STILL WE RISE . . . .
Observations on Living in a Broken World
Gratitude!
Wasn’t it just a few days ago—January 1st to be exact—when I waxed eloquent on the need to keep our eye on gratitude? At a time when the headwinds are blowing hard, it might be the safest stance to take. I’ve heard that we must turn the volume down on our lives and observe. Not to turn away from, but to quietly observe as the world seems to be kicking down the doors of sanity.
We know how to do these things! We practiced this during Covid! We learned to take the precautions necessary, then heeded the important edicts. But, perhaps, we need more encouragement as it appears the world seems to be in flames! I saw this following poem on Facebook and looked it up. The poem’s author is listed as unknown, but it appears it comes to us from Albert Camus.
- Author Unknown -
Albert Camus! This gave me pause! While completing the research for my novel, A Cup of Redemption, I remember running across a number of quotes by Camus. As if in answer to my question of what it was like living with war on your doorstep, his answer had been ‘no one can possibly understand or comprehend the experience unless you have lived it.’ At first, I was taken aback! The whole point of my novel was to better understand what it was like to live with war. How was it that women and children—families for that matter were able to survive. As you can imagine, I found his adage not very hopeful, yet it compelled me to dig deeper: How could I understand what life had been like living under a dictatorship? And, through it all, how were people able to maintain their own humanity? My novel was published in October 2014.
Speaking of my novel, A Cup of Redemption, I had a very uplifting afternoon while speaking to a women’s group in Saratoga a week or so ago, The Saratoga Foothills Club. The theme of my talk to over one hundred women was: Sharing Food and Recipes, the Bond that Helps Women Cope with War and Uncertainty. This topic was taken directly from my novel, and also included excerpts from my only cookbook called, Recipes for Redemption: A Companion Cookbook to A Cup of Redemption. Comprised of dishes and recipes mentioned in the novel, the companion cookbook also gave a background for the traditional and regional foods, and if not available during wartime, what the replacement was. The reaction and outpouring of praise surprised me, as the book was published so long ago. But I did wonder if there had been a vision of how we could better prepare for the coming times. Perhaps, the answer is to come together to support and lift each other up, no matter what the world throws our way? Indeed, I was grateful for this opportunity and to be able to meet such a dynamic and interesting group.
Grateful for this opportunity to make my oldest books new again!
A January Tea with the good women of the Saratoga Foothills Club and a special thanks to Adrienne (Reiko) Iwanaga and Judy Goldman who made this possible.
A few days later, I had another marvelous opportunity to present my latest book, Adventures on Land & Sea: Searching for Culinary Pleasures in Provençe and along the Côte d’ Azur. I was able to read for the good people in Corte Madera at Book Passage, always a favorite place to share my stories. And as a special treat this time, I was presented by my publisher from She Writes Press, Brooke Warner, which was, indeed, a moment that I will hold dear! Plus, my dear husband, Winston, was able to read from his part of the sailing adventures captured on the page.
Jonathan (Book Passage), Brooke Warner, Winston Bumpus and me!
To order the book, click on the image above.
The Adventures on Land & Sea is a trilogy of romps through Provence from 1997 to 2006. Here is a shortened review from a British editor working for A Good Life France while living in the South of France, Alison Mitchell:
“Embodying the Francophile dream, Carole Bumpus merrily depicts herself and her gang of travellers as enthusiastic and bumbling gourmands let loose in provincial France, and she kindly packs us into her luggage so we can escape to the Côte d’Azur with her! . . . . .
. . . . . Carole’s explorations of Provence are a pilgrimage of sorts, a return to the land and sea she worships, for the friends she meets along the way, the blunders and banter with her gang, and her manna from heaven – French cuisine. Reading Adventures on Land and Sea you can’t help but agree with her and yearn to be invited next time!”
UPCOMING BOOK EVENTS:
Come join me for a ‘Meet & Greet’ at Barnes & Noble Books on February 8th beginning at 12 pm Noon - I look forward to welcoming you to B&N!
11 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo, CA.
And here’s another fun book event! Come on down and join me, along with 26 other authors, on Pier 23 on the San Francisco Bay at the Pier 23 Cafe!
Before I go, I just wanted to say that as a writer, it is difficult to know what resonates with my readers. So, may I ask you: What tickles your fancy, or your funny bone? What books encourage you to take action or new steps in life? Would you be compelled to travel, or to extend yourself into unfamiliar territory because of a book? If, by chance, I have touched you in any way that you would like to tell me about, I would love to hear from you. (You can respond at the bottom of my newsletter.) Have a good February and a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Congratulations, Carole! You and your books are a light in the world! ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I just heard Rick Steves yesterday on NPR speaking about the importance of traveling--now especially, since our life in the U.S. is feeling more constrictive and the best way to understand mankind is through understanding other cultures. I'd pop on that plane to San Miguel with you too, if I had thought of it. Always wanted to go!