I first saw Mary Poppins at the age of eight and its sunny disposition impressed on me in a most needed way. So much happy and fun and freedom tucked into those one hundred and some odd minutes – and I loved them all.
I climbed the three flights of stairs to the top floor of the Ballantyne Foundation’s Big House, a billion dollar charity where I serve as Director. With over eighteen thousand square feet in the building, the Ballantynes squired away the highest floor for their private quarters.
I opened the first door on the right, twisting the heavy antique knob, and entered the room that shaped my most beloved childhood memories. The walls above a pristine white chair rail were painted a soft taupe, while below they were papered with a custom Velveteen Rabbit pattern. Though Vivi Ballantyne insisted it was only a guest room, the fanciful paper gave her away. The first book I was ever gifted. And by Vivi herself.
As a child, my parents and I summered in nearby Summerton, South Carolina, not swanky Sea Pine Island. We drove down from Michigan every May from my first year of life until their last, when I was twenty. Being good friends of Edward and Vivi Ballantyne, they occasionally spent the night when the Ballantyne Foundation hosted a late night party at this very Big House. And I was my parents’ third wheel, so books and movies kept me company whilst they kept each other company. My parents loved me, of course, they just loved each other more. And while the Ballantynes loved my parents, they just loved me more.
An enormous four-poster bed sat beneath an oversized picture window. A whimsical chandelier dangled above and a square TV circa 1980 hunkered close to the foot. Many a summer night I spent watching movies while the generous and the affluent danced three floors below.
This is where my imagination took flight. I was born with the wings, but Mary Poppins taught me to fly. Something so thrilling, so freeing, so inspirationally delightful about medicine that tasted like sugar and an afternoon spent dancing with penguins. But most of all, with a sunny day and a silly kite, everything would be okay.
I walked to the far corner where a four foot beauty hung. Made from an old patriotic quilt with red, white and blue squares, and wood from a picture frame, Mr. Ballantyne and I crafted it in a single afternoon and tacked on a ten-foot hand-tied tail.
With a gentle hand, I plucked it from the wall and left my childhood sanctuary. The tail trailed behind as I climbed down the three flights of stairs and out to my Mini convertible. It was the annual 4th of July Ballantyne Kite Flying Brigade at Oyster Cove Beach and I always flew this kite.
Or at least tried. It may have been the most cherished and adored kite to fly above the sand, but definitely not the most aerodynamic. Though I wouldn’t change a thing. No better way to celebrate freedom than a day on the beach, flying a kite, made from love. With a snap to my seat belt and a push on the start button, I zipped toward the ocean singing “Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest height….”
You can read more about Elliott in Whack Job, the second book in the “Elliott Lisbon” mystery series, published by Henery Press. The first book in the series is Board Stiff. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6 p.m. EST on May 20, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of WHACK JOB. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Kendel Lynn is a Southern California native who now parks her flip-flops in Dallas, Texas. Her debut novel, Board Stiff, is an Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel. It features Elliott Lisbon, a mostly amateur sleuth who has a slight aversion to all things germy and is only five thousand hours away from getting her South Carolina PI license. Along with writing, Kendel spends her days editing, designing, and reading subs from the slush pile. Catch up with her at www.kendellynn.com.
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
I read Board Stiff (really enjoyed it) so I am really looking forward to this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
Hi MaryB, so happy you enjoyed the first and thanks for entering a chance for the second!
Very excited to enter the world of Elliot Lisbon!
Marcy, I hope you love her world as much as I do (a beach cottage, a convertible, lots of hand-sani, what’s not to love?)
Sounds great ,would love to win/read this
Thanks for entering, Debbie!
a new-to-me series!!! thank you for the giveaway!!
Those are the best kind of series…
Good one!
Thanks, Gram!
Would love to win a copy!
Dina, thanks for entering!
Looks great, thank you 🙂
Thank you!!
Can’t wait to read this, Kendel!
Liz!! My fellow Agatha nominee — thanks so much for stopping by!!
A copy of this would be great.
Nancy, thank you for entering.
What a great little vignette–love the patriotic quilt making the trip outside. Thanks!
Thank you! I wish I had my own quilt kite to fly on the beach…
What a fantastic post! Can’t wait to read this one. Congrats, Kendel!
Hey LynDee!! Another chicken in the house… Thank you!!
I thoroughly enjoyed Board Stiff, which I read prior to Malice and can’t wait to read Whack Job (even better if I could win one! In any casr, thanks for your terrific writing!
Jan, what kind words, muchly appreciated. Thank you for entering!
This sounds good! Thank you for a chance to win a copy!
Thanks to you, Carol!
I loved Kendall’s first book and this second book sounds really interesting as well. Looking forward to reading it soon I hope. The Henery Press authors are all so talented, aren’t they??? I have truly enjoyed every book written by the HP authors with a couple extra favorites among them, but all great books and authors.
Thank you for the chance to be entered to win a copy.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
Cynthia, so lovely to see you and you always give Henery such support. It’s much appreciated!
Mary Poppins is one of my favorite beings too. Good imaginations make for interesting characters and books–I hope!! Would love to read and review this book!!
Hi Ronna, I just watched Saving Mr. Banks and Mary Poppins last week, in anticipation. I’ve had two songs swirling in my head (Spoonful of Sugar and Let’s Go Fly a Kite). Fills me with happy!
I wonder if that would get off the ground, sounds sort of heavy.
Yeah, not the most aerodynamic, but fun to make!
Just finished reading Other People’s Baggage last night and LOVED it! Really excited to get started on this series. Would be thrilled to win this one!
Hi Stacie, I’m so glad you liked Other People’s Baggage! The novella was so fun to write, and made more fun to write them with my friends Diane and Gigi. Thanks for reading, and for entering!
This book sounds great. I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for the giveaway.
Thanks for entering!
I love your Elli! So glad she is a little germ-a-phobic and not so perfect! She is just right. Can’t wait to read Wack Job! I will be following you to see when your next Elli adventure comes out! Thanks!
From one Lynn to another, thank you for all the kind words, I appreciate it!
Would love to win a copy! Love the title
Childhood imagination is so wonderful—so few of us can continue it into adulthood, however. Reading helps me keep my imagination alive.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.co,
Oops—that email address should end with a .com
Sueke12, I so agree. And sometimes we need to go back those childhood imaginations to give us a spark. Thanks for stopping by!
A special thank you to Dru Ann for hosting me today. You’re so very supportive of me and Henery Press and I’m grateful!!
Thanks Kendel. HP puts out great books for my reading entertainment.
Congratulations on WHACK JOB, Kendel! Great title BTW. I loved BOARD STIFF and look forward to more Elliott Lisbon adventures! Write On!
Count me in.
This book looks like a fun read. I’d love the chance to read it.
Thanks Kendel for interacting with my readers.
contest is closed.