Last night, after listening to the Surgeon General telling us to brace for what will possibly be “one of the worst weeks of our lives,” we decided to leave it all for a while and follow Christopher Robin through a magical door at the base of a tree into the land of Poo, Piglet, Tigger, Owl, Eeyore and friends. No one in the Hundred Acre Wood has ever heard the word “coronavirus.” Thanks to Disney and Netflix, for a blessed two hours, we accompanied a grownup Christopher as he found his way back from stress, worry and complication to innocence and a clear seeing of what really matters. We laughed, chuckled, smiled, teared up and felt our own stress and worry melt away.
The Circle of Life
A couple of times in recent days, I have had a feeling that I remember having when someone dear to me passed away. There was a sensation of seeing life around me go on merrily – people laughing, a gorgeous sunset, lighthearted music playing. I remember looking around, stunned – how could it all still be happening like this when I feel like the world has just been flattened, smashed.
Yesterday, my husband and I walked in the sunshine, breathing deeply. My eyes wanted to grow wider so I could take in a whole grove of trees filled with blossoms. I wished I could angle my ears like a cat to catch every note of the songbirds celebrating spring. I was filled with awe at the marvels of Nature.
First Day of Spring
Hello, my friends –
This blog has been quiet a long time. But the first day of spring seems the perfect time to resurrect it. As our ability to be in physical proximity with each other decreases, the value of our online connections increase. This blog, called “Surrendering to Serendipity,” was originally created to allow us to travel together on the 90-day roadtrip following the Mississippi River. It was glorious to have you all traveling vicariously with me then – and also to have you with me on the two-year book tour of Roadtrip with a Raindrop.
Join us if you live in Southwest Missouri for a fun evening!
Hi my friends!
For those who live in the area – an invitation! Join us if you can! If you’ve seen me present on Roadtrip with a Raindrop before, this is changed up a bit with more emphasis on the natural world that the Mississippi River nurtures and sustains. It will include the video and a book signing. It’s FREE but you do need to call to register. Hope to see some of you there!
Love, Gayle
How About a Spring Road Trip?
AAA Midwest Traveler article just out!
If you're a member of AAA and you live anywhere in the Midwest, the March/April issue of Midwest Traveler Magazine has likely just landed in your mailbox! The cover shot from the Charleston, Missouri, Dogwood Azalea Festival and the cover story that begins on page 21 is a recent assignment I completed for the publication about spring Flower Festivals around the Midwest. If you don't get the magazine, just click here and you can read it! Lots of FUN road trips for your Spring! PS - If you follow on Facebook, you know that I've just returned from a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, where I was LUCKY enough to be able to witness and photograph the current and rare formation of lava flow called a "fire hose." Stay tuned for a blog post here and I'll share some of that adventure with you! Have a great Monday!! Love, Gayle
Serendipity’s Holiday Special STARTS NOW!
Serendipity’s Holiday Special!
Right NOW – for a limited time!
Do you love your copy of Roadtrip with a Raindrop: 90 Days Along the Mississippi River?
Is there someone on your list you’d love to share it with? Or, you don’t have yours yet??
Now – every book ordered from gayleharper.com, will ship with a FREE boxed set of SIX Roadtrip with a Raindrop Notecards! They are blank inside, come with envelopes and feature some of your favorite photos from the book. PLUS, the autographed book can be personalized – just tell me who the lucky recipient is in the “Notes” section during checkout. (or send me an email if you miss that)
HONORED TO BE WORKING FOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC!
Hello my friends!
I am thrilled to share this with you!
I AM HONORED TO BE WORKING FOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC!
I have been hired to provide content and photographs for an amazing new travel-planning website about the Mississippi River. Here’s a sample – an essay and photos called “Local Voices.”
http://mississippiriver.natgeotourism.com/local-voices
The website is a massive project that has required 18 months of work and the efforts of hundreds of people and I am excited to be a part of it! Let me know what you think!
Gayle Harper
MISSOURI AUTHOR AWARD!
I’m thrilled, honored and humbled! I’ve been selected to receive the Missouri Author Award for 2016 from the Missouri Library Association! I had no idea Roadtrip with a Raindrop was even being considered!
There will be an Award Ceremony at the Annual Convention of the Library Association on October 6th that I WILL be able to attend! There was one nonfiction winner and one fiction, selected by a panel of 15 judges from Missouri’s library industry.
So, Roadtrip with a Raindrop will soon be wearing another award sticker! A heartfelt thank you to the Missouri Library Association!
Serendipity’s Spring Special For You!
For a LIMITED TIME only…
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or for yourself (because you deserve it)… NOW, for a limited time, when you order your signed/personalized copy of the award-winning book Roadtrip with a Raindrop: 90 Days Along the Mississippi River, you will also receive this set of four elegant 4×6 notecards (a $12 value) for FREE!
Not sure? Watch the Book Trailer here www.gayleharper.com
Then click on “Order Signed Copies.” During checkout, you can put in a name if you’d like the book inscription personalized, and your FREE set of notecards will be included. But don’t wait…this is for a LIMITED TIME only! www.gayleharper.com
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays, my dear friends!
I remember well the moment I took this photo. I was bundled in boots, hat, gloves and multiple layers of jackets and I was FREEZING! I watched this great blue heron walking on the snow on those spindly little legs, wading in the frigid water and fishing, seemingly not the least bit uncomfortable. What a miracle, I thought! How does he do that?