Confusing Cockaponset

29 03 2012

Cherry and I hiked Cockaponset last week. Check out the BlogImage


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New London Native Signs It Away

25 03 2012

Lapin signs book for fellow NLHS classmate Gilda Lancaster Butler with Bobby Montanari, Joanne Pederson, Deb Dembo, and Wendy Golart Wachter (J. Tanzer, photo)

Dozens of family, friends, and customers crowded into the back room of Muddy Waters on Saturday to celebrate the publication of a New London native’s first novel.  Beth Lapin’s book. To Say Goodbye, has just been released by Wings ePress.

“We’re here to welcome a home town New Londoner made good,” said Carol Goldblatt Jones, a friend of Beth’s since elementary years at Harbor School. Carol launched the celebration by adding, “We are so proud of you and your new career.”

Lapin credits her New London roots for some of the book’s development. “I have strong ties to the Connecticut coast, which is where this book takes place. And I got a solid foundation from my New London education.” She told the group about the start of her writing career in 2009, when she lost her formal job, and shared some of her experiences while writing the book. “Ben’s mother just showed up,” she said laughing. “I tried to delete her, but my fingers kept typing her arrival.” She shrugged. “I had no choice but to let her stay.” Beth also described her second book, a historical novel about gypsies in Connecticut in the 1800s. “I’m looking for a publisher for that one,” she added.

“Your mother is up there clapping,” whispered her aunt Connie Horlink, who had traveled from Milton, MA, to attend the book signing. A friend, Sharon Rogolsky, took the train down from Boston; another, Elliott Krinsky, came from New Hampshire.  Alan White, a special high school friend, brought a red rose. Beth’s daughter, Kay Hammerson, sold books.

Beth will be holding another book signing on Saturday, March 31, at 1pm at the Cypress Restaurant in Middletown, where she currently resides. For more information, see www.BethLapin.com or email: Beth@BethLapin.com.


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Best Seller!

17 03 2012

My book, To Say Goodbye, was named a best seller! Well, it’s not the New York Times list, but it was the best seller for February releases from Wings ePress! Thanks to those of you who helped that happen.

Hope to see you at either of my two book signings:
· Saturday, March 24 (snow date Sunday March 25) at 1:00 pm at Muddy Waters Café, 42 Bank Street, New London
· Saturday, March 31 (snow date Sunday April 1) at 1:00 pm at Cypress Restaurant, 1265 South Main Street, Middletown

Add your reviews to Amazon’s site; search for To Say Goodbye Lapin, and add your comments. Some new feedback from readers:

I have just completed your book! It was great! Plot moves along nicely and the local color in each place was vivid! Well done! When do you publish the sequel??  ~CH, Lyme, CT

I am really enjoying your book. I’m up to the first day in Mexico City. While not the main point, I’ve particularly enjoyed scenes and descriptions I know are from your own life such as being able to fit the kayak into the hybrid and your brief description of how Carol spent her first days in Philadelphia. Mostly though I find myself involved in the story and actually caring about Maia and Ben and Detective Vic. I am enjoying the story and the descriptions of the situational mental gymnastics that we all go through. I think really you’ve captured the internal second-guessing we subject ourselves to when we’re afraid or uncertain. I’m very pleased and already looking forward with even more anticipation to reading about gypsy horse traders. ~JS, Gaithersburg, MD


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DST…and the sap keeps running

12 03 2012

Spring ahead! Just the words bring a quickening of the heart and spirit. But please explain to me how my cats have already adjusted their internal clocks and are yowling at the new 6AM for their breakfast.

Spring, rebirth, growth. I’ve seen crocuses and daffodils, pussy willows, and green shoots. And my friend Barb is tapping her sugar maples. These cold nights and warm days have been perfect for getting the sap running. Buckets are overflowing and the holding vat is brimming.

Now for the boil, boil, boil. Barb sends me home with a taste of the end result. I love maple syrup, always springing for the real stuff. I can’t wait for tomorrow morning’s waffles. I dip my finger into the amber liquid and taste. An exquisite shock runs through my mouth as the intensity of maple registers along all my nerves and synapses to my taste center. I remember maple sugar candies, shaped into leaves that I had as a child. Now, I’m spoiled. Even the real stuff isn’t good enough anymore. Oh, dear. Oh, yay. Life is good. Spring is here.


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Spring, Spring, Beautiful Spring

5 03 2012

Spring, spring, beautiful spring.

When all the birds are on the wing.

Isn’t that the silliest thing you’ve ever heard?

I thought the wing was on the bird!

That little ditty appealed to my early grade school sensibilities when I learned it. But each year, unbidden, it rises to my consciousness when the days start getting longer. Signs are everywhere: green tips are pushing from the earth, cats are shedding, my nails are growing faster. But nothing says spring more clearly to me than the trill of the red-winged blackbird.

Although it happens annually, it’s always a surprise when that first “chip, chip” registers in my dormant winter brain. I keep walking past the cattails until I finally am aware, stop myself and say, “They’re here, it’s spring!” while their red epaulettes flash in the sun.

Many years ago, I had a cat, Tee, who camped with me. Tailless, she would arch her back when petted to the point that we would tell her to hump and nicknamed her the humper-doodle. On one trip, we were on the edge of a marsh and the blackbirds kept up a steady stream of their calling. “Listen, Tee, they are calling you! Hump-hump-er-doodle.”

Now, each spring, when I hear that raucous call of the blackbird, I am transported to those days and that cat and it makes me smile. I’m sure, for others, it’s a different cue. What is it that says springs loud and clear to you?


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What are people saying about To Say Goodbye?

2 03 2012

Here are some comments I’ve gotten about To Say Goodbye. Do you have any to add??

I loved your book.  It was so enjoyable and fascinating!!!  How did you think of the subject matter?  I loved reading about places I know and it was so cool to know the author.  When is your next book coming out?  The writing was awesome. Wonderful book! Thank you. ~D.S. Middletown, CT

I just finished the book. It was pretty good. You should write another. ~ J. Martens, Baltimore Metro Area, MD

… I enjoyed it very much.   I especially liked your comment thanking your former employer for letting you go, which gave you time to write…. As to more general thoughts: I thought you constructed a very strong and interesting narrative. I am impressed w/ the background research you obviously had to do…. I enjoyed it *very* much, and I am impressed at the completion of the project. ~JFE, Ann Arbor, MI


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