My Life on a Bookshelf

Someone asked me if I read any good books on my recent x-country trip and I chuckled and answered truthfully that I hardly had time to read my maps, that if I hadn't received a gift of a GPS, I would have spent a lot of time being lost. Later, I wondered what kind of book I would have taken with me if I'd actually had an opportunity to read.

My primary reading choice for over 20 years has been non-fiction, on a wide variety of subjects related to what my interest was at the time, such as books on investing when I joined a stock club, books on business and public speaking when a job opportunity came my way, how-to books on decorating and other artistic endeavors, and the like. And, in between, inspirational books of all kinds. For the last few years, the concentration has been on my book, Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket, so I read books on travel and day tripping, then writing, publishing, marketing and promotion, in that order. A friend once commented, "I can tell a lot about a person by what I see on their bookshelves." The image of the closed books lined up on my own shelves immediately verified her claim. My life, in fact, was an open one.

Vacations were a different story. Part of the excitement of getting away was what I considered the luxury of packing non-fiction in my suitcase. I looked forward to escaping to unknown worlds with plots set in exotic locations and characters who demanded emotional involvement. Like the vacation itself, fiction was an indulgence, a rare treat like a chocolate truffle to satisfy my sweet tooth.

But, now I've abruptly changed my reading routine to focus on good literature, enjoying every moment of this "indulgence" while soaking in the incredible energy, style and tone of the writers. Secretly, I am hoping that a smidgen of their brilliance will somehow reverberate to my keyboard when I'm staring at that menacing blank page of my new book, Cruising X-Country....

Just as I have not yet decided on the final title, I am still thinking about the focus. I am hoping that a couple of author friends are right when they say, "Just start writing and once you get going you may not have a choice, the book will write itself." Now, that's an exciting image!

By the way, as usual, Cruising Connecticut will be at a couple of Holiday Fairs which are right around the corner. Check out the calendar page on my website, http://www.cruisingconnecticut.com/. I'd love to meet you, and an autographed book, either alone or tucked into a basket with a bottle of Connecticut wine is a nice gift for any occasion. If you can't get to an event you can still get an autographed book with my online order form. Also, click "What's In Our Picnic Basket" for the latest posted recipe from Cruising Connecticut, a nice addition to your holiday hors d'oeuvre platter.

Tidbits~from Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket to Cruising X-Country

A recent article in Sunday’s Hartford Courant talked about the plans being discussed for the 100th anniversary of the death of Mark Twain. It promises to be a year filled with memorabilia, celebrations, readings and plays. I think it’s interesting that reported visitor figures to the Mark Twain House in 2009 was 64,000 people, 75% being from out of state including all 50 states and 61 countries. Figures during 2010are expected to far surpass last year’s so check the website often so you won’t miss any of the upcoming dates. www.marktwainhouse,org.

It’s almost November, but if you think the season is over for visiting Connecticut wineries, just have a peek at the website for Haight-Brown Vineyard. The list of activities is impressive, both in its numbers and versatility. www.haight-vineyard.com. Hopkins Vineyard won a silver medal at the 2009 Big E Wine Competition for Sachem’s Picnic, one of my favorites and mentioned in my book. And, Gouveia Vineyard has a Xmas Sing-a-long scheduled for December 20th from 2:30-4:30. That sounds like fun! Check out the events at these and all the other Connecticut wineries at www.ctwine.com.

Since returning from my x-country trip just over three weeks ago, I have only been on one day trip and that was to the Town of Kent. Although Kent Falls State Park is one of the day trips in Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket, I chose to partner Cornwall Cover Bridge to this outing. However, since Kent is only 5 miles of so further, if you find yourself in this area of the state, do navigate to this small, charming town.

I am slowly getting back to a somewhat normal routine (if I could remember what normal was I would be able to arrive faster!) I have been moving and organizing the mountains of papers and books collected along the way, and sorting through hundreds of photos. I had been mildly complaining for the last couple of years about exchanging my 35 millimeter camera for a digital, but after this trip, I am even more aware of the benefits of choosing this camera, especially while traveling.

Aside from the cost of processing dozens of rolls of film only to find one of two from each roll that, if I am lucky I deem outstanding, the real value for me is the ease and safety of downloading my valuable x-country photos into my computer and backing them up while on the road. Back home, when I look at a photo of a mountain, instead of wondering which mountain I am looking at, I can match up my itinerary to the date and exact time stated underneath the photo to know where I was on that day and at that hour. This photo journal has already proven to be a valuable backup to my written journal.

I find I am always lagging behind the pact with any kind of technology, resisting and thrashing about until at some point I just give in. Then, it's only a matter of time until it suddenly occurs to me how happy I am that I took the leap. So it is with my digital camera. Finally.