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.
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 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?
Serendipity’s Dressed Up For Christmas!
Teeheehee! I asked my ever-amazing creative consultant, Linda Palmisano, to dress up our little raindrop for Christmas! Here she is to help with your shopping and tell you about the limited-time offer of FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the U.S. Copies of Roadtrip with a Raindrop: 90 Days Along the Mississippi River will be signed by me and can include YOUR personal message. Just click here – gayleharper.com
I’ll be back soon to share some great NEWS!
Have a serendipitous day!
Gayle
“ROADTRIP WITH A RAINDROP” WINS GOLD!!
I am THRILLED to announce that “Roadtrip with a Raindrop: 90 Days Along the Mississippi River” by Gayle Harper is the winner of the GOLD MEDAL in the Travel Category of READERS’ FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD CONTEST!
This news caught me completely by surprise! As I’ve come to understand what this honor entails, it is even more of a thrill.
Soon, “Roadtrip with a Raindrop: 90 Days Along the Mississippi River” will be sporting an embossed sticker like this one!
“BOOK OF THE YEAR” Award Winners Announced!
Roadtrip with a Raindrop: 90 Days Along the Mississippi River is a winner! Roadtrip…won Bronze in the Travel category of Foreword Review’s “Book of the Year” INDIEFAB competition! It was announced last night onstage at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference and across social media. I am humbled and honored be included among this talented and accomplished group of authors (other winners include the Dalai Lama!) .
Thank you, my friends, for being part of this raindrop adventure. Some of you have followed this blog from its very first post! This is your adventure and your honor as well!
THE ONLY HOMETOWN EVENT SCHEDULED THIS YEAR for “Roadtrip with a Raindrop” – Hope you can make it!
Hi friends!
If you live anywhere near Springfield, MO, this is especially for you.
Next Thursday, June 25th at 6:30 p.m. at the Library Center, will be the only hometown event scheduled for this year. (I’ll be on Book Tour on the road most of the rest of the year!) I would love to see YOU there! I’ll share the backstory of how “Roadtrip with a Raindrop: 90 Days Along the Mississippi River” came to be, share the Multimedia Presentation that takes you on the journey – and I’ll be signing books. And, YES, if you have a book you would like signed, you are very welcome to bring it! A flyer with all the details is printed below!