Sue, You are encouraging me to read Alisa’s book, it sounds wonderful.
As I am in the Uk, I take the European warning and the Government here’s warnings with a huge pinch of the proverbial salt..In my view this is one of their propaganda efforts to get “us’ ready for an unnecessary war…there is no threat…only what their making.
Still a good idea to have a “playbook and be prepared .🙏🏻
I love Alisa analogy of the garden gnome. We all have our own personal “gnomes”. I like the idea of being prepared for what ever the future holds either physically, mentally or emotionally. Thank you once again for sharing such mind provoking thoughts.
I didn’t know about this book but you are making it sound so appealing that I might have to add it to my list. Our friend also added a book to my list, and all these books are overwhelming!
I can smell the lilacs from here. Beautiful photos 🩵
Thank you, Ilona. Yes, the lilacs smell amazing. I think you will enjoy the book. And there’s never any hurry, right? We get to the next book when we get to it. I’ve got a few waiting as well.
I couldn’t agree more with your experience reading Alisa’s memoir. (And also turned the last page in tears.) Laugh-out-loud, harrowing, and generous with all of life’s faces—that’s this book, that’s Alisa. 💛
This may be the kindest, most soul-nourishing thing anyone has ever written about my book—or frankly, me—and it’s arrived at the exact moment I was seriously considering giving up on my next book and opening a baked potato truck instead. (Still not off the table.)
You didn’t just read Gotham Girl Interrupted—you metabolized it. You saw the weird little playlist and the garden-gnome collisions for what they really are: a makeshift blueprint for surviving the chaos with some humor, some grace, and ideally, a helmet.
And then you went and wrote about sewing. About quilting to your favorite shows, arranging fresh flowers, making something delicious with Rick, spending time in the garden and with dear friends. You’ve created not just a playlist but a whole ecosystem of resilience—stitched together in the quiet moments between heartbreaks and headlines. That is not just beautiful, it’s radical. It’s a kind of protest I deeply believe in: building a safe harbor on purpose, and inviting joy to sit down and stay awhile.
If the European Commission is advising us to prep for civil unrest with card games and canned goods, I say we add Tina Turner, a few episodes of Britbox, and a butter dish that makes us laugh. Because sometimes the best way to fight is to gather, feed, laugh, and fiercely keep going.
From one builder of bunkers-with-throw-pillows to another, thank you. Truly. You’ve reminded me why I wrote the book in the first place.
Beautiful tribute. I love Alisa and her book. She’s a force of nature promoting women of a certain age.
I couldn't agree more, CK. Thanks for reading and commenting! 💕
Sue, You are encouraging me to read Alisa’s book, it sounds wonderful.
As I am in the Uk, I take the European warning and the Government here’s warnings with a huge pinch of the proverbial salt..In my view this is one of their propaganda efforts to get “us’ ready for an unnecessary war…there is no threat…only what their making.
Still a good idea to have a “playbook and be prepared .🙏🏻
Yes, for all of us, with a prayer it never gets to that. Yes, Susan, I believe you would enjoy the book! 💕
I love Alisa analogy of the garden gnome. We all have our own personal “gnomes”. I like the idea of being prepared for what ever the future holds either physically, mentally or emotionally. Thank you once again for sharing such mind provoking thoughts.
My pleasure! We are so fortunate to live in a country where we can share mind provoking thoughts. I hope we can maintain that right.
Thanks for sharing this wise and timely advice.
I didn’t know about this book but you are making it sound so appealing that I might have to add it to my list. Our friend also added a book to my list, and all these books are overwhelming!
I can smell the lilacs from here. Beautiful photos 🩵
Thank you, Ilona. Yes, the lilacs smell amazing. I think you will enjoy the book. And there’s never any hurry, right? We get to the next book when we get to it. I’ve got a few waiting as well.
PS I meant our friend Paulette shared a book worth reading too.
Oh, which book is that?
Die Wise
I might have missed that. I'm a little behind on reading. I'll go find it! Thanks for mentioning that.
Sue, you've mentioned Alisa Kennedy Jones and her book to me a few times. Now, after reading this delightful post, I will!
I love what you are gathering in your playbook. Good job!
Thank you, Paulette! I know you will enjoy the book!
Truly beautiful 👌
I couldn’t agree more with your experience reading Alisa’s memoir. (And also turned the last page in tears.) Laugh-out-loud, harrowing, and generous with all of life’s faces—that’s this book, that’s Alisa. 💛
Thank you, Kimberly, for adding your thoughts about Alisa’s memoir, helping others to find their way to her writing!
Oh, Sue.
This may be the kindest, most soul-nourishing thing anyone has ever written about my book—or frankly, me—and it’s arrived at the exact moment I was seriously considering giving up on my next book and opening a baked potato truck instead. (Still not off the table.)
You didn’t just read Gotham Girl Interrupted—you metabolized it. You saw the weird little playlist and the garden-gnome collisions for what they really are: a makeshift blueprint for surviving the chaos with some humor, some grace, and ideally, a helmet.
And then you went and wrote about sewing. About quilting to your favorite shows, arranging fresh flowers, making something delicious with Rick, spending time in the garden and with dear friends. You’ve created not just a playlist but a whole ecosystem of resilience—stitched together in the quiet moments between heartbreaks and headlines. That is not just beautiful, it’s radical. It’s a kind of protest I deeply believe in: building a safe harbor on purpose, and inviting joy to sit down and stay awhile.
If the European Commission is advising us to prep for civil unrest with card games and canned goods, I say we add Tina Turner, a few episodes of Britbox, and a butter dish that makes us laugh. Because sometimes the best way to fight is to gather, feed, laugh, and fiercely keep going.
From one builder of bunkers-with-throw-pillows to another, thank you. Truly. You’ve reminded me why I wrote the book in the first place.
With so much love and admiration,
Alisa