PhyllistheAuthor

Within a matter of weeks, two different people recommended From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E.L. Konigsburg to me. I always try to read books folks recommend although sometimes it takes me a while to read them. With two recommendations in a row, I moved this book to the top of the list. It is a Newbery Award Winner and a children's classic. Usually, kids recommend books to me. However, two adults recommended this book. So the book's appeal is enduring. It is a charming tale of two kids who run away to the Metropolitan Museum in New York City and try to solve a mystery surrounding a scupture attributed to Michelangelo.

The second book I am recommending is The River Between Us by Richard Peck. I had a little trouble following the story when the narrative went from 1916 back to 1861 and the Civil War. But that may have been since I was listening to the book on tape in my car. The story turns around several generations of the Pruitt family and the author gives good insights into the Civil War period and tells a good tale at the same time.

A reader in Oklahoma writes:

"I think it is excellent, so full of adventure! Your story is a great asset to Colonial Williamsburg because it makes me feel like I've gone back in time to when American wasn't yet a free country. I like the way you explain the characters; it makes me feel like I really get to know them. . . .I think you are a great writer and someday I hope to be as good as you."

A reader in North Carolina writes:

"I loved it! But I had to wait to read it. One: I had to finish reading the latest Charlie Bone book. And two: Dad had to read it first. He loves your books too!"

My fourth kids' book about a girl who is a healer has been accepted for publication. Twelve-year-old Lili has the power to heal. She doesn't understand her gift and it keeps getting her into trouble. Her classmates shun her and adults look on her with suspicion. She hates being different. A crisis comes when Lili’s father is lost in the Civil War Battle of the Wilderness. Lili’s mother can no longer support the family on her meager wages as a seamstress. She entrusts Lili and her brother to a Philadelphia orphanage. To find out what happens to Lili and how she deals with her gift, you'll have to wait until the book come out.

Ah, California. Sunshine and crystal clear air, flowers everywhere, Napa Valley wines, and the pleasure of seeing family and friends made leaving Calfiornia difficult.

The Miata did great. It was exhilerating to drive at 80 MPH with the top down, playing tag with mammoth trucks. And everywhere we enjoyed the big sky over places like the rich, sunflower-filled fields of Kansas and rolling green hills of Oklahoma.

Trip highlights include sampling different varieties of olives with our son Alex, touring my friend Carol's house and garden, lunch in Santa Rosa with Anja, a former student and friend, and getting an oil change in the Miata.

An oil change? Let me explain. Because the Miata is brand new we needed to have an oil change in California. My husband asked Shaun Del Grande, owner of Oak Tree Madza to work us in to the busy schedule for the oil change. Mr. Del Grande turned us over to Robert White



and the skillful care of Tim Trompeter.

When the car was ready, not only did we get a discount on the oil change, but the little car had been cleaned inside and out without charge. So the sparkling little car that we left Williamsburg with was returned to its pristine condition thanks to the kindness of strangers.

The most interesting restaurant we visited was one in West Virginia with a mural containing a BMW with working headlights.



The second most interesting restaurant was one with elk, antelope, and steer heads on the the wall in Wyoming.




We saw herds of antelope in the fields of Wyomng, but no buffalo, except the outline of one on a mountain.




We saw herds of windtowers crowning hill tops in several states.



With skyrocketing gasoline prices, it was encouraging to see the use of wind power with these powerful windmills.



A highlight of the journey home was our visit to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert in Arizona.












I was especially taken with the prehistoric petrogyphs. As a writer I felt great affinity for these ancient artists whose drawings proclaim: "I was here and this is how I see my world."








Most of our accommodations were predictable. However, one in Nevada offered on-site slot machines.



Another sported a bed of roses.



On our last night, we got a souvenir of the trip.



Colby, Kansas calls itself an oasis on the prarie. This oasis has a grove of plastic palm trees.




IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD!