Dear Friends,
Spring has come! Flowers, trees, and shrubs are blooming. It brings a sense of hope. The phrase “Hope Springs Eternal,” is interesting that the words “hope” and “spring” are linked together. Spring brings hope. I can live with that. Let’s “hope” the world will right itself, and people can live more harmoniously. If any of you had the opportunity to view the eclipse, it can give one pause. We truly are one under the sun.
Here we are in the month of May. I mentioned this a couple of years ago, but it’s worth sharing again. Did you ever wonder why they call it “The Merry Month of May?” It’s a poem from a play The Shoemaker’s Holiday written by Thomas Dekker (circa 1590) an Elizabethan poet and pamphleteer. It was first performed in 1599 by The Admirals Men, also known as The Earl of Nottingham’s Men, considered one of the most important acting troupes of The English Renaissance Theatre. The play depicts everyday life during the reign of King Henry VI. Here’s the first verse:
O the month of May, the merry month of May,
So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green!
O, and then did I unto my true love say:
“Sweet Peg, thou shalt be my summer’s queen!
One of the lines mentions “Kiss and Toy” so I’ll just leave the rest to your imagination. But isn’t it nice to know there was real heated romance way back when? I guess they don’t call some of the more current romance novels “Bodice Rippers” for nothing!
Getting back to this month. Mother’s Day is coming. Do something nice for your mother if she is still here. And if she isn’t, light a candle and say a prayer. A mother’s love never dies. And nobody’s perfect.
Speaking of families, my fur-babies are up to their usual tricks. Miz Boo insists on walking on my head if I don’t get up fast enough. I’ve been told that’s a “thing” with cats. I swear they talk to each other somehow, and I’ve caught them giving each other sideways looks. A bunch of wise guys. LOL. And they do make me laugh.
In addition to Mother’s Day, we have Memorial Day Weekend. I’ll share some simple holiday recipes. But first, on to book news. The paperback edition of ON THE LINE will be available May 21st. It’s about a young chef who is on his way to becoming the latest celebrity but becomes ill with a mysterious illness. While he’s recovering in the hospital, he sees a segment with José Andrés and how he began The World Central Kitchen in 2010 after an earthquake in Haiti. That much of the story is actually true. Since that time World Central Kitchen has been providing food relief to people who are suffering from natural and unnatural disasters. As of last month, the organization has served over 32 million meals. Again, that is also true. There is a lot of mystery and inspiration in the book, including how Mateo’s family escaped from the drug cartels in Columbia. If you haven’t read the hardcover, I hope you will enjoy it, and be inspired by good deeds.
This month’s contest: Two winners will receive:
Tote bag with signed copies of ON THE LINE, THE WILD SIDE, ROCK BOTTOM, HIDE & SEEK and TINY BLESSINGS.
Be safe, Be kind.
All the best,
Fern
