Gail — Page 3

Writing Lessons from Owls (Follow-up on Nesting Eagles and Owls Teach Me)

March 26, 2015 by Gail Filed Under: Blog 2 Comments

The older owlet in the Great Horned Owl nest I’ve been watching fledged last night. On and off all day long yesterday, she (the larger size hints at it being a female) climbed up and down the tree branches above the nest. The first time she disappeared from view of the nest camera, I honestly had tears come to my eyes, and it was always a relief to see her land back in the nest to snuggle with her sibling. She seemed to be encouraging the younger one to give this branching thing a try. Each time, she climbed higher and higher into the tree, and last evening, she didn’t return. It was the first night the younger owlet spent alone. All the viewers of this nest cam were commiserating for the little one left behind. The parents didn’t bring any food in order to encourage it to branch out of the nest. I had trouble turning off the computer and going to bed, and by 5:15 AM, I was back on to see how the little one managed. There was one post from a viewer explaining that she left the site up all night, so she could check on the owlet whenever she woke up.

This morning, the owlet kept looking up and calling out to its mother and older sibling. He (could be male due to its smaller size) would hop around the nest, taking a few tentative steps up one of the tree branches, but clearer he wasn’t ready, yet. Eventually Mom came to the nest with a big, juicy bird. One viewer posted that it was a Purple Gallinule. Boy, that mother couldn’t tear it up fast enough for this little guy. He was hungry. I’m guessing the mother realized he wasn’t ready to fledge, and it was time to give in to feeding him. She also spent some time reassuring him and preening him. (She is one of the most magnificent creatures I’ve ever seen.)

All of this got me to thinking about my writing process. I set goals, make lists, track my progress, and hold myself accountable for my writing. When I write, I hear and see my characters, and they tell me or show me what is going on. However, there are times when they may give me a visual with no dialogue or dialogue but no setting. The time just isn’t right. When this happens, it’s not easy for me to be patient. I can get into negative stories about not accomplishing enough. That’s when I have to back off and give myself permission to quiet down, listen, and wait. An example of this was when I was writing the scene in Annie Crow Knoll: Sunset when Nate brings Jose to Annie Crow Knoll to tell Beth Ann how he feels. For a while, all I saw was Nate and this dark-haired man standing up on the hill looking down at Beth Ann below in the fireplace pit. For the longest time, I had no idea who Jose was or what was supposed to happen. I had to wait, and eventually they let me know about Jose and his relationship with Beth Ann.

And so we wait for this younger owlet to fledge. I realize it must have been hard for the older owlet to take off without her buddy. But she was prepared. She did what was natural for her to do. Her younger sibling will leave the nest when he’s ready and not a moment before. The owls teach me about patience, waiting, and listening in regards to my writing and to everything in life.

I’d like to hear from you about your experiences of waiting for the right time. Is it easy? Is it difficult? As you’ve aged, have you gotten more patient or less? I look forward to your comments.

Since I previously blogged about two active eagles nests, I’m excited to update you that both eggs hatched just days ago in the Hanover nest. They are doing well with their excellent parents protecting them. It’s thrilling to watch these huge birds gently and patiently feed their tiny chicks. The two eaglets at Berry College are growing in leaps and bounds. It’s cool to see the dramatic contrast in color, size, and behavior between newly hatched eaglets and eaglets that were hatched last month.

I’ve also started watching a Red-Tailed Hawk nest with two chicks in California. I know, I know. It’s addicting. Either fortunately or unfortunately, the Osprey are going to begin nesting, and there will be a nest cam at the Blackwater Wild Life Refuge. I could watch these birds all day, but I won’t. I know you’re waiting for Annie Crow Knoll: Moonrise.

I have finished the first draft, and I’m celebrating today (March 26) and tomorrow (March 27) with a Goodreads giveaway of two signed copies of Annie Crow Knoll: Sunrise. There’s a link at the top of the sidebar on the right or click here. Please celebrate with me by entering to win! Thanks!

Added Note: The older owlet returned to the nest last night, and hasn’t left this morning. The mother lured her back in with food, and so far today, she is staying with her younger sibling in the nest. Just like so many goals, adventures, and plans, there are stops and starts and even some repeated steps. More lessons for my writing process. 🙂

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Nesting Eagles and Owls Teach Me about Letting Go of Attachments

March 17, 2015 by Gail Filed Under: Blog 10 Comments

I’ve been watching four nest cams for several weeks. The first was a Bald Eagle nest in the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge, MD on the Eastern Shore. This was an important nest to me because it’s on the Chesapeake Bay and a day trip from the cottage we’ve rented for fifteen years. The pair laid three eggs, and two hatched. It was exciting to watch these two tiny eaglets, but we had really bad weather with record cold temperatures. First one eaglet died. Then the other one, which had been eating and doing well, was not covered by the inexperienced father one freezing night, and died. This was my first lesson in letting go of attachments this nesting season. I was attached to these two eaglets and to the notion that I’d watch them grow until they fledged out of view of the camera. Then I’d be able to get updates on how the young eagles were during from the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge site and from their Facebook Page. I could go down there and perhaps spot them in my binoculars. However, in one night, the eagle nest season at Blackwater was over. It’s a lesson in permanence. There is none.

I’m also watching a Great Horned Owl nest cam on Skidaway Island, Savannah, Georgia. This has quickly become my favorite nest because both owlets are doing well, and they are so much fun to watch. The older owlet is not dominating the younger one. The baby is very feisty and doesn’t take any crap off its older sibling. It has swallowed mice and snakes whole before the older one gets a bite. At the risk of anthropomorphizing, I’d say these two are buddies. Judging from the comments I’ve read, (there are currently over 2700 comments) a lot of the viewers feel the same. We’ve watched these two little owlets huddle together during 40 MPH winds and rain storms. They preen each other, and are rarely inches apart. With Great Horned Owls, both parents are involved in the care of their chicks. The father stands guard, hunts, and briefly stops on the nest to drop off prey. The mother keeps the chicks warm until they are able to regulate their body temperatures, and then she is off hunting, too. And what a huntress she is! She has brought back snakes, mice, squirrels, and all kinds of birds, including a good sized crane. She feeds the owlets, and she covers them for protection. Crows frequently harass the nest, and I’ve seen her and the older owlet click their beaks in defense. Elaine Mercy W. posted a video when something large was circling the nest, possibly an eagle, and the mother completely fanned her wings and tail over her babies and puffed herself up into the scariest defense posture possible. The look in her eyes could kill. I wouldn’t mess with her. So, can you tell that I’m attached to these owls? When the owlets stretch and flap their wings now to build up their muscles for flying, their wing span has gotten so big, they are practically knocking each other off the nest. They’ll start branching in about two weeks. This is when they hop out onto the branches in preparation for their first flight. The parents will bring them food out on the branch until they fly and learn to hunt for themselves. Once the owlets branch, they will be out of view of the camera. The nest followers are already posting how sad they will be to lose their daily fix of these owlets. I will be, too. But nothing is permanent. Even if both owlets make it into full adulthood, their chances of survival are not guaranteed.

There’s another Bald Eagle nest cam on the Berry College campus northwest of Atlanta, Georgia with over 5000 people chatting about it. It has two eaglets. The older, larger one has been aggressive about getting fed first. This is simply instinct, but not so easy to watch. Eaglets have been known to commit sibilicide in order to get enough to eat. They may push the smaller eaglet out of the nest or peck at it enough that it just gives up and dies. The older Berry College eaglet has pounded on its smaller sibling so that now the younger one waits passively until the older eaglet is full and waddles off to sleep. Then the mother feeds the younger eaglet, which looks like it’s hanging in there so far despite its lower status in the nest. The eaglets are so awkward at this point. Their feet/talons and wings are too big for their bodies. At times, it is comical to see them struggle around the nest, but it’s difficult for me to watch this site as often because I get too upset about the smaller chick. I’m attached to things being fair. Food should be evenly distributed, but the eagle will feed the older, bigger eaglet because it has the better chance of surviving.

The last cam I’m watching is on a Bald Eagle nest in Hanover, Pa. There are currently over 3000 comments on this page. Two eggs were laid about a month after the eggs in the Blackwater nest. They should begin hatching in a few days. The mother has had twelve successful nests with her mate, who died last year. She has a new mate this season, and he’s doing a great job. Both Bald Eagle parents share the duties of incubation. During the last big snow storm when it was the father’s turn to sit on the eggs, the mother let him take over, but after a few minutes, she pushed him off. She didn’t leave her eggs for close to two days. At times she was so completely covered with snow that she wasn’t visible. This is an example of remarkable parenting. I can’t help but wonder if the last eaglet in the Blackwater nest would have survived if it had these Hanover parents instead.

The Annie Crow Knoll series is filled with birds found on the Chesapeake. The power of nature is a recurring theme in the novels. My play A Thing with Feathers (I also wrote a screenplay version) is about a wild bird rehabilitator in Cape May Point, NJ. My husband and I have been birders for close to twenty years. We’ve raised two Cockatiels over the past twenty-five years. I love to watch birds at the feeders in the yard at home and at the cottage. When I’m on the Eastern Shore and lucky enough to witness a Bald Eagle fly out across the bay, I marvel at the extreme beauty and power. There’s nothing quite like it. Having the opportunity to see these eagles and owls raise their young via the nest cams is miraculous. Birds are hardy and delicate at the same time. What I come away with over and over again is that life is fragile. Nothing is permanent. When I let go of attachments, I am able to live in the present moment.

I’d like to hear about your successes and struggles with letting go of attachments.

Do you watch any nest cams? Where? What lessons are there to be learned from the birds?

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What’s in a Name? (Inspiration for Character Names)

February 18, 2015 by Gail Filed Under: Blog 2 Comments

Selecting names for characters is as much fun as naming a baby! Everyone’s name has significance and meaning. Parents usually choose their children’s names for very strong reasons. Even naming a pet takes serious consideration. As an author, I really enjoy naming my characters. Here are some of the stories behind several names from the Annie Crow Knoll series.

My heroine’s first name came quickly and easily. The crow part arrived later after I’d been working on the first book. I noticed a road sign for Annie Crow Road when my husband Gary and I were driving to Rock Hall on the Eastern Shore where the series takes place. That’s when I realized Annie would have a pet crow and her nick name would be Annie Crow. I love birds, and there are many birds to enjoy on the Chesapeake, so why not make one an actual character. Why the name Oliver for Annie’s crow? She said he looked like an Oliver when she discovered him as a helpless chick on the beach.

Finding the name for Annie’s best friend took a while. I wanted it to conjure up feelings and connotations that were different from the ones attached to the name Annie. Kate or Jill seemed too similar. I also wanted it to sound right when I said the two names together. Eventually, I thought of my Aunt Grace. Grace! I loved the sound of Annie and Grace when I said them together. Grace is more “girly” but still felt very independent and strong. They’d be two girls with a lot in common but with significant differences, too. They’d complement one another.

My favorite name story goes with Packard Marlboro. Several years ago, Gary was a core volunteer on the building of Sultana, a reproduction of a 1768 Boston-built schooner that once patrolled the colonial waters enforcing Tea Taxes. The summer after she was launched in 2001, I worked part-time for Sultana Projects in their office in Chestertown, MD near the cottage we rent on the Chesapeake Bay. One of my jobs was to read and answer mail received from folks who had enjoyed their experience sailing on Sultana. One enthusiastic woman wrote that her trip on the schooner reminded her of her great-grandfather Marlboro Packard, who had been a shipwright. The name really hit me, and I wrote it in a notebook because I knew I’d used it somewhere down the line. At that time, I had only just begun writing rough scenes taking place in a cottage community on the bay, and had no inkling of who might be living next door. Later when the character of the waterman/artist neighbor came to me, I knew his name was the one from that woman’s letter. I did flip it to Packard Marlboro because Packard seemed like a better first name for my character.

Annie’s parents Luke and Liz (Elizabeth) evolved from my love of alliteration. (My husband and I are Gary and Gail or the G’s as one side of the family calls us.) The last name Atkinson used alliteration again with Annie Atkinson. Although I suppose most people don’t even remember Annie’s family name once she becomes Annie Crow as a child and later Annie Bidwell when she marries. I found the name Bidwell on a tombstone outside Still Pond, another small town on the Eastern Shore.

Once I had Elizabeth (Annie’s mom Liz) and Annie, it seemed appropriate that Grace would name her daughter Beth Ann after these two significant women in her life. When it comes to names I’m now finding as I write the third book, Annie Crow Knoll: Moonrise, Nate and June name their daughter Bethany, in honor of their dear friend Beth Ann. But Bethany will have the nickname of Breezy. You’ll find out why when the book is released. I love secrets! Breezy (Bethany) Bidwell. There goes the alliteration again.

Also in Moonrise, there will be an Atticus. He is the son of Ivy Green, the little girl Nate rescues in the beginning of Annie Crow Knoll: Sunset. She reappears as his nurse at the end of that novel; at which time, she and her husband are expecting their first child, whom they name for the father from To Kill a Mockingbird.

Since Atticus Finch is also one of my most beloved literary characters, I was pleased when watching Season Five of Downton Abbey to find that Julian Fellowes named Rose’s beau Atticus Aldridge. Alliteration! What more could I ask for?

So I’d love to hear about some of your favorite character names from literature, plays, films and television. Or the inspiration for some of the character names in stories and books you’ve written. Please share in the comments. Thanks!

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Inspiration Is Everywhere!

February 9, 2015 by Gail Filed Under: Blog Leave a Comment

images[4] (5) Artists are inspired by everything around them. As an author, I am always noticing little details and then wondering why. I wonder why someone has put new siding up on one side of their house and not the other or why someone chose to paint their front door bright yellow. At times I ask these questions aloud, which can drive my husband a little crazy because there are no answers to these musings of mine.

During a walk this past weekend, I passed a house several blocks away that had a good number of cars parked out front and across the street. Friends of mine had attended a wedding there a few years ago, and I wondered if today there was a baby shower. There could be a story in it.

Later along this walking route, there is a house in which I assume, given the style of the car in the driveway and the lack of toys or clutter, an older person lives. There have never been any other cars in the drive or parked in front of the house until this Saturday. For the first time, I noticed a pickup truck and a car when I walked by. On Sunday, there were two other cars, and a group of four younger people were getting into one of the cars. So my wondering begins. Why is there suddenly an increase of activity with different cars and people at this house? Are adult children visiting because the older person is ill or has died? Some people might think I’m nosy. I say that I’m curious. This is how my mind works. I’m sure there’s a story there.

Along with noticing details (perhaps I should have been a private detective), I find that watching people and wondering why they do what they do often inspires stories.

I’ve blogged before about how the cottage community on the Chesapeake Bay where my husband and I have rented a cottage for fifteen years motivated the Annie Crow Knoll series. The cottages and the beauty of the area are truly inspiration. However, my wondering why played a bigger part in how the series came about.

A young couple with two small children moved back to the cottage community after living in another area of the country for years. They returned to the location where the husband had spent his childhood. I wondered why. What brought them back? Why had he left in the first place?

Although Nate and June are not this couple in any way, the characters were born from my wonderings about the couple’s decision. I began writing a scene about (I made up the name Nate) Nate and his wife returning to the Knoll after a long absence, and the other cottagers conjecturing about the reason. In my scenario, rumors began to fly about Nate and his wife.

This was actually the first scene I wrote, although it ended up in the second book. At the time, I had no idea why Nate would come back, but I sensed the gossipy folks in the other cottages would talk about it. I also had no clue this small scene would begin the creation of three novels. But, voila, an entire series was born from my curiosity regarding the couple’s resolution to move back to the Chesapeake Bay. Eventually Nate’s reasons for bringing June back to Annie Crow Knoll developed, but I had to trust the initial musings and write.

Writers, all artists, have to trust their instinct. Many times things don’t necessary make sense, but we pick up the paintbrush, pen, laptop, camera, clay, glass cutters, guitar, or whatever tools we use and begin. This Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quote is a favorite of mine.

I encourage you to trust whatever inspires you to be creative and to begin.

I’d love to hear about what inspires you? Tell me what happens when you trust your inspiration.

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Over Ten Hours of Daylight Today!

January 30, 2015 by Gail Filed Under: Blog 3 Comments

It was actually sunny yesterday!

One of the first full days of sun and blue skies we’ve had all winter. Not a partly cloudy day when the sun peeks out for a brief, precious moment only to disappear before I can get outside to experience it. No, we had several hours of bright sunlight yesterday. During the walk I took in freezing temperatures, I was giddy the entire time.

In my last blog, I wrote about why my Christmas tree is still up. (By the way, it still is, along with my outdoor Christmas lights.) Season Affective Disorder is a type of depression often triggered during the winter months due to the short number of daylight hours. I feel fortunate that I am bothered by the lack of light but not deeply depressed by it. My awareness of feeling blue helps me to make adjustments in order to push through it. Others are not so lucky. If you don’t recognize the symptoms or you find yourself debilitated by severe symptoms, this experience can be more serious than the typical winter blues.

After posting on Facebook and Tweeting about my last blog, I heard from others who shared some helpful resources. (I’m including a video and links below.) From what I’ve experienced, it’s important to reach out and stay social. Try not to isolate yourself. Get together with friends, exercise, stay active, and get outdoors for a bit every day.

The good news is that the sun is returning. Back on Dec. 21, 2014, we had only nine hours and twenty minutes of daylight in my area. The sun didn’t rise until 7:18 AM and set by 4:38 PM. While the sun is still not appearing until well after 7:00 AM, we did have ten hours and three minutes of daylight today on January 29, 2015. Sunset wasn’t until 5:15 PM. In my book, that’s a big improvement.

So hang in there, and don’t hesitate to leave those Christmas lights up if they help you feel more cheerful during these long hours of dark.

Beat The Winter Blues

Also a helpful Twitter site @BeatTheWinter

Explaining SAD

Kids Health.org

Mild Version of SAD

(If you comment on this blog before midnight on Feb. 8, 2015, you’ll be entered to win an e-book from the Annie Crow Knoll series!)

Why My Christmas Tree Is Still Up

January 19, 2015 by Gail Filed Under: Blog 11 Comments

These short days and long nights of winter get to me more each year. To make matters worse, this particular winter in the Mid-Atlantic States we’ve had more cloudy days than sunny ones. I feel like I’m living in Seattle or Portland. With all these gray and rainy days, there has been even less sunlight than usual. I’m making an effort to get out and take a long walk no matter what the weather, and when the sun is out, I just stop, close my eyes, and turn my face toward it. I even get excited when the moon is visible. Anything to see some light.

Maybe it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder. According to U.S. National Library of Medicine some people experience a serious mood change during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. “This condition is called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. SAD is a type of depression. It usually lifts during spring and summer.”

Well, whatever it is, all I know is I NEED LIGHT! And the bright glow of my beautiful Christmas tree makes me feel better. It’s no longer affiliated with the Christmas holidays but is now a part of the winter festival of lights! Heaven knows Christmas is over but winter certainly isn’t.

And my outdoor lights? I turn them into Valentine’s Day decorations by taking down the Christmas greens and putting hearts in the windows and on the door. I justify this because my lights are all white. However, no matter what color your outdoor lights, the longer you leave them up, the happier people like me will be. They can stay lit until the Spring Equinox in March for all I care. I appreciate the extra light.

At our previous house, I once had a neighbor tell me in late January it was time to take the Christmas lights down from my Alberta spruce out front. After I explained that the lights cheered me up during the dark winter, she never complained again. I wish she had been willing to leave her lights up, too, but I guess that was too much to expect.

So while I (and others like me) wait for spring and the longer days of sunlight to return, I say thank you to anyone willing to keep their outside Christmas lights aglow. Catching a glimpse of your Christmas tree lights at your front window is an extra bonus. People may think you are procrastinating, but honestly, you are making a positive difference. Please, let your lights shine!

Anyone who comments on this blog by midnight on Jan. 24 will be entered to win an ebook from the Annie Crow Knoll series!

Collings Peanut Butter Chocolate Cocomac Cookies

December 22, 2014 by Gail Filed Under: Blog Leave a Comment

Thank you to all my readers! A special shout out to the folks who are following A Collingswood Christmas in my newsletter. As you may know from my blog on the inspiration for the story, my husband is the great, great grandson of Richard T. Collings, for whom the town is named. So as a special thank you, here’s Gary’s recipe for delicious cookies made with peanut butter chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, coconut and macadamia nuts! Wishing you and your loved ones Happy Holidays!

COLLINGS PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE COCOMACS

2 cups all-purpose flour (gluten free all-purpose baking flour works fine, too)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup softened butter (two sticks)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup macadamia nuts (coarsely chopped)

12 ounces peanut butter chips (10 ounces is fine if that’s the size bag you find)

12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (10 ounces okay)

1 1/3 cups sweetened flaked coconut

Stir together flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.

In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat together butter, brown sugars and sugar until well mixed.

Beat in the eggs and vanilla.

Beat in flour mixture until no white streaks remain.

Stir in both kinds of chips, coarsely chopped macadamia nuts and coconut until combined

Cover dough with plastic wrap and chill for at least two hours in refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment.

Form cookie dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. (If you prefer larger cookies, form larger balls; they will need to bake longer. Depending on what size balls you form, before putting one or two full sheets in to bake, it is recommended that you first test the baking time with a few balls of dough on one sheet.)

Drop dough onto the cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. (Now is the option to gently push a pinch of extra coconut onto the top of each cookie ball before baking, but this is not necessary.)

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges just begin to brown. Allow to cool on the pan for 3 minutes before removing to cooling rack to cool completely. Store leftover cookies in a covered container.

1 1/4 inch balls make about 4 1/4 dozen cookies.

Inspiration for “A Collingswood Christmas”

December 8, 2014 by Gail Filed Under: Blog 8 Comments

A holiday gift for my newsletter subscribers! My short story A Collingswood Christmas will be available in my newsletter this month. I can’t wait to share these characters with you! If you haven’t signed up, it’s not too late. http://gailpriest.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=402ec65c2802e4cf87bc1e647&id=7fee7f0061

A Collingswood Christmas was first inspired a couple weeks ago by a Facebook post about this old fashioned hard candy. When I was little, the children in Collingswood visited Santa in the funeral home on Haddon Avenue. It seems a bit odd now, but it’s true. My husband, who also grew up there, has the same memory. The kids in town would go in one door of the funeral home, visit Santa, and as we were guided to exit out a different door, we received an orange and a box of this candy.

When I saw the post about the candy, the memory began to turn into a story. Two of the characters, Megan and her husband Charles, were inspired by an extremely talented couple I knew in college. They both majored in music, have been very successful in NYC, and I hope are still happily married. Megan and Charles are not so happy which brings Megan back to Collingswood for the holidays, around the time of her 20th high school reunion. She runs into Kyle, an old high school friend, and the sparks fly. Will Megan begin a new life back home? Will her husband ask her to return to NYC? Will Kyle’s heart be broken?

In A Collingswood Christmas, I continue to explore issues of family and marital dynamics, depression, and the healing power of love as I have in my Annie Crow Knoll series.

You’ll see that the classic holiday film It’s a Wonderful Life is referenced in my story. Collingswood even has the old fashioned Season’s Greetings sign like the one in Bedford Falls. The holidays can be joyful, but they can also trigger past pains and sad feelings. The characters in A Collingswood Christmas struggle as George Bailey does in my favorite Christmas movie.

Another reason I decided to place the story in my hometown is that the town is named for my husband’s great, great grandfather. Yes, Gary is a Collings of Collingswood, although he plays that down a good deal. I’m the one who runs around telling people. I think it’s rather cool. We both spent most of our lives in Collingswood and have strong ties to it.

I hope to expand this idea into a series of holiday themed short stories set in Collingswood to be released next Thanksgiving. For now, you can read the first one for free by signing up for my newsletter. Enjoy and I wish you a peaceful and joyous holiday season! http://gailpriest.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=402ec65c2802e4cf87bc1e647&id=7fee7f0061

Christmas Excerpt from Annie Crow Knoll: Sunrise

December 3, 2014 by Gail Filed Under: Blog Leave a Comment

Annie Crow Knoll: Sunrise

Chapter Eleven

Winter 1965-66

The photographer from Elegant Southern Life was scheduled to come out to Annie Crow Knoll in a few days. Annie had yet to make the garland her mother constructed every year for the front gates, using evergreen boughs, pinecones and wild mistletoe.

Annie hoped that Big Black Bo would come out to hunt so she could ask him to shoot down bunches of mistletoe that grew high in the trees behind Cattail. Her father had always done this for Liz. However, the first winter following Luke’s death, Bo didn’t appear. Maybe he didn’t like to hunt by himself, or perhaps he went elsewhere now with other buddies. Either way, Annie was going to have to load up Luke’s shotgun and head up the beach to Cattail by herself.

Annie’s boots crunched in the first snow of the season. A sudden image of Bunky Watson’s patrol car in the snow made the crisp air burn in her lungs. Tears again? She felt annoyed and rubbed a gloved finger under each eye. I won’t be able to shoot straight, she told herself but hiked on up river determined to bag some mistletoe.

Packard heard the gunfire. He was in the woods taking photographs from which he’d select pictures to paint during the worst winter weather. Annoyed when the following shots were closer, Pack decided he’d better alert the hunter to his presence.

“Hold your fire,” he bellowed in the direction of the last shot.

Pack’s breathing tightened when he saw Annie round the bend of trees. The morning sun lit up the auburn in her dark curls. Her father’s orange hunting vest hung loosely on her frame.

He let out a deep breath. “Good morning, Annie.”

“Hey, Packard,” she smiled. “Looks like we meet again while aiming to shoot something.”

“But I only have my Nikon,” he said good-naturedly and lifted his camera up a bit.

“My folks gave me a Nikon last Christmas. The camera I was using on loan from the community college for my photography classes was pretty bad.”

“I’m sorry this will be your first Christmas without them,” Pack said gently.

“Thanks.”

Pack hadn’t been much older than Annie when he lost both his parents within several months, but when she said no more, he changed subjects.

“So why the shotgun? Have you taken up hunting?”

“Only mistletoe, and let me tell you, it’s a lot harder to hit the stem of a bunch of it than it is to hit a tin can.”

“Or a terrified intruder running for cover.”

“Yeah, well … ” She smiled again and blushed a little.

“If it’s mistletoe you’re wanting, there’s a fair amount of it within reach at the top of your father’s old hunting stand. What we can’t cut down, you can shoot from a closer range from up there.”

Annie unchambered the shells and dropped them into the pocket of her dad’s hunting vest. They hiked through the blanketed landscape. When they reached the stand, Pack went up first to make sure that the unused and weathered ladder rungs were stable.

Annie handed him her shotgun. Pack gave her a hand up. He knew she didn’t need it, but he wanted to touch her. Then Packard took a knife out of his pocket and opened it. He began harvesting clumps of wild mistletoe that clung to branches surrounding the platform and handed them to Annie.

“Would you like to come to Christmas dinner?” she asked.

“Oh…thanks, but I don’t want to intrude on your holiday.”

“The Finches are coming, too, Jim and Naomi, Maizie, Sam and the children. J.J. is going to his in-laws, but Birdie and her crew may come, too.”

“I’m not so good with crowds. I told Drew that on Wednesday night when he invited me.”

“Oh?” Annie sounded surprised.

“You knew that he was out to play chess,” Pack said.

“Yes. I just didn’t know that he had invited you already,” Annie explained.

“Is this enough, or do you want to reload your shotgun?” Pack asked, as he closed his knife and put it back in his pocket.

“No, this is more than enough. Thank you.”

Packard and Annie gently dropped the boughs of berries down to the ground.

He went down from the hunting stand first, and Annie handed down the rifle and Nikon.

When she reached the bottom of the ladder and turned to take the rifle, Packard couldn’t take his eyes off her.

She met his gaze. He didn’t look away. They were only inches apart, but after a moment, she said, “Well, I’d better get all this mistletoe back to the Knoll.” And she began gathering the branches from the ground.

“I’ll help you,” Packard said.

Laden with bunches of mistletoe, Annie and Packard left the woods and started up the beach together. The receding water had melted the snow below the high tide line, and they walked in the sand along the river’s edge.

“Thanks for not minding that Drew comes out to play chess,” Packard said, as they started up the steps to the Knoll.

“Of course not.”

“I mean, some women…”

“Don’t even finish that stereotypical comment.”

“You could be lonely, that’s all. With your folks gone and Bo done for the season.”

“I miss my parents, but I’m getting used to being alone. I’m glad to see Drew on the weekends, and I’m glad that he has his own life as well.” She thought for a moment and then added, “I enjoy my time to myself.”

“Better be careful or you’ll turn into a recluse like me,” Packard said and smiled.

Annie laughed. “Maybe we’re two of a kind.”

After unloading his clumps of mistletoe onto Annie’s porch, Pack turned to go.

“At least think about Christmas. We’d both like to have you,” Annie said.

“I’ll think about it,” Packard said and headed back out for more photographs.

***

Sunrise Cottage smelled of sugar cookies, pine needles and a roasting turkey. If Annie hadn’t woken up in Drew’s arms that morning, she wasn’t sure she could have faced the first Christmas without her folks. Now that the Finches were there, too, she was distracted enough with food preparation and general merry spirits, and she felt calmer.

Naomi was finishing her famous sweet potato dish while trying to keep Jim’s fingers out of everything that she, Annie and Maizie dished up. Annie checked the turkey that was filled with her mother’s delicious chestnut stuffing, and Maizie was putting the finishing touches of icing and candies on her double-decker chocolate cake in the shape of a Christmas tree.

The door opened and a blast of cold air accompanied Drew and Sam, who had taken Sammy and Sarah down to toast marshmallows in the fireplace in the pit. Their cheeks were rosy from the cold air.

“Go wash up now,” Maizie instructed her children. Then she turned to her husband. “I hope you didn’t let them eat too many, Sam. They’ll ruin their appetite for dinner.”

“Only a dozen,” Sam said, holding up what was left of the marshmallows in a plastic bag.

“A dozen!” Maizie cried.

“Each,” he said with a wink.

“Would you carve the turkey?” Annie asked Mr. Jim as she carried glasses out of the kitchen. “My dad’s carving knives are on the counter.”

“With pleasure.”

“Be sure to put on an apron, Jim,” Naomi instructed.

Annie took a look at the crowded dining and living room. All one big space really, with an open arch between them. Sunrise Cottage was the biggest cottage on the Knoll but still tiny for this many guests.

“It’s a good thing Birdie couldn’t come. I’m sorry the twins came down with the flu, but I don’t honestly know where we would have put everyone,” Annie said.

“Your tree is lovely, Annie,” Naomi remarked.

“Drew picked it out himself and brought it as a surprise for me.”

“So many lovely ornaments. Didn’t your mother make some of these?” Maizie asked.

“Most of them. And she gave me a new one every year. Felt funny not opening one this morning.”

“I wish you had told me,” Drew said, as he put his arm around her. “Next year, I’ll be sure to give you one.”

“You gave me the tree. That was more than enough.”

Naomi and Maizie exchanged glances, but Sam was the one to ask what they were wondering.

“Sounds like you’re becoming a permanent fixture here, Drew.”

“If Annie will put up with me,” Drew said and pulled her closer into him.

Annie felt safe and warm in Drew’s arms. She missed him the minute she had to go back into the kitchen to check on the gravy.

As the dishes of food were being brought to the table, Drew leaned closer to Maizie’s husband. “Sam?’

“Yes?”

“Would you be willing to give the blessing this evening?”

“Of course.”

“Annie had asked me, and I’m honored, but I didn’t have the privilege of knowing her parents as you did. I’d really appreciate it, if you’d make some reference to them.”

“Certainly, Drew.”

Annie’s voice called from the kitchen, “Would someone bring the gravy boat in here?”

“Where is it?” Drew asked.

“On the buffet.”

“The turkey is carved,” Jim announced, walking in from the kitchen wearing one of Liz’s old aprons.

“Don’t you look cute, Dad,” Maizie said with a laugh.

“Hey, just following orders.”

The last of the food was placed on the table, and everyone finally gathered in close quarters and stood behind their chairs. Maizie’s youngest, while eyeing the delicious food spread out in front of her, noticed an extra place setting.

“Who’s going to sit there?” Sarah asked.

“Mr. Packard is invited,” Drew told her.

Sam, who was next to the empty chair asked, “Would you like me to clear it? We’d have a bit more room.”

“No, please leave it,” Annie interrupted. “He may still come.”

Everyone joined hands as they stood circling the feast.

“Our heavenly Father,” Sam began. “We thank you for the blessing of this holiday and the meal we are about to share. We thank you for the coming together of these friends and our family. We ask you to bless the souls of our dearly loved and sorely missed Liz and Luke.”

Maizie squeezed Annie’s hand tighter.

“Please comfort us in our loss on this first Christmas without them. We are grateful for our trust that they are well provided for in your kingdom, as we are blessed with your bounty here on earth. Amen”

“Amen,” everyone chorused and they began to take their seats.

Just as they settled, the front door burst open and in the doorway stood a clean shaven Packard Marlboro dressed in new jeans, a madras plaid shirt, navy sports jacket and a red tie. He carried a small gift-wrapped package in one frozen hand and balanced a large covered dish in the other hand.

“I’m sorry I’m late. I didn’t time my grandmother’s Christmas pudding recipe properly.”

Drew rose and rushed toward him with so much enthusiasm that Pack nearly dropped the pudding.

Suddenly Sam, Maizie, Jim and Naomi were all up and talking to Packard.

“Merry Christmas.”

“Come in, come in.”

“You must be frozen coming over here without an overcoat.”

“Did you walk in this cold?”

“Get the man a drink.”

Packard forgot that he didn’t own a dress coat to wear over his new clothes. He was late, and hadn’t even bothered to wrap a scarf around his neck when he bolted out of his door and across the field to Annie’s cottage. But seeing her now, standing at her place at the table across the room, Packard didn’t feel cold or even hear the voices swimming around him. Looking at her made him realize that accepting this Christmas dinner invitation was correct. He’d done the right thing pushing past his fears and misgivings.

His eyes and Annie’s locked long enough for him to see her face burst into a smile which made him certain that, at the very least, she was clearly glad that he had arrived.

“You only missed the blessing. We were just about to start dinner,” Drew said as he guided Pack to the table.

Someone had taken the covered dish out into the kitchen, but he still held the small gift.

“Merry Christmas, Annie,” Packard said, and he handed her the box.

As people settled into their seats, including Packard, Annie carefully lifted the lid of the prettily wrapped box. Inside she found a hand carved black crow with a gold ribbon attached to its back. She held it up for all to see.

“For the tree?” she asked.

Packard nodded.

Annie crossed to hang her new ornament on the Christmas tree, and Mr. Jim gave a whistle of admiration. “You carve that yourself, Packard?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You do nice work.”

“Thank you.”

“Can we eat yet?” Young Sammy asked.

“Mind your manners,” Maizie instructed.

“But you always say to eat our food before it gets cold.”

“Yes, everyone, let’s get started,” Drew said, and glanced at Annie, who stood at the tree for a moment admiring the tiny Oliver whose shiny black paint reflected all the colors of the lights and other ornaments.

“Thank you,” she said as she briefly put her hands on Pack’s shoulders on her way back to her place next to Drew.

Food was being passed at a furious pace. Conversation was humming, and Annie felt content.

***

After the chocolate Christmas tree cake and Christmas pudding were polished off, Packard made his excuses, making sure to thank Annie and Drew for a wonderful time.

“I’ll walk out with you,” Drew told him.

Once they were out on the porch, Drew said, “Keep an eye on Annie while I’m on the West Coast, will you?”

“Sure,” Pack said.

“Between visiting my parents and grandparents and going through the whole dissertation process, I’ll be gone nearly a month. I’m even going to miss her birthday, and I don’t like her out here by herself.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“I won’t worry so much if I know you’re close by…I’m…I want you to know that on Valentine’s Day, I’m planning on asking Annie to marry me.”

Packard sat down on a porch chair. He held his empty covered dish in his lap.

“I know it’s soon, which is why I didn’t pop the question for Christmas. It’s her first one without her folks. I’ll be away on New Year’s and her birthday. Besides, I wanted to discuss it with my mom and dad. I’m going to ask my mother to help me select the ring while I’m out there. She and Dad haven’t even met Annie, and I thought they’d like to know about my plans first. And you. I haven’t told anyone, but you. You’ll keep it a secret, right?”

“Yes,” Pack said and got to his feet. “Congratulations.” He palmed the dish in one hand and shook Drew’s hand with the other.

“Thanks!” Drew’s smile was huge. “I’m very happy about it.”

“I’m sure Annie will be, too.”

“Gosh, I hope so.”

“It’s cold. I’m going to get going.”

“Yeah, sure. Goodnight, Pack. And Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Drew.”

When Packard cleared the fence, he began to run. His warm breath made clouds of smoke in the air. When he reached his back door, Packard slammed into his kitchen. Tossing the covered dish onto the table, he sat down to catch his breath and think. However, there was no reasoning to be discovered.

“My God, I love her,” Pack said aloud. “I love Annie.”

Map of Annie Crow Knoll

November 9, 2014 by Gail Filed Under: Blog Leave a Comment

The setting of the Annie Crow Knoll series was inspired by an actual community of summer cottages. My husband and I have rented one of these cottages on the Chesapeake Bay for fifteen years. I’ve heard there once were hundreds of little groups of cottages built in the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s around the bay, but most have been demolished for private homes and other development. However, I know of several, precious communities that still exist. It’s a trip back in time when you step on to one of these properties. Time and time again, I hear nostalgic people, who visit after years of being away say, “It’s just like it was when I was a kid. Nothing has changed.”

Sunrise Cottage: The idea for naming the cottages came from a need to personalize them to their inhabitants. I pictured Annie’s mother Liz waking up early to start her day of chores and watching the sun come up over the river as she drank her coffee.

Sunset Cottage: This seemed like the ideal name for the cottage directly across the Knoll from Sunrise Cottage. Overlooking the water, it would afford the best view of the spectacular sunsets over the Chesapeake Bay. It would also be a prime choice for important characters through-out the series. The Finches were the first to rent from Annie’s parents, and they selected Sunset Cottage.

Sun-swept Cottage: I took the name of Sun-swept from a cottage sign in Cape May Point, NJ. Liz is also very particular about keeping the cottages clean and up to snuff. No cottage on her property would be un-swept, but they could be sun-swept.

Kingfisher Cottage: The Belted Kingfisher is one of my favorite birds here, so I made it Annie’s father Luke’s favorite bird. Since Annie’s mother may have named Sunrise, it would likely be Luke’s turn to name the cottage next to their full-time home.

Tockwogh Cottage: There is a Camp Tockwogh near the location of the novel, and the American Indian name for the Sassafras River, where Annie Crow Knoll is located, was Tockwogh.

Cockatiel Cottage: My husband and I call our cottage Cockatiel Cottage after our pet parrot. I thought if Grace had a cockatiel, she’d have an immediate connection to Annie and her crow.

Idelwhile Cottage: This came from the name of a street and from a small hotel that once existed in this area when it was a crowded summer resort frequented by vacationers, who arrived from Baltimore and Philadelphia by steamer. The character of Miss Agnes doesn’t do much but watch and criticize everyone from her rocker on the porch of Idlewhile.

Hummingbird Haven: Unlike Miss Agnes, Mrs. Waters is very active making the yard in from of her cottage look lovely. Her flower garden and bird feeders would attract lots of birds and especially the little Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds we get in this part of the country. She would name her cottage Hummingbird Haven.

Slim’s Secret: When I was a child, my family vacationed in the town of Strathmere located along the New Jersey shore. Back on the bay, there was a little bar and restaurant called Twists. I looked forward to going there with my parents for a dinner of either chicken or shrimp in the basket. However, the real highlight was the carved coconut heads that were lined up on shelves above the bar. There had to be twenty of them, all with different character faces hand-carved by Mr. Twist when he was stationed in the South Pacific during WII. When my husband and I went there for lunch just last year, I was thrilled to see that the new owners had kept the coconut heads displayed just as Mr. Twist had done back in the 1950’s! Although I was tempted, I never named a cottage Coconut Cottage. I did decide that the character of Slim carved coconut heads during his WII stint, and they would be on shelves in Slim’s Secret. I adjusted that name from Spike’s Secret here in our group of cottages.

Owls Nest: I love owls. I hear Barred Owls and Great-horned Owls call from the woods nearby at night. I thought it would be a good scene for Grace to fall into an owling expedition with Annie and her crow Oliver for their first adventure together. For a few years in a row, we had a pair of Screech Owls fledge babies on the property next door. The first time, our dear neighbor Richard Keephart rushed to Cockatiel Cottage one summer evening to ask me to see what was making a strange sound in the dead tree by his boathouse. I followed him over to find the face of a cute baby Screech Owl staring at me from the hole in the old tree. The next night, Dick and I set up lawn chairs a respectable distance away, and watched two of the three babies fledge from the nest. The following night the third finally came out. It is an experience I’ll always remember.

Fish Tale: This seemed like a great name to establish the friendships among the men on the Knoll, who fish and enjoy a little friendly competition. Although we have women from our cottage community who take their fishing very seriously, too, I thought the joke about Bob Reynolds exaggerating the size of his catches would add to the banter among the men in the first novel. The fishing competition here can get pretty heated in the fall when the rockfish are coming up into the river. At times, folks take pictures of their biggest catch with a yardstick next to the fish so no one will question them.

Blue Heron: These herons are beautiful to watch, and I love the “grumpy old man” noises they make when they are disturbed from their fishing along the beaches. They are a favorite of many people, so it was likely that a cottage would be named Blue Heron Cottage.

Honeymoon Cottage: Now the Honeymoon is very close to my heart because it really exists in our cottage community. This cute and cozy little cottage is located across from ours. I understand that it was moved from a different spot on the property and completely rehabbed right before we started renting here.

No Name Cottage: Maybe I ran out of names or listened to my inner voice to leave one cottage unnamed so that No Name Cottage could be re-christened in the second book. It was a blessing in disguise.

Packard Marlboro’s School House Studio: There is an annual Artist Studio Tour in this area, and once my husband and I visited an original one-room school house renovated for a painter, who needed the space for his large canvases. At the time, I had Packard painting in the attic of his house, but this school house inspired the decision for Packard to rescue an historic school house and move it to the field between his home and Annie Crow Knoll. This choice of Pack’s revealed a great deal about his growth as a person and as an artist. It became one of my favorite locations in the series.

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