IT'S NO SECRET!

Big thrill here! Alamance County, NC has chosen Blue for it's community read.

I got wind of this possibility in February but had my doubts because community-wide reading programs typically involve books written for adults.

Then, in April, I heard Blue had been chosen! But they also told me to keep it a secret until the official announcement in August.

You mean I can't tell anybody? For six months? I am not allowed to blog about this?

Well, okay then. Mums the word!

I pushed this golden nugget into the far recesses of my consciousness and only brought it out on occasion to admire. In the meantime I've worked on revisions to Blue's sequel.

In July, Margaret Blanchard, ALAMANCE READS Co-Chair treated me to lunch and filled me in on the planned activities. WOW - Movies, contests, exhibits, and a blackberry cobbler & ice cream party! All that and more for the whole family. I'm so psyched!

Well, I got so used to keeping this on the backburner, that even though I knew the announcement was forthcoming, I completely forgot to watch for it. Then last night a friend emailed me a link to this news story.

So now I can blabbler on about this all I want to. Listen up! More to come...

EXPERTS: (anyone who knows more about my subject than I do!

Me with Jackie, a polio expert I met unexpectedly on a trip to Florida! Truly Providential!

Today I'm spending some time with the experts!

I'll be speaking at a local retirement community about BLUE and the Miracle of Hickory.

When I talk to school groups about polio the students typically have a flood of questions.

Seniors, on the other hand, remember polio. Many have been up-close-and-personal with the disease. So the discussions take on a different tone. Suddenly, I am the one soaking up the stories.

A few weeks ago I attended a funeral. On the way to the cemetery my father told me the funeral director had been in business for more than 60 years. Of course my wheels started turning. Perhaps this man drove one of the hearses that took patients to the Miracle of Hickory hospital!

After the graveside service, I introduced myself to this gentleman. He told me, that indeed, he had "carried many a patient" to the emergency hospital. In addition, his wife would work her nursing shift at a local hospital during the day and then volunteer at the Miracle of Hickory after hours.

Speaking of experts!

I'm looking forward to dropping a copy of BLUE off to this gentleman and setting up some time for an interview.

And today?

I'm anticipating more stories from local seniors who remember the polio epidemic of 1944. The research trail is unending. And I so love to follow where it leads me!