Category Archives: Happiness

West Virginia Book Festival

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Sometimes it’s nice to go places where we feel like we belong. Depending on your interests and where you live, finding those places can be a real challenge.

That’s why it was such a treat to spend Saturday at the West Virginia Book Festival in Charleston. This was the 19th year. I have attended a few times but Saturday was the first time I spent almost the entire day.

We went down the night before and did some book shopping, had dinner, and rested up for an early and active day.

There’s an enormous used book sale at the festival, the kind where people show up with wagons, big totes on wheels, and shopping carts to stock up on their favorite books and movies. There’s also a marketplace with nonprofits, small publishing houses, self published authors, and people selling bookish things. There’s stuff for kids to do. There are writing workshops which I didn’t get to participate in because I spent my whole day listening to authors talk and then waiting in line to have books signed.

It was marvelous.

Craig Johnson

We heard historical fiction (and now magical realism) writer Kate Quinn talk about her career and about her most recent books. We heard nonfiction writer Margot Lee Shetterley talk about reaching for the stars and her book Hidden Figures as well as the movie of the same name. We also heard Longmire series writer Craig Johnson whose presence reminded me of a front porch chat with a favorite uncle.

Each of them was informative, entertaining, and inspiring in their unique way. They all were kind and friendly when they signed my books. Craig Johnson was downright jovial, excited to meet his readers and to support local libraries. He even volunteered his time for a ticketed reception the night before to raise money for the library. He also stopped a minute to offer solicited advice to a wannabe writer like myself.

As someone who enjoys books and words, I admire all three of these writers for their perseverance and ability to make a living doing something they love. While a lot of us dream of writing a book, they have devoted their careers to doing just that and being successful at it.

Here in Ohio, I have seen a number of book fairs and events advertised but there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of author talks or writing workshops at these events. Sometimes you can see an author speaking at one of the bigger libraries or bookstores. Lately, a lot of these talks have gone to a ticketed format where you get a book along with admission. This isn’t affordable to many.

So, what a gift it is to the world that West Virginia puts on such a professional event packed with literally more than you can do in a day. It is free and the booksale prices are more than fair, making it accessible for about anyone who wishes to come and listen or take home a bag of gently used books.

I admire and envy the folks down there and already look forward to hearing who they will have next year,

We did skip out on the most popular speaker of the day. RL Stine drew such interest that people were lined up before the event doors even opened to get a coveted ticket for his book signing, The 83- year old was signing just 150 books and there were numerous rules surrounding who and how that would happen. Even more people were lined up all day just to hear the man talk with young and old fans who were dressed in their swag and buzzing like they were about to meet Elvis.

It was both exciting to witness how enthusiastic people were to see one of their childhood favorites and a little weird to think people would devote their entire day to seeing a kid’s author on stage.

I will stick with being glad that there is a dedicated event to celebrating books and authors in the state of West Virginia and being envious that we don’t have something of such high caliber closer to hone. I returned home feeling enthused and invigorated. I had, after all, spent the day among bibliophiles and it was lovely.

Friends, go find some people with whom you can simply be yourself while you do the things you enjoy. It’s worth it! I promise!

Around Here

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Around here CALM is the name of the game. Scout has been really sick, a malady I’m certain is brought on by anxiety. He went back to the vet yesterday for more tests and I continue to force him to take pills twice a day. Have you ever tried to give a cat pills by yourself? It’s a life skill I seem to have mastered with my boy, at least. Sadly, when we are done, he turns to me (his tormenter) for comfort.

Otherwise, I’ve been trying hard to keep his little world calm and somewhat predictable. By extension, my world has been calmer as well. In fact, I’m home again today. I’ve been home a lot lately with time to do some cleaning and organizing, reading, and kitty cuddling.

I’ll also be listening to authors talk about their books this weekend through something called Roswell Reads Rewind. Basically Roswell, Georgia has a city wide reading project that involves bringing in major fiction authors to speak about their books and to sometimes speak about their writing process. Once a year they post all those videos of past events online for a single weekend. It’s wonderful to go at your own pace and have a front row seat to all these smart people who have given the world books truly worth reading.

Last night I listened to Lisa See talk about her “overnight success” after spending twenty years writing books. Today I’ll revisit some favorites that I watched last year including Ron Rash, Ann Patchett, and Rick Bragg.

Around here, books and reading matter. Not only does reading entertain, it broadens horizons, educates and increases empathy in a world where these things I value seem to have gone out of vogue.

That’s part of the reason it irritates me to say there’s a good chance I’m going to DNF a book today. It sounded great but it has taken the author a full third of nearly 600 pages to get to the actual story of the book and I find that I’m just not that interested.

Do I care what happens next or if the main character is ok? Not especially.

Around here, we call that a bad sign. I’ll give it fifty more pages before deciding that this may just not be the book for me.

Around here, we understand that all things are not for all people and we move on.

I do wish I could be out doing something fun today. There’s probably a car show or a museum exhibit I would like to see. October is my favorite month for activities and time in nature. I know I’m missing out by not being on the hiking trails but there’s an event happening at Lake Hope today so that wouldn’t be peaceful and the Hocking Hills parks will be as busy as Times Square by noon.

Around here, we recognize that lots of people have FOMO or the Fear Of Missing Out but we believe in JOMO.

That’s the Joy of Missing Out.

At this moment, I’m in comfy pjs, still lounging with my little cat who adores me even when I make him take medicine and leave him at the vet to be poked and prodded. It’s a beautiful fall day and I have a quick errand to run so maybe I’ll stop for a few pictures on the way. Otherwise, around here is where I will stay and be glad for the calm of a quiet day mostly at home.

Whether you’re staying in or headed out on adventure, I hope where you are is as happy as this.

Lunch Lessons At The Red Lion Inn

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We had some good meals along the way on the Stockbridge trip but one of my very favorites was this lunch in the courtyard outside the Red Lion Inn.

Fish and chips. Diet Coke. A good friend. A delicate breeze beneath an umbrella. Blue skies above.

It was divine.

There was a little bird, politely hopping around looking for something tasty. He finally found a french fry, happily flying off with his found treasure.

Whether it’s when we travel or just a stolen moment during our week, this is what it’s all about. Quiet moments with someone who understands us, fresh air, and time to slow down – even if for just an hour – help us to recharge and remind us that life is more than schedules and busy work.

Oh, to be as happy as a bird with a french fry! Now there’s a life goal I can get behind.

Postcard From Florida

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This wasn’t the best day. Scout went back to the vet today with another flare up of an issue that started earlier this year. It’s called Feline Idiopathic Cystitis or, in laymen’s terms, inflammation of the bladder wall.

So we got another round of medicine – a liquid and two pills to be administered a couple of times a day for the foreseeable future. He sang the song of his people all the way there and back but was a perfect little gent for the vet.

He was less gentlemanly as I single handedly wrestled him to the floor for his first dose.

I was having a “Calgon, take me away moment” tonight as I went through the mail. Seamless gutters, bill, bill, credit card offer… and a postcard! Not just any postcard but one that features a gorgeous painting by Florida Highwayman Alfred Hair.

My Pittsburgh pal, who I admired Highwaymen art with earlier this year, was recently in Florida and thought to send this to me. Did you read the story I wrote a few months ago? If you didn’t, you should because their art is magnificent and they painted prolifically. Click here to read about them.

She says the antique stores down there are like galleries of their work, something I would love to see someday.

Why do I tell you this? It’s just a gentle reminder that real mail from friends and family is still relevant and important. Birthday cards and thank you notes have been all but replaced by texts and Facebook greetings. Yet, there’s something special about opening your mailbox to something from a friend.

It tells me that, for a moment, the sender thought to buy a postcard, write a message, and take it to the post office. And during her vacation!

What a nice thought.

So, buy yourself a few stamps and some cards or postcards and send a note here and there. Brighten someone’s day! You never know the impact your actions might have.

Home From A Much Needed Vacation

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When I left Ohio two Saturdays ago, my jaw was clenched tight and my white knuckles held the steering wheel like I was the only thing preventing it from falling off the car. It had been too long since I got in a quiet car and headed out for a longer adventure. 

My attention span had been short and my fuse perhaps a little shorter for a while. I live in a world governed by emails, agendas and a buzzing phone. I hate the sound of my phone and the word agenda is one of the most obnoxious in the English language. 

To be on the road and out adventuring without a real plan is one of the best parts of traveling. 

It took three days for my jaw and fists to relax and another day to spot the wild haired, bright eyed Brandi that thoroughly enjoys the world. 

And then I woke up in the Berkshires of Massachusetts where the mountains feel almost like a cradle for anyone needing nurturing and calm. 

Let me tell you something, friends. It took some coaxing to get me to leave.

There’s a sensibility about that area that appeals to me. There’s a combination of wealthy transplants, tourists, and generational blue collar residents who keep everything working. People seemed mostly fit and happy, enjoying active lifestyle hobbies like walking, hiking, bird watching and kayaking. There’s also a rural sensibility that appealed to my own ways and made me wish for more time. I was there with my eastern travel pal and we agreed that we needed more time because there was so much we wished to to do. 

Where I live, even country folk have big yards that are mown right up to the road like small golf courses. In that area, you see a lot of country houses where there’s a break in the trees for a driveway to a house that’s reasonably close to the road but disguised by a tree row or a thicket of wild looking shrubbery. There’s no need for a giant lawn that invites attention from the road when privacy is clearly valued so much here. Yet, short driveways make sense in a place that averages six feet of annual snowfall. 

Norman Rockwell made his home here for the last several years of his life. He came because his wife was sent to Stockbridge for medical treatment. He stayed because he found most of his inspiration here. 

And I can see why. 

The town streets are tree lined. People are just naturally welcoming and seem to genuinely want you to enjoy wherever you are and what you’re doing. They are not overtly friendly, in that fake nice way that you get in a lot of places. They seem genuinely glad to know you traveled a long way to visit their community. 

Everywhere you look in Stockbridge, there’s a pocket park or a set of chairs inviting you to stay a while.

Being there past Labor Day meant that we missed the high season so it was quieter than a summer tourist might experience but it was also cheaper. While it was still busy enough, it was quiet. 

It felt a little fall like for most of our visit and we even had a nice gloomy day that ended with rain showers one evening.  Consequently, there were places we could spot patches of yellow and red leaves, hinting at the beauty that is just around the corner in New England. 

We did lots of things in the Stockbridge area. We also rustled up some fun going to and from. After all, it’s a long trip by car from my friend’s Pittsburgh home and we both tend to believe the journey is the destination.

In other words, driving a straight line isn’t really our thing and we’ve never met a situation that didn’t call for a trip around the block to see what’s what. Sometimes she just rolls forward a foot or so at a traffic light so we can get a better look at pretty buildings like this house in Altoona.

Something tells me that this trip’s stories will be bubbling up for a while. I already feel the calm and the embrace of the Berkshires dissipating from my consciousness like an early morning fog. Luckily there are pictures and memories to help me revisit those moments from time to time. Plus, I have stories to share with you, friends. 

Treat Yourself

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Today is Friday. We have made it to the finishing line before the long holiday weekend. At least, I hope it’s a long weekend for you. Wherever you are, I hope you will celebrate the completion of this week even if it’s just a little bit.

Buy yourself some grocery store flowers like the sunflowers I bought for myself a few weeks ago. Take a long walk in the woods after work. Stop by your favorite local bookstore and buy some fabulous book to kick your feet up with. Take a long, hot bath. Grab your favorite sandwich at the local deli. Pack a bag and take an impromptu road trip. Close the curtains to keep out the heat and have a Harry Potter movie marathon.

Do something that will bring you joy or peace or relaxation or excitement or whatever it is you need to help you say “it was a long week but I managed the stress and I am still standing.”

You deserve it. Now go.