HELLO FROM CATHERINE

Welcome Letter

This is my favorite section of my website. The Front Page is where I deliver general news, but here I get to chitchat with my friends. Boy, oh, boy, have I had a crazy year! It's the only way I can think to describe it. It began with bad news about my husband's health in January and went downhill from there. Sid had a triple bypass in March. I had abdominal surgery in May. My brother fell and broke his ankle in June, marking the beginning of the end for him. I had back surgery in August, moved my brother to Central Oregon in early September, began a marathon of doctor appointments for his care, and then had to watch him die, a slow process that began in mid-October and ended on the 21st of November, right before Thanksgiving. When I look back, everything is a blur. And, hello, I'm too young for all of this sad stuff to be happening. But I guess age has nothing to do with it. Stuff just happens.

I am coming out on the other side now, thanking God for my wonderful editor, Ellen Edwards, and for the fact that I write for New American Library. Everyone there has been so understanding and supportive. I have been given a period of grace to let my mind rest and allow my heart to heal. When I return from New Zealand, I feel certain that I will be ready to get back to work. I'm not taking my laptop with me, but I am thinking about writing in a notebook—if the urge strikes me. I may be far too busy with my two-year-old grandson, Liam! For the first week, we will be staying at Lake Taupo, so I'm pretty sure wading will be on our list of things to do every day. And I'm taking him two new books, so reading to him in the shade is bound to be a fun pastime.

As I write this, I am thanking God for each and every one of you, my readers. You have all been so wonderfully understanding about my not updating my website and replying to your messages with form letters. When I think about it, I get tears in my eyes. You aren't just my readers. You are my friends! And I am so very blessed to have you. I cannot begin to express how much your wonderful letters have meant to me during the last, many difficult months. Some of you have shared your experiences, others have simply written to say you are praying for me and mine, and all of you have sent love to me over the miles. When I count my blessings, you are near the top of my list. Please know that your support has sustained me and given me strength during one of the most difficult times of my life, and that I will never forget that.

On to the Cinnamon Ridge critters. Our gaunt doe with the bullet hole in her ear grew plump and healthy over the summer. Though I neglected myself while caring for my brother, I always found time to buy deer food, haul it home, prevail upon my husband to unload it, and to feed my babies. The twin fawns grew like weeds! Though it's hard to tell with deer at that age, I'm sure one was a boy and one was a girl. The boy grew very brave during the autumn months, coming for treats without Mom. He was so sweet. I began to worry when the snow began to fly because they hadn't departed for the high desert. But when it was time, they finally left. I felt sad, but on the other hand, I was relieved. I wouldn't want them to get stranded here and starve. (As if I'd ever allow that to happen.) But, still, it is best for them to migrate, and it is good that they finally did so. I look forward to their return in the spring. The babies will be much larger, but I'll recognize them by their audacity, I'm sure. Only my little friends come running when I yell, "Dinner time!" I can only hope that all of them survive to return. Winter can be hard, and there are so many perils for deer—poachers, highway accidents, etc. I will be so very glad if all of them make it through and come home to Cinnamon Ridge in the spring.

For now, all the little squirrels and chipmunks have gone into hibernation, much to the dismay of my three dogs, whose mission it is to chase them all during the warm months. Now it's so boring outside! But we still have the pine squirrels, silver gray squirrels, and darling cottontail rabbits. At present, some little furry critter has made its home within the rock walls of our family room fireplace. I don't know how he got in there, and he can't go through rock and mortar to enter the house, but when all is quiet during the day, we can hear him behind the river rock, fussing and fiddling. It's a strange feeling. We're sharing our home's warmth with a little furry friend. I suppose that is appropriate. I love all of them so much.

As I depart for New Zealand, I will be hoping that all of you rush out to buy Sun Kissed, Tucker Coulter's love story. And I will also be hoping that you enjoy the read. On the recipe front, I'm hoping to bring home some tantalizing new recipes from another part of the world. That should be fun!

Until next time, my friends, my wish for you is that every book you settle down with proves to be wonderful. God bless each and every one of you for your loyal friendship.

Big hugs,

Catherine