The Best of 2010 --- So Far...

Okay, I know we are only 6 days in to this new decade but I believe in celebrating good things when you can. A few very cool (in my opinion) things have happened and I thought I'd get this decade off to a good start by mentioning them.

• A young woman in Sweden named Jenny has a blog on which she talks about knitting and books and other interesting things. This morning I visited it and she was writing about new books she has purchased. One of her purchases is pictured at right. I was absolutely delighted to know that a young knitter in Sweden has my book. She wrote: This one contains a lot of beautiful patterns, but is also very good if you want to learn how to design your own lace patterns. I'll probably make a lot of these shawls too, but possibly not this year :)
  
• I got a Facebook message from a friend who had just finished reading Each Angel Burns and he wrote, I finished your book last night and loved it cover to cover! A great story with wonderful characters. You really drew me into it. Thank you for a great read! Of course I am very happy for positive comments but what made this especially welcome is that the man who wrote it is a religious brother. Because of the storyline of the book, and the "twist", it made me very happy to have the approval of someone on the "inside". Thank you, Brother William.
  
• I also got an email from a man who had just started reading it and he said, Very impressive narrative voice. The speaker does sound like one of the boys! It was very easy to get inside the story. This made me happy because I worried that, as a woman writer writing about men, I might not createcredible characters but, so far,the comments are favorable.
• I got an email from the wonderful writer Susan Oleksiw who invited me to be part of a Lyceum discussion at the Sawyer Free Library on the future of independent publishing. Susan is a gifted writer, photographer, and succesful publisher (she was the publisher of the distinguished Larcom Review). I'll post more details when I have them.
• Mary Doria Russell "friended" me on Facebook!!!! Do you know how thrilled I am!!! She wrote one of my favorite books of all time, The Sparrow. Just knowing I am on her Friends list is utterly thrilling.
• Last night's Knit Night at Cape Ann Brew Pub was delightful. There were about 20 knitters there knitting away with beer, popcorn and pizza at hand. Leslie Wind came and we had an excellent time. Next one is two weeks from last night. Details to follow.

So, that's it for now but I'm happy to start this decade with some happy thoughts. Thanks for reading.