Thankful for new adventures

Meet Toolbox, so nicknamed for the wrench-shaped blaze down his face, a horse as old and round and slow as myself – i.e., the perfect guy for me.

A few weeks ago, on a back road through South Jersey’s farmland, I passed several kids on horseback circling a ring. I didn’t give in to impulse that time or the next, but on the third pass, I pulled in and asked about riding lessons.

Mind you, I’m many decades removed from my childhood pony and horse, and the last time I was even briefly on a horse was at least fifteen years ago. Visions of broken bones danced in my head. And yet ... and yet ...

So this week saw me in that same ring under the tutelage of the generous and patient Allison, with it all flooding back to me – the intoxicating smell of saddle leather, the solid warmth of the horse, and the truism that the world’s best view is the one from atop a horse. God knows, these days I could use a better view of the world.

OK, so an aching butt and thighs are still part of the deal, and my knees screamed at me during mounting and dismounting.

Still, the timing couldn’t be better. I’ve coasted through the always-fun beginning of a first draft of a new novel, but now approach the dreaded middle part – the m-f-ing middle, to reprise my favorite description from multifaceted author Chuck Wendig – the part in each first draft when I think, “I can’t do this. It’s too hard. I should just quit.” Wah-wah-wah.

Thoughts that, to be honest, crept into my head as I creaked my way back to the barn with Toolbox. This is stupid. I’m too old. My knees hate this. Any doctor worth her salt would advise against this.

But I know those thoughts will vanish with a few handfuls of Advil and a very long soak in a very hot bath, the way my doubts about the novel will vanish once I’ve pushed my way through the m-f-ing middle.

Riding Toolbox was a necessary reminder that while new challenges might not be easy, they’re energizing. I took a deep breath and waded into the novel’s next chapter. And I’m already looking forward to my next outing on Toolbox.

My publisher, Severn House, has just released the softcover edition of A Senior Citizen’s Guide to Life on the Run.

It’s another example of great timing – hello, affordable gift – but the season also makes the title feel even more appropriate. I don’t know about you, but the mad scramble from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day sometimes makes me want to go on the lam. Only the fact that the season launches with PIE keeps me rooted.

As for the book, let’s just say the four friends at its center, residents of a so-called active adult community, have far better reasons for running than holiday overload. A Senior' Citizen’s Guide garnered very nice reviews from trade publications Kirkus and Booklist, along with this lovely one from They Called Me Bookworm.

“A Senior’s Guide to Life on the Run is so delightful an ensemble of characters and such an engaging story of friendship, resilience, ingenuity, a dash of stupidity and written in a funny, consistently entertaining way that I commend it to everyone.”

It doesn’t get much better than that!

Even though I just touted PIE, and it’s my favorite food of all time, and if ever a season screams PIE it’s this one, I turned instead to cake.

Call it sheer opportunism. A) I had all the ingredients on hand save pecans, but walnuts made an easy substitution. And B) any recipe with “bourbon” in the title whispers sweet, sweet nothings in my ear.

So here’s this apple-bourbon Bundt cake, easy to make and fun, too, because what responsible cook doesn’t sample an ingredient before pouring it down her throat stirring it into the cake? In the seasonal spirit of wretched excess, I added a cinnamon-sugar coating. For the record, it tastes as good as it looks. Cheers!

I read and loved Paolo Cognetti’s The Eight Mountains years ago, so when the America-Italy Society of Philadelphia’s book club listed The Wild Boy (thankfully, in translation) as this month’s read, I couldn’t wait to dive in. This slim, poignant memoir of Cognetti’s solitary-ish retreat into the Italian Alps during a period of writer’s block was just lovely.

The late Richard Wagamese’s beautiful and heartbreaking novel Indian Horse draws on his experiences in one of North America’s most shameful chapters, that of Indian boarding schools. Protagonist Saul Indian Horse finds temporary escape in ice hockey, and the thrilling descriptions of the sport put me in mind of those in Fredrik Backman’s wonderful Beartown. I wish this book were required reading.

The Missing Kayaker, an article with accompanying audio in The Atlantic, is as riveting as any mystery novel. I sometimes listen to podcasts when I can’t sleep – something about narration reliably knocks me out. Not this time. I listened to every jaw-dropping word. Totally worth the bleary-eyed day that followed.

Author and podcaster Donna Y. Ferris (Bounce Back Stronger: Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens) was kind enough to interview me for this episode of her Bounce Back Stronger podcast on the toughest of subjects: the profound grief resulting from the death of my daughter.

Donna’s work focuses on helping people navigate the most difficult times of their lives, and not just surviving them, but possibly even emerging stronger into their new reality. She shares her own compassionate insights during our conversation. I hope they’re helpful.

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I love talking with groups about books or writing in general, either in person or via the magic of Zoom. I also give writing workshops, perfect for libraries and writing groups. Interested? You can contact me via my website or by messaging me here.