DO NOT GO GENTLE

I have just spent three days recording my memoir, DO NOT GO GENTLE: MY SEARCH FOR MIRACLES IN A CYNICAL TIME for Audible.com. Thanks to Open Road, the book is available again as an e reader. And soon on audio. 

It's been an emotional few days, reliving these events. But it's also been an extraordinary experience. 

Here is a description of the book, and a link to it on Open Road. 

Do Not Go Gentle is a transporting memoir about Ann Hood’s quest to find a cure, if not an outright miracle, that would cure her father’s cancer. Her “spiritual Odyssey, with a secret history all its own” would take her from Rhode Island to El Santuario de Chimayo, New Mexico, in search of dirt reputed to contain astonishing healing powers. Along the way, Hood tells the story of her family, their immigration to America, and the author’s reconnection with her Italian heritage. Most of all, this touching memoir is a valentine to the man who was, in Hood’s own words, “the love of my life.”

You can get the e reader here:

 http://www.openroadmedia.com/do-not-go-gentle

Sittin' in a railway station...

...got a ticket for my destination...

One of my all time favorite songs, running through my mind as I watch the woman making coffee here at the Amtrak station in Providence. Hurry up! 

I had one of those wake up every hour sleeps that I get when I need to be up early (4:30 today), so I'm feeling a bit like I've been punched all night. Of course, three episodes of House of Cards before bed didn't help!

Three days of recording Do Not Go Gentle, my memoir about my dad, in NYC. And one of my wake ups was at 2:08, his number. Sometimes you have to believe they are still with us...

The writing life

There are still days when I look up and can't believe I'm a writer. When I was a little girl, I imagined this life. But in my poor small town, that was dreaming big. I didn't listen to naysayers. I had to write. For me, it's like eating and sleeping. It's like breathing. 

And this week, I've been able to finish an essay I've been struggling to write. It is hard to write clearly about a time when you were confused or unhappy for no clear reason. But I think I managed to capture a period in my life of melancholy. And it feels good to have struggled to get it right. 

Also am deep into writing a noir story for Providence Noir. Loving plotting a murder! And I'm glad that I've managed to introduce that second story grace Paley says is necessary for a story to work. 

Then yesterday the new Tin House arrived with my essay on the writer Laurie Colwin, tomato pie, and the beauty of memories. 

Days spent with words make me feel happy. 

Rent the Runway, Not

My beautiful gold designer gown with plunging back did NOT arrive for my black tie event at Rosecliff in Newport Saturday night. So mad!!! Luckily I have a hold sequined skirt that I topped with a pretty black tank, but it wasn't the outfit of my dreams. And Rent the Runway was unavailable by phone for two days, didn't respond to emails, and only appeared when I tweeted my frustration. Honestly, they were not very apologetic. Kind of like: Oops! We can give you a refund! To which I replied, Gee, you think?

 Luckily it wasn't for a wedding or something. And guess what? It arrived LAST night, three days late. Insert angry face emoticon here. 

Another week of mostly rest with lots of iron pills and kale!

But Thursday night I will be at Black Sheep Knitting in Needham, MA at 6:30 with Knitting Yarns contributors! Bring your knitting (I also accept offerings of spinach)!

What a winter!

I can't even bore you with my litany of ailments. But will report that I got the news yesterday that I'm severely anemic, so the reason for said ailments and constant exhaustion has been uncovered! Hello kale!

All of this has forced me to slow way down. And though I have hated canceling so many wonderful events, I'm reminded of the simple pleasure of padding around my house, or better yet, being still. My concentration level is not great, so although I am working, that too is moving slowly. Knitting, ditto. Reading, ditto. But it's all getting done, stitch by stitch. 

Luckily I didn't have to cancel my wonderful week in Barcelona with Annabelle. We had so much fun eating tapas, walking through all the neighborhoods, gaping at Gaudi, and promoting THE RED THREAD. If you go to Barcelona, you must visit the fabulous knitting store All You Knit is Love in the Born neighborhood. And watch the guys make candy at Papa Bubble. Two of our favorite finds. 

And I'm glad too that in a harrowing, nail biting journey we made it to see Sam in Pericles. This involved thunderstorms, circling, broken jetways, broken baggage carousels, contraband chorizo, potholes, traffic, a lost taxi driver, one way streets, and more. But we made it! Yay us! But mostly yay to Sam! What a show!

Another day here much the same as the last two. And I dare say the next few as well. 

But here's a picture if Annabelle and me in Barcelona on a tapas crawl:

Happily in Barcelona

Snow storm not enough to keep my intrepid traveling partner, Annabelle, and me from getting here. De-iced. Late. Weary. But here!

A night of tapas made me happy. A day (full!) of TV and newspaper interviews made me tired but proud. Tonight: Iberian ham, patatas brava, tomato toast (um, greatest invention ever), wine. In bed. Reading The Goldfinch. Sleepy and the proud winner of the Crazy Eights championship. 

Here, a picture of Annabelle knitting on Spain national tv. Tomorrow, a food tasting tour, Gaudi park. What can I say? We are loving Barcelona!

Snow? Really?

Annabelle and I are going to have to be All Little House on the Prairie to get to JFK for a flight tonight. Barcelona here we come...I hope...