Life as I know It

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San Luis Obispo, California, and South Bristol, Maine, United States
Author ~ Illustrator ~ Lecturer

Friday, October 26, 2012

Whispering Pines and Welcoming Porches



A long line of porch rockers welcomes weary travelers, and Jeff and I are two of those weary ones. We spent some nights at The Carolina, a gracious and welcome respite from city hotels and roadside motels. What a difference it was to slip into the slow time stream of 1895, when people sat quietly in porch rockers, read, talked, and dreamed. We needed this break, and we are so grateful to have experienced this southern tradition.


The Carolina in Pinehurst,  North Carolina.

Dear Friends,

Oops, I had written volumes about the trip, the wonderful people we've met, who have welcomed us into their homes, and the glorious towns we've visited, but I just deleted everything with one clumsy click of the fingers. So you're spared a long, rambling posting, but you're still able to see the sweet houses and porches tucked among the whispering pines and oak trees (yippee, they're dropping acorns and my pockets are brimming).

What a joy to meander through the quiet, shaded streets of Pinehurst. We needed the peaceful walks, the sound of the wind whispering through pine needles, the clatter of acorns falling onto tin roofs, the drifts of camellia petals that drifted past us on the warm, autumn breezes. 



Honeysuckle Cottage








We're not the only ones peeking into gardens and porches.













The formal porch of the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities, which is where my talk and book signing were hosted by The Garden Club of the Sandhills and The Country Bookshop of Southern Pines, North Carolina. The Weymouth House is a treasure you must see.

So now I must finish packing and move on to our next stop. I'll be speaking at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, North Carolina, and then driving for four hours to South Carolina and the Treasure Coast Bird Festival in Vero Beach, Florida. 

Thank you so much to all our hosts and hostesses along the way. And, to all the independent bookstore owners and staff, the librarians, children, and caring adults who are working to make this book tour a success. Oh, and to the birds, thank you, too.



Love,

Sharon

P.S. Luke weighs FIVE pounds!

P.P. S. Jeff here. To watch the video from Cincinnati TV interview, click here (after a brief commercial). 

Listen to "Gardening Naturally" with John Dromgoole this Saturday, from 9-11 CST, on KLBJ 590 AM from Austin, Texas.

19 comments:

Julie Marie said...

Hi dear Sharon.... first off, I am so happy to hear that little Luke weighs 5 lbs!... how wonderful!... loved seeing all of your beautiful photos of the gorgeous houses... and also love the squirrels and birds... you know me and critters!... sounds like you are having a fabulous time... always look forward to your posts... I feel like I am traveling along with you!... much love, Cousin Julie Marie

Blondie's Journal said...

It makes me happy to know that you were able to stay at such a beautiful place, Sharon. It looks heavenly and what a wonderful little town! I love North Carolina, we have been there several times, just to enjoy the mountains and fresh air. I've never been to Raleigh, but I have a blogger friend (that I met up with in Asheville) that lives there and I'd love to visit!

Sorry you lost your original post, that has happened to me, Grrrrr! Now I'm off to look at the video. Safe travels, dear friend!

XO,
Jane

Vee said...

Oh that guy was fun! Hope that he didn't get sick. ☺ I didn't even have to listen to a commercial.

Lovely setting for a sweet rest, which I know that you and Jeff appreciated. Hope that you're enjoying autumn as you go...

Nellie said...

Happy Friday to you, Sharon! What wonderful news to hear that Luke now weights 5 pounds!

Such a picturesque town you have shown us! I'm glad to hear the book tour is going well. I do have a bit of concern, however, about your travel over the next few days. It would seem that Hurricane Sandy is threatening to rock the status quo over the week-end near where you may be headed. Stay safe, and sending continued good wishes!

Nellie

From the Kitchen said...

Sharon: Thanks so much for taking me along with you on such a charming town tour. I can hear the leaves crunching underfoot and feel the crispness in the air.

I'm so very happy that baby Luke is growing nicely!!

Best,
Bonnie

kj said...

luke weighs five pounds? that is the best news i will hear today.

i love towns like this: reminders to slow down and rock and roll in a different way.

what a tour. home will be sweet too.

love
kj

Bonnie K said...

Sharon,
I am so glad you visit independently owned bookstores. I refuse to go to big buy bookstores. They are all the same. The gardening section is filled with books on how to grow marijuania. When I ask them how they could have more books on growing pot than gardens and what does that say to our kids, the answer is always "it is about the money." Thank goodness for small stores and people with values (besides making a buck encouraging drug use). It looks like you have visited some grand places.

Pam G. said...

yeah for Luke! I've never heard of Pinehurst-it looks delightful. Our wonderful country is chock full of great places to see and explore, isn't it?
Hope you continue to have a good trip

Pondside said...

What a beautiful place you found for your wee rest. It looks like a place from a century ago - I'd love to visit.
I ordered three of your book on Amazon this week - couldn't see that it was possible to have them sent from your website. In any case, I'm hoping to bring them for signing when you come to Seattle early next year.

Kay G. said...

I truly wish I could go to that bird festival too. I clicked on the link and the speaker is an expert on the opsprey! We saw one for the first time this past Spring and then, we watched a nest of them in June from the Audubon website (it was in Maine).
Oh Sharon, I love North Carolina, did you notice that they wildflowers in middle of the expressways there?
Welcome South, sister!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

What a lovely place Sharon. I could move right into the Honeysuckle cottage and live happily ever after.

Great news about Luke.
Sam

Darla said...

Grow Luke Grow! Thank you for taking all of us along on your book tour. Especially happy that you both were allowed to rest a bit along the way. Safe travels!
Darla

Linda Hoye said...

Thanks for giving us a glimpse of this beautiful place! I wish you traveling mercies for the rest of your journey.

P.S. I just learned that you'll be at the PNW Flower and Garden show next year! We always enjoy the show and now there's another reason I'm looking forward to it!

Pat said...

When we brought our son home from the hospital he weighed 5# + All the clothes were way too big for months but before you knew it he was catching up & running with the biggest! He hasn't slowed since. That was 35 years ago :o) Your Luke will be like that !

My husband & I both went to school in North Carolina - a lovely state in any direction. Your photos of those white porches & rockers brought back the fragrance of all the tall pines. We are far from there now in northern Wisconsin but have a big porch & "retirement rockers" - trouble is since we retired there is no time to sit on that porch!

Susan said...

Such good news about Luke; Kelly was a preemie and only weighed 3lbs 13 oz and when she reached 5lbs I had a big sigh of relief. I love the quaint place you've found to relax. I hope I get to do a book tour next year when mine comes out, XOXO

Low Tide High Style said...

So glad the tour is going well, and thanks for sharing the lovely porch images. Nothing says southern hospitality quite like a beautiful porch!

Kat

Lori in Indiana said...

Oh Sharon, it looks like a wonderful place! (I expected to see Aunt Bee on one of those porches.) Blessings as you continue on and so glad to hear about Luke.

Anonymous said...

I love every photo you've included. Who doesn't dream of having a welcoming porch (and a swing please!) like the one's pictured here? Looks like a restful place - have fun!

Vicki Boster said...

Sharon I'm enjoying my southern hospitality tour through your posts and picturrs. (ohhh I've been there my friend// that delete button can be wicked!!)

Such a welcome place to stop on your whirlwind tour. I hope Lexington was nice to you. I still can't believe I missed you by 1 day :(

Vicki