April Meeting - The Lost Art of Walking

Last night's April Meeting was highly celebrated with the announcement of her engagement by Queen Allison..wedding bells in Oct, and also the announcement of Queen Rachel's pregnancy...due in Nov

Everyone agreed that it was hard wading through The Lost Art of Walking by Geoff Nicholson. Entertaining at times, absurb at others and full of eccentric characters, I felt like I was reading just little vingettes with no theme or thread woven through the walking.

Instead of discussion questions, this time we did a Trivia Quiz designed by Queen Courtney. Divided into teams and laughed a lot! Suprisingly we had a 3 - way tie and had to go through several tie breakers before the winning team of Queen Linda B, Queen Sue, Queen Beverly and Queen Brenda came through and identified Old Leatherman.

Many thanks to the foods committee with outstanding dishes including two receipes from last month's book selection The Cracker Kitchen by Janis Owens. Queen Phyllis brought the Ramen ColeSlaw and Queen Erin made the strawberry pretzel dessert. Both great! Along with a lovely "Here Comes the Bride" cake, chips, dips and sandwiches provided by Queen Beverly and Queen Erins. Then washed down with the Mango/Rasberry Punch. Delicious!!

Plans are moving along for next year's Girlfriends Weekend. Queen Laurie has made reservations at the Excelsior Hotel. Registrations need to be sent in shortly. Queens Laurie, Beverly and Kay and definitely going!! Who else? Sign up now!!!

Next meeting will be at Queen Barbara's and the book selections is Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.

Nicaraguan Mission July 2009

Dear Pulpwood Queens and PQ Authors,
 
Last year we donated to the mission trip to purchase Bibles for the orphanage. We learned that monetary contributions were best because they could purchase the books  and Bibles in Nicaraugua, thereby helping the economy.  This year has been a huge economic upset to many in our country yet we  have countless taken-for-granted blessings compared to a 4th World Country.
 
I am forwarding  the letter/email from our Queen Laurie Cormier who goes on these missions and becomes our hands.  Besides talking about this year, she expresses her gratitude for our contributions last year.  We met many authors at Girlfriends Weekend this year who expressed interest in this mission.  Therefore I am also including you in this mailing.  If you wish to contribute the address is at the bottom of this email.  Thank you very much.
 
Please prayerfully consider our response for this year.  Some ideas suggested include to collect contributions like last year or to have a raffle,  a read-a-thon or other fund raiser. We can discuss it at our April meeting.  In the meantime, if you have some ideas and want to pursue them give me a call or email.
 
Remember reading is a blessing we share.
 
Queen Kay

 

Dear Friends -

 

    Enclosed please find the article I wrote for the Catholic Page for the Newspaper here in Lake Charles.  Father Danny asked us to share some thoughts with others re our mission trip to Nicaragua - enclosed is what I wrote

 

"As a parent you want your child to grow up and become a successful person.  You want to show them everything that life has to offer and pray that they  find something in life that blesses them with a passion for life.  I had the opportunity to go with my son, PAUL, on a mission trip with Father Danny Torres to Nicaragua.  As a parent it was the most amazing experience to bring my son to witness the amazing transformation that God blesses us with by dong his work in a 4th world country.  You go there expecting to help and we did by a painting mission, doing medical mission work, a construction mission, vacation bible school, music ministry, feeding mission and sharing God's love with everyone we met.  However, the fruit of our labor blessed our lives everyday which is an unexpected blessing.  I feel so grateful, thankful and blessed by this experience with my 24 year old son.  It is by far the best thing I could have ever given him.  Laurie T. Cormier".

 

    This year I will again go to Nicaragua on a mission trip with my son and 30 other missionaries.  I need your prayers.  We will leave on July 4, 2009 along with my son, PAUL, I will be joined by my niece, Kate Thibodeaux, and another family member, Charmayne Yelverton. 

 

    We have two main fundraisers:

1) We sell raffle tickets and there will be only 500 sold.  They are $100 each. Drawing will be held on June 14th (1st prize $5,000.00; 2nd prize is $1,000.00; 3rd prize is $500.00) The money raised is for all supplies for the construction, painting, medical supplies, etc ---by purchasing the materials in Nicaragua it helps their economy. 5 people can purchase a raffle ticket together each paying $20.00 just write the five names on the stub - winners will share the amount won.

 

2) The Johnnie Thibodeaux Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, June 13th at Mallard Cove in Lake Charles.  The proceeds will benefit the boy's home. 

 

I am asking for your assistance - there are several ways YOU can help. 

1) Please pray for the safety of our mission trip

2) Please prayerfully consider making a donation to this GREAT, AMAZING Mission program

3) Please consider golfing in the tournament

4) Please pray for all people that we come into contact with for God to soften their hearts

5) Please forward this email on to others who might want to help us out

6) Please pray for us

7) Please pray for Father Danny Torres- a great man of GOD!

 

 

To make a donation or purchase a $100 raffle ticket please contact, Laurie T. Cormier (337) 436-5037 or mail a payment to Abrazando Cristo Mission Program, 418 Peake Street, Lake Charles, La  70601. 

 

It is really hard to ask your assistance during this time in our economic troubles here at home but I can assure you if we are hurting here --it is much worse over there.  A 3rd world country is a very poor and impovished country -- the 4th world is the worst of the worst in terms of poverty. Nicaragua is a 4th world country. 

 

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayerful consideration of anything that you can do to lend us a hand.  I have been blessed so much by my work in Nicaragua and I want you to know that I will be praying for each of you and your families while I am there. 

 

To all my book-loving friends - once again we will be purchasing bibles for the children and other books for them as well -- thanks to all my author friends and all the Pulpwood Queens who donated to the cause already!  You guys are awesome. 

 

Please forward this email on to others. 

Pulpwood Queen Book Club Selections 2009
January

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan


Bonus Book Club Selection

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel by Jamie Ford

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s by John Elder Robinson


Splinters (Teen Selection) Twilight by Stephanie Meyers


Pinecones (Pre-teen Selection Twilight by Stephanie Meyers


February

The Wonder Singer by George Rabasa

Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman


Bonus Book Club Selection

Alphabet Juice: The Energies, Gists, and Spirits of Words, Letters, and Combinations Thereof; Their Roots, Bones, Innards, Piths, Pips, and Secret Parts,….With Examples of Their Usage Foul and Savory by Roy Blount, Jr.


Splinters (Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers


Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers


March

The Cracker Kitchen: A Cookbook Celebration of Cornbred Fed, Down Home Family Stories and Cuisine by Janis Owens


Bonus Book Club Selection

The Lost Art of Walking: The History, Science, and Literature of Pedestrianism by Geoff Nicholson


Splinters (Teen Selection) Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers


Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection) Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers


April

Oscar Season by Mary McNamara


Bonus Book Club Selection

Serendipity by Louise Shaffer

Note to Self by Andrea Buchanan (Arts, Letters, and Soul featured author)

Dorothy on the Rocks by Barbara Suter


Splinters (Teen Selection) Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers


Pine Cones (Pre-Teen Selection) Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers


May

Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon


Bonus Book Club Selection

The Shiniest Jewel by Marian Henley (Arts, Letters, and Soul featured author)

The Big Skinny by Carol Lay (Arts, Letters, and Soul featured author)

Elegance of a the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

The Cracker Queen: A Memoir of a Jagged, Joyful Life by Lauretta Hannon


Splinters (Teen Selection) Harper Lee (Up Close) by Kerry Madden


Pine Cones (Pre-Teen Selection) Harper Lee (Up Close) by Kerry Madden


June

Saints in Limbo by River Jordan


Bonus Book Club Selection

Driftwood Summer by Patti Callahan Henry


July

On the Divinity of Second Chances by Kaya McLaren


Bonus Book Club Selection

Wife Goes On by Leslie Lehr

Janeology by Karen Harrington


August

South of Broad by Pat Conroy


Bonus Book Club Selection

Secret Keepers by Mindy Friddle

Welcome to the Departure Lounge by Meg Federico

Eco Barons: The Dreamers, Schemers, and Millionaires who are Saving our Planet by Edward Humes


Splinters (Teen Selection)

A Lion Called Christian: The True Story of the Remarkable Bond Between Two Friends and a Lion by Anthony Bourke, John Rendall, and George Adamson


Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection)

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

Invitation fo George Rabasa

After emailing Kathy Patrick about our February meeting where we visited with author George Rabasa about his book The Wonder Singer, Kathy enpowered me to issue the Official Invitation to George to attend the Girlfriends Weekend 2010.

Posted below is his reply:

Reply from George Rabasa to invitation to Girlfriends Weekend 2010:

Greetings Book Royalty,

I'm honored by the invitation. I think your group does amazing work. And obviously has a riotous good time doing it! While January is a way off, I'm contacting Unbridled Books in the hopes they will fund the visit. Hard to say, during these lean times.

Meanwhile, thank you again for your embrace of The Wonder Singer.

Unleash the inner diva!

George

New info about Pulpwood Queens January Meeting

Add windowslive@live.com to your address book so you don't miss any invitations from your friends.

Kay Samec sent a message about Pulpwood Queens January Meeting

“ Just a note to remind you of our January meeting. Wed Jan 28 at Boo's in Moss Bluff. Hope you all will be attending. Our Girlfriends Weekend was fabulous!! Wish all could have been with us. We heard authors and wanted to read each and every book. Hopefully we'll have pictures to share at the meeting and tales to tell. I'm in Arkansas and hopefully the predicted Ice Storm won't delay my return home. I'm missing my Literary Queen Friends!! Love Kay ”

Date and time: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM Location: 461 Emile Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70611-5450, United States

Change who can send you invitations and requests Microsoft respects your privacy. To learn more, read our privacy statement. Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052

Correct Website for Jeannie Ralston

See below for correct website for Jeannie Ralston.  Sorry for the errors and I hope I haven't cause too much confusion.  I am grateful for your patience
 
 

---

Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua

Donate in 2 steps 

Step One:  Go to Jeannine's website  www.jeannieralston.com
 
Step Two:  Click on the link "Buy the Book"  another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com  where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com  and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.
 
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage.
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January."  - websitee of Jeannie Ralston

---

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me

2009 Book Club Selections

I am sending this to you before our January meeting so you can check these out and order through Jeannie Ralston's Seed Campaign.  She will donate a percentage of sales through Amazon.com (not just her book) through the month of January to Abrazando Christo.  Please order if possible through her site.  Last year we donated over $1000 to purchase Spanish Bibles for the orphanage.  Queen Laurie has given her time to work  with this mission by traveling there for the past 3 years.  Thank you Laurie for all you do!!

Pulpwood Queen Book Club Selections 2009
 

January
The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan

Bonus Book Club Selection
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel by Jamie Ford
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robinson
 

Splinters (Teen Selection) Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-teen Selection Twilight by Stephanie Meyers
 

February
The Wonder Singer by George Rabasa
Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman
 

Bonus Book Club Selection
Alphabet Juice: The Energies, Gists, and Spirits of Words, Letters, and Combinations Thereof; Their Roots, Bones, Innards, Piths, Pips, and Secret Parts,With Examples of Their Usage Foul and Savory by Roy Blount, Jr.
 

Splinters (Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers
 

March
The Cracker Kitchen: A Cookbook Celebration of Cornbred Fed, Down Home Family Stories and Cuisine by Janis Owens

Bonus Book Club Selection
 
The Lost Art of Walking: The History, Science, and Literature of Pedestrianism by Geoff Nicholson
 

Splinters (Teen Selection) Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers

Pinecones (Pre-Teen Selection) Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers
 

April
 
Oscar Season by Mary McNamara
 

Bonus Book Club Selection
Serendipity by Louise Shaffer
Dorothy on the Rocks by Barbara Suter
 

Splinters (Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers

Pine Cones (Pre-Teen Selection) New Moon by Stephanie Meyers
 

May
 
Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon
 

Bonus Book Club Selection
Elegance of a the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
 

Splinters (Teen Selection) Harper Lee (Up Close) by Kerry Madden

Pine Cones (Pre-Teen Selection) Harper Lee (Up Close) by Kerry Madden

 
 
Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua
 
From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January.
 

First:  Go to Jeannine's website  www.jeannineralston.com
 
Second:  Click on the link "Buy the Book"  another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com  where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com  and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.
 

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me

Happy Holiday Email from Kathryn Casey

Wanted to share this with you.  Kathryn will be at the Pulpwood Queen Convention so We are looking forward to meeting her!!
 
 
Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua
 
From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January.
 

First:  Go to Jeannine's website  www.jeannineralston.com
 
Second:  Click on the link "Buy the Book"  another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com  where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com  and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.
 

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me

Winners of Book Selections

Thought you would be interested in what the final vote was for the 2008 PQ Book Club Selections:
 
The winners of this year's Doug Marlette Awards, honoring the late Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist and sponsored by Kathy L.m Patrick, founder of the Pulpwood Queens' Book Club and owner of Beauty and the Book , Jefferson, Tex. ("The only hair salon/bookstore in the country"), will be presented at Pulpwood Queens
Girlfriend Weekend January 15-17, 2009. 
 
And the winners are:
The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
(Pulpwood Queens Book Club Selection of the Year),
 
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
(Bonus Book Club Selection of the Year)
 
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
 (Splinters and Pine Cones--teen and pre-teen chapters--Book Club Selection of the Year)

 
 
Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua
 
From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January.
 

First:  Go to Jeannine's website  www.jeannineralston.com
 
Second:  Click on the link "Buy the Book"  another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com  where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com  and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.
 

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me

You're invited to Pulpwood Queens January Meeting

Add windowslive@live.com to your address book so you don't miss any invitations from your friends.

Kay wants you to come to Pulpwood Queens January Meeting   View invitation

Date and time: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM Location: 461 Emile Road, Lake Charles, LA 70611

Change who can send you invitations and requests Microsoft respects your privacy. To learn more, read our privacy statement. Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052

Thank You

Jeannine,
 
Thank you for supporting the orphanage in Nicaragua through your Seed Campaign. It is very generous of you to give back through your book, which was great also.
 
As you can see, I'm using this as my "signature" for the month of January. 
 
We look forward to meeting you at the Pulpwood Queen Convention!
 
Happy Reading
 
Kay Huck

 
 
Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua
 
From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January.
 

First:  Go to Jeannine's website  www.jeannineralston.com
 
Second:  Click on the link "Buy the Book"  another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com  where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com  and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.
 

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me

Pulpwood Queens,
 
For the month of January, Jeannie Ralston, author of The Unlikely Lavendar Queen, will be donating a percentage of sales or her book and/or other items to Abrazando Cristo.  As you know this is the mission we supported last year, raising over $1000 to purchase Spanish Bibles.  Our member Queen Laurie Cormier has been a going to Nicaragua for the past 3 years.
 
I encourage you to follow the links this month to purchase Jeannie's book...it is great and we certainly enjoyed it! Or to click through her site to Amazon.com for other purchases.  Either way a percentage will go to her Seed Campaign and for the month of January Abrazando Cristo will be the receipient.
 
Please let you friends and family know about this and encourage them to follow the links!  You might want to place a link at the bottome of your emails for this month or perhaps print out the information to hand out.  Spread the Word!
 
First:  Go to Jeannine's website  www.jeannineralston.com
 
Second:  Click on the link "Buy the Book"  another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com  where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com  and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.
 
That's all there is to it!! 
 
 
From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "
 
Hope each of you have had a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting January 28th at Queen Boo's
home in Moss Bluff.
 
Happy Reading,
 
Queen Kay 
Southwest Louisiana Pulpwood Queens Support education mission for orphanage in Nicaragua
 
From Jeannine's website www.jeannineralston.com :
"At the suggestion of a member of the Pulpwood Queens book club (a national book club with 200 chapters), the Seed Campaign is donating funds in January to Abrazando Cristo, a wonderful Roman Catholic mission program based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that came to the aid of people in Nicaragua after devastating Hurricane Mitch and continues to work in Nicaragua and Honduras. One of its main projects is helping to educate children at the San Cristobal (Nicaragua) Orphanage. "
A percentage of sales (4-8% depending on volume) made through clicking through Jeannine's website will be donated to Abrazando Cristo during the month of January.
 

First:  Go to Jeannine's website  www.jeannineralston.com
 
Second:  Click on the link "Buy the Book"  another browser window will open up and you will be at Amazon.com  where you can either purchase The Unlikely Lavendar Queen or continue shopping at Amazon.com  and any purchases made will be credited to her Seed Campaign.
 

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me

Christmas Story from Paul Coelho

Book Queens, I received this Email from Paul Coelho wishing his readers a Merry Christmas and as his gift a short tale about the meaning of Christmas. 
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!  Love, Queen Kay
 

Dear Reader,
 
My wish is for you and your loved ones to have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

As a way to thank you for your continued support throughout 2008, I have enclosed a copy of the 

Christmas Story that appeared in worldwide journals and columns that I have written. 
Best wishes to you and your family.
 
Paulo Coelho

The music coming from the house
 
Paulo Coelho
 
On Christmas Eve, the king invited the prime minister to join him for their usual walk together. 
He enjoyed seeing the decorations in the streets, but since he didn't want his subjects to spend too much money on these just to please him,
 the two men always disguised themselves as traders from some far distant land.
 
They walked through the centre of the city, admiring the lights, the Christmas trees, the candles burning on the steps of the houses,
 the stalls selling gifts, and the men, women and children hurrying off to celebrate a family Christmas around a table laden with food.
 
On the way back, they passed through a poorer area, where the atmosphere was quite different.
 
 There were no lights, no candles, no delicious smells of food about to be served. There was hardly a soul in the street, and,
 as he did every year, the king remarked to the prime minister that he really must pay more attention to the poor in his kingdom.
 The prime minister nodded, knowing that the matter would soon be forgotten again, buried beneath the day-to-day bureaucracy
 of budgets to be approved and discussions with foreign dignitaries.
 
Suddenly, they heard music coming from one of the poorest houses. The hut was so ramshackle and the rotten wooden timbers
 so full of cracks, that they were able to peer through and see what was happening inside. 
 
And what they saw was utterly absurd: an old man in a wheelchair apparently crying, a shaven-headed young woman dancing,
 and a young man with sad eyes shaking a tambourine and singing a folk song.
 
'I'm going to find out what they're up to,' said the king.
 
He knocked. The music stopped, and the young man came to the door.
 
'We are merchants in search of a place to sleep. We heard the music, saw that you were still awake,
 and wondered if we could spend the night here.'
 
'You can find shelter in a hotel in the city. We, alas, cannot help you. Despite the music, this house is full of sadness and suffering.'
 
'And may we know why?'
 
'It's all because of me.' It was the old man in the wheelchair who spoke. 'I've spent my life teaching my son calligraphy,
 so that he could one day get a job as a palace scribe. But the years have passed and no post has ever come up.
 And then, last night, I had a stupid dream: an angel appeared to me and asked me to buy a silver goblet because, the angel said,
 the king would be coming to visit me. He would drink from the goblet and give my son a job. 
 
'The angel was so persuasive that I decided to do as he said. Since we have no money, my daughter-in-law went to the market
 this morning to sell her hair so that we could buy that goblet over there. The two of them are doing their best to get me in the
 Christmas spirit by singing and dancing, but it's no use.'
 
The king saw the silver goblet, asked to be given a little water to quench his thirst and, before leaving, said to the family:
 
'Do you know, we were talking to the prime minister only today, and he told us that an opening for a palace scribe would be
 announced next week.'
The old man nodded, not really believing what he was hearing, and bade farewell to the strangers.
 
 The following morning, however, a royal proclamation was read out in all the city streets; a new scribe was needed at court.
 
 On the appointed day, the audience room at the palace was packed with people eager to compete for that much-sought-after post. 
The prime minister entered and asked everyone there to prepare their paper and pens:
'Here is the subject of the composition: Why is an old man weeping, a shaven-headed woman dancing, and a sad young man singing?'
 
A murmur of disbelief went round the room. No one knew how to tell such a story, apart, that is,
 from the shabbily dressed young man sitting in one corner, who smiled broadly and began to write.
 
                                                   Based on an Indian story.
 
 
   Translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa

FW: I'd like to donate

Thank you Jeannine Ralston!!
 
Just got this email in and couldn't wait to share it with you, my Queens!!!  Queen Laurie's mission trip will be the receipient for January sales!!  Mark your calendar for January to purchase (click) through her site then on to Amazon.com  I know I have some birthdays in January and I will use this option.
 
Jeannie, I hope to meet you at Girlfriends Weekend in Jefferson, TX!  What an inspiration you are!! 
 
I pray your nephew is improving.
 
Best Wishes and thank you!!
 


 Kay
 
 
Justice --- When you get what you deserve
  Mercy ----- When you don't get what you deserve
 Grace ----- When you get what you don't deserve

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me

---

To: padredan@bellsouth.net
CC: lcormier@cpdao.org; kayhuck@hotmail.com
Subject: I'd like to donate
From: contact@jeannieralston.com
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:21:51 -0600

Dear Father Torres:

I've heard about the wonderful work of Abrazando Christo from Laurie Cormier. She sent me some photos of the day care you built in Nicaragua. I'm so impressed by what you're doing.

I am the author of the book The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming. Starting this fall I've undertaken a new project called The Seed Campaign. Every month I choose a different cause to donate funds to. The funds come from on-line sales of my book. I feel very compelled to give back; the theme of my book is making the most of the twist and turns life takes and I'm committed to helping organizations that assist others in making the most of their lives. I've had nice success so far with the effort, raising over $2,000 over the past 3 months.

I would like to find out if you would allow me to donate to your organization in January. I would include information about your work on my website and send out e-mails to my list of subscribers and also hand out postcards at book signings that talk about your organization.

I would ask that you send out word of our efforts to your supporters and maybe post something on your website, if you have one.

Please let me know if it would be all right to list you as the beneficiary for January, and could you maybe send me your mission statement and a description of some of the things you're working on right now.

I'm very happy to help out in any way.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Best wishes--Jeannie


Jeannie Ralston
220 N. Zapata Hwy #11
Laredo, Texas 78043
512-423-3030 (U.S. number)
52-415-152-5169 (within Mexico)
Learn more about The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming at www.jeannieralston.com

Help me plant hope for others by joining The Seed Campaign. Buy a copy of my book via my website, and a percentage will be donated to a worthy cause--a different organization every month. More info on my website.

Roster

Several of you have requested an updated roster so here it is!
 Kay
 
 
Justice --- When you get what you deserve
  Mercy ----- When you don't get what you deserve
 Grace ----- When you get what you don't deserve

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A Grateful Heart

My dear Queens,
 
I  don't know how to express adequately my heartfelt thanks for your generous Christmas present to me and to Gene.  I am still overwhelmed with the dinner out, printer ink and the gift card.
 
You all are simply the best!  When I started this PQ chapter, I just wanted a reason to gather with my friendss, to keep in touch and to have fun.  I think this adventure has been all that and more.  The books have brought me out of my comfort zone for sure and broaden my horizons.  However, discussing them with you my insightful queens, has deepened my understanding of relationships and character development (both fictional and real-life).  So I thank you my queens, for that wonderful gift you have of bringing joy to my life
 
Much love
 
Queen Kay

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Message from Kay: Merry Christmas Queens! I am looking forward to our Party on Dec 10 at Queen Brenda's. She lives iin Carlyss at 1315 Southern Oaks Dr. Food Committee: Queens - Barbara G, Tracey, Evelyn, Allison and Rachel. Remember to bring a White Elephant present for our gift exchange and click on the Event Site to let us know if you will be able to attend. See you Soon!! Queen Kay When: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 6:30 PM Where: in Carlyss

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Book Selections for the Year

My Queen friends,
 
If you were unable to make our meeting Wed eveing, You missed  wonderful Mediterranean style food.  Our food committee queens prepared dates, hummus, pita bread, kibbie with garlic sauce, artichocoke dip, cheesecake, cornbread, roasted chicken, pumpkin and banaa bread...all so yummmy...now don't you wish you were there?  Thank you Queens Laurie, Beverly, Erin and  Renee!
 
 Queen Allison, our technilogical guru, plugged us into an online interview with author Paulo Coelho.  For those who wish to hear the entire 75 minute interview  you can click here  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/STATIONS/AUTHORSONAIR/TOPSHELF/2008/09/17/PAULO-COELHO-DISCUSSES-THE-ALCHEMIST   
 
I was able to have high resolution photos made from his website that had some of his more famous quotes from his books.  If you want to download them you can use this website  http://paulocoelhoblog.com/postcards/
 
 (or if you find another card that you would like to have printed our or a different size etc you can contact me)
 
 
The discussion questions were very insightful this time and I felt that I really needed to do some life refleccting journaling on some of them.  Perhaps if I go on a retreat I will bring this with me.
 
 
VERY IMPORTANT:
 
Head Queen Kathy Patrick wants to acknowledge the favorite authors this year at the convention in January.  If you were not at the meeting Wed or fogot to vote
 
Please email me your choice of the following (one from each category if possible)  I only listed the ones we read as a group.  If you read other selections independently from the entire PQ listings, you may select from those also
 
PQ BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS
 
The Pulpwood Queens Tiara Wearing Book Sharing Guide to Life by Kathy Patrick
The Pirates Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
Mermaids in the Basement by Michael Lee West
 
PQ BONUS BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS
 
Singularity
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
The Unlikely Lavender Queen  by Jeannie Ralston
The Flawless Skin of Ugly People by  Doug Crandell
 
PINECONES BOOK CLUB SELECTIONs
 
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
 
 
I'd appreciate your email or calling me as soon as possible since Kathy needs the results by Dec 1 in order to plan for the Convention in January.   Thank you!!
 
 
Also, Mark you Calendar for our early Christmas Party on   Wed 10 6:30 pm at Queen Brenda's  Remember to bring a White Elephant Gift (something you already have but not longer use -- not gag gifts)
 
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
 
Love
Queen Kay
















 

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Favorite Book Selection of the year

Our Head Queen Kathy Patrick has asked us to vote individually for the book we enjoyed the most this past year.  I have  copied her request and list of books below and the ones in red , are the the ones we read.  Just be prepared to vote your favorite at our meeting Wednesday.  From the list you can see there are many more books out there that we could read...keep your eyes open for ones you might want to read soon
 
See you then!
Queen Kay
 
 
"And most important to the Pulpwood Queens: I need for each Pulpwood Queen Book Club club member to turn in to their Head Queen, their vote for the Favorite and Best
1)Pulpwood Queen Book Club Selection of the Year!
2)Pulpwood Queen Bonus Book Club Selection of the year!
3)Splinters Book Club Selection of the Year!
4)Pinecones Book Club Selection of the Year!
Please send them to kathy@beautyandthebook.com. Each vote must have the name of the member. If your entire chapter selects the same book, please send me the list of names of your members with their email addresses. I need these no later than December 1, 2008. I will be notifying the winners of The Pulpwood Queen Book Club Selections of the year to see if they can attend our annual Pulpwood Queen Girlfriend Weekend Author Extravaganza, January 15 - 17, 2009 to see if they can accept their awards in person. See list below and cast your votes:


Pulpwood Queen Official Book Club Selections

January 2008
The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara-Wearing, Book-Sharing Guide to Life by Kathy L. Patrick, Grand Central Publishing
Bonus Book ClubThe Stylist: A Novel (P.S.) by Cai Emmons, Harper Perennial
From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By by Robin Roberts, Hyperion
Splinters  (teens) Selection  Rowdy in Paris by Tim Sadlin, Riverhead Hardcover
Pinecones ( pre-teens) Selection The Curse of Catunkhamun by Tim Raglin, TR Books

February 2008
Trail of Crumbs: Hunger, Love, and the Search for Home by Kim Sunee, Grand Central Publishing
Bonus Book ClubThe Sweet Life by Lynn York, Plume
The Big Beautiful by Pamela Duncan
Splinters  Selection
Pinecones  Selection
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Shermie Alexie, Little Brown Young Readers

March 2008
The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson, UnBridled Books
Bonus Book Club
God Said Yes by Heather Hornback Bland, Berkley
The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A. J. Jacobs, Simon & Schuster
Splinters Pinecones  Selection  The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, HarperCollins

April 2008
Mermaids in the Basement by Michael Lee West, HarperBonus Book Club
One Fell Swoop by Virginia Boyd, Thomas Nelson
All the Numbers by Judy Larson, Ballentine Books
Splinters Pinecones  Selection   My Mother The Cheerleader by Robert Sharenow, Harper Teen
From Emporia: The Story of William Allen White by Beverley Olsen Buller,

May 2008
A Model Summer by Paulina Porizkova, Hyperion
Bonus BookClub
the memoirs of a beautiful boy by robert leleux, St. Martins Press
Women of Magdalene by Rosemary Poole-Carter, Kunati Inc.
Splinters Pinecones  Selection  Remember As You Pass Me By by L. King Perez, Milkweed
Jim Limber Davis: Black Orphan in the Confederate White House by Rickey Pittman, Pelican Publishing Company

June 2008
The Schooling of Claybird Catts by Janis Owens, Harper Paperbacks
Bonus Book Club My Brother Michael by Janis Owens, Pineapple Press
Myra Sims by Janis Owens, Pineapple Press
Splinters  Selection  The Chicken Dance by Jacques Covillion, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Pinecones  Selection  Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board by Bethany Hamilton, Pocket Books

July 2008
The Wednesday Sisters: A Novel by Meg Waite Clayton, Ballentine Books
Bonus Book Club
How Perfect is That by Sarah Bird, Knopf Publishing Group
Dishing with the Kitchen Virgin by Susan Reinhardt, Kensington
Splinters Selection  The Wall by Peter Sis, Farrah, Straus, & Giroux
Pinecones Selection  The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, Atheneum

August 2008
Where the River Ends by Charles Martin, Broadway Books
Bonus Book Club
Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello, William Morrow Publishers
The Unlikely Lavender Queen by Jeannie Ralston, Broadway Books

September 2008
The Prince of Frogtown by Rick Bragg, Knopf Publishing Group
Bonus Book Club
Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, Thomas Nelson
Hairdos & the Mildly Depressed by Doug Crandell, Virgin Books
The Flawless Skin of Ugly People by Doug Crandell, Virgin Books
Splinters  Selection  In Search of Mockingbird by Loretta Elsworth, Henry Holt & Company
Mockingbird by Charles J. Shields, Henry Holt & Company
Pinecones  Selection  I am Scout by Charles J. Shields, Henry Holt & Company

October 2008
Serena by Ron Rash
Bonus Book Club
Singularity by Kathryn Casey, St. Martins Minotaur
Willie Nelson: An Epic Life by Joe Nick Patoski, Little, Brown Publishers
Willie Nelson: A Tale Out of Luck by Willie Nelson with Mike Blakely, Center Street
Splinters  Selection  ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley, Little, Brown Young Readers
Pinecones Selection  A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant, Eerdmans

November 2008
The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood by Helene Cooper, Simon & Schuster
Bonus Book Club
The Uncommon Reader: A Novella by Alan Bennett, Picador
Splinters  Selection  Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron, Grand Central Publishing
The Cats of Kittyville: New Lives for Rescued Felines by Bob Somerville, Sellers Publishing
Pinecones Selection
The 13 Clocks by James Thurber, The New York Review of Books

December 2008 
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, Knopf
Bonus Book Club Selection
Out Stealing Horses: A Novel by Per Petterson
Splinters and Pinecones Book Club Selection
Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and his Girl by Stacey o"Brian, Free Press
 


 Kay
 
 
Justice --- When you get what you deserve
  Mercy ----- When you don't get what you deserve
 Grace ----- When you get what you don't deserve

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me

Re: Meeting Nov 19 at 6:30 pm at Queen Laurie's

Wish I could be there!!! Looking forward to seeing y’all in January in Texas!!
xo