A Time For All Seasons

Dear Friends and Readers,

I was talking to my agent today about the many ways publishing is changing. I am not a fan of change at the best of moments, and yes, I know “change or die” is the rule of the universe. I remember being younger and eagerly anticipating change. I wonder what mechanism in a person shifts from anticipation to annoyance.

I do not want to pay my bills online.

I do not want to file forms online or make doctor appointments (if any are even available).

I don’t want to stream TV on my computer or phone.

I do not want to read books on my phone.

I actually like some digital books (on an e-reader) because I have a library that I now must think about donating somewhere. My agent was talking about the same thing. She’s in NYC and as an agent for 30 or so years, she has a massive library. These are loved books, but the world moves so fast now that books aren’t treasured as they once were. Libraries, public school libraries, services for senior citizens—these used to be places where books were loved, valued, and put in the hands of readers. Now space is too short.

While talking to Marian, I posited my current “conspiracy theory.” Not about books but about obesity in the country. Weight loss is possible with the new GLP-1 drugs. Think about this: Why are so many Americans suffering from hormone disruption of these particular hormones?

Horses with insulin resistance and the attached issues such as Cushing’s are becoming more common. I know because I have two horses that are insulin resistant. It is a struggle to allow them to be horses—out and grazing—and protecting them from the ravages of the disease. These are horses that cannot graze freely on a lush pasture. Horses that can’t graze! Whoever heard of such a thing? My early years with horses were spent trying to grow good, healthy pasture in the summer and some nice rye grass in the colder months. No more. Be careful of the hay. It’s an ongoing worry. One of my horses is on a drug much like a GLP-1. It works for her. But why is this even necessary?

My theory on why so many creatures are suffering from insulin resistance, weight gain etc., has to do with our food supply. I believe it is the corn and other grains—treated with herbicide and toxic fertilizers—that is the problem for all of us.

Horses that can’t graze naturally and humans who can’t eat normal amounts and avoid the pounds: this is not bad diet, or lack of will power, or laziness. This is the endocrine system in failure. But why? I do believe our food supply is poisoned. And I don’t know what to do about it. The hormones and antibiotics and so forth that are pumped into meat is easy enough for me to avoid. But I cook for my dogs. I try to buy humane certified products for them and fresh veggies, but who can tell what is in the meat and produce.

And ultimately, I’m back to the question of why. Why is this necessary?

But enough of my crazy theories. I do have good news about some books. Remember, ODE TO THE BONES will be released May 26. It is the next to last book in the series. The last one, JOY TO THE BONES, will be out Oct. 27. It will be here before I can spin around.

With the help of Priya, president of KaliOka Press, we are putting up a number of older books that I got the rights back to. REVENANT, DECEPTION, PENUMBRA, the BLACKTHORN duo, and HOODWINKED are several that are now available. More to come.

The critters here at the farm are all stable for the moment. Most are older, and this is also a very hard thing to watch as time changes them from frisky to sedate. More change I’d avoid if I could.

I’m working on a new book idea, and I have to say, it’s a process I am really loving. More about that later. That’s it for me and the critters. Here’s a tune that I need to practice: Turn! Turn! Turn!

 

Adieu from Carolyn and the Critters. And now, here’s Priya!

Hi readers! I watched a terrific movie this past weekend with my family. Project Hail Mary is a book written by Andy Weir, and the movie adaptation was fantastic. The author also wrote The Martian, so we had a pretty good feeling this was going to be another gem. My sister Nikki and I have a fascination for astronomy which started when our mom read books to us about the planets since we were tiny tots. In fact, my sister’s artwork got flown into outer space on the Space Shuttle Atlantis! It’s an incredibly rare accomplishment to have something you made be sent off to the stars. Here’s an article about it: Nikki’s Art Blasts off into Outer Space. It’s a special fun fact on my sister’s resumé.

“Universal Thoughts” by Nikkita Bhakta

#ProudSisterMoment

All of this to say, we knew we had to watch Project Hail Mary together when she rolled into town. And bonus, our brother Angat agreed to join us, which was a treat because he’s the coolest guy we know.

So the heart of the movie, for me, was a mysterious friendship that Ryan Gosling’s character has with someone named Rocky. The story is premised on something being fatally wrong with our sun. There’s something eating away at it, and a science teacher and Rocky are on the mission to figure out how to fix the problem so that we can all continue to live.

The following quote won’t make sense now, but after you watch the movie, you’ll say these words aloud:

“Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!”

At any rate, the friendship portrayed in the movie is absolutely endearing and I’ll hold onto it for a while.

My brother treated everyone to supper afterward– there’s a local Mexican restaurant near the theater and he ordered something for the table called “Taca-Taca”. It’s not exactly on the menu, but my brother and his friends are major foodies, so they know all the good spots in town and the hidden menu options that only the insiders know. He also ordered a delicious appetizer – again, not on the menu, but I would describe it as seasoned fajita veggies simmering in hot queso. My husband took home the leftovers and polished it off the next day!

We mentioned grabbing dessert and my brother was craving a freshly made crepe, and he knew just the place. We drove down to Shaky Crepe (located next to the college campus where I first met Carolyn Haines nearly two decades ago!) and we had so much fun exploring the menu and trying all the goodies. The owner Zach Abdel and his son run the place and they embraced us like family. If you find yourself in Mobile, Alabama, please give this place a try. This awesome father-son duo also have plans to expand their business, so chat them up to learn more. We need to give our mom-and-pop restaurants extra love, but especially the businesses who go above and beyond with their service. Everything we ate there was absolutely scrumptious and we were treated with Turkish coffee at the end. Shaky Crepe knows what’s up! I couldn’t be more pleased with what we were served and how we were treated. Give them a try and you won’t regret it. And Jim, as you know, has a major sweet tooth, and he’s already looking forward to our next jaunt there.

Now it’s time for me to get started on publishing another book from Carolyn Haines. It’s exciting when an author gets the rights to a book reverted back to them. Carolyn will drop the link in next month’s newsletter!

Yours truly,
Priya