Ahhhhhh … I can feel it now … there’s something about the takeoff of a plane that is both exhilarating and calming for me. I LOVE IT!
The whirlwind of the past month will slowly dissipate at I settle into my seat on our flight to Zurich, Switzerland, later this afternoon. I’ve felt a touch of guilt (it’s part of a writer’s lot in life, I have come to learn … ) for not posting for almost two weeks here but life has been crazy. The best remedy for me? TRAVEL! And here we go!
First a quick recap:
I’m still processing all the helpful and exciting information picked up at the PubSmart conference in Charleston, SC, last month and blogger extraordinaire, Molly Greene, is 
publishing a post I sent her about it. I’ll share that with you here as soon as I get the link later today, so pop back if you are interested. There’s a photo of me with the talented and handsome young Hugh Howey … I was feeling my age when I realized I felt like a proud mother listening to him speak. He truly is a great voice for indie authors!
In the few weeks we were home in Toronto, we had five family birthdays to celebrate plus Mother’s Day. Just catching up with our wonderful, large family, and shmoozing with friends before we leave again, was a challenge! But we did it!
Not realizing what I was getting into, I spent three days at MetalWorks Recording Studios 
(… talk about feeling like a rock star when you walk into their studios … that will be another post …what an experience!) creating an audiobook of The Bridge Club. I’ll have to go back and finish in August but I can’t say enough for the very patient sound engineer who has been guiding me along. I now have tremendous respect for the artists who do these recordings as their craft! I ended up sitting on my hands for hours so I wouldn’t wildly gesticulate, as I apparently do!
My new manuscript is with my editor and I am eagerly awaiting her comments. I love this part of the process! The same accomplished artist who created the cover for The Promise of Provence is at work on the cover for this new novel and he showed me the almost completed work this week. I’m thrilled! At the moment, I feel we are on track for a July release of the ebook and the print will follow.
The subscribers to my newsletter are helping me decide on the title and I love having the involvement of these enthusiastic and supportive readers. There’s a link on the right side of this page or click right here if you would like to join us!
And then there was a terrific all-day writers’ workshop with novelist/blogger Chuck Wendig of the edgy Terrible Minds website. I thought it would be fun for us to say “Hi” to my friend, Colorado writer Susie Lindau, who I knew had met Chuck at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference just a few weeks ago. Chuck does get around!
It was great to reconnect with a lot of local writing friends and, in particular to congratulate Sherry Isaac who, the previous week in Chicago, won the prestigious Fire and Ice award for Women’s Fiction with Romantic Elements. In 2009, Sherry also won the Alice Munro Short Story Award. If you haven’t read any of her work, you should. You’ll find links to all of her exceptional writing on her website.
Okay … so back to travel … which I told you a bit about in my last post. My camera is ready to go to work (I can feel it pulsating … seriously … it’s been almost seven months …) and I have a new iPad Air, so I can try out some video blogs! I’ll check in with you from Switzerland, France and Vienna and knowing you are keeping me company makes the travel even more pleasure-filled!
While we are on the topic of globe-trotting, here’s a bit about Spain. When I read Marianne’s post this morning, I knew I had to share it!
Here’s the preamble.
My wonderful, adventuresome sister lives in a small village south of Granada (now THERE’S a story … some day …) and I love to spend time with here there. It’s been a few years now but next year it is on the books for certain! I’m not sure why I just told you this … I guess because I have Spain on my mind at the moment and here’s why.
I want to share this link from Marianne’s blog, East of Malaga … a favourite of 
mine. A gifted blogger and photographer, she shares her part of the world with us every week and now you can be as overwhelmed as I was with the floral opulence and glory of her visit to Cordoba’s recent Patio Festival.
Cordoba is a “must-see” destination at any time, in particular to revel in the spiritual and architectural splendour that is the Mezquite. Now you can consider planning a visit to coincide with La Fiesta de Los Patios de Cordoba.
Can you imagine watering all those pots?
If you haven’t visited Spain yet, be sure to add it to your wish list. Like every other European country, the history, beauty, food and culture leave you with unique and lasting experiences.
In two weeks, my Friday France posts will be back … on location … OOH LA LA … be still my heart … from Nice! In the meantime I hope you enjoying hanging out with me wherever I happen to be. I can hear those Swiss cowbells clanking softly now …
Hmmm – it has been a busy time! Do you have any travel planned this year and how do you feel about flying? Even if you are staying home (and sometimes that’s the best place to be!), any time you want to take a trip you can do so from your armchair these days with a good book or a video. Rick Steves’ travel videos are among my favourite ~ just click that link, choose your destination of choice and away you go! Bon voyage!
Travel safe Patricia. A bientot …
Thanks, Fransi! We are settled high in the Swiss Alps now until the end of the month and thoroughly enjoying the experience! I just have to quell my desire to yodel!
Lol. Eat fondu instead. Or chocolate!
Have a great trip, Patricia.
Anneli, thanks for your good wishes. We intend to do just that!
Is Marianne your sister? I love her blog. I may be living in Spain next year so you can visit both of us! Have a fabulous holiday. Can’t wait to see the posts.
LOL, no Marianne isn’t my sister but a great blogger whose posts I enjoy! My sister lives in a village south of Granada. How exciting that you are moving to Spain! We must hook up for certain if we are in the same area. I’ll be visiting there in 2015 for certain.
Oops! I thought Marianne was your sister. Her blog is wonderful.
Patricia, thanks so much for the shout-out and for sharing your PubSmart experience with my readers! Your post is live on my blog RIGHT NOW, and here’s the link:
http://www.molly-greene.com/top-5-takeaways-pubsmart-2014/
Wishing you all the best on your travels!
Have a super terrific time Patricia! I’m looking forward to lots of pictures.
That patio picture is the most beautiful thing I have seen in a long time. Makes me want to put my feet up with a glass of wine somewhere exotic.
Enjoy!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Those patios are something else, aren’t they? I agree they are an enticement to sit and sip and savour! Thanks for your good wishes! I’m taking lots of photos but am so busy with editing I haven’t had time to post!
So much going on in your life! Susie rocks too. Safe and enjoyable travels.
I also love the takeoff of a plane.
Thanks, Phil!
Wow! You are one busy lady!! Sounds like crazy fun all the way around.
Yup! Loooove to travel and it should be good fun all around. Home exchange makes it all affordable!
Busy schedule but fun, too, Patricia.
Recording is a great experience, but I agree that it opens a window on the kind of job it is.
To answer your question about travel plans: one road trip across the USA this summer with mini trips in Southern and Northern California. Lots of different places offering lots of blogging opportunities!
Enjoy your travels and dites bonjour à Nice pour moi. It will be cool to see your posts from there.
I will be sure to give a warm bonjour to Nice from you. Your road trip sounds like a very good time and I will look forward to your posts!
Thanks so much for your thoughtful review! Most appreciated!
Oh, what fun you’ve had and will have, Patricia! I loved Switzerland and happened to meet my first blogging buddy in Zurich. What a treat! My wanderlust is a bit jealous, but my trip to Costa Rica next month will help to keep it at bay.
Enjoy! I am looking forward to your words and your photos!
Thanks so much! Taking the photos is the easy part. Finding time to post, not so easy!
I’ve got to remember to go congratulate Sherry!! And I LOVE that photo of you and The Wendigo. He’s a rockstar. 🙂
Yes, GREAT news about Sherry’s award! She’s such a talent! I love her way with words and wonderful thought process. On top of that, she’s one of the best “off the cuff” writers I know. And you are right about Chuck! Rockstar for sure! I can really see him writing children’s lit too … can’t wait for that!
Wow! You’ve got a lot going on, lady! Such excitement. Hope you’re enjoying every step of the way. (Knowing you, I’m pretty sure you are.)
Hey, Kitt, you’ve got that right! I don’t think I have ever had a trip I didn’t enjoy … seriously … and I feel pretty lucky about that. Right now we are perched in the Swiss Alps in an amazing location with those softly clanking cowbells right outside the door. Love them! I just have to control my urge to yodel!
Ever the busy bee, aren’t you? Congrats on completing your work. Now, you’re whisking off to leave the rest of us pecking away at the computer.
Guess what, Totsy? I’m pecking away too … major edits! My editor made a suggestion that had been on my mind but I was trying to ignore because I knew how much rewriting it would entail … sigh … She right. It’s better this way but … my whine is echoing through the Alps …
I know how hard it is to read something aloud for a recording. I have occasional work doing that. I can’t imagine recording a whole book, though.
Then you know what I mean! It was quite an eye-opener to me! I just hope it sounds fine when it’s all said and done … so to speak …
Just read your book The Promise of Provence and enjoyed Katherine’s story very much. We are following our Provence dream and moving from Los Angeles to Bedoin (a village at the base of Mont Ventoux) this August. It promises to be quite an adventure indeed!
On our way to Cozumel right now. Fly often, and it still amazes me. LOVE your sister’s blog. Thanks for the link! Happy travels!
She’s not my sister. I guess I wasn’t clear about that, but Marianne has a wonderful blog. My sister lives south of Granada and does not blog … but she should! Enjoy Cozumel!
Counting down the days til I go back home. We have been away all year, so it will be nice to reconnect with everyone. I am also looking forward to blue skies and open spaces.
A year is a long time. Are you just going for a visit? I’ll pop over to your blog and find out. Bon voyage!
Thanks Patricia… yes it will be a visit of 4-5 weeks home. I work overseas as a teacher at an international school. This was to be our last year, so we did as much travel as we could each holiday break to see this side of the world. We extended for 1 more year, so a short visit home and back here for the final count down 😉
Found your book (and blog) in my never-ending search for all things Provence. We (“we” being myself, my wife and our two children) are moving permanently from Los Angeles to Provence in August. Your descriptions of the countryside echo my feelings exactly. I’m thrilled to be starting a new life in one of the most beautiful places on earth!
Hey Sis!
You caused a ripple of confusion there, Patricia, but I know what you meant! Thanks for sharing my post on the Patio Festival in Cordoba and for your very kind words.
I would certainly recommend the city of Cordoba to be added to anyone’s itinerary on a visit to Andalucia and, to take that trip in early to mid-May, would also allow the spectacular Patio Festival to be included in your activities.
Delighted to hear that you are going to be visiting your (real) sister, south of Granada, next year. We MUST meet up then – I have so much to show you 🙂