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sweet SUMMERTIME
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Hello, friend!
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This is my commute—my stunning commute—as I make my way from house to studio anytime we're in residence at our pretty Western North Carolina retreat. I love this mountain the most in whatever season we're currently in (silly but so true!), and as this is now the height of summer, for the past three days I've relished the open windows, the endless birdsong, the zipping buzz of the hummingbirds as they cut across our deck with absolutely no worries at all that there might be a human person between them and their sugary next destination. How they tickle me! Mornings have been hazy this trip, the heat so extreme, still to see the landscape that surrounds us so full, so lush, so green…it's a palpable feeling and a poignant reminder of how beautiful it is to fully become. I notice this so much here, in this place, where the seasons turn with such enthusiasm and where—due to our 5,000+ feet elevation—the summer is so, so fleeting. I kid you not when I say July 4 feels like a bit of a pinnacle. The stunning oaks have hardly unfurled their leaves and yet the first hints of fall will be here in a flash. How significant it feels to be here, to celebrate, and to honor nature's impressive accomplishment at finally reaching full-on summer!
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a welcome rainstorm in the distance
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And how grateful I am to be here, grateful for time to write and grateful for such a stunning, inspiring place to do this work I love. For a thousand reasons, having a new later-in-life career as an author is a lovely and humbling gift—not the least of which is the joy I feel that at the age of 66, I am still becoming.
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So here's to summer! Here's to popsicles and watermelon and deep summer greens; to beach trips and sunscreen and cold frothy drinks; to lake swims and lightning bugs and flashlight hikes and letters from home; to daisies, and dahlias, and black bears, and blueberries, and the very best beach books you can find!
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A few notes about some of these really special events!
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BLUE RIDGE ARTS CENTER
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111 East South 2nd Street, Seneca, SC
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I'll be in conversation with Stacia Pelletier, author of the historical fiction novel The Deliverance of Barker McRae, and our conversation will be moderated by historical fiction author Carolyn Newton. Tickets are $30 and include admission, refreshments, and the book of your choice: Cathy’s That Which Binds Us or Stacia’s The Deliverance of Barker McRae. Get your tickets here. A big thanks to First Chapter Bookshop for their participation and support!
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COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF ART
Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia, SC
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Come one, come all! This event is going to be fabulous, and as part of its Free First Thursday admission offering, the Columbia Museum of Art is both pulling out all the stops and also has made this grand gathering free!
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Here's a bit about the program. Cathy will be in conversation with the museum's deputy director, Joelle Ryan-Cook, talking about historical fiction, writing, publishing, and this novel. Joelle will also offer a short lecture on Robert Duncanson, the renowned 19th century artist who painted the 1850 painting that became the cover of That Which Binds Us. Designer Ryon Edwards will offer brief comments regarding his considerations in designing the book's beautiful cover (they're so interesting!), and as an extra special treat, East Tennessee musicians Michael Amos Cody (guitar) and Colin Hyden (banjo) will perform the Civil War ballad "War Song," the lyrics of which were written by the character Ben Grubb in the novel. All Good Books will be on hand with books for sale, and a book signing will follow.
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Make plans to join us now! And as the museum's promo of the event suggests: Grab a drink from the First Thursday on Main bar, buy a book, and join Rigg and Deputy Director Joelle Ryan-Cook for a reading, conversation, and some special mountain music!
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Yes, yes, yes!!! is what I have to say about this beautiful group of smart, thoughtful women who not only showed up but who hit the ground running with questions that were incredibly insightful. And then? And then there'd be a follow-up that pushed us beautifully, gloriously deeper into story and process. I loved every single second. Thank you, St. John's Book Club of Aiken!
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I do love meeting with book clubs! I'm happy to come to your meeting in person, if geography and schedule allow. Also, Zoom meetings are a blast! Do reach out if your club is interested. You can reach me via my socials, my website or cathy@cathyriggauthor.com. There's never a fee; it's my joy to be among readers!
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the Ultimate Summer Playlist on Spotify
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Speaking of sweet summertime: I am reminded that several years ago—2016 I believe?—I reached out to this The Daily Grace community and asked you for your all-time favorite songs of summer. I collected those suggestions and created for us the Ultimate Summer Playlist on Spotify. The playlist has grown some in the years since; I've added some of my own faves and many of you have gone on to offer additional suggestions! I gave playist a review this morning and have to say this is still a very fine accompaniment to whatever summer fun you have planned. Check it out! And if your fave(s) is/are not on here, do send along and I'll add!
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I've been doing a lot of reading lately, some for craft, some for pure pleasure. Here's a smattering:
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WHISTLER, by Ann Patchett
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THE RADIANT DARK, by Alexandra Oliva
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THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY, by Elizabeth Strout
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DOLLY ALL THE TIME, by Annabel Monaghan
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WAIT FOR ME, Amy Jo Burns
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I wrote in my last newsletter that I mostly enjoyed the hothothot book YESTERYEAR although I had issues with quite a few of the author's choices/decisions. I found it oh so fun to listen to the folks at The New York Times Book Review dissect the novel! I don't listen to every episode of the The Book Review but when I do, I always find the experience entertaining and enlightening.
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THREE THINGS* GIVING ME JOY
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*based on the popular "what's saving my life right now" trend
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A few weeks ago, I caught a terrible bug that required a lot of decongestant meds. I stayed thirsty for three weeks, and at the time I happened to see this tumbler on big sale on Amazon. I ordered it; it came; it saved me. And like a good millineal or Gen Z-er, I now carry the thing with me everywhere I go. I love the size, the flip top, and the fact that the "straw" is built in. I also love that I can fill it with ice and have cold water all day and all night. A win for this "this year I will drink more water" baby boomer gal!
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I love a white tee, and this one? With its elbow sleeve? Perfection. At the moment, it's also on massive sale.
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I've long relied on Merlin to help me ID birds through visual description, but only recently did I learn you can also identify every singing bird in your vicinity simply by hitting the microphone button. Just yesterday it presented to me a list of the nine different birds carrying on at that moment on top of this old mountain! Magical! And free. I'll just say now: You're very welcome!!!
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from THE DAILY GRACE archives
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Going gray.
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I threw up my hands and announced to my beloved hair colorist: THIS I CANNOT DO ANYMORE. He worked with me on a great solution for "going gray," and here for you is that story, embarrassing photos and all.
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this morning's view 7.5.26 6:19 am
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NOW AVAILABLE
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