Yesterday, today, tomorrow—three days and they feel like three different lifetimes. Gosh, doesn’t that sound deep? But it isn’t. I’m not. Don’t worry, I just need a dose of those universal restoratives—coffee and chocolate.
Would you like to walk down to Mel’s on Main with me? It’s the best café in Blue Plum, Tennessee. Okay, it’s the only café in Blue Plum, Tennessee. It is fantastic though, and I’m sure Mel has been up to her talented elbows in pastry and bread dough since four this morning. Can’t you almost smell the yeast and cinnamon? Come on, the walk and the stimulants will clear my head. Because, you know, after the night I just spent and the things I thought I saw and heard . . . but, um, no. I’m going to forget all that weirdness. Wipe it right out of my head. Sometimes ignoring is bliss.
I’m not ignoring your question, though. If you’d asked me last week the answer would have been simple. A day in the life of Kath Rutledge, textile conservationist at the Illinois State Museum? Organized and routine. Up at 6:30, check the news, check for email from Granny down in Blue Plum, quick breakfast, hop in the car, twenty minute drive to the museum. The official version of my daily activities: Fiber analysis, fabric dating, stabilization, paperwork. What am I really doing? Cradling the hand-stitched baptismal gown handed down through six generations. Tending the quilt a great-great grandmother brought in a wagon hundreds of miles from the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Saving the life of a tattered, still muddy and bloody Civil War uniform. Holding history—holding stories—in my hands. Can you tell I love my job? I do, and except for the occasional tornado or howling blue blizzard, my life in Illinois ticks right along.
Days in Blue Plum are different. They’re slower and more personal. They’re shadowed by the Blue Ridge Mountains and deep green forests. They’re sadder, now, without Granny. But they’re full of people who knew her, who know my name and who know Granny’s business and mine better than I do. And that can be a good thing, right?
So now I have to wonder, what would my days be like if I stayed here in Blue Plum? Granny gave me my love of fibers and textiles. And now she’s left me The Weaver’s Cat, her shop that’s so much more than a yarn shop. I love the Weaver’s Cat—the textures, the colors, the wools and cottons and silks, the needles, the knitters sitting around gossiping. I love the smell of possibilities and the sizzle of creative energy you feel when you walk in the door of that wonderful antique building. So do I go back to Illinois and try to be a successful long distance business owner, making the occasional whirlwind trip back to Blue Plum? Or do I sell the shop, sell Granny’s life-work, and wonder if I’ll ever find the time to come back here when both Granny and the Cat are gone?
Or do I stay in Blue Plum? Or is it up to me? Because, you know, I’m not so sure. My organized life that ticks along so smoothly? It’s gotten a jolt or two over the last couple of days and things are kind of odd, kind of . . . but here’s Mel’s. Thank goodness for lifesaving coffee and chocolate!
You can read more about Kath in Last Wool and Testament, the first book in the new “Haunted Yarn Shop” mystery series.
** Thanks to the publisher, I have one (1) copy of LAST WOOL AND TESTAMENT to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends September 6. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. **
About the author
Molly MacRae had the good fortune to spend twenty years in the hills and hollows of Upper East Tennessee. She was director of the history museum in Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town, and later managed an independent bookstore in Johnson City. Molly’s short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine since 1990. She is a past winner of the Sherwood Anderson Award for Short Fiction. Her mystery, Lawn Order, was hailed by The Boston Globe as “murder with a dose of drollery.” Last Wool and Testament, first in her new Haunted Yarn Shop mysteries from NAL/Obsidian, debuting in September 2012, is “fresh and amusing” according to Romantic Times Book Review and “A clever yarn you don’t want to end” according to Betty Hechtman, national bestselling author of Behind the Seams.
Molly lives with her family and a ginger cat in Champaign, Illinois, where she connects children with books at the public library.
You can visit Molly at her website: www.mollymacrae.com. You can also find her on the first Monday of each month at Amy Alessio’s vintage food and craft blog: www.amyalessio.com and on the 23rd of each month at Killer Characters: www.killercharacters.com.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Stay in Blue Plum!!!
Fibers, food and ahuntings, what more could you want!!
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’m tempted, Lisa. So tempted. But would that just be taking the easy way out?
What more could I want, Nancy? A kick in the pants to make up my mind! Haunting I can do without, but fibers and food – and friends – it sounds pretty good. But . . .
I would love to win!! Sarah2323 at gmail dot com
another new cozy series!!! must get in on the ground floor!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
Blue Plum sounds a lot like my small town here in Kansas 🙂 I can’t wait to read this book! Thank you so much for the awesome giveaway! 🙂
songbird1613 at yahoo dot com
I’m going to look for the book. I’d also like to win! Dee
A Haunted Yarn Shop series sounds like good reading ahead! Count me in.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Small towns are the best, aren’t they Marie? Are you on Pinterest? I started a board with pictures of how I see Blue Plum. I even found a picture of the house Kath inherits from her grandmother!
Thanks, Deanna! Thanks, Karen! Good luck!
I love cozys set in small towns—and fabrics have always held and interest for me—I want to read this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I spent the first 5 years of my life in “mommy dearest’s yarn and knitting store. It was down the block from my grandparents’ real estate business. I loved the colors of all the wools and crocheting yarns. I love stories about haunted stores also, so I’d love to win a copy of this new series.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
I really want that book! And I’m so pleased to know Molly!
Myrna! You’ve made my day! (And I just figured out how to reply to specific posts – midway through the afternoon – woo hoo, new skill set!)
Don’t those colors and textures call to you, Nora-Adrienne? Ghosts I’m not so sure about.
Blue Plum sounds idyllic and you do have your dream job. I can see why you might get itchy feet though. If I were you I’d just do a whack of traveling and always come back to Blue Plum.
carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
Wonderful! Enjoyed my visit and the info too – ‘specially like the title: LAST WOOL AND TESTAMENT, sounds like the beginning of a great series!
Jackie Griffey
I’d love to join Kate for coffee and chocolate, and the quiet life running the yarn shop sounds divine. But it sounds like it might not be so quiet after all …
That sounds like the best of both worlds, Carl.
I would love to read this book and to live in that setting! I have Sheila’s Spinning Bunny where I sell spinning wheels and looms in Mary Lynn’s Yarn Garden in Bloomington, IL. We give lessons and have groups spin ins. I can be reached at SheilasSpinningBunny.com.
Sheila, if I ever have time I’ll drive over to see you. The third book in the series involves spinning – tentative title Spinning in Her Grave. You can be my expert!
Thanks, Jackie and Jackie B! Chocolate, coffee, yarn, books – ghosts – how can you go wrong? Drop by the Weaver’s Cat if you’re ever in Blue Plum, Jackie B. The coffee is always on and I know where the chocolate is buried.
This book is definitely on my list! Looking forward to reading it – love the fact that it is set in TN. I’m in the Memphis area but love east TN.
Oops – email is afarage(at)earthlink.net
My heart says stay in Blue Plum, the financial part of my brain says to go back to work at the Illinois State Museum.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
This book sounds delightful. I’d love to be the winner of it.
Dotvining@yahoo.com
Love the title. Cant wait to read the book.
When I was in the museum world, I got to take a behind-the-scenes tour of several historic house museums in Memphis, Alicia – including Graceland! I came away with a new understanding of Elvis (but no decorating tips). Nice to meet someone from the other end of the state!
My heart is definitely in Blue Plum, Carol. My brain should be in Illinois, but the state is in terrible financial condition (in the real world, too!). Still, I love my job. What’s not to like about fumigation hoods and conquering a weevil infestation?
Thanks, Kiki! Hope you aren’t disappointed. The ghost cries enough. I don’t know if I can stand it if a reader cries, too.
Another cozy series to had to my to be read list. Looking forward to reading. Congrats Molly on your new release.
Thanks, Dottie. Good luck with the drawing!
Thanks, Elisa!
Molly,
The novel souds wonderful–another witty, entertaining mystery series from you! I look forward to reading this novel!
I just saw this book on the coming soon books list and was thinking it looked like one I would like to add to my collection. Thank you for the chance to win it.
Thank you, Jacquie! What are the odds of a Jackie, a Jackie B, and a Jacquie all commenting on one post? I think it must be good luck!
You’re welcome, Angela! Good luck!
My daughter loves cozy mysteries, I would so like to win this for her. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for entering on behalf of your daughter, Wendy. She’s a good mother who wishes books on her children!
Yarn and chocolate! A perfect combination. I can’t wait to unravel the mystery. (Sorry, I can’t resist punning…) If Kath settles in Blue Plum, I hope she comes back to visit beautiful central Illinois occasionally!
Hah! Librarians are the punniest! Thanks for stopping by, Christine. Hope you’re having a good start to the new school year.
This sounds like the start of a great series. Love the whole idea of a haunted yarn shop. It’s definitely on my ‘to be read’ list. Thanks for the review!
jrobinson12@austin.rr.com
Glad to hear that, Jane! Thanks for stopping by with a comment. I can tell you, though, haunting isn’t for everyone!
Sounds like a great book – would love to win a copy.
Thanks, Cheryl! Good luck in the drawing!
Wow, seems like we have another winner. Put me in the draw, please.
Thanks. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
Thanks for the “wow,” Judy!
Blue Plum sounds like a great little town. Thanks for the giveaway
Thanks for entering, Kay!
Sounds like a great book and I’d really love to win it. A ghost, yarn, and cats — what could be better? Oh, and chocolate and coffee, of course. Blue Plum is a nice name. If the ghost cries too much Kath can throw a sheet over it to silence it, ha ha.
spookycat72(at)gmail(dot)com
There are two recipes in the book, too, Michelle, and one of them has chocolate! Plus there’s a knitting pattern for a baby/toddler hat. You’d be right at home in Blue Plum!
I can’t wait to read this book. I’ve spent some time in East Tennessee and I love the area and the people. I’m anxious to “escape” into that part of the country again with the author.
So glad to hear that, Lynda! Isn’t East Tennessee beautiful? I hope you feel like you’ve been back there after reading the book.
hope i’m not too late to be entered for the giveaway!!!!
oops.,….see i did already entered……sorries!!!!
contest is closed.
Congrats Judy D!