Wednesday, March 11, 2009

One Two, buckle a shoe, three four, shut that door! Five six, pick up after cats, seven eight -when can I lie down straight? Nine Ten, a big fat grin

( Texas at sunset on I-20)

Chicken soup. Jello. Pudding - and not the "instant pudding" but the kind you cook on the stove. Those are the things I cooked yesterday.

Because - ! First, Frank's heart stopped for 13 seconds yesterday. OMG! His poor heart started back on its own, but it scared us all greatly, as you can imagine. They are going to put in a pacemaker tomorrow. They said it is "minor surgery" - but in matters of the heart, well...if I can be so bold as to ask for more of those prayers, vibes, thoughts, energies .... you have all been so kind. Thank You. Frank just gave me a big grin the other day when I told him people from all over the world were rootin' for him...Mom and he both said, "Please thank them for me."

In the meanwhile, my brother Tommy had a "procedure" yesterday (some biopsies-which we expect to be clear), and it was found out he has a hernia. Said hernia has to be repaired immediately, so he's going in Thursday morning: the same time that Frank's having his surgery! Lawd! *laughing hysterically and wide-eyed and exhaustingly*

I will take care of Tommy, while Mom takes care of Frank.
Good news is they expect Frank to be home by this weekend. Good news for Tommy is the surgery is relatively minor and he should be fine.
So. Chicken soup. Jello. Pudding. Stir. Stir. cook cook. Put the old fruit cocktail in the jello like Mom used to do. Add a pinch of this and a pinch of that to the soup. stir, bubble, taste...hope it tastes almost as good as mom's does.

I have become such the nurse! Who knew? I'd forgotten how exhausting it is, but at the same time, it feels rewarding - there is a sense of purpose that is very simple and direct in "nursing" someone, or in taking care of someone's house and critters while they are nursing someone - seems I'm doing both - taking care of Mom's Place and her cats and critters and will be "nursing" Tommy after his surgery. But, the simple acts of patting a shoulder, or pushing back hair from a forehead, saying "I'm here- don't worry about a thing...," cleaning and laundering, and yes, making chicken soup, jello, and pudding will not be regretted.

I hope to be traveling back to my mountain cove at Killian Knob this weekend. Much as I am honored to be helping here in TexasLand, when I talked to Good Man Roger this morning whilst he was on the porch, I heard the chimes blowing in the wind, I heard the creek sounds, I heard my birds singing and suddenly the tears are burning in my eyes: I miss Home. I miss my critters. I miss my mountain. I miss my creek. I miss Good Man Roger. I miss fat old labrador Jake. I miss my leather chair where I write and edit. Yet, despite all that Missing, I do not regret being here - don't misinterpret my seeming "whining" for actual Whining and Complaining - because, as I also said, there is something direct and satisfying when you are caring and helping loved ones -- it takes one outside of YOU and opens one up. For a self-indulgent reclusive writer, it is a test of mettle and patience and humility and unselfish behaviors. I hope I have passed my test.

It's a rainy morning. For this moment, it is quiet. I am taking this quiet moment to catch up on visiting (I hope!) and posting this and breathing. Perhaps some yoga is in order this morning.

Oh! Tender Graces news: I am all a-giggle because I have sold at least three Tender Graces books! *laughing!* Three people have emailed me and said they have pre-ordered the book straight from BelleBooks Publishers. *haw!* So! Remember when I said I was afraid I'd sell only 4 books? Well, I've sold at least three and when I buy one (for I must! I must buy one!) that will already be four, before it's even released next month! *LAUGHING!* Ah, how I amuse myself....
Update Update! (laughing at myself) - someone just emailed me: I sold FOUR! I have reached my "fear goal" - so when I buy my copy, that will be Five: one more than my "fear goal" *laughing!* *whew* now I can relax and enjoy the process....gawd, I am too strange sometimes...teeheehee
I am sitting here just a-laughing: Five! five books sold. one two three four five ah ah ah ah (that's supposed to be The Count from sesame street counting...teeheehee.)

So, I wanted to step back in here quickly and say, "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU...a thousand thank you's!" Just think, as I write this, I may be up to Six! 1 2 3 4 5 6 - ah ah ah ah

Okay, I promise (well, maybe promise isn't a good word *laughing* ) that I won't come on here every time I sell a book and write, "ten! ten books sold... one two three four five six seven eight nine ten....ah ah ah ah ah." *snork*
Okay, back to what I was doing - which is laundry, and finishing up some pudding for Frank

22 comments:

Barb Davis said...

Go girl...you're on a roll!!!!!!!!

Michelle H. said...

Keep em coming! Your fear has been conquered even before the ink has hit the pages. Whoohoo!

Anonymous said...

Guess what Kathryn....you're up to a whollipin five!! I just bought it off the link Gumbo put up. I'm so excited, I can't wait till it gets here and I can read something by somebody I know!

Michelle said...

I know exactly what you mean.

I'm glad you have an end date.....it's hard without one :0)

Jinksy said...

The powers that be are truly testing your metal! xxx

JOY said...

One more sold when I put in my order! Can't wait to read it!

Unknown said...

I haven't purchased one off the "net" because ... I'm hoping to purchase one at Malaprop's ... and maybe the author will personally sign it for me. :) And hey ... you just go right ahead and let us know every time you sell one. Gosh ... if I were lucky enough to sell anything ... I'd be bragging up a storm!

You are doing such a great thing to help your loved ones out. And you know ... it's not really what you are doing ... it's that you are there for them. Touch their arms, give them hugs and kisses ... sometimes people who are ill feel lonely and isolated.

You're a good person, Kat!

Small Footprints
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

You just sold another one, girlfriend! I just hope it will have an autographed plate signed by the author when it arrives. Do you think you could nudge her in that direction for me? And, more prayers to Frank and new ones to Tommy. Peace, love, and grace to you and yours.

Lori said...

I am so thankful that you are able to bless your loved ones with your presence and by your acts of love/service for them. Just being there means a lot to them I'm sure. I know you want to be home in the mountains but by the sounds of it you have been called to active duty elsewhere. Home will be there waiting for you and you will so appreciate it. I will continue to pray for your loved ones.

How exciting about your book!

Debbie said...

I'm thinking everyone in your family is getting all their sicknesses over with right now and it will be smooth sailing from here on out!

Marta Stephens said...

I was wondering why I hadn't heard from you recently. Now I know. WOW A prayer going your way! And a HUGE congrats on the book. Can't wait!!

Walker said...

Bourbon, it cures nothing but goes a long way when sitting back in a rocker.
I hope everyone heals quick

Unknown said...

i will go get mine and have the rocks arrived yet ? i know you are not at home, so hopefully they will be there when you get back xxxx

Sandra Leigh said...

Oh, dear. It never rains but it pours, and your family seems to be in need of an umbrella right now. I do hope everybody is feeling well enough that you can head home this weekend. I can feel your homesickness. As for the book, I really want a signed copy. What to do? At this rate, mine will be the 1,000th copy sold!

Anonymous said...

Aaaand another buyer here! (((Kat))) deep breaths, deep breaths! Be safe and Im sending a strong prayer.

Angie Ledbetter said...

OMG. You made me laugh so hard I cried...don't know if it's exhaustion from doing similar family care biz as you, or that I could actually HEAR you counting in your best Boopy voice. Well, and then I thought about New Orleans when you did your interpretive dance and that made me laugh harder. (Youngest son just came in here and asked, "Mahhm, um, are you okayyy?") hehe.

I'm going order a book. I'll get more from you later when you do signings here or I come there!

Now, spit in that chicken soup and get your family well so you can GO.HOME! Love ya better'n chocolate puddin'. :)

Linda Hoye said...

I've ordered mine too!

Sandra Leigh said...

Angie's right. I can always get a signed copy later. I pre-ordered my book, too. So that's the first thousand, right?

Barry said...

I'm glad to hear you'll be returning to your mountain this weekend. What was that phrase, oh yes, "There's no place like home."

Jessica Nelson said...

Congrats on the sales! :-)
I'll definitely throw up some prayers for you and your family. Enjoy that pudding.

Terri Tiffany said...

I am so happy for you with the sales! How awesome that must be to watch! Pray we get jobs and I will be getting my book too--heck, I might just order it for my birthday.
Hope you get home soon and everyone does better! I know how missing home can be!

Deb Shucka said...

You've expressed perfectly that feeling of longing for home while you're deeply fed and satisfied by where you are. Prayers still coming your way.

I'm so excited to hear about your book sales. It's your blog, you can celebrate every single sale if you want as far as I'm concerned. I like basking in your reflected happiness.