I said I had so much to tell you, then told you nothing because I was writing. Always a good thing, to be writing rather than blogging. Blogging impairs productivity in much the same way crack does.
I wanted to tell you that my son (he's only 18) has been backpacking through Europe with 3 childhood friends. In the last 20 days they saw Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, Vienna, Venice, now they're in the South of France, next Barcelona. And here is the extraordinary thing: I'm sleeping perfectly soundly. I thought I would experience fear, but instead all I'm experiencing is vague envy. What do you know...!
I wanted to tell you that I visited my sister and that her baby daughter is a dream, the most beautiful little girl you will ever see. I miss my sister and her children now that she moved near Boston, and this is not something I will get over. I deep void I cannot fill.
I wanted to tell you that my mother stayed with us for a week and that we were both on our best behavior. I had fretted so much in fear of her visit after two difficult years when we barely communicated. But things were fine.
I wanted to tell you that I met Nadia of La Porte Rouge in her new house, which used to be our house.
When you only know a person through her writing and photography and have never met her, there is a point when you wonder if you have not invented this person, like a fictional character in one of your novels. There is a moment of adjustment, then huge relief. Yes, you can do this, speak to her, and she is real, and good news, you are real too. You do not want to disappoint: Am I too old, too stooopid, too fat, too uninteresting... Then you hear that the person was worried about disappointing too and you think that's really silly. Now you are facing this person and all throughout you know you’re supposed to take her off the pedestal where you have placed her without her consent, but then you find yourself unable to, because she is that cool.
The pictures are of the house where Nadia lives. Nadia wrote a post about meeting me, with a pretty nice picture of me seen throgh Nadia's lense. And then Aran, of Canelle et Vanille wrote a post about meeting Nadia and now I feel practically like a celebrity by osmosis. I tell myself that the house you are seeing is connecting the three of us. If six degrees of separation can include a house.
Here are Huevos Rancheros Nadia made and that were super scrumptious and dazzling to look at. I just wish I knew how to take pictures of food, pictures that aren't fuzzy and where you can actually recognize the ingredients.
Voila. I also wanted to tell you about my 5 days in New York and eating, eating, eating and more than ever wanting to move to Manhattan and never look back.
When I have a chance, I want to tell you all the good things happening to my novel Hidden in Paris, the great reviews, the great emails, the guest posts and interviews, and how it is slowly going up, up, up the Amazon ranking and gaining a lot of traction as a fun summer read thanks to all of you who are spreading the word, and especially thanks to a few incredibly kind bloggers I really want to honor in a post just about them.
you are a crack up. Love your Blog and want to buy your book. Found you through French Essence, gorgeous girl. Now I have to find where to click to buy. Keep writing. Shannyn xxx
Posted by: shannyn alexene | July 20, 2011 at 06:16 PM
Thank You Shannyn and lovely to meet you! Youlll be the first one to know (Youd think Id be the first one to know, but apparently I am not, I just found out while clicking) that Amazon is offering a sale on the paperback, so its not $13.99 anymore but $9.35. Yeah!!! How and why this happened is a mystery but Im thrilled! Now let me hop on to your blog:)
Posted by: corine | July 20, 2011 at 06:26 PM
I loved this post!! You really move me sometimes. I want so much to send you a picture my husband took of me on the beach with the main "attraction" being my hair. It's just like yours. Shelly
ps. One more book to finish and yours is next on my sweet,sweet,beloved Kindle.
Posted by: shellybeson | July 20, 2011 at 08:13 PM
Your book is very interesting! I love your blog, so refreshing. It makes me smile.
Posted by: Homeowner insurance policy | July 21, 2011 at 12:40 AM
I'm so glad you aren't afraid for your son! yay!! :-) And even more glad that you had such great reunions with people you love. :-)
Posted by: Krista | July 21, 2011 at 01:08 AM
that is very kind corine, lovely in fact.
Posted by: nadia | July 21, 2011 at 06:28 AM
Just wanted to say I really enjoyed reading "Hidden in Paris". I loved the characters you created and the way they evolved in the book. It's a great read for summer or anytime. It's the kind of book I'm sure I'll be re-reading. Your blog is fun too. I'm glad your son is enjoying his trip and you aren't worrying. I'm sure they're having a fabulous time and I'm slightly envious too!
Posted by: Charlene | July 21, 2011 at 02:13 PM
Goody Charlene! Thank you so much for telling me this! It means so much, I am NOT jaded... now I hope you will tell all your friends :))
Posted by: corine | July 21, 2011 at 06:43 PM
Love your blog - love this post so much. Feel like we were chatting in front of the fire. I didn't find your book at our library but I just ordered on amazon - can't wait for the library - have to read it now! BTW, I also have a vague envy of your son and his friends now, or precise jealousy. On family holiday last week I met the most amazing exchange student from Spain - our topics included Barcelona and Antoni Guadi. I wish I could close my eyes and be there when I opened them again. I am honored that you came and visited me at my blog. Please come back any time.
xoxo michele
Posted by: Michele | July 24, 2011 at 02:22 PM
Okay...so I'm exhausted this morning because I stayed up until 1:30pm last night, after a long day, because I just had to finish your book! I loved it! Had so much fun reading it and can't wait to go to book club to find out what everyone thinks. So far, it seems they're enjoying it more than my last pick ... a Hemingway. Your beating out Hemingway, girl! Sorry to hear about your sisters move.. I understand. My sister wants to move to Italy... I dread the day. Off to Amazon to give you a 5 star rating : ) Cheers, Penny
Posted by: Penny Herring | July 30, 2011 at 09:19 AM
Penny: I should apologize for the lost sleep but that would be hypocritical since that is the best compliment ever! Staying up for my book?! I would love to be a fly on the wall at the book club meeting. If you wanted to gather questions or comments I would respond on your blog or mine, or something of that nature. Merci Penny!!!!
Posted by: corine | July 30, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Will do Corine. I'll keep you posted! Penny
Posted by: Penny Herring | July 30, 2011 at 09:14 PM
Read some of Nadia's blog and I think that she is such a great blogger and a good photographer.Blogging indeed is not just fun but interactive, since we can meet different people we don't know through it. Thanks for sharing, eh.
Posted by: Peny@embroidery digitizing | August 11, 2011 at 08:58 PM
Beautiful! But now I have convince myself that blogging IS some kind of productivity, isn't it??
Posted by: The Lazy Composter | August 21, 2011 at 11:19 PM