, using their native wits and bravery, overcome many obstacles and end up in a better place than they could have imagined. Teachers can use the book to inspire discussion of overcoming difficult problems.

BIBLIO: 2020, Books for Young Readers, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Ages 8 to 12, $16.99.

REVIEWER: Sarah Maury Swan

FORMAT: Middle Reader

ISBN: 9780358193319

ISBN: 9780358272921

The second book has an excellent story arc of how we deal with parents and their dreams and how they differ from yours. How you can still love someone even if you don’t agree with the person’s ideas.

Running

Natalia Sylvester

Mariana Ruiz’s life has turned into an ongoing drama in which she no longer has any privacy. Anything she says or does comes out in the national news because her father is running for president in the national primaries. He and Mami spend all of their time—at    least it seems that way to fifteen-year-old Mari—writing speeches and traveling on the campaign trail. Mari and her younger brother, Ricky, are made to participate in local Miami events and it’s wearing on her. She feels she lost her parents and their support. That she and Ricky don’t really matter anymore except as campaign photo-op props. But then she discovers Papi’s biggest contributor is a less than scrupulous real estate developer who is polluting the water and destroying neighborhoods. Not only that Papi helped make it possible when he passed legislation as a state senator that allowed sewage to be dumped into the aquifer. Now Mariana has to come to grips with the fact that her father is not who she thought he was. With the help of friends, she gets involved in a student movement demanding that water pollution stop and that big developers are called to account for the damage they’ve done. She grows during the story, learning that she can speak out and that she can challenge her father. This is quite a compelling story with a great deal of relevance in modern American life. Teachers can have a field day choosing topics with which to encourage their students to think for themselves. Plus, the reader gets to learn some Spanish along the way.

BIBLIO: 2020, Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Ages 12 +, $17.99.

REVIEWER: Sarah Maury Swan

FORMAT: Young Adult

ISBN: 978035124351

ISBN: 978035830806

Shyness in children is an ongoing problem. The main character is the previous story is shy, but learns to blossom. In a different way, the main character in next story learns to overcome her shyness.

Vivaldi

Helge Torvund

Illustrated by Mari Kandstad Johnsen

Translated by Jeanie Shaterian and Thilo Reinhard

Tyra is shy and doesn’t know how to communicate with others, but begins to blossom when she gets a kitten. Though she may not be able in interact with other people, she can talk to her new cat. And she can interact with the world when playing her piano. She names the cat Vivaldi. At school, Tyra doesn’t play with other children and doesn’t participate in her class so her classmates whisper behind her back and tease her. With the help of Vivaldi, Tyra begins to come out of her shell. This lovely story is told in poetic form and should be read in a gentle, quiet voice that will comfort children and make them understand that lots of people are shy. And that lots of people feel as they do. The illustrations are simplistic in a way, but fit the style of the story quite well.

BIBLIO: 2019 (orig. 2011,) New York Review of Books, Ages 4 to 7, $15.99.

REVIEWER: Sarah Maury Swan

FORMAT: Picture Book

ISBN: 978-1-68137-374-4

Here’s hoping you all have a jolly and loving holiday, whether it’s to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, or the meaning of Hanuka or just warmth of having family and friends around. And here’s hoping for a good new year, with a more inclusive and cooperative world. See you in 2020. Sarah

What is the Spanish for Dog?

by sarahsbookreflections, posted in Book Reviews, Interviews, Uncategorized

O

Cómo se Dice Dog en Español? Perro

If you ever want to see a tiny human dynamo, meet Anechy Padron who immigrated from Cuba. (She and her illustrator are pictured above.)  She immigrated with the help of her mother and brother, who were living in Tampa at the time.

While in Cuba, Anechy wrote a children’s book about a Chihuahua, Patti, who meets a feral cat, Barci, that lives in the “City of Cat.” But now that Anechy lives in the U.S.A., she thought it would be nice to write the story in English as well.

The story is charming and well-written. Children will relate to the animals and cheer them on. And the children will learn how to be better people and how to care about all creatures. And they will also learn a bit about life in Cuba.

Interview Questions

  1. Please tell us how to pronounce your name. I believe you told me that Anechy is a nickname. What is your full name?

My full name is Adianez Padrón Ramirez, but my brother gave me the nickname of Anechy, and it stuck forever. A friend created a little game to pronounce my nickname, you say Aww(yawning), point at your knee, and finally you sneeze. Aw-knee-chis!

  • Did you grow up in Havana? Or in another part of the island?

I was born in Santiago de Cuba, on the east end of the island. Then, my parents moved to Holguin for a year and a half. But at age four and a half we moved to Havana, where I lived for 25 years, until I came to the States. My parents were in the military. They moved a lot.

  • Where did you go to college? In Cuba or America?

       I studied accounting for five years at the University of Havana. That wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted journalism, language, anything that had to do with writing and arts. But my mom wasn’t supportive then about my being an artist. While in college, I went to every literary event or class I could find. Often times people would find it odd that I was there while studying accounting.

  • How did you get to the United States of America?

Long story. We would need a whole new interview. In sum, I followed my family. My brother rafted out of Cuba in 2000. In 2008, he became a U.S. Citizen and applied for family reunion. My mom was granted a visa in 2009, but I had stay in Cuba for one year before I got my visa in 2010. It was a long process to get out of Cuba. Having a U.S. Permanent Visa wasn’t enough for the regime. In 2010, there was a law in Cuba that I had to give all my properties back to the Cuban government, and I had to pay 550 dollars for a “white card,” which I called the freedom card.

  • Have you always been a storyteller?

       I was always an avid reader. As a small child, I couldn’t go to bed without a story. But I wouldn’t fall asleep until the end. My dad always fell asleep before. Then, I’d walk out of the bedroom with the book and tell Mom: “Mami, papi se durmió” Mom, daddy fell asleep. At age 10, I was reading Edgar Allan Poe and Guy de Maupassant. I started writing poetry and short stories in 6th grade when I was a member of a book club with five other girls. I couldn’t stop writing after that.

  • What compelled you to write this book?

 When I lived in Havana, I was babysitting a 3-year-old boy named Richy. (He just turned 18 years old.) I was also performing for children as a clown and a puppeteer. I was always writing rhymes and little stories for my live shows. One day, Richy and I were walking Isabella a.k.a. Patti in the story, and a little cat came to us. She was very friendly for a street cat. And even more surprising, my chihuahua liked her. I named the cat Barcina. Richy and I started dreaming and making up stories about this cat. I brought Barcina home but she did not like it. So, I started writing about her and imagining what my chihuahua and Barcina would be saying about me, and the neighbors. Then, I added my friends and their dog to the story. Richy and I loved this fantasy. Richy got me into this book, and I love it.

  • What are the names of the dog & cat?

The heroes of my book are Patti and Barci, a spoiled Chihuahua and a street cat.

  •  How did you come up with the names?

My chihuahua had many nicknames or terms of endearment, one of them was “puti” actually not a very nice word in Spanish, but it is endearing to a dog in Cuba. For the book I changed it to Pati. When I started editing the book, I added another T to honor my friend Patti, who helped me get my new dog Maya. Barci is short for Barcina, which means mutt for cats (Moggy).

In the story, the cat lives in a place called the City of Cats. Is there such a place in Cuba? In Havana? Do other Cuban cities and towns have such gathering places for the feral cats? Are they monitored by humans?

x

  •  

I lived in a 12-story Russian building in the newest part of Havana. We had a huge basement where the feral cats slept at night. I called the basement The City of Cats, it was a damp, dirty, and flea-infested place. I felt bad for those cats. There are places like that all over Havana. Very sad. On the other hand, they kept the mice population under control. In the process of re-writing the story I changed the setting from an ugly looking neighborhood to beautiful Old Havana, a city which beauty always makes me cry. I put the City under the Cathedral, and the rest is history.

There was a group of ladies in my neighborhood who collected school cafeteria leftovers to feed the cats. They captured injured cats, vetted them, and then found homes for them. But this was just done by good-hearted ladies, there is no organization in Cuba that helps. There is a non-profit from Canada called The Spanky Project. https://spankyproject.org/. They help street animals in Cuba by spaying/neutering/deworming them, and then either release or get them adopted. I learned a little bit more about them on my last trip to Cuba this past January.

  1.  I love that you are giving children the chance to learn a new language. It will bring the peoples of our world closer together, don’t you think?

I agree with you. I started learning English at age 11 and French in my early twenties. That opened the world to me. It has made it possible for me to travel, meet people, learn from others, read books that are not available in Spanish, and, mainly, understand that far from different, we humans have more in common than we think.

  1. I know you write short stories as well as books. What is your next short story? Or have you adapted part of this novel into a short story for the upcoming Next Chapter Literary Magazine which has the theme of friends?

Sarah, you gave me a great idea. I was trying to come up with something to write for the magazine. The latest thing I’ve written is the sixteen-character descriptions for books one and two. Yes, I forgot to mention I already have a second part for “The Adventures of Patti and Barci: The City of Cats.” The next book is “The Havana Forest.” I plan to write several books for this series, I just love these characters and I have so much fun with them.

Thanks for visiting my blog, Anechy. I look forward to reading the next saga of Patti and Barci.

Feel free to contact Anechy at anechy7@gmail.com for more information about her book and when it will be ready for you to read.

The Greatest Disciple in the World: Be the Light

by sarahsbookreflections, posted in Book Reviews

Had I known what this book was about, I wouldn’t have bought it. But it was given to me by an author who was doing a book signing at Next Chapter Books & Art, our local indie book store in New Bern, NC. https://thenextchapternc.com/.

Though I am not a fan of organized religion, this book, written more or less as a parable, was quite compelling and nicely written. However, some parts of it could have used some clarification.

For instance, the main character, Grey, is an unhappy nineteen-year-old young woman having never gotten over her mother’s death. When we meet her, she’s waking up after drinking too much and sleeping with a young man. Or, at least we think it’s a young man. But later in the story, he appears to be at least in his late twenties.

Grey’s stepfather, with whom she does not get along, tells her about a job opening and strongly suggests she apply for it. She gets the job and begins to turn her life around. The reader, or at least this reader, got the impression that the owner of the coffee shop is in his forties, but a good person who believes in the lessons taught in the Beatitudes discussed in the Bible.

Fine, but then it turns out the man has fallen in love with Grey and wants to marry her. A bit creepy, in my view. Grey’s stepfather is encouraging her to marry the coffee shop owner. Plus, the young man Grey had been sleeping with turns out to be studying to be a pastor, even when he’s sleeping with her. But perhaps I was mistaken, and he was just letting her have a place to sleep when she didn’t want to speak to her stepfather. And, by the way, the stepfather turns out to be a good person.

Still, the story is well told and worth reading. Plus, the lessons told do give the reader pause. We all can learn from the teachings of others either by accepting what’s being taught or by deciding that the suggestions are a bunch of hooey.

In any case, books that make us think are definitely worth reading.

Biblio: 2024, ISBN; 978-1-7326373-2-0

Can You See Me Now?

by sarahsbookreflections, posted in Book Reviews

I’m a big fan of spy stories, especially ones that keep the plot ticking right along. That being the case, I happened upon this one at a writers’ event where I was promoting my books as well.

Like me, Dick Totino lives in the coastal region of North Carolina and weaves his magic there.

I happened to be selling my books at an author event he was participating in. As is often the case at these events, we exchanged books. I do hope he liked mine as well as I liked his.

The book is titled The Salesman, but the main character, John Anderson, is much more than a world-class salesman of industrial chemicals. That’s just his so-called day job. And it gives him good cover for his second job of being a “fixer/spy” for the U.S. government.

But he is growing weary of both jobs and hoping to retire in a special cabin near good friends. In the meantime, he has to find his last victim and figure out how to kill the person without getting caught. Not an easy task. Especially since his boss might be involved in trying to kill John’s target. So who is the good guy here and who is the bad guy. Another puzzle for John to put together.

Along the way, he must save his friends and the woman he loves, and catch the other people who are doing bad things. John Anderson is a master of disguise so don’t expect to recognize him on the street. He may actually not present as a man. Or as a young man. And wear gloves when you meet him.

The book will keep you reading, so plan on going to work late the next day.

BIBLIO: 2018, Dick Totino, ISBN 978-1-945604-16-4

Promoting Your Books

by sarahsbookreflections, posted in Uncategorized

All writers, but especially those of us who publish our own books, are always looking for inexpensive but effective ways to promote them. So I thought I’d give Mike Briggs of Central Valley Talk a try. I was quite pleased with the outcome, which you can view through this link:

Here is the link for getting on his program. https://centralvalleytalk.com/showinformation.html

Once you apply to be on his show, you will be given the details on what information to send and how to send it. The interview connection is through Zoom, but I don’t know if there is another option if you don’t have Zoom. You may send images of your book covers and a few other relevant images, but there is a limit of ten photos.

Doing the interview is free, but if you want to send it out to your readers and others, you’ll have to spend some money. I chose the $45 version, but I expect you get much more for the $100 version.

I would be happy to do more interviews when my next book, Bad Hair Day, is ready later this year. Thanks for reading my blog. I hope life is treating you well. Happy writing to you. Sarah.

Nice to Meet You!

by sarahsbookreflections, posted in Historical Fiction

I will be talking with Mike Briggs about my novel, Earthquakes, a YA historical fiction novel, at noon on March 20th at:

Our Web Channel: CentralValleyTalk.com

     Our Youtube Channel: YouTube.com/CentralValleyTalk

     Our Facebook Channel: Facebook.com/CentralValleyTalk.tv 

The novel is historical fiction set in September 1942 in Los Angeles with spies, murder, and romance romping through it. It also is based, in part, on my family history, including my mother’s role as a “Rosie the Riveter” at Lockheed. My mother was the company’s first female tool & die designer, having graduated from M.I.T. with a degree in physical chemistry.

A Wonderful Time of the Year

by sarahsbookreflections, posted in Uncategorized

This may not be the most wonderful time of the year, but it comes fairly close. At least I think so, especially now that we don’t have to worry about snow. Maryland could get snowy. But coastal North Carolina doesn’t.

 For the umpteenth time, we watch classic holiday movies, visit with friends, eat good food, and don’t feel guilty about having a second piece of pie. And try as we might not to eat yet another cookie, we justify it by saying we don’t want to disappoint the friend who made them.

I’m not a churchgoer, but I do love the carols and the lights, even if I’m not overly fond of the blow-up ornaments on the people’s front yards. Still, there generally is an aura of excitement in the air. Plus, the messages of love and happiness do warm my heart.

 This year we went to our neighborhood chorus’ Holiday Concert event. Nice group of voices, including two women in the tenor section because they can no longer sing the alto range and the men in the tenor section were lacking a couple of voices. Plus, during the intermission, we chatted with neighbors we hadn’t seen for a while.

We’ve already watched one version of the Christmas Carol, titled “Scrooge,” starring George C. Scott, and are looking forward to watching our favorite version, “Scrooge”—starring Albert Finney—which is heartwarming. We also have watched the 1947 version of “Miracle on 34th Street,” and are looking forward to watching “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and finally “The Christmas Story. Some years we watch “National Lampoon’s Christmas Story” because it is so good with its slapstick humor. I especially like Uncle Lewis’ scene of blowing up the drainage gutter and the scene of how the lights blind the neighbors with their brilliance. What are your favorite Christmas movies?

Though our children are all in their late fifties or early sixties now, I still enjoy getting together for a standing rib roast on Christmas Day. We also have a Zoom meeting with my husband’s family on Christmas Day. Some of us live on the East Coast, some in the Midwest, and the rest on the West Coast.

But my side of the family is too far-flung for any kind of communal meeting. Some live in Italy, some in France, some in England, some in New York, some in California, and some in Oregon. Timing a group that size is not really feasible. Maybe we’ll have a meeting with them later in the year.

I think I’ll add a Christmas/Holiday scene to the murder mystery I’m working on.

My latest short story is in the January Next Chapter Literary Magazine, which has the theme of flowers. Copies are available at the Next Chapter Books and Art store, 320 S. Front Street, in the still charming downtown of New Bern, NC. The magazine is now available at the store in either the $10 black and white edition or in glorious color for $15. Whatever your plans may be, I hope you have a “splendiferous” holiday time and worry about your diet in the New Year, if ever.

Review of SAVING NEVADA

by sarahsbookreflections, posted in Uncategorized

Sarah Maury Swan, Author of several books, including Emily’s Ride to Courage, 2018

Lori Hayes knows a thing or two about horses, but she wrote this book about a horse experience she’s never had. She tells the story of a woman, Haley, who wanted to train a wild mustang newly captured from the western mountains.

 Haley asked for a docile mare but ended up with the fiercest horse at the auction. Even getting the mare home was a challenge because of a surprise snowstorm and then the loss of a wheel on the trailer. But with a stranger’s help and Haley’s husband’s calmness, they make it home safely.

Feeling the angst of the horse and trainer as they begin to bond, the reader’s heart will swell with pride as the two beings journey to an unbreakable partnership. Along the way, Haley begins to understand herself better. And, in the end, has blossomed into a stronger human being. She also learns that she married the right man and, together they go along life’s journey of being parents and partners.

Of course, Haley ends up keeping the horse and going on to bigger and better accomplishments.

Any horse lover, whether as an owner or a fan, will relate to the trials and tribulations Haley and Nevada go through and cheer the pair on. Enjoy the read. And even if you are not quite out of your teens, read the book anyway.

The story especially resonated with me because I raised a three-month-old Pinto colt to become a dressage show horse and a therapeutic horse.

Published in the United States by Seaquine Publishing, ISBN: 979-8-9871000-0-4

https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Nevada-Woman-Horse-Hundred-ebook/

Say Hello to the Vibrant Mary Scott

by sarahsbookreflections, posted in Uncategorized

Sorry to be so long-winded, but you ask really interesting questions. I have yet to learn the art of brevity; therefore, this has had no final edit.

I met the friendly Mary Scott when I was selling my books at the Next Chapter Books & Art during MumFest. And as her smile would suggest, she is outgoing and inviting.  She asked me if she could also participate in our October 29th Authors’ Sunday Event at the New Bern Farmers’ Market. Of course, I said yes.

Welcome to my blog. I know you now live in the beautiful town with the delightful name of Oriental. And please remind us how the town got its name.

From Wiki:The town of Oriental was named after the Sailing Steamer Oriental. Built in Philadelphia in 1861, the ship was used as a federal transport ship in the Civil War. She met her fate a year after being launched, running aground in May 1862, when she was wrecked off Bodie Island, 33 miles north of Cape Hatteras. Her passengers and crew were saved.

The United States Post Office Department established a post office in 1886 in what had been called Smith’s Creek. Lou Midyette was named postmaster. Postmaster Midyette’s wife, Rebecca, thought the village needed a better name. One story says that she had found the nameplate from the wrecked sailing steamer “Oriental” on the beaches of the Outer Banks and thought that name was more suitable. Another version of the story says she just saw the nameplate in a Manteo home. Either way the name “Oriental” made an impression on her. The village became known as Oriental a few years after the post office was established and was incorporated in 1899.

Have you lived there all your life? Something to do with a storm and a boat? If you have not always lived there, where else have you lived?

MI born, raised, married; lured to TN in 1986 with an incredible job offer with Eastman Chemical, at the time a division of Kodak. Jim became the trailing spouse for a change.

Only boats we ever owned were ever increasingly larger cabin cruisers on the Great Lakes, Lake Erie mainly. Then came the oil crisis in the ‘70’s and we could no longer afford, though GREAT fun for a few years. 

Moved to Oriental in 2016 after discovering it on a sojourn down the NC coast. I called it ‘Mayberry on steroids’ after stumbling on it and within days met multiple people and staying for the Croaker Fest Parade. Spent two weeks, bought a house, sold mine in TN in 4 days and within 4 months was living in Oriental. “It Just Felt Right.”

What have you done before you took to writing memoirs? Let’s start with your childhood and what your dreams were then?

As a kid hated playing w/dolls except to use my tiny sewing machine to make them poorly constructed clothes. Got a little blackboard for Christmas and began teaching classes. Loved it, other kids not so much. Only girl on our block in Detroit so I hung out with the boys. Lacked the coordination to do well climbing trees and jumping to garage rooftops, so was more a tomboy & mascot. Entered college planning to become a biology teacher, wanted to be like mine had been, idolized him. Student teaching blew out that candle, so went into biomedical research.

Zero interest in reading except science to learn. I have always been an avid learner, just for the sake of learning. Few things have challenged me long term except medical research, science in general, and mechanical/architectural and human behavior.

I notice you have a cute dog to keep you company. Have you always had animals in your life? Any animals other than dogs?

We had a family dog, but no major attachment for me, more my brother. Jim, husband, had a horrible upbringing and his dog was given away when is younger half-brother was born, Dog died two weeks later. Jim never got over never having even had the chance to say good bye. So we have had a series of Chihuahuas, six including my current P-Nutt adopted after Jim passed. Joy, #5 was the first to bond on me. She was a major member of my memoir’s entourage.

What do animals give to you to make your life better? For instance, my animals have always been my confidants and comforters.

Jim and I chose to be child-free… except for the dogs, and Jim insisted when asked, “If I ever get Mary raised, no more children!” I never truly understood Jim’s passion for our dogs until he passed and Joy was my little rock. She sensed what I needed, and was more a dearest friend than a dog. I will always griever her loss, almost as much as I grieve for Jim.

I expect you like to hike or ride a bike/tricycle or swim. Anything to keep your body trim and your mind fit, I’m sure.

For many years a swimmer, though never very good at it. Biked a lot as well. Once in TN, too hilly, so became an avid walker/hiker, 3-4 miles every day. Went to treadmill as Jim’s health declined. Quit exercise after he passed. Then joint issues, new right knee, then right shoulder, and before long, left knee. Lots of PT and learning how to correct posture lost to accommodating painful joints. Beginning to get back to bike and walking.

 Do you have a big family with lots of siblings and children?

Late older brother, 2yrs, younger sister, 6yrs, still kicking, smart, talented and my constant writing advisor, critic and all-round thorn in my side.

My husband and I have not been blessed with grandchildren, so I always have to ask about other people’s grandchildren. I do hope you have many and that they bring great joy.

No, but Jim and I loved other people’s kids and grandkids. I still do. I’m like an indulgent grandparent; love ‘em, have fun with ‘em. That’s it! Current love is the daughter of the young couple that bought my house in TN. She is a DOLL!

I also believe you said you work to keep Oriental the charming place it is. If that is true, what do you do?

I volunteer ticket-window, The Ole Theater; docent, Oriental Museum; Help-Line for Neuse Neighbor Network. And always ready to lend a hand on various projects. Wonderful feeling to give back to community.

You mentioned something about your book when we met, but please let us know more. I remember your saying you and your dog have been driving around the country in your RV. What great fun, especially since you share the adventures with your husband, at least with your mind. And I’m sure his spirit follows you wherever. But what makes particular memories feel important enough to share with him and now us?

Joy was the world’s finest co-pilot, right up until she passed. I got little P-Nutt so Joy would have a buddy as I got more involved in writing. She hated the little squirt, but finally realized the kid was here to stay and turned into the world’s finest big sister. Even prompted me to call my sister and apologize for being so mean when she was young.

She LOVED travel, and meeting people. She was the world’s BEST companion dog. P-Nutt, not so much. She is more Chihuahua-like, nervous, skittish, shy, and TOTALLY about herself. Good traveler if a dog that sleeps while you’re driving makes her good. But she is very sweet and cuddles in bed. 

I firmly believe Jim is with me still, looking out for me. His family was very psychic—though I’m not sure if that is the correct term. So I do ‘talk’ with him at times. No need. He is with me. That’s why my RV is named, “The Spirit.”

I always keep a travel log when on the road. They do accumulate.

And now that you’ve written one book, what happens next? I believe you said you were continuing your travels, so where are you going next and are you planning to write about those adventures? Or are you going to start making up stories about the people you’ve met along the way?

Everyone wants to know when I will continue my story, or better yet, have Joy write a book as she evidently now has a following of her own among my readers.

I find I love to write, but in what direction to take it is uncertain right now. Still recovering from my single venture into authordom. Not sure of next steps, if or when. I never aspired to be an author. Felt compelled to tell of my grief gauntlet in hopes others could relate, understand grief is a uniquely individual and solo journey. It is NOT 5-steps and you get a graduation certificate.

Travel has been curtailed the last few years with pushing to finish and publish my book, and too many surgical procedures, though Covid lockdown was a mixed blessing. Travel for a while will be almost totally driveway camping, visiting friends getting older and less travelable than me. Have lost a couple very dear friends during my travel hiatus, so will be doing more than a quick pass-through as I visit these days. Life is fleeting.

Sarah’s final note. Have you ever had a day where if something could be obstreperous, it would be? Well, that’s what this day has been like. So, please forgive my typos and lack of bold print for Mary’s answers and blame it on the computer gremlins. Thanks, I’m going to take a nap or ride my tricycle.

Say Hello to Deb Aronson Who Knows a Thing or Two about Horses and Rhinos

by sarahsbookreflections, posted in Non-fiction, Uncategorized

Deb Aronson with the glorious smile. https://www.bedazzledink.com/deb-aronson.html

You grew up in the Midwest, I believe. Especially in St. Louis? And you had at least one sister and one brother. Yes, actually I’m the second of four. Two girls and then two boys. Were you an outdoorsy type. I’m thinking you were, considering the books you have written. I was more sporty than outdoorsy. I loved team sports. My family didn’t camp at all though I had a grandmother who taught me about birds. I still love to go birding. Did you ride horses when you were growing up? How about dogs and cats? Were they a part of your life?

Weirdly, I was not a horsey kid. My mom was, and one of my daughters was, but it skipped me! We had a golden retriever growing up, but I’ve had cats for the last 35 years, since I married my husband.  

How did you end up in the New Bern area? We moved to this area because my in-laws live here. They are both in their 90s, living just down the road, and still are very independent. I love getting to see them!!

I actually grew up in Bethesda, MD. Met my future hubby in New Haven, CT, he proposed but was moving to St. Louis for work … so since I said yes, I went to St. Louis! We ended up in the Midwest for 30 years…Loved living in the Midwest.

What prompted you to write Rachel Alexandra? She sounds like a remarkable mare. I wanted to tell a story that kids would enjoy and Rachel Alexandra was in the news in 2009, when I was looking for a topic. I didn’t know much about the racing world, but I liked her distinctive blaze and the fact that she was racing and beating the boys. Girl-power story on four legs is how I describe her story. Tell us a little about her and what kind of research you had to do to learn her story. I had a career’s worth of interviewing people, but it was a little hard to break into the racing world. I started with the Kentucky Visitors’ Bureau which put me in touch with a woman who said I should really talk to Hal Wiggins, Rachel Alexandra’s original trainer. He opened all the rest of the doors for me, but basically my research was interviewing everyone connected to Rachel that I could and reading all the news accounts of her exploits. She has a kind face and intelligent eyes. She is a really smart horse. Her jockey, Calvin Borel, always talked about how he was just a passenger. She didn’t have to always run in front. …but she seemed like a strategic runner…Bay horses are especially beautiful. What is her lineage? Medaglio D’oro was her sire, and Lotta Kim was her dam. And was or is she a good broodmare? Rachel had two offspring, but then she almost died from an infection after giving birth.

The cover of this book is delightful and grabs the reader immediately. What is the premise of this story? Well, this photo appeared in the obituary of Anna Merz in 2013. As you say, it grabbed my attention! As I read all the obituaries of this remarkable woman I realized this was a story I wanted to tell young readers, especially because of her special relationship with Samia, the rhino pictured on the cover. How did you come to write it? As with the Rachel Alexandra book, I started by doing on-line research and in-person interviews. First, I traveled to Cornwall, England, to interview Anna Merz’s goddaughter, who was very close to her. Naomi Campbell (not the supermodel) put me in touch with many people who knew Anna well. Did you get to meet a rhino or two while you doing your research? Presumably, with a sturdy fence between the two of you? And where were you doing your research? Who is the woman doing rhino raising? Through some of my interviewing, I not only got to meet rhinos, I also got the opportunity to go to Kenya and to the sanctuary Anna Merz founded (that’s really what the book is about) and meet with many people who knew her well and worked side by side with her for many years. It was a thrill.

The only thing I’d like to add is that, sometimes, I think that non-fiction gets a bad rap as being boring or something, but in my own experience, I have found so many amazing, true stories, especially about ordinary people doing extraordinary things and I love sharing those stories, whether in the classroom or at a cocktail party!!

by sarahsbookreflections, posted in Book Publising, Book Reviews
Daily writing prompt
What are you most proud of in your life?
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I’m most proud of finding the love of my life 49 years ago and helping him raise his four children. I am also proud of having raised a foal and made him a good riding horse. And I’m quite proud of having published three novels and a collection of short stories since I turned 73. I’m not done yet, even though I’m now 82.