September 16, 2005
Her newsletter, Frugal Times, which had its beginnings in 1993 was a little too ‘Birkenstock’ for me when it first appeared. And so I shelved the writings of Tracey McBride until a couple of weeks ago when I picked up her paperback book Frugal Luxuries off the Friends Sale cart. I’ve matured, I guess. She spoke to me this time around. I mean she really spoke to me!
Dear Ms. McBride: Imagine my pleasant surprise when I finished reading Frugal Luxuries. So much good information; helpful in most every way in every day of my life! I was amazed to learn that you reside in Orange County, one of the fastest, most hurried places on earth or so it seems at times... I was able to glean so much from your writing! I just had to let you know that I appreciate your invaluable gift! Blessings abound in knowing someone with your talents. Since you live near and draw much good stuff from my backyard, it would be great to share stories on where we shop for deals and treasures! Keep up the great work… C
A day or two later ~
Dear Charlene, Thanks for the kind note. I really appreciate the time you took to write. I would love to give you ideas on local places to shop (you probably know them already). Perhaps next month I will have a little extra time. Currently, I am closing up my workshop in Los Alamitos so that I can focus more on finishing my third book. You are certainly invited to come bargain hunt at our liquidation sales this coming Saturday, if you have a chance. Thanks again for writing. Warmly, Tracey McBride
Dear Charlene, Please excuse the fact that I've addressed you on a first name basis (for the second time) without permission. My only excuse (and it's a feeble one) is that I'm a paradox of informal and formal habits and thought. Some might even consider me half-baked, but I digress.
I was just browsing your website/blog (I hadn't time earlier today, thus the short first missive) and was compelled to tell you what a joy they are to read! I hope to spend more time on them, and explore your book, once our workshop has been fully closed.
Thank you for sharing your musings. I'm still thinking about the idea that a wrong can't be forgotten if it's forgiven??!! I know you were quoting a bit from Father Newhaus, even still, what we choose to highlight says much. It reminds me of a saying I often quote (especially to my husband, usually after a quarrel or a mistake): "I don't know what you mean. I distinctly remember forgetting that incident." (I say this in a nice/kindly manner, of course.) I'm not sure exactly who originated it (I think it was either Florence Nightingale or Clara Barton???). Well, I'm rambling again. Thanks again for writing, and for sharing. Warmly, Tracey
Good day Ms. McBride, Tracey, What an honor to hear from you. I consider getting to know someone with morals, values and talents as great as yours to be a real blessing. Add to that being able to share part of oneself with another a double blessing. And so it is with you. Making a connection, staying connected if only for a brief moment! I passed along your book to a neighbor today as a gift. She is a real gem who is young and thoughtful and an angel for a neighbor. She was so thrilled.
I am honored that you would feel comfortable enough to call me Charlene. Credit where credit is due...My husband has been instrumental in moving me toward high tech. I put up a great deal of resistance to a personal and professional website. And one day I just trusted him, as I find myself doing from time to time, and have found these ”tools" as a way to make our world smaller, more familiar, simpler and accessible. Of course, I am never without a pen or pad for brief travels that may result in long periods of wait (not waste) time, my laptop keeps me connected and the world is at my finger tips! I so appreciate your comments on the bog. I have many entries that I have accumulated in MS Word and am just searching for that quite time to upload my musings; especially, since every week I try to carve out time for a book. Yours just launched me into all sorts of directions and helped me sort through a very difficult visit with family not too long ago. And then, I just picked up The Cube & the Cathedral by George Weigel and am certain that will provide fodder for more blogging.
I do hope you will take time to write to me again. You have spurred me on! Oh, BTW, it was easy to track down your quotation that is attributed to Clara Barton about forgetting a time when she had been wronged. You are good. I will try to be better! All the best to you, C
Dear Ms. McBride: Imagine my pleasant surprise when I finished reading Frugal Luxuries. So much good information; helpful in most every way in every day of my life! I was amazed to learn that you reside in Orange County, one of the fastest, most hurried places on earth or so it seems at times... I was able to glean so much from your writing! I just had to let you know that I appreciate your invaluable gift! Blessings abound in knowing someone with your talents. Since you live near and draw much good stuff from my backyard, it would be great to share stories on where we shop for deals and treasures! Keep up the great work… C
A day or two later ~
Dear Charlene, Thanks for the kind note. I really appreciate the time you took to write. I would love to give you ideas on local places to shop (you probably know them already). Perhaps next month I will have a little extra time. Currently, I am closing up my workshop in Los Alamitos so that I can focus more on finishing my third book. You are certainly invited to come bargain hunt at our liquidation sales this coming Saturday, if you have a chance. Thanks again for writing. Warmly, Tracey McBride
Dear Charlene, Please excuse the fact that I've addressed you on a first name basis (for the second time) without permission. My only excuse (and it's a feeble one) is that I'm a paradox of informal and formal habits and thought. Some might even consider me half-baked, but I digress.
I was just browsing your website/blog (I hadn't time earlier today, thus the short first missive) and was compelled to tell you what a joy they are to read! I hope to spend more time on them, and explore your book, once our workshop has been fully closed.
Thank you for sharing your musings. I'm still thinking about the idea that a wrong can't be forgotten if it's forgiven??!! I know you were quoting a bit from Father Newhaus, even still, what we choose to highlight says much. It reminds me of a saying I often quote (especially to my husband, usually after a quarrel or a mistake): "I don't know what you mean. I distinctly remember forgetting that incident." (I say this in a nice/kindly manner, of course.) I'm not sure exactly who originated it (I think it was either Florence Nightingale or Clara Barton???). Well, I'm rambling again. Thanks again for writing, and for sharing. Warmly, Tracey
Good day Ms. McBride, Tracey, What an honor to hear from you. I consider getting to know someone with morals, values and talents as great as yours to be a real blessing. Add to that being able to share part of oneself with another a double blessing. And so it is with you. Making a connection, staying connected if only for a brief moment! I passed along your book to a neighbor today as a gift. She is a real gem who is young and thoughtful and an angel for a neighbor. She was so thrilled.
I am honored that you would feel comfortable enough to call me Charlene. Credit where credit is due...My husband has been instrumental in moving me toward high tech. I put up a great deal of resistance to a personal and professional website. And one day I just trusted him, as I find myself doing from time to time, and have found these ”tools" as a way to make our world smaller, more familiar, simpler and accessible. Of course, I am never without a pen or pad for brief travels that may result in long periods of wait (not waste) time, my laptop keeps me connected and the world is at my finger tips! I so appreciate your comments on the bog. I have many entries that I have accumulated in MS Word and am just searching for that quite time to upload my musings; especially, since every week I try to carve out time for a book. Yours just launched me into all sorts of directions and helped me sort through a very difficult visit with family not too long ago. And then, I just picked up The Cube & the Cathedral by George Weigel and am certain that will provide fodder for more blogging.
I do hope you will take time to write to me again. You have spurred me on! Oh, BTW, it was easy to track down your quotation that is attributed to Clara Barton about forgetting a time when she had been wronged. You are good. I will try to be better! All the best to you, C
No comments:
Post a Comment