Friday, April 16, 2010

How to Have Fun in Alabama

Here we are, halfway through April, the weather is beautiful and I'm able to relax and enjoy living in Alabama again! For a while there, it felt too much like the scene of a novel I read: The Terror by Dan Simmons, about a hapless bunch of fellows who sailed their ship into the frozen arctic and met with difficulty. And froze.

I prefer to bask in the sun. My whole self is able to relax when the temperature hovers in the 70 to 90 degree range. That's 20 degrees of Heaven, as far as I'm concerned.

And, speaking of Heaven, that's a pretty good description of the setting of my soon-to-be-released book, Sweet Music on Moonlight Ridge. We're working on the cover and the fine details of page design. Naturally, I have to have my picture on the back cover of the book, so what did I do yesterday?

I had my picture made with a delightful possum, of course! The possum was so charming, and the pictures all turned out so divine, it's hard choosing which one is the one for the book cover.

I've never had so much fun in my life! My friend, Bino, once had some sage advice, which I will not repeat here, about what to do when you're down in the dumps and life just ain't worth living! May not be politically correct, but those of you who know Bino, you may ask him what to do and who to go see if you need your spirits lifted.
But, it appears to me that having one's picture made with a marsupial clinging to various parts of your anatomy is the best pick-me-up ever! Bino, and all you down-in-the-dumpsters, you need to try it!

At one point he was rummaging around on my head with his tail stuck in my ear, and we were both having a delightful time of it.



Here's what I call The Pastoral Possum picture.


Thanks to my daughter, Buffy, for a great photo shoot. And thanks to Winston the Possum for being such a trooper. He was a sweety!























Watch here at The Painted Possum for updates concerning the release date for Sweet Music on Moonlight Ridge, from Chalet Publishers LLC, coming early in May, 2010.


9 comments:

Joanne Cage said...

I WANT that possum! Can he sing? Can't wait to get a copy of your book.

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

Where in the world did you find a damn possum! Looks like a tame one at least. That picture of you with the possum on your shoulder--seeing that was the first time I ever thought we look alike. You and me, not me and the possum.
I'm going to write about your book on my blog, but I'm going to wait till copies can be had because I know everyone will want to know where they can get one.

T.K. Thorne said...

My favorite is the smooch photo, but not sure that is book cover material. :-) Winston looks like a real sweetie!

Am so excited for you. Your book is terrific and me and Winston are going to be "rooting" for you!

Ramey Channell said...

Thanks Suze! I can see a slight resemblance between you and Winston!

And thanks T.K. I'm so lucky to have a great bunch of supporters, both human and marsupial!

And, Jo: Winston looks like he is a singer. I was so excited about the photos, i forgot to ask him!

Joyce Norman said...

First off, I don't want a possum! But, I like the picture of YOU with a possum! Can't wait for the book to be out either. People from everywhere are going to love this book. No doubts!

Joyce Norman

April said...

Ramey,

That is so exciting about your book! Congrats! And what a cutie you found to have in your author photo with you :-)

Your IPL successor,
April

Ramey Channell said...

April,
So good to hear from you. This marsupial is a delightful little fellow! He's my a good-luck possum!

Fran said...

If you would ask me to choose a picture then I would choose the one where you are standing up with the Possum on your shoulder.
Congratulations with your book. I wished that I had your literary skills and your *language knowledge. On both levels I have still a lot to learn. *That is my weakest point, but practice makes perfect isn't it:)!
I wish you much success with your book Ramey!

Ramey Channell said...

Fran, thanks for the good wishes! It's so good to hear from you. And I think you picked the photo that will be on the back of the book.
Ramey