The Pulpwood Queen's Book Club

P.S. The last thing I would like to share is because I am a reader, I get to meet the coolest people ever and do the most amazing things. Singing with Marshall Chapman has been one of the highlights of my life and right up there when I got to sing with Smokey Robinson. Now tell me how many small town Kansas born and raised girls get to do that kind of thing? And all of this has happened only because I was born be a reader! Hmm, sounds like the title of a song, don't you think!

The Pulpwood Queens This Sunday Morning!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:22:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

It's Sunday morning and I am sitting here in my living room recapping last night's EAT PRAY LOVE Birthday Party with my dad who is down visiting me from my hometown of Eureka, Kansas.

We're drinking coffee, a nice Sunday morning. Good friends, great food, amazingly funny stories last night, and that's what a birthday is suppose to be, time spent with your family and friends. We shared our stories, our lives as each took a turn telling something about themselves that we did not know. I laughed my head off at most of the stories, just all us kidding around and having fun.

So if this is any indication of my life this 54th year, I am highly looking for to the year ahead. Thanks to all my friends who graced my doors this past Saturday evening. My friends who all went beyond the call dressing up, bringing their dishes, their presence and their presents, which I told them was not necessary but they did anyway. Judging from all the scented gifts, I am going to have to get the hint and start bathing more, hahahhaha! Seriously, everybody, thank you. Thank you for being my friend.

For all the hundreds and hundreds of people that email me birthday greetings, I was truly humbled and amazed by the outpouring of big love. I have to thank Facebook as I have never had this kind of love happen on such a scale before, the power of the internet.

Thanks too for the friends who sent me cards and gifts. In this day and age of technology, the handwritten note is even more appreciated. Thank you.

Heading to church in a few minutes so continuing this year's theme of EAT PRAY LOVE! As I told my Daddy a few minutes ago, if we could all do those three things, life would be so much better and less complicated for all of us!

And for me, it's all about the story. Sharing each other's lives whether in conversation like last night or all sharing in the discussion of another great read. I can hardly wait for this fall with all our book and author events. Follow along here at http://www.pulpwoodqueen.com/ or on my Event page of my official website at http://www.beautyandthebook.com/. And then if you really want to hear some great stories, check out the NEW venture I am doing hosting this weblog, http://www.southernauthors.blogspot.com/. A different southern author is featured nearly everyday and have they got some amazing stories.

Thank you again everybody for making me one truly blessed and happy 54 year old wife, momma, hairdressing, bookselling, literacy promoting, youth group leading woman from my NOW hometown of Jefferson, Texas!

EAT PRAY LOVE,

Kathy L. Patrick

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

P.S. The EAT PRAY LOVE Birthday cake I made was an Italian Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cake, yummmmmy!

The Pulpwood Queen Celebrates her 54th Birthday with this book message, EAT PRAY LOVE!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:58:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

Some time back I read the Elizabeth Gilbert book, "eat pray love" and was taken away by this young woman traveling to Italy to revel in it's food and language, visit to India to visit an ashram, and trip to Indonesia to reconnect with a healer from Bali.

Growing up a small town Kansas girl my mother instilled in me a love of travel from other countries by purchasing me this set of encyclopedias that came with a letter a month then a set of books on countries that came with stickers that you placed in the book.

That's not all, I received a world globe from Santa one year and a real adult Smith Corona typewriter with typing manual my fifth grade year. I did not realize it then but she gave me all the tools I would need to travel a lifetime of learning and writing to places I have never been able to afford to go.

You see unlike the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, I have never been able to take a year off to go find myself. But I have found myself indeed, first, through the reading of books and second, from writing my story of my life in books, "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", Grand Central Publishing.

Because of reading and writing I have been able to travel places I never dreamed I would be able to go through my imagination and more recently, in actual traveling to the places I dreamed.

I could hardly wait for the eat pray love film starring Julia Roberts because I wanted to see visually the places that I had read. A bunch of us caravanned over to Marshall, Texas, one Sunday after church, to watch the movie and like the book, I became lost in the film.

Every year I have a birthday party for myself where I invite all my friends, not for the presents, but for their presence. Then it dawned on me as we were all sharing a meal after the movie, I announced to the group, I would have an EAT PRAY LOVE Birthday Party!

The Party is tomorrow night! I have invited all my friends but if you are in the area, come join us at our house which I call Grand Central Station. Yes, it will be crowded but everyone is all bringing an Italian, Indonesian, or Indian dish! I am tackling an assortment of truly exotic shish ka bobs! I plan to outdo my last year's theme party of "Julie and Julia" where I prepared Julia Child's dishes!

I have encouraged everyone to come dressed in a costume from one of the countries to put us in the EAT PRAY LOVE spirit! The incense will be burning, the candles lit, the festive party decorations, umbrellas, and paper lanterns will be on. My house is your house, so to speak.

Email me at kathy@beautyandthebook.com for directions. I have learned that life is about not things, but about our relationships with others. For me that is God first, my family and friends and I invite you all is not to be here in person, in spirit!

Thank you for the tremendous amount of birthday greetings. I am humbled and greatly blessed by your blanket of love.

My wish for all of you on my 54th year on this planet is to indeed EAT PRAY LOVE! You can find yourself too in the reading of books and in writing your story! I encourage you all to do so. It's all about the story folks and sharing that story with others. The story you do not record or write is a library lost to your family and friends. Besides, nobody can tell your story as well as you can.

Big things are happening in the Wonderful World of The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs! Won't you join us on our mission to promote literacy! I have some big TRAVEL plans so check out our website often at http://www.beautyandthebook.com/, click on Pulpwood Queens on how to join our book loving fun! Follow along on my daily to weekly literary travels at http://www.pulpwoodqueen.com/, this blog site. And do check out daily the NEW blog site I am hosting at http://www.southernauthors.blogspot.com/ as a different southern author is featured every day for the Best of the South when it comes to reading! For an excellent book loving resource, check out http://www.readinggroupguides.com/ as I occasionally do a guest feature there and of course, I am now up on Facebook, at Kathy Louise Patrick, please friend me and for my unique shop, Beauty and the Book, please fan me!

And now to truly celebrate my birthday, this video, which in my opinion is the #1 Party Band EVER, The B-52's singing, "LOVE SHACK!"

Kat on a Hot Tin Roof, RUSTED!
Kathy L. Patrick
Hairdresser to the Authors
Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs
Senior High Youth Leader for the First United Methodist Church AND
Literary Chair for The Rotary Club of Jefferson, Texas
Beauty and the Book
608 North Polk
Jefferson, Texas 75657
903-665-7520
http://www.beautyandthebook.com/
http://www.pulpwoodqueen.com/
http://www.southernauthors.blogspot.com/
http://www.readinggroupguides.com/

The Pulpwood Queen talks about the Burke Girls!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:32:00 +0000

I love this photo. It's of the Burke girls, mom in the middle, that's Jean. Shirley on the left and Michelle on the right. Check out the 80's do's and that duran duran t-shirt!

Jean used to be the secretary for my church, The First Christian and Congregational Church back home in Eureka, Kansas where I was born and raised. Howard, that's the daddy, and the girls lived right next door to the church.

I really began to know this family when I started teaching Shirley's Sunday School Class when she and the other kids were in the 3rd grade! Michelle sat in, though older, she just preferred to be in my class with her sister.

The next year Reverend Daniel moved me up to the 4th grade Sunday School class so I had the same kids. Then a pattern developed where I just kept moving up with the same kids each year. These kids became my family and now here we are still friends today. Shirley and Michelle are both married, have children of their own, but those bonds we made back then could never be broken through distance. We keep in touch, all of us on Facebook! That's Jean's New Facebook profile pic!

Many people know me as Kathy, the crazy hairdressing bookseller. These girls know me as Kathy, the crazy rollerskating hairdresser. Not much has changed since those days back in Eureka except for me the extra poundage and now having a shop where I not only do hair, I sell books and run this incredibly large book club, 326 chapters to be exact. But the bonds that are created when you devote your life to children will carry you through a lifetime.

As we are now into the first week of Back-to-School madness, perhaps you too will think about perhaps doing something for the youth of your area. I have come full circle as now on the second year of yet again being the Senior High Youth Director for my church here in historic Jefferson, The First United Methodist Church. We have some big plans this fall with our big Books Alive, youth building fundraiser. See Event Page on Books Alive at http://www.beautyandthebook.com/. I never had a big plan when I was the youth leader back home at my church. I somehow just ambled into that position. They say God has a plan for you, he's not a kidding. I have realized that all my life, children have been a big part of what I do. From being the Youth Leader back home at church, to going on to having children of my own while being the Children's Manager/Buyer for an independent bookstore here in Texas, being a Girl Scout Leader in my girl's formative years, to helping initiate the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Project when I was President of the Rotary Club of Jefferson, to now back to being a Youth Leader for my church.

This fall, make a difference. Invest in children. My girls go "Mom, that's so sappy" when I go, "Children are our future". But you know what, it doesn't really matter to me what people think about me, but it does matter what people do to children. They are our most precious gift and it's time we all really invest our time in these kids.

So here's to the Burke girls, young women who are now too making a difference in their children and other children's lives, one a minister's wife, the other a teacher. So it's back to school and back to work on this reading road to promoting literacy and yes, inspiring and encouraging children through our faith and good works!

Have a terrific school year everybody and know that we can all be on the same page when it comes to doing good work in books and with children!

Tiara wearing, Beauty and the Book sharing,

Kathy L. Patrick

FUMC Senior High Youth Leader

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

http://www.southernauthors.blogspot.com/

http://www.readinggroupguides.com/

The Pulpwood Queen Readies for Back to School, with my Youth Group that is!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:23:00 +0000

This past week we have been getting the kids ready to go back to school. First, my Beauty and the Book sponsoring a Back to School Christian Rock Concert, FREE for all the area youth. Then Saturday we had a LOCK IN at our First United Methodist Church, so the youth could have some fun time to share one last blast of summer with their friends. We as in, me as the High School Youth Director, Sara Whitaker as the Junior High Youth Director and newlyweds, Jessica and Bryan Nelson with the help of Allison Byerley, our pastor, and my husband Jay Patrick.

We all gathered at the church to first prepare our dinner. The kids all made Turtle burgers which involve shaping hamburger meat into a turtle shell, covering with bacon, then attached feet and head made out of weenies. Thanks Pulpwood Queen Beverly Martin for sharing that recipe and check out the video at the bottom of this blog!

We ended up taking some artistic license with the burgers as some kids were making fish, then a SpongeBob Squarepants, then I think it was some sea creature. Don't know why but we just did. I have to tell you they were delicious beyond belief. But come on now, anything involving bacon here in the south is dee-lish, remember my Timber Guy Bacon Log!

Next up we caravanned chairs, coolers of soft drinks, and water over to Lion's Park for MOVIE UNDER THE STARS! Only our youth group showed for this FREE SHOW but Jay had hooked up his killer sound system and the movie began! Brought back a ton of old memories from the days riding with my sisters in the backseat of my parents Pink Cadillac. Fun times!

Back to the church for build an ice cream sundae then fun and games until well after midnight. Now we had adults in all the rooms the kids were in but guess what, we crashed, the kids talked all night. I think the last peep came at 5:30 a.m. Paige was the first one up at seven then I crawled out at 8:00 a.m. to get sausage and biscuits ready for the kids. Everybody up and fed by 9:30 a.m. We had some worship time then watched get this, Bob the Builder until time for Sara and I to be greeters at the church. We may have looked alittle worse for wear but we made up for it by being enthusiastic greeters!

Church to me is all about the kids and the music. I enjoy the sermon, the fellowship, and prayer but I get really excited when I see 16 high school and junior high youth up on the front rows. Will and Raven actually volunteered to take part in the worship service. Jennifer brought us some old favorites from the Cokesbury hymnal with a fine choir special feature. But seeing the youth in church and singing will always remind me of church at home. You see I was the Youth Leader there too and actually had the Youth Choir too. These kids, now grown adults with the children, still keep in touch with me. I was in my twenties back then and we all kind of grew up together in our church.

If you want to see if a church is alive and growing, look to it's children and youth. Welcome them and the changes they will bring to make their mark in our church. I had never had more fun as a child than singing, "You've got the joy, joy, joy, joy , down in my heart" at Vacation Bible School with Charlene McMullen leading us with her enthusiastic voice and piano playing in church. I'll never ever forget the Christmas musical production my Youth Choir performed one worship service and my three tone deaf boys singing , "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or will it EVER be performed the same. We didn't have LOCK-IN's back then but we did one night camp out in my backyard, have a Halloween Costume Party, go skating, to the movies, and those infamous ski trips. I hope and pray that we will this coming school year create memories, church memories like that for my kids. We welcome all to join us too as we share or faith in Christian fellowship.

They were off this morning, back to school. So wearing many hats, I'll don my full time job hat and that's promoting literacy! It's back to books my friends, won't you join me on this reading and writing life. I have found my "joy, joy, joy, down in my heart" from the GOOD BOOK and books! I have big dreams, big, big dreams this year! I know the road less traveled is always more fun when you journey in a pack, (got that little tidbit from Pat Conroy's up-and-coming read, "My Reading Life". And here is another one shared with me today on Facebook:

‎"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." - T. E. Lawrence

Singing, Onward Christian and BOOK Soldiers,

Kathy L. Patrick

Senior High Youth Director at First United Methodist Church

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

www.southernauthors.blogspot.com

www.readinggroupguides.com

P.S. Mark you calendars for our Christian and Inspirational Book Festival, Books Alive which will be November 12 - 14th as a fundraiser for our church's mission and outreach programs. Go to Event Page of www.beautyandthebook.com and get your tickets now as they will go up September 1, 2010. Sam Bracken and Echo Garrett, authors of "MY ORANGE DUFFEL BAG" will be our Keynote Speakers!

The Pulpwood Queen Gives a Big Shout Out, EUREKA!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:38:00 +0000

EUREKA! Yes, you heard me right. The famous native American Indian word that means's, "I found it". In my hometown, of Eureka, Kansas, that was the story I always heard of Indians first finding water on the banks of Fall River, "EUREKA"!

That word always had me romanticizing, rhapsodizing the town where I was born and raised. As a kid who went 'creeking', you walk down a creek until you get tired and then you turn around and come back. We had high times in Kansas, running through tall prairie grass and weeds as our mother would ring the old school bell it was time to come home for dinner. Mosquito bit, dirt creases in our sweaty necks, we were marched into the bathroom for hot baths with Dial soap, Lava soap would come out for the tougher jobs. We kids ran wild in the summer until when it got just about dusk, then in the house we would go, sun burnt, thirsty and starved. Home. Eureka!

So you cannot imagine my surprise when not one but two visits from Eurekans who graced my doors in here in Jefferson, Texas. Meet Jane Lewis, bottom photo, who I use to cut her hair when she was in Eureka High School at my Town & Country Headquarters salon in the old Princess Theater Barber Shop. Jane's a pharmacist now with family in Liberty City, Texas but she told me a story. Remember, it's all about the story, and one that I did not remember at all.

She told me that in high school she had never had had a date but she got invited to Senior Prom. She didn't know how she could go as she could not afford the dress. She told me that I loaned her my prom dress and did her hair for free so she could go. Man, I didn't remember this at all but Jane did, this is the second time she has traveled to my shop for me to do her hair.

We caught up on her mother Ester, news of my old hometown Eureka! She left with her cousin just a smiling and told me she would be back next time. Another crazy day at the shop went by when today.....

In walks Kim Blevins and her daughter, Allison. The name was familiar then slap me down and call me Mammy, it's Kim Blevins from EUREKA! I too use to do her hair when she was in high school in Eureka. I'm kinda liking my old self from back then, wish I could remember better. She then goes on to tell me she was married to Andy Bratton, my childhood classmate. This was Andy's daughter, makes me cry to see this beautiful young lady.

Now Andy's parents and my parents use to play bridge. We kids would all hang together. He and his younger sister, Lisa, their family owned the coolest store in town, Bi-Rite, Five and Dime! Oh Lord, did I spend some time and pennies and nickels in that store. I still have the gaudy turquoise glass and gold costume ring my grandmother, Mudder, bought me for a whole quarter. That was big time money back then as you could buy 25 pieces of penny candy with that kind of dough.

What I remembered about Andy and I shared the story with Allison was this. My mother drove a 1957 pink two toned Cadillac. It had electric windows and to a kid that was the coolest thing ever running those windows up and down, up and down. Well, Andy dared me to stick out my tongue as he rolled up the window. I did and you know what happened. My tongue got stuck in the top as the window rolled up top. I tried to cry for help but I couldn't. My mother about had a wreck when she finally figured out what Andy had done. Now why in the world he did not just push the button to roll it back down I do not know. That was the one time in my life where I was silent, now don't get any ideas.

We had a great time catching up on friends and family. As they were leaving to join family in Shreveport, I ran them up to the Jefferson General Store to meet my daughter as Allison and Madeleine are both going to be juniors in high school. The Eureka Tornado met the Jefferson Bulldog! I treated the girls to some Blue Bell Ice Cream and we talked about how the local hang out in Eureka still serves the soft serve chocolate ice cream with hot marshmellow cream and nuts, Chocolate nut cups is what we called them. Back then you could get a nickel cup, a dime cup, and if you were really loaded a quarter cup!

As they drove off with their Kansas tags, I listened for the wind through the cottonwoods of my memories, the cry of the whipperwill and the bawl of the calf. For just a few minutes, I was BACK HOME in Eureka, Kansas.

You know no matter how long I live in Jefferson, Texas, my hometown now, Eureka, Kansas will always be my real true home. What is home for you? What's your favorite memory? It's all about the story folks, I shared mine, now you comment and share yours.

There's no place like home, there's no place like home,

Kathy L. Patrick

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

www.southernauthors.blogspot.com

www.readinggroupguides.com

The Pulpwood Queen Asks, "So You Want to be a ROCK STAR!"

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:42:00 +0000

Dear Readers!

Small town, Wednesday night, Jefferson, Texas. School starts next week, it's been hotter than the blazes. What to do?

I got the call, the band, A Sequence of Ghosts wanted to come to Jefferson, Texas as they were going on a national tour from their home base of Kansas City, Missouri. Could perhaps the boys in the band play on the grounds of my Beauty and the Book! Some of the boys had been here before and played and stayed at my house with the band, The Thirty. These are nice Christian boys. My answer was Yes, absolutely. Beauty and the Book would sponsor the event!

You see when I was a kid, who didn't want to be or see a ROCK STAR! The next door neighbor boys used to have this garage band called the SONS OF ADAM and use to play, literally, out in their garage in my small town Eureka, Kansas. All the neighbor kids would go hang out in the yard and dance to the music out by the swing set. The parents would congregate at the picnic tables talking and drinking gallons of iced tea. Fun times dancing to "Woolly Bully" and "She's Got a Ticket to Ride". Us kids would try out all our new dance moves, the jerk, the monkey. Simple times in the neighborhood on those long, hot summer nights.

As the High School Youth Leader for my First United Methodist Church, I put the word out. FREE Christian Rock Concert! The boys in A Sequence of Ghosts asked the local kids band, Moons Over Mars, to open for them. My First United Methodist Church Youth Group had a fundraising concession stand run by my pastor, Allison Byerley and Junior High Youth Director, Sarah Whitaker. Will Sherman Youth Pastor for the First Baptist Church brought his youth group. One of his boys got to sit in with Moons Over Mars. Kids began to congregate and talk as the bands set up. My husband, Jay Patrick, brought his sound gear and lights for the stage. The kids got to have some fun and BE and SEE ROCK STARS!

Some of my friends stopped by, you know us older folks. As the music was loud and heavy metal, they didn't stay long, but the youth of Jefferson did. They stayed after the concert to hang and just have some conversation. Yes, the music was not quite my style but the music is what brought the kids out on this hot summer small town Wednesday night to be together. I happen to think that is pretty cool!

Isn't that what summer time is suppose to be. People coming together to have relationships with one another and this time in faith based lyrics of yes, this heavy metal SCREAMO Christian Rock.

The concert was over by 9. I brought the boys of the band back to house with some out of town guests and fed them Riverport BBQ and pies from The Hamburger Store. We all feasted and shared our lives.

A Sequence of Ghost headed on up to Enid, Oklahoma where they have another concert tonight. It's at somebodies body shop, a garage so to speak. In some ways, time hasn't changed much when it involves teenagers. Everybody wants to be a ROCK STAR and I just happen to believe they should.

Tiara wearing, Beauty and the Book sharing,

Kathy L. Patrick

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

http://www.southernauthors.blogspot.com/

www.readinggroupguides.com

P.S. This Saturday night, The First United Methodist Junior High and High School is having a LOCK-IN at the church starting at 7:00 p.m. We hope youth of Jefferson will want to come and be apart of all the festivities and worship that we have planned for this event. Bring sleeping bag, toothbrush, and clothes to wear to worship service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Sunday Morning. We plan on walking over to Lions Park after supper to watch the outdoor film in the park so bring bug spray and dress accordingly. For more information, call me, Kathy at 903-665-7520 or email me at kathy@beautyandthebook.com. Both myself as High School Youth Leader, Sara Whittaker, Junior High Youth Leader, and Jessica and Bryan Nelson will be the adult sponsors for this event at the church. One last summertime gathering before school starts next week, we hope you can join us!

The Pulpwood Queen's Love Letter to Pat Conroy!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:49:00 +0000

Dear Pat,

This is my very first love letter. I write this with all my heart. I just finished your latest book, "My Reading Life" which will debut this fall and as always, I live to read and live to write. I am not an educated reader or writer, such as you. I am a small town Kansas girl, who very much like your mother, believes that even though I have not graduated from college, (seven colleges, 144 hours, but always ran out of money for tuition), I could educate myself with books. I am a voracious reader but I read what I want to read, not what I think people who are educated would deem as worthy as far more literary recommendations. I read for pleasure, and yes, I am educated, enlightened, and inspired.

I have almost been holding my breath anticipating the time when I could completely undisturbed read your latest book, "My Reading Life", of which I procured an advance galley. Last night was that night. I read until I could read no more with tears welling in pools in my eyes savoring every word. The parallels of your life and mine are uncanny. Who knew a man who grew up a military brat could have anything in common with a woman who grew up in the same small town, her whole life. This quote from your book says it all for me," My mother's voice and my father's fists are the two bookends of my childhood, they form the basis for my art."

I cannot remember when I read your first book or which one it was. I do know that my life changed forever on that day much the way Thomas Wolfe changed yours. You are my Thomas Wolfe. I don't cry much anymore but tears come to my eye when I read anything you have written because I now know that I am not alone. I am not alone. The power in those words gives me faith and grace. Someone out there understands me and I have been truly blessed by getting to know you both on page and in person.

I too, get stupid when I am around someone I admire as much as you. Last time I saw you I went into this whole lengthy speech on my rapture of all things Pat Conroy that I wince in retrospect embarrassment of how you listened to me ramble on incoherently on how much, I adored you, how much it meant to me for you to come and attend my 10th Anniversary Girlfriend Weekend. I can't take my goofball fanticism back but yes, I meant every word no matter how foolish I may have seemed gushing so. Those words, though as if without a planned thought or course, were from my uneducated heart.

I could write a book to you on why "My Reading Life" touched me in so many ways. From authors who you admire making you feel as if you weren't as smart and literary as them. My all time biggest embarassment of my life was ranting and raving on who came up with that cheesy poem in our Eureka High School Tornados annual to have my best friend from high school go, "It's from the Bible, Kathy". You know, "To everything there is a season, a time to be born, a time to die". I died alright, right there in front of my whole high school reunion planning committee, but as always, I digress. What an idiot I am, so I went back and read that book in the Bible. READ! Educate yourself, we make mistakes but I now call them discoveries. Doesn't that sound much better!

To your stories of your mother and father, who by the way, I now know that you can both love and hate at the same time. I never could resign myself to that fact until I read your books. But love always wins, I learned that from you too.

I know about keeping secrets. Nobody must know what goes on in the house of my youth. After I wrote my first book, I declared never again would I keep anything a secret. Not always a popular choice which I have learned from my family but I can now stand proud and unafraid. To face that fear of never tell, never tell, was to lift this gigantic boulder off my back. My life is an open book and that is why I am writing you this letter. I learned that telling your story sets your soul free. I have encouraged my children to read and speak their mind no matter if it is not always complimentary of me. I am a flawed person. I accept that and I am concertedly trying to make myself a better person and to treat my children as if they were the most precious gifts on the planet. They tend to disagree, a lot, but I do the best I can. They love me and I love them and isn't that the most important thing of all, to love one another despite all our flaws? We all are to some degree flawed, some more than others. But we do the best we can and for me, that's ensured when we become a nation of readers.

I laughed so hard on your story of recreating a James Dickey whitewater canoe "moment" with Jan Hrybarrow. This is one of funniest stories I have ever read in my life. And your ex-wife Barbara's comments were priceless. I love Barbara and your wife, Cassandra, and I have found everyone in your family and friends a treasure. I know that may sound weird loving both your wives but that's what I love about you. You break all the rules of normal society convention and at the same time are a perfect southern gentlemen. There will only be one Pat Conroy.

I would have never met the late great Doug Marlette if it had not been for you and Janis Owens, your precious daughter Melissa, and best friend Bernie Schein and his daughter, Maggie, the last two by email only, but still. These are incredible people that have made me smile and laugh hard. One of the greatest days of my life was spent cruising up and down I-20 with Doug Marlette as I carried him to all my Pulpwood Queen Book Club meetings or the time Sandra and I spent an evening together that involved tooling around my now hometown Jefferson, Texas. These memories I will forever hold dear and all because somehow, somewhere, somebody placed a Pat Conroy book in my hands.

My greatest regret in life was not being able to thank my former high school French teacher, Madame Basham, for all the gifts and love of life and learning she bestowed on me. Or all my teachers like my fourth grade Mrs. Boulden who was my "Auntie Mame". But I am able to tell you how much I adore and thank you for all the many gifts you have bestowed upon me. Your wealth of books, the sharing of your closest friends and family, and your incredible generosity to this crazy hairdressing bookseller for gracing my doors is a kindness that will never be forgotten.

I did not finish your book last night. No matter how great the book, I now at almost 54 get too tired to read too late. But at 3:30 this morning I woke up and could not sleep. Why? "My Reading Life" was calling and I answered.

I finished your book and immediately went to my laptop, my yellow legal pad and fountain pen. I had to write the minute I finished and I realized, my first love letter. I know, not very mushy, I'm not the romantic type but I assure you sincerely, I love you.

This year marks the 11th Anniversary of my Beauty and the Book, my book club, The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys, and to know you are coming back for our annual party, Girlfriend Weekend, fills me with great joy and anticipation. When I read about all the people who inspired your reading life, I knew the minute I finished your book I had to write this letter. This letter is not edited, it is written as I typed it. You may consider it a first draft but sometimes you just have to realize a diamond does come from an ole lump of coal.

So consider me a true sappy person, but I love you Pat Conroy, I love you. For all the stories you have written and shared and for the ones that are yet to come. You see, I have this incredible feeling that "My Reading Life" is just the beginning of a writing life renewed for you, me, and others. You see it is all about the story. That is the theme for my annual Girlfriend Weekend this year and reason why I making "My Reading Life" by Pat Conroy our Official January 2011 Pulpwood Queen and Timber Guy Book Club Selection.

What better book to send the message that reading is indeed important for a life worth living. Reading saved my life and I think writing can save your life too. What I am carrying away from reading your book is it's not so much what you read, it's that you do. And when you find that author, that book, that makes that connection with you, then the fire is started and I plan to keep it stoked and burning as long as I have breath in my body. I will be encouraging all to get on the same page. Reading is important! Thank you for sharing your reading life. I know that I am a better person from reading your books. And here is my poem to you,

Ode to Pat Conroy!

I read and I was validated,

the writer mirror'd my life.

I read and I salivated,

reading would become my life.

At least it wasn't a girl from Nantucket, hahahaha!

Just an ole small town Kansas girl with BIG LOVE,

kat

The Pulpwood Queen Announces Beauty and the Book to sponsor FREE Back-to-School Christian Rock Concert!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:14:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

April 18th, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. Beauty and the Book in historic Jefferson, Texas will sponsor a Back to School Christian Rock Concert! This will be outside on the grounds of Beauty and the Book located at 608 North Polk in Jefferson, Texas.

Bands to be featured are: A Sequence of Ghosts, (photo displayed), Modern Miracle, and Moons Over Mars. The bands will have merchandise for sale including t-shirts and CDs. The Concert is FREE but donations made be made for the bands travel expenses. The First United Methodist Church Youth Group of Jefferson will have a fundraiser concession stand for their mission and outreach work!

A Sequence of Ghosts is a Christian Rock SCREAMO Band out of St. Joseph, Missouri and on a southern national tour while Modern Miracle and Moons Over Mars are local area bands. A Sequence of Ghosts and Modern Miracle can be found on Facebook and MySpace.

As the owner of Beauty and the Book and the High School Youth Group Leader for The First United Methodist Church of Jefferson, my hope is that our community will support this fun faith based Christian activitiy for our area youth! These kids are our future and I try to do everything I possibly can to provide events they will enjoy while building their Christian based faith.

See you all at the concert and for more information, email me at kathy@beautyandthebook.com

Kathy L. Patrick

First United Methodist High School Youth Leader

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

http://www.southernauthors.blogspot.com/

P.S. The First United Methodist Church will be having a Junior High/High School LOCK-IN this coming Saturday night starting at 7:00 p.m. that will run through worship service on Sunday ending at noon. Details forthcoming so stay tuned!

The Pulpwood Queen Recaps FINAL Summer Book and Author Series with David Marion Wilkinson and Destiny Duke and the Hazzards!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

Another day for the memory books and what a doozie. Author, David Marion Wilkinson arrived with his lovely wife, Martha, and I immediately whisked them over to my sister's historic home as we began filming a segment for my NEW book video. I don't want to let the "kat out of the book bag" yet, but you all are going to die when you see what David and I came up with for this first segment.

Then the whole crew, David, Martha, and I were off to dine at The Old Fashioned Hamburger Store. You just have to experience the pie there, to die for.

Back to shop to finish up then off again to Johnny Nance's Jefferson Landing on Big Cypress Bayou for our FINAL Summer Book and Concert Series.

A nice crowd was already there when I arrived with visiting Carrolton Georgia Queen, Anita Buice. As it was David's birthday, I had baked him, per his request, a WHITE WEDDING cake, and as we were having an ice cream contest social, whipped up what I call my NEW Blackberry Wine Sorbet with Really, Drunken blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries for the occasion.

Captain Johnny Nance rallied the boat riders and we were off for the coolest place in Jefferson, Texas in August, a boat ride down Big Cypress Bayou. On the way out, Captain Johnny gave us a history of the bayou and of Jefferson's heyday as the largest inland port when steamboats coursed up and down the Red River system. We spied many squirrels, a beautiful Blue heron and even a barn owl.

On the way back, David Marion Wilkinson spoke of his life and his books for a historical boat ride. A perfect summer night where we were all enlightened and taken back in time.

We disembarked and it was time to sing, "Happy Birthday to David". The ice cream contest was held and David surely had a hard time deciding who would be the winners as all recipes he deemed were indeed winners. But the announcement was made, the Orange/Lemon Sherbert made by Terry Trammell was the Grand Prize Winner. Terry won a first edition signed hardback of David's book, "Not Between Brothers". The birthday cake and ice cream were served. David then signed every one's books and the music began with Destiny Duke, Jay Patrick on keyboards, and Tom Trammell on bongos of Destiny Duke and the Hazzards.

Now this was a hot, Hot, HOT Summer Book and Concert Series, both figuratively and literally, but one thing I know for sure, nothing is more fun than reading with a little good live music!

My hope for all of you that came to the event is you will share how much fun The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys have when it comes to reading and join us on our mission to promote authors, books, literacy, and reading all while having some BIG TIME FUN! A little blood, sweat, but no tears when it comes to pulling off each event, but you all make it fun, always!

Thank you Johnny Nance for taking us down the river and I mean that in a good way, hahhahhaha! Special thanks to Sandra Phillips and Terry Trammel for providing the delicious homemade ice cream. And thanks to ALL the hot, Hot, HOT Manly Men Authors, Charles Martin, Ad Hudler, and David Marion Wilkinson who on came all the way to Jefferson, Texas to share their stories! Special thanks to our house band, Destiny Duke and the Hazzards who performed at ALL our events this summer. Here's hoping and praying for bigger paying gigs in the future, I love you all to death! I can't thank you enough for helping me this summer on my mission to promote literacy, you all are the best, Destiny, Jay, Tom, Joe and Ricky and all your leoparlicious entourage for making this happen! And last of all, thanks to ALL The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys who make my life such a joy and keep my literacy promoting Energizer Bunny batteries continually charged and going, and going, and going!

Big LOVE this summer for another great series of programs and hope you will all join us this fall as we launch into our BIG READS that DESERVE BIG READERSHIP at www.beautyandthebook.com! You can also check out our website to read about joining the fastest growing book club in the world, The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys! And read daily this blog and my NEW venture as running www.southernauthors.blogspot.com which is a different fantabulous southern author being featured every day!

What are you waiting for? Welcome to the Wonderful World of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

The Pulpwood Queen Remarks "Here's David, Look at Him, He's a Manly Man and Also one Heck of a Writer!!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:12:00 +0000

Dear Readers!

Look at David, he is a manly man. David also hunts, manly men hunt. David Marion Wilkinson also just happens to write and write well. Perhaps, he wears Old Spice. Perhaps, he will need it as tomorrow night David will be our featured author guest as we celebrate the last of our hot, Hot, HOT Summer Book and Author Concert Series.

It also just happens to be his birthday so I had made, per his request, a quite lovely white wedding cake and as David told me, he has been known to crash weddings just for a piece of the white wedding cake! Notice how I delve into an author's hidden desires and display them for all to view on my blog! Top that Barbara Walters, you just make them cry and heaven forbid, I would not like to make a manly man good writing author, cry!

We are also having an ice cream contest. David will be the judge. The best ice cream will receive a signed first edition of David's book, "Not Between Brothers"! As a real reader, I find that prize leopardlicious, yet another word you may add to your vocabulary. Don't look it up, the word is NOT there.

Here again is my Official Press Release on the event. We have a few seats left for the boat ride so first come, first serve. And who says reading isn't the best entertainment in the world, not me, and most certainly not all my manly men authors that we have showcased this summer!

Due to the HOT tempertatures of ALL the Pulpwood Queens who have attended our Summer Book and Author Manly Men Concert Series, stay tuned for our MANLY MAN Timber Guy Calendar! Gives all new meaning to to pencilling a date on the calendar, if you get my drift!

Truly,

kat

The Pulpwood Queen and Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

P.S. Also be sure to check out daily the NEW, as being the facillitator, blogspot I am running, A Good Blog is Hard to Find, at http://www.southernauthors.blogspot.com/. A different southern author featured every day and PLEASE COMMENT! These authors work mighty hard writing this features for you and it's always great to know that kind of work is appreciated!

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 29, 2010
Jefferson, Texas - Here in East Texas, really the best kept secret in Texas, we make our own fun and entertainment! In our lush Piney woods with meandering bayous, some of the best in arts and entertainment are always happening!
I am pleased to announce that The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Club are hosting our FINAL Summer Book and Concert Series and this time right on da bayou! That's right, West Texas Author, David Marion Wilkinson in celebration of the 15th Anniversary of his historic Texas novel, "Not Between Brothers" will be here, as well, as musical artists, Destiny Duke Jay Patrick, and Tom Trammell. For more on the author, go to http://www.david-marion-wilkerson.com/ and Destiny Duke and the Hazzards on Facebook!
Tuesday, August 10th, we will meet at 6:30 p.m. with Captain Johnny Nance taking us down the bayou on his boat ride at 7:00 p.m. along with our author, David Marion Wilkinson. We will learn the history of the river and also get to hear David read from his book. Tickets are $10 and almost SOLD OUT so please call 903-665-7520 to reserve your ticket and seat.
Afterwards, as it's our author's birthday, we will partake in singing "Happy Birthday David", have birthday cake and an ice cream social. Please bring your favorite homemade ice cream to compete in our BEST EVER ICE CREAM CONTEST! David will be our judge and the best recipe will be published in my next book AND David will be giving the winner a signed FIRST EDITION copy of his book, "Not Between Brothers" to the lucky winner!
David's paperback of "Not Between Brothers" will be available for purchase but do call to insure you have your copy to get signed. David will be more than happy to also autograph and personalize your book!
Destiny Duke and the Hazzards will then for your musical enjoyment perform on the bayou! Dress accordingly and you might bring an extra lawn chair!
This program is sponsored by Beauty and the Book and The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys of East Texas Book Club. We want to show the world just how beautiful East Texas really is and how we are on a mission to promote authors, books, literacy, and reading all while having some BIG TIME FUN here is historic Jefferson, Texas!
For more information, contact Kathy L. Patrick at 903-665-7520 or email kathy@beautyandthebook.com! Laissez les bontemps roulez you all, let the good times roll!
Singing "Rolling on the River"!
Kathy L. Patrick
Author of "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", Grand Central Publishing
Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs
http://www.beautyandthebook.com/
http://www.pulpwoodqueen.com

The Pulpwood Queen Bows to the feet of Queen and Author, Karin Gillespie!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:14:00 +0000

Press Release for Immediate Release:

August 5, 2010

Jefferson, Texas - Yesterday, author, Karin Gillespie, the creator of A Good Blog is Hard to Find

at http://www.southernauthors.blogspot.com/, announced she was stepping down from running

this blog as she was on to pursue her continuing education by entering a MFA program. Author,

Kathy L. Patrick, who is a contributing blogger to this site and founder of The Pulpwood Queens

and Timber Guys Book Clubs inquired of Karin, perhaps she could step in to keep this amazing

southern authors blog up and going. A conversation was ensued and now Karin Gillespie has

indeed passed the baton on to Kathy L. Patrick in this literacy promoting endeavor of southern

authors.

Read all about it at on the weblog today at http://www.southernauthors.blogspot.com/. Kathy

encourages everyone to share and comment on this wealth of talent in the south when it comes

to good reading. Kathy also bows to the feet of the Queen and Author, Karin Gillespie, and hopes

everyone will be an encourager for her continuing education endeavors. You may visit her

website at http://www.karingillespie.com/. Now on to the task at hand, helping promote

literacy, southern writers, and making sure these discovered and undiscovered authors get

discovered in an even bigger way.

For more questions on A Good Blog is Hard to Find, contact:

Kathy L. Patrick

"Hairdresser to the Authors", and yes, some celebrities!

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

Author of "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", Grand Central

Publishing

Beauty and the Book, the ONLY Hair Salon/Book Store in the country!

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

P.S. This blog, as well as, her http://www.pulpwoodqueen.com/ will both be published too at her

OFFICIAL website: http://www.beautyandthebook.com/. Please share the daily blogs and do

comment on the sites to help support all of these amazing authors!

The Pulpwood Queen features the Belle of All Things Southern, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:45:00 +0000

Dear Readers!

Today is August 1st, that's right, just one month until the Early Bird Special for our 11th Anniversary Girlfriend Weekend expires September 1, 2010, and all tickets go UP for our big Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Club hosted convention, January 13 - 16th, 2011.

Tomorrow I will be back in the shop to take your calls as you will want to take advantage of this considerable savings on all tickets to our big ta do! Check it all out on my Event Page on my official website at http://www.beautyandthebook.com/! Also do note: I have added a PAT CONROY/BERNIE SCHEIN Luncheon on Saturday for $50 that will go up to $75 in September! This is an event you will NOT want to miss as this is Pat's best friend since high school and I assure you that we will all be highly entertained!

Now this brings me to my good friend, author, radio show host, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson! Today is my tribute to my BELLE OF ALL THINGS SOUTHERN! These are some of the highlights in photos of our times together! Shellie has sent me the most amazing testimonial that I wish to share with all of YOU! Please read every word then check out all her links! To me she is one of the funnest girlfriends I have ever met and you mention her name and I know we are going to be highly entertained.

Thank you Shellie Rushing Tomlinson for being my true friend and I bless you with tremendous book sales and all good things coming to one southern belle who rings TRUE BLUE!

Tiara wearing, Beauty and the Book sharing,
Kathy L. Patrick
Author of "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", which is NOW the mandatory first read for all my NEW Pulpwood Queen and Timber Guy Book Club Chapters!
Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs
http://www.beautyandthebook.com/
http://www.pulpwoodqueen.com/

From Shellie Rushing Tomlinson:

I’m a relative newcomer to Kathy Patrick World. I’ve only been in the mix a few years now, but I’ve already had The Question posed to me by a number of authors. “So,” they ask, in a failed attempt to sound casual, “have you ever been to Kathy Patrick’s Girlfriend Weekend? Or is it Pulpwood Queen Weekend?” It’s both, y’all, and so much more. Clearly, word on the street has it that not being a Pulpwood Queen author is akin to leaving a hole in one’s resume large enough to drive a truck through. It’s true, too, but let the record show that while this may be a good marketing reason to mention it to your publicist, it’s not the reason to make January in Jefferson, TX a repeating event on organizer. Here’s what the authors that make the yearly jaunt to Kathy’s World know that you should to: This isn’t somewhere you go to get— meaning publicity, readers, etc. This is somewhere we get to go.
Perhaps a full disclosure and a bit of background would be order before we go any further. They call me the Belle of All Things Southern. I elbowed my own way into this industry a while back after a boring spell filing rejection slips, alphabetically, in my own ancient accordion style folder. I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer but even I could see that if I had things to say I would need to build my own perch from which to opine as the industry wasn’t exactly clamoring to publish me.
Hence, in my own version of build it and they will come, I launched All Things Southern on the Internet, and soon afterwards I snuck into radio when no one was looking. My All Things Southern radio segments now air daily on a couple dozen radio stations across the South and my talk show ATS LIVE airs on FOXFM92.7 out of Monroe, LA on Friday mornings and streams in real time from my website. Three successful self-published books after building my home-made platform, Penguin Group USA rolled the dice on me and released, “Suck Your Stomach In and Put Some Color On” What Southern Mamas Tell Their Daughters That the Rest of Y’all Should Know, Too! I attribute my reception by the Pulpwood Queens and their high-octane book clubs to be largely responsible for that first book being selected a finalist for SIBA’s 2009 Nonfiction Book of the Year as well as for the excitement about it’s soon to be released sequel, Sue Ellen’s Girl Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy!
As much as I appreciate the Pulpwood Queens, that career boosting hand-up is not why I’ll go back to Jefferson with rings on my fingers and bells on my toes, and I mean that literally. (Excessive digit decoration is one of the milder things that can happen to those who venture into Kathy’s World.) Oh, no, I’ll return to PQW as long as the Good Lord’s willing and the creek doesn’t rise because it’s like no other author event/book festival I’ve been privileged to attend, and I’ve been to quite a few in the last few years. At PQW there are no walls and no roped off areas. It’s a word fest free for all, a place where authors mix with readers and celebrate not just their own words, but the written word at large. Think of it as book-lovers on steroids with costume parties and dance contests thrown in for good measure!
In the event that you’re still undecided, and I don’t know how that could be, but I’m trying to work with y’all, here are a ways to tell if you’re ready for a Pulpwood Queen Weekend:
If you’ve never been in a group of people so diverse that you can’t tell who’s in costume and who isn’t, you may need a PQW.
If you’ve been to one too many of those stuffy book events where you have to hide your guilty pleasure book inside the latest hard to read but sure to be a bestseller paper-weight, you may need a PQW.
If you have ever wondered if leopard skins are here to stay, you may need a PQW.
If it’s been a while since you stood on a table-top and yelled, “Go Munchkins, Go Munchkins” until your voice was hoarse in an effort to help a mother-daughter munchkin team win a dance contest, you may need a PQW.
If you’ve never spent a solid week trying to get glitter out of everything you own, including your immediate person, you may need a PQW.
If you’ve always wondered what it would be like to meet your favorite author, you may need a PQW. Chances are he or she will be there waiting on you.

Hugs,
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Suck Your Stomach In and Put Some Color On, What Southern Mamas Tell Their Daughters That the Rest of Y'all Should Know Too
by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson ~ Released May 08 ~ Berkley, division of Penguin Group USA

*****SIBA 2009 Nonfiction Book of the Year Finalist*****

~ All Things Southern, a radio and video show, website and FREE emag bringing you the charm and heritage of the South.
Subscribe at http://www.allthingssouthern.com

Contact Shellie to share her humorous southern stories with your club, organization, church or festival and celebrate the South!
owner/publisher Shellie Rushing Tomlinson ~ 610 Schneider Lane Lake Providence, LA 71254 ~ ph318-559-0319 ~ fx318-559-3828

You can visit me here:
Website http://www.allthingssouthern.com
My blog http://shellietomlinson.blogspot.com
My twitter page http://twitter.com/ShellieT
Myspace http://www.myspace.com/shellietomlinson
Facebook ~ http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1405351429

The Pulpwood Queen Announces TOP TWENTY BESTSELLERS for JULY 2010!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:37:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

Here are the books that have sold the best this month and guess why? I hand sell all of the books that I carry in my Hair Salon/Book Store. These are the top twenty books that connected with readers and I think this list is more indicative of what my neck of the woods clientele are interested in for reading! These are "real" books that "real" people read!

Besides I am totally biased when it comes to pushing the books I deem worthy, most of these ARE my Pulpwood Queen and Timber Guys Book Club Selections! Our sole mission is to promote authors, books, literacy and reading and to help the undiscovered author get discovered in a really big way! Some of these books you will recognize but some you will not! I created this list as somebody has to help NEW authors get their books read and read well.

Please print out and share with your reading group, book club, reading friends, bookstores, and libraries. To me there is no better gift than to share a great book or in this case a great reading list! Since August is my birthday month as a present to myself, I am allocated some BIG TIME to READING! My hope is as a present to me you will join me!

TOP TWENTY COUNTDOWN FOR JULY 2010

PULPWOOD QUEENS' BESTSELLER LIST OF HITS!!!!

1) My Orange Duffel Bag by Sam Bracken and Echo Garrett

2) Man of the House by Ad Hudler

3) Not Between Brothers by David Marion Wilkinson

4) The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life" by Kathy L. Patrick

5) Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

6) Househusband by Ad Hudler

7) My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliviera

8) South of Broad by Pat Conroy

9) The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin

10) The Help by Kathryn Stockett

11) Scout, Atticus, and Boo: A Celebration of Fifty Years of To Kill a Mockingbird by Mary McDonagh Murphy

12) The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees

13) Write That Book Already! by Sam Barry and Kathi Kamen Goldmark

14) Hurricane in Paradise by Denise Hildreth

15) Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist

16) Fever Moon by Carolyn Haines

17) Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

18) The Cracker Kitchen by Janis Owens

19) A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

20) Men Are Stupid and They Like Big Boobs by Joan Rivers

For more information, contact Kathy L. Patrick below!

Tiara wearing and Book sharing,

Kathy L. Patrick

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

kathy@beautyandthebook.com

903-665-7520

http://www.beautyandthebook.com/
http://www.pulpwoodqueen.com

The Pulpwood Queen Announces FINAL Summer Book and Concert Series with Author, David Marion Wilkinson!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:54:00 +0000

Contact: Kathy L. Patrick

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 29, 2010

Jefferson, Texas - Here in East Texas, really the best kept secret in Texas, we make our our fun and entertainment! In our lush Piney woods with meandering bayous, some of the best in arts and entertainment are always happening!

I am pleased to announce that The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Club are hosting our FINAL Summer Book and Concert Series and this time right on da bayou! That's right, West Texas Author, David Marion Wilkinson in celebration of the 15th Anniversary of his historic Texas novel, "Not Between Brothers" will be here, as well, as musical artists, Destiny Duke and Jay Patrick. For more on the author, go to http://www.david-marion-wilkerson.com/ and Destiny Duke and the Hazzards on Facebook!

Tuesday, August 10th, we will meet at 6:30 p.m. with Captain Johnny Nance taking us down the bayou on his boat ride at 7:00 p.m. along with our author, David Marion Wilkinson. We will learn the history of the river and also get to hear David read from his book. Tickets are $10 and almost SOLD OUT so please call 903-665-7520 to reserve your ticket and seat.

Afterwards, as it's our author's birthday, we will partake in singing "Happy Birthday David", have birthday cake and an ice cream social. Please bring your favorite homemade ice cream to compete in our BEST EVER ICE CREAM CONTEST! David will be our judge and the best recipe will be published in my next book AND David will be giving the winner a signed FIRST EDITION copy of his book, "Not Between Brothers" to the lucky winner!

David's paperback of "Not Between Brothers" will be available for purchase but do call to insure you have your copy to get signed. David will be more than happy to also autograph and personalize your book!

Destiny Duke and Jay Patrick will then for your musical enjoyment perform on the bayou! Dress accordingly and you might bring an extra lawn chair!

This program is sponsored by Beauty and the Book and The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys of East Texas Book Club. We want to show the world just how beautiful East Texas really is and how we are on a mission to promote authors, books, literacy, and reading all while having some BIG TIME FUN here is historic Jefferson, Texas!

For more information, contact Kathy L. Patrick at 903-665-7520 or email kathy@beautyandthebook.com! Laissez les bontemps roulez you all, let the good times roll!

Singing "Rolling on the River"!

Kathy L. Patrick

Author of "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", Grand Central Publishing

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

The Pulpwood Queens says two words, TINA FEY!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:12:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

This past week I received a letter from Little, Brown and Company sharing their Spring/Summer 2011 (April through August) list. In the letter and I quote it stated, "Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about any of these books or authors, or if you would like to request that any of our authors do an event at your venue".

I hardly took a breath as I turned to my laptop and typed back to Little Brown, "Two words, TINA FEY!"

So I have made the request that TINA FEY come for a visit to talk about her new book coming out this coming spring but I need your help. I need you all to comment on here or on my Kathy Louise Patrick Facebook page that you will come to this event. Pass it on to all of your friends, let's go VIRAL on this thing.

Something very similar happened like this when everybody got on Facebook to campaign for Betty White to go on Saturday Night Live. So I am trying to get this Saturday Night Live Superstar to come here! And WHY you may ask? Because the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs want to make reading BIG TIME FUN! I do believe that reading is the highest form of entertainment. Our imaginations are always so much better than what gets recreated in Hollywood, though I am a big film buff too!

I also think that TINA FEY would totally get what we are doing as this woman never takes herself all that seriously, (remember the infamous Sarah Palin sketch), but she is damn seriously about putting out great work whether on SNL, her television show, or her comedy and now book writing! Besides, I know my book club would LOVE to hear what Tina Fey would have to say, she is a favorite of amongst the book club members!

So it's up to you, can we get TINA FEY to our royal reading court of Queens and Kings! Come on, one person can make a difference. Let's make it happen! Pass the word!

Tiara wearing and Book sharing,

Kathy L. Patrick

"Hairdresser to the the Authors", and yes, some celebrities!

Author of "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", Grand Central Publishing

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

www.beautyandthebook.com, my Official website

www.pulpwoodqueen.com, my Official blogsite

P.S. Press Release coming on our August 10th event, our last Summer Book and Author Concert Series featuring Author, David Marion Wilkinson of "Not Between Brothers" and Destiny Duke and Jaybird Patrick, musical artists, stay tuned!

The Pulpwood Queen Has a Blastie Blast with DESTINY DUKE AND THE HAZZARDS!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:44:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

Meet Destiny Duke and the Hazzards! Destiny Duke, yes her REAL name is the girl with the set of pipes y'all next to Jaybird Patrick, my husband, on keyboards and vocals, backrow, left to right, Ricky Brown on lead guitar, Tom T-Bone Trammel on drums, Joe Hegl on bass guitar and vocals. They are quite a band and as you can tell from this top photo, they all are really having fun playing around all the venues in the Ark.La.Tex.

This past weekend that had three back to back gigs. Killer when you learn they pretty much all have day jobs. Friday night at the Horseshoe Casino, Saturday night in Dallas, then Sunday night back at the Horseshoe.

I, in the meantime, try to go to as many of these as I can but Sunday night was the only night I was free. I rode over with Jaybird on Sunday and kidded with him all the way on what happened to Jay in Dallas. You see he called me in a panic Sunday morning, his truck and trailer with all the band gear had been STOLEN!

Now I was in Shreveport as I had stayed at Diamond Jack's Casino and Resort as the night before had come over to do Joan Rivers hair and makeup, (see previous blog). I told Jay to calm down, was he sure, had he called the police? He was walking with the phone from his hotel when I heard, "Wait, I'll call you back, I think I know where my truck is". Click.

For what seemed like forever, as I was checking out of the hotel, Jay called back, the whole outfit had been TOWED! I was so relieved as they had a gig at the Horseshoe that night and all that band equipment, plus this was a brand NEW Ford F-150!

Jay is laughing about it now but then? Can you imagine?

So onward to the Horseshoe and that night's venue of CMT Crossroads.

Very cool as some our fellow Jeffersonians, Pat, Jean, and Vickie, came to see Jay and the band. We just flat out had a blastie blast! Three sets and everyone of them was packed with people who kept coming up to us and asking, "Do you know this band?" "Best I have ever heard at the Horseshoe!" "Man, that girl has got a set of pipes! She would win on American Idol!" By the time the night was over I was beaming with pride. Complete strangers raving about how great the band was, was alright by me!

So I am pleased to let you know that we'll be hearing more of the band in the future. They will HEADLINE our Saturday night, "Great Big Ball of Hair" Ball at our annual Girlfriend Weekend that runs January 13 - 16, 2011!

But what I think is even more important for you all to know if Jay and I have found our true passions in life, for me books, for him music! I think books and music make a perfect marriage, don't you?

We are having fun and our late forties for Jay and early 50's for me, is looking like the best time of our lives. So often we are told you are getting old, the fun is over. But as I always say, "Who Made Up That Rule?" We are truly having the time of our lives and I am telling you so can you! What is your passion? And more importantly, what are you doing about it? I want to hear from you so please comment.

And also think it's good to know, that you don't have to be RICH and FAMOUS to have a good time. Jay and I are living testamony to that fact but we ARE RICH in life of having a tremendous amount of friends and family who join us from time to time on life's ultimate adventures!

I look forward to hearing from all of you and stay tuned for more from the rarely speechless Pulpwood Queen and her TAKE on virtually everything for what it is worth!

Tiara wearing, Beauty and the Book sharing,

Kathy L. Patrick

Author of "The Pulpwood Queen's Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life"

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

The Pulpwood Queen LOVES JOAN RIVERS!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:39:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

I LOVE JOAN RIVERS! There I said it and I'll tell you exactly why, but first, how did I get to this declaration!

A couple of years ago, I got the call from Diamond Jack's Casino and Resort in Bossier City/Shreveport, Louisiana, would I be able to come and do a celebrities hair? Of course, I was excited at who and the possibility. Joan Rivers was the celebrity and I was excited but worried. I have watched her and her daughter, Melissa for years do the red carpet. Acerbic, and some times down right blunt, no, make that real blunt, but always the kind of funny that makes you cover your mouth and go, "Oh, no she didn't".
I admitted she kind of scared me, me a 50 something year old scared of this little bitty spitfire.

"She's a pussycat," I was told, "you will love her" and then guess what? I found out I did love her indeed.

Joan introduced herself and then as after we figured out all I was going to do, she sat me down and asked all about me while taking my hand. Me, blurted out nervously, all about my hair salon/book store, Beauty and the Book and my book club, the largest "meeting and discussing" book club in the world. She was fascinated with the story. Whoa, again I thought, don't judge a cover by it's book because I assure you this woman is flawless in every way. This was not in the least what I expected. This was bliss! The easiest client in the world to work with, beautiful both inside and out!

I told her about my book coming out and she wanted to read it! She told me how Melissa and her both were voracious readers. I just happened to have a galley. Joan then told me she had a little while before her show, perhaps she would go to her room for a while and read it!

I was on cloud 9, who would have ever thunk it, Joan Rivers reading my book.

Flash forward to a couple months ago, "Oh Kathy", I heard on the phone, "how would you like to do your favorite celebrity again?" Would I ever!

And even better news, my good friend and Pulpwood Queen Carol Lucky would be her wardrobe assistant as I did her hair and makeup. This was getting better and better!

I love Diamond Jack's Casino and Resort. They treat me like a real Queen! I drove up, valet parking, went to the desk, Ms. Patrick her is your room key, and wa la, I'm whisked up to my plush new digs. Carol arrived and we got caught up then before you knew it was "SHOW TIME!"
We met Graham, her lovely and apt assistant, who took charge and walked up through all that we had to do. Remember playing Barbie as a kid, it's kind of like playing grown up Barbie. All these fantabulous gowns are whisked out, that I helped Carol steam. We lay out and hang everything to have it ready and then Joan. Clothes, make up, hair, just like playing Barbie and we had a real Barbie doll! And I assure you, like Barbie can be anything, Joan, can do anything. She's a trooper!

She remembered me but I told her I had changed my hair, now ORANGE, as due to a book. Of course, being the avid reader, she wanted to know the whole story of how I stated on Facebook that if I could sell 1,000 copies of My Orange Duffel Bag, I would color my hair Orange. She loved the idea and asked about the book. I just so happened to have a copy. She absolutely loved the design, zipped the book open and just keep telling me it was fabulous. I gave her the copy and she made sure Graham had it tucked away in her suitcase. All of you can check it out at http://www.myorangeduffelbag.com/.

Carol and I had so much fun with Joan. She is professional, to the point, but only this word describes her best, lovely. A pleasure to work with and so kind and caring, She presented Carol and I with quite a bit actually of her Joan Rivers jewelry and then I brought a necklace and earrings for her. Last time she gave me this stunning beaded necklace so I brought her an original design by Janis Moore whose jewelry I sell in my shop. She immediately began to take off all her jewelry to put it on. She told Graham, "Do we have a camera, let's get a photo to show Janis that I received her beautiful jewelry." She even wrote her a personal note! I just happened to have a camera, that ole Girl Scout rule, "Be Prepared"! Then she insisted Carol and I be in the photo with her too, how sweet!

She hugged me when she left as she took my card and told me, "Read "The Infidel", you have to read this woman's story." I ordered not only that book, but all of Joan's too.
I had brought with me her jewelery book and she signed it so I could have in on display in the shop. I am telling you this is a very giving person.

After the show, of which Carol was backstage helping her with costume change, we had to get her ready for the "Meet and Greet", hopefully some of you were there for the house was packed to the rafters. I did not see one empty seat. Joan's show ROCKED and I laughed really hard, most of the time with my hand over my mouth going, "No, she did not just say that!" But what I have learned now from working my short bit of time with her and watching her shows is this is woman who makes me proud to be a woman. She has broke many a glass ceiling as she continues to climb and climb and climb. She announced at the show that she won't ever retire, it's on with the show! I am taking that advice and putting it in the bank! She's a big time winner and we were all winners for getting to spend the time with this "lovely" lady!

Tiara wearing, Beauty and the Book sharing,
Kathy L. Patrick
"Hairdresser to the Authors" and celebrities too!
Author of "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", Grand Central Publishing
Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs
Beauty and the Book
608 North Polk Street
Jefferson, Texas 75657
903-665-7520
http://www.beautyandthebook.com/
http://www.pulpwoodqueen.com/
P.S. Joan River's documentary is now playing at the Robinson Film Center, "JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK" at 617 Texas Street in Shreveport, Louisiana and has a NEW television show that she is going to do with her daughter, Melissa. I know these are two top priority things to do on my Pulpwood Queen entertainment list!

The Pulpwood Queen Loves Weather!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:52:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

It has been hotter than blue blazes here in East Texas. During all of my teen years to a couple of college summers, I lifeguarded, first at the Eureka Country Club in Eureka, Kansas then in college moved on to Fall River State Park just up the road. I loved the summer heat, then I hit my fifties. I truly love the invention of air conditioning.

But one thing I love about the weather is when it gets hot, Hot, HOT, it's the clouds. Now don't panic, as I am the best driver in the family, (inside joke), but I took these photos driving to my Rotary Club Installation of Officers event at the Fintrom's the other night because of these magnificent clouds. Years ago, I read this book that WE often don't take the time to notice much when we go about our day to day tasks. I, on the other hand, notice everything. The galloping black Labrador and black pig that were running along side my car one day in a ditch! The thirteen squirrels who were pelting me with pecan shells from my pecans trees at my shop as I ran in for cover. The twelve deer right by the road in the super seedling pines across the road from my house at the Riches. The red fox that runs back and forth to the meadow and pond across the Farm to Market Road 728. And theses magnificent billowing clouds as I drove to my gathering with my fellow Rotarian's.

Today, as you go about your daily tasks, look around in wonder! It's amazing what you will discover on your day to day commuting to and from your daily work and beyond.

I knew that I was in East Texas when one sunny day, I decided to walk to the bank to make my deposit. As I just about was there, this ominous black cloud came rolling in with lightning and thunder. Now it was a beautiful sunny day when I started this venture, I quickly dropped in my deposit and started sprinting home. I do not run but lightning, I was running, scary. Half way home, the sky fell in buckets. I was instantly drenched from head to toe. As I ran I looked down and I had on white t-shirt. Now it looked like I was bare skinned, I ran and pulled my t-shirt away from my body but dang if I felt like I was running half naked. By the time, I ran up the steps to my house, I was laughing hard in the rain! I'll never forget that day, still cracks me up.

Life is definitely an adventure here in "Mayberry on the Bayou"! I'm not sure if Andy, or Aunt Bee, or Opie dealt with all my crazy dealings but the home town charm and WEATHER sure makes life highly entertaining.

Tiara Wearing, Beauty and the Book sharing,

Kathy L. Patrick

Author of "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life" now available in Large print and as an e-reader to at

P.S. Robert Gray also did a report on Summer Time Reading and he printed my first favorite book of summer and this summer:

Honestly, Katie John by Mary Calhoun is the book Kathy Patrick, owner of
Beauty and the Book , Jefferson, Tex.,
read as a kid "that always reminds me of summer. Also the first book
that turned me on to reading by my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Boulden."
Patrick shared one of her favorite summer books for 2010 as well--The
Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin. "Talk about a page-turner and one
that is set in temperatures freezing cold."

The Pulpwood Queen Refuses to Fit in a Box!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:29:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

I wear many hats, both figuratively and literally! Check out my website at www.beautyandthebook.com and see for yourself!

This week I have volunteering as the storyteller at my church, First United Methodist Church of historic Jefferson, Texas with the theme "Christmas in July". We have through stories and activities been learning of the birth of Jesus, the true Christmas story.

It has also been a long time since I have been amongst children this small. I had forgotten just how funny children really were, what a joy and delight!

The first night I learned right away that I was going to have to get real creative when it came to reading storybooks, three one half hour segments. Hard to keep children's attention that long no matter how entertaining. So on the last segment, I had a group that wasn't just content with being told the Christ child story. In fact, one boy, Gunner, wanted to tell his own story. I decided that I would let them if they would tell me a Jesus story. He began with Jesus going down to the pond to go fishing. I was having a hard time keeping a straight face. At the end of his story I told him, though I never quite remembered that story from the Bible, but it was kind of the East Texas story version of Jesus. About that time Cadon blurted out, "It's all about coon hooting, BAAAAAAAAAAa -BE! Well, the whole class just feel apart in a fit of giggles.

Children having fun in church, I let them laugh and giggle and felt secure in knowing that all felt comfortable with Jesus and in fact, knew him pretty well.

I missed a night as I had book club, again, another hat. But back again last night and did we have fun. I read to them poems, one of The Friendly Beasts that came to see the Christ child. We practiced our animal sounds after the donkey, the cow, the sheep, but when I came to the camel part and asked them how does a camel sound. Complete silence. All of sudden, one of the Vacation Bible School leaders, Ms. Joyce popped her head up from the outside window and made this kind of growling sound. I go, "I guess that's our camel!" The kids howled with laughter.

We had learned of Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus. The children know what nativity, manger, angels, and halos mean. We are having a fine time at Vacation Bible School.

Towards the end, Zack, who is a darling freckled faced blue eyed all boy, comes up to me, and shows me this plastic egg, inside is a worm. He gets right up close to my face, I'm sitting down, and he said, "Are you Kathy Patrick?" "Yes, " I say and I 'm guessing he's about five. "Hey, aren't you the one that owns that bookstore?" "Yes, that's me." His eyes get really big, "Really?" "Yes," I continue, "that's me."

With his eyes really big he gets closer, I mean close. He goes, "Do you have a garden? Cuz, if you do, I'll give you my worm!"

"No thank you, Zack, you can keep him."

All the kids are really listening as they are coloring their nativity scenes.

"Well, not the worm but I can give you his poop, see?"

Laughter ensues and I tell the group.

"Well, boys and girls we have learned of Mary and Joseph, the baby Jesus, all the animals that came to the manger and now Zak's worm."

There is nothing more beautiful than children laughing!

So I continue, nights helping out at Vacation Bible School wearing that hat. My book selling and hairdressing hats during the day. Won't you all join me in wearing many hats! Besides I refuse to fit into anybody's box, figuratively and literally!

Tiara wearing and Book sharing,

Kathy L. Patrick

Author of "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", Grand Central Publishing

Founder of The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Club

The Pulpwood Queen's Event Last Night was hot, Hot, HOT!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:38:00 +0000

Dear Readers!

To say our 2nd Summer Book and Author Concert Series was HOT would be an extreme understatement. In all sense of the world it was HOT as far as author, Ad Hudler and the band, Destiny Duke and the Hazzards go and hot, Hot, HOT, in regards to temperature.

But the great thing I love about my book club, The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys of East Texas, is that we rise to the occasion, my book club was steaming HOT too for turning out, bringing friends, and really having so many in the community turn out for this summertime literacy promoting event.

The first time I met Ad Hudler at the Decatur Book Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, I knew I had met a friend for life. This man is as crazy as I am when it comes to writing and reading books! He was speaking on a panel with my good friend, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson. My other Nashville author friend, River Jordan and I sat and laughed our heads off at the repartee' of Ad, Shellie, and author, Robin Hemley. (Do note, ALL these authors will be featured at our 11th Anniversary Girlfriend Weekend Author Extravaganza, January 13 - 16, 2011).

Ad had us highly entertained as he spoke of his writing of his books. We learned that basically Ad has been writing fiction on his true life adventures and that his next book is going to be non-fiction about him portraying other people. I found that hee-larious! I will also be posting a video on Ad's presentation to my book club and friends later this morning so stay tuned.

I had especially made a dish in honor of Ad coming to the event that I give all credit to Erwin, the Dow Chemical Master Griller that ran our kitchen during a previously this summer, United Methodist U.M. ARMY Mission trip. I put my own spin on Erwin's dish that I call the Timber Guy Bacon Explosion or a.k.a. Redneck Roast that I presented to Ad. Go to http://www.bacontoday.com/ for the basic recipe. It's a MANLY MAN meat loving pleaser for sure!

All the food, fun, and fellowship would not been near as much fun if we hadn't had the band, Destiny Duke and the Hazzards then play for our listening enjoyment! Out under the stars in East Texas we all gathered, it just doesn't get much better than this folks.

Now a big shouty shout of thanks and gratitude to some fine Jeffersonians for helping this event be possible. My landlord, Jimmy Moore of East Texas Forest Products for putting up with our hoot-n-nanny, the best landlord in the world. Kathy and Skip of Glory Dayz for bringing all their fine retro chairs for the event and ICE! Did I mention ICE! My sister and brother-in-law, Robert and Penny Moore for table and set up assistance. Darla McCorkle and Hugh Lewis for as usual, going way overboard to provide incredible desserts, table, chairs, and rolling out the red carpet for all my authors at the McKay House Bed & Breakfast. Photographers, Tom Francis and Ron Munden of http/:www.easttexastownsonline.com for always covering my events. And last my book club, the best little book club in the whole wide world! I bow to the feet of the Kings and Queens who ALWAYS support everything I do by participating BIG TIME in hosting our authors and more!

Last, thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ad Hudler, for again driving all the way in from Nashville. You may be the President of the Kathy L. Patrick Fan Club but I am the President of the Ad Hudler Fan Club too! And to Jay, Rickie, Tom, Joe, and Destiny, members of the band, Destiny Duke and the Hazzards and all your families for supporting us ALWAYS on our literacy adventures and endeavors. I love you forever!

Hope you all can make the last of our BIG Book and Author Summer Concert Series coming next with West Texas Author, David Marion Wilkinson of "Not Between Brothers" and the concert with my favorite musical artist, Jay Patrick at the Johnny Nance's Big Cypress Boat Landing right on the bayou here in historic Jefferson, Texas, August 10th. A lucky 20 of us will be going down the river with Captain Johnny Nance and David Marion Wilkinson. Tickets are $10 and first come, first serve. Call me at 903-665-7520 or email kathy@beautyandthebook.com if you want to go!

It's David's birthday so compete in a homemade ice cream contest and you could win a first edition signed book of David's. I'm bringing the birthday cake. This event is open to the public as a continuation of our summer promoting literacy which is our sole mission!

More on the event soon and a big thank you too to all the Jeffersonians who did turn out for this event. We hope you will mark your calendars for August 10th and join us on our book loving parties! There is no better time to get to reading than summer so tipping my Sweet Tea glass to all of you on your reading days ahead!

Singing
Roy Orbison's,
I’m going back some day, gonna stay on blue
bayou
Where the folks are fine and the world is mine on
blue bayou
Oh, that girl of mine by my side the silver moon
and the evening tide
Oh, some sweet day gonna take away this hurtin’
inside
I’ll never be blue, my dreams come true on blue
bayou
Kathy L. Patrick

Author of "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", Grand Central Publishing

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

http:/www.pulpwoodqueen.com

The Pulpwood Queen Celebrates Summer Reading with Author, Ad Hudler and Destiny Duke and the Hazzards!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:24:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

Oh, those lazy days of summer! But The Pulpwood Queens and Timbers Book Club are saying it's hot Hot HOT with our 2nd Summer Book and Author Concert Series featuring Nashville Author, Ad Hudler, (Ad relaxing at home this summer in photo), and the band, Destiny Duke and the Hazzards! We invite all of you to join us for this book club hosted event that should put some sizzle in your summer with a fantastic read, "Man of the House" by Ad Hudler presentation by the author himself, and one of the finest bands in East Texas of which my husband, Jaybird, is on keyboards. So I am biased, I never said we were a politically correct book club. I work very hard to make reading BIG TIME FUN!

Where? Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

(right beside the restored Texaco on Broadway and Polk)

When? Tuesday, TONIGHT!, 6:30 p.m

What to bring? A summer dish, lawn chair or picnic blanket, bug

spray and all your friends!

Furnished! Sweet Tea, ice, plates, napkins, cups, and silverware

I also happen to be bringing in a dish I specially created for Ad Hudler, now self-proclaimed President of the Kathy L. Patrick Fan Club, that I call the TIMBER GUY BACON EXPLOSION! This is first created by my new friend Erwin who was in charge of the kitchen, (of which I was on dishwashing detail), at our United Methodist UM ARMY Mission trip, (I am the High School Youth Director for my church)! Yes, this amazing dish was served to all the adult crew at the end of our week's mission but only served if you signed your cardiologist's release form that it was okay to do. I saw men drooling over this dish so I put my book club spin on it and wa la! I'm serving it tonight!

Now we will all share "Dinner on the Grounds" first and don't worry about getting too hot, my Jaybird has bought an enormous jet engine sized fan! Then we will have Ad do his presentation, (not in the hammock), followed by booksigning with the band kicking off following!

When I first conceived this amazingly scathingly brilliant idea of bringing in the hottest MEN authors this summer with Jay's band thrown in to boot, I knew that someone would comment. Yes, indeed they have but all clapping hands and filled with joy! I took a risk and ta da! I got you all excited about reading this summer! My misssion is accomplished!

So bring a carload of friends and enjoy this FREE event sponsored by Beauty and the Book and The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys of East Texas! Our sole mission is to promote authors, books, literacy, and help undiscovered authors get discovered BIG TIME TOO! Won't you join us?

Tiara wearing and Beauty and the Book sharing,

Kathy L. Patrick

Author of "The Pulpwood Queen's Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", Grand Central Publishing

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

www.twitter.com/Pulpwoodqueen

www.facebook.com/Pulpwoodqueen

The Pulpwood Queen Shares Photos of Author, Ad Hudler on Tailgate Party Tour with the Queens!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:57:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

As I opened my laptop this morning one of the first things I viewed was the wonderful photos of last nights BB Pulpwood Queens of Jackson, Mississippi Tailgate Party with Author, Ad Hudler. This sure put a smile on my face! First, because it is still hard for me to believe I now have 315 chapters of The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs and second, because of how all the Queens, like Jonni, who run the chapters with such generosity and enthusiasm, are promoting literacy.

You can sure tell a good time was had by all but more importantly, we are sharing each other's lives through the reading of good books, such as, Ad Hudlers!

When Ad approached me on him wanting to do a driving his truck Tailgate Party I was more than excited because he wanted to visit Pulpwood Queen chapters. What makes our book club so unique is that we actually are making connections with authors through either teleconferences or the authors going to the chapters in person. How cool is that?

I learned a long time ago that having author events in my shop would not necessarily translate to having people take time out of their busy lives to come to the event, then the Pulpwood Queens Book Club was born. I soon learned that if I gave the Pulpwood Queens and yes, Timber Guys ownership of the success of the event we all would benefit. So here's a big bow from the Pulpwood Queen herself to the BB Queens of Jackson, and now to Queen Kay of The Pulpwood Queens of Southwest Louisiana who will host Ad's Tailgate Party tonight.

I can assure the publishing world the author tour is not dead. You all just need to rethink where you send an author on tour. The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys are mighty fine hosts and they get it! Books are important and reading our book club selections are MANDATORY along with wearing that Tiara or in the guys case, a Timber Guy gimmee cap!

Everyday I am reinspired by the women and yes, men who run my chapters. Let me borrow from Pulpwood Queen Marsha Toy Engstrom of our "Readers in the Hood" chapter in Woodlands, Califorinia who is well known in the blogging world as The Book Club Cheerleader, these women and men are cheering on the reading of books and promoting literacy.
Or Queen Mary of The Pulpwood Queens of Anchorage, Alaska that go way beyond the call in promoting literacy. My goodness, they have started two more chapters and one in a women's prison. Or Queen Lisa in Virginia who nearly writes to me every day or Queen Gayle of The Pulpwood Queens of Twin Cities who champions writing reviews on all the online booksellers for our Official book club selection authors. She has done over 400. The list could go on and on with Pulpwood Queens Lisa in Katy, TX, Anita, in Carrolton, Georgia, Alyse in Golden, Colorado who are all doing such great things in promoting literacy. I can't mention them all but to all of you, you have made my reading life complete!

Let us all not worry so much about our own agenda's but join forces like Queen Marsha and I have in promoting literacy. To me, nothing would be nicer on this planet than all being on the same page that reading is important AND BIG TIME FUN!

So Tuesday night, that's tomorrow, July 13th, at my shop, Beauty and the Book, 608 North Polk, in historic Jefferson, Texas, won't all of you join us for a Tailgate Party with Author, Ad Hudler. This is the second of our three part Summer Book and Author Concert Series as we are also featuring the band, Destiny Duke and the Hazzards. Bring a summer dish and lawn chair to hear one of the finest authors in the country, enjoy the community and fellowship of sharing a home cooked meal, hear what Ad Hudler has to say and enjoy one of East Texas finest bands. Road trip in for this fine ta do and let's all get to know Ad and each other better!

I'll be providing Sweet Tea, cups, plates, glasses, silverware and a dish I have created especially for Ad. It's called the TIMBER LOG BACON EXPLOSION! Bring all your friends as this Summer Book and Concert Series is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC as we want you all to know that their is big fun in reading! Then perhaps you will want to sign up and join too, the hottest book club in the world, The Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Club, "where tiaras are mandatory and reading good books is the RULE!"

For more information, email me at kathy@beautyandthebook.com. My husband, Jaybird, who will be playing keyboards with the band and has already set up the main stage on the grounds of my shop! Now there is no excuse for not coming, there's no better time to start reading than the summer and we think we have an evening that will inspire you too to join the Wonderful World of the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Clubs!

Tiara wearing and Book sharing,

Kathy L. Patrick

Author of "The Pulpwood Queens" Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", Grand Central Publishing

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520

www.pulpwoodqueen.com

P.S. Photo credit goes to Pulpwood Queen Diane Ratliff Lisenbe!

The Pulpwood Queen Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of "To Kill a Mockingbird" TODAY!

kathy@beautyandthebook.com (The Pulpwood Queen) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:13:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

Today, July 11th, is the 50th Anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize winning book "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. I slept in this morning but when I opened my email with my morning coffee, the first two emails were from authors sending me links to stories of this auspicious occasion as the news features reminded them of me.

From Kimberley Cetron:

Fifty years ago today, Harper Lee's only novel, 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' was published, the story narrated by six-year-old Scout Finch in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. It was an immediate best-seller, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and an instant American classic. It continues to sell incredibly well, with 30 milli...on copies still in print. (Writer's Almanac -- Sunday, July 11, 2010 -- thinking of you!)

From Marybeth Mayhew Whalen:

Saw this article and thought of you! http://www.aolnews.com/opinion/article/my-summer-with-scout-finch-reflections-on-the-50th-anniversary-of-to-kill-a-mockingbird/19549236

To have authors think of me when reading a story on Harper Lee is a humbling experience. I read "To Kill a Mockingbird" every year and every year the story reveals to me something different. This summer, my girls, Lainie and Madeleine, with Lainie's boyfriend, Toby, along for the ride went to Monroeville, Alabama. We spent days walking the courthouse square and the streets, (see blogs in May 2010 with photos). We got to meet the childhood actress, Mary Badham, in person and talk to her for awhile. She signed our 50th Anniversary books. We visited the remains of Truman Capote's childhood home. We went to the Monroeville Courthouse and spent time going through it's museum, wonderful I might add, the people so friendly. Then we were able to see the theatrical presentation of "To Kill a Mockingbird" that begins outside on the Courthouse grounds that moves inside for the Courthouse scene. We attended the First United Methodist Church and the most welcoming church I have ever visited. One of the actors in the play, actually gave me and my family a full tour of the church! My life will forever be changed by that experience and knowing that probably just blocks away, the author, Harper Lee, still lives in an assisted living while her sister, Alice, is still a practicing law. I would never dream of invading their privacy, nor should others. We have Harper Lee's book, that is enough for me.

So now today, when I reread "To Kill a Mockingbird", I will have that experience of visiting Monroeville, which was the fictitious town of Maycomb, Alabama in the book. When we read a book to each is a different experience as we all bring our own experiences into the book. I can say I walked the walk and now talk the talk. After I read the book, I plan on watching the film. What a perfect day of life's reflection though the power of the printed page and film.

I know many people are planning public venues for this momentous occasion but for me, I have done that already. With my Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Club, we one year made "To Kill a Mockingbird" our One Book, One City program. In fact, we read out loud the entire book in cooperation with The Marshall News Messenger in Marshall, Texas. The book you will find is more powerful read out loud and many times I flinched at the dialog in the book. I had not discovered just how powerful the words to paper were until we all read the book out loud. a new revelation.

I talked a length about the book in my book and what "To Kill a Mockingbird" has meant to me. I have written letters never sent to Harper Lee. I know everything that I could ever say has been said. Sometimes just the reading and the writing brings your own story full circle.

I sell the book in my shop, and if you truly know me, you know that this is my book that I treasure the most. But today, I have decided that I am going to pull a "Harper Nell Lee" and go to my very private reading chair for my own personal experience. Sometimes it's when we get really quiet that we learn the most and this coming from what you think is the noisiest person on the planet! I am when it comes to authors, books, literacy, and reading very outspoken but I thoroughly enjoy my private time too with myself and my family.

So on this hallowed day of the world's most beloved book after THE BIBLE, I ask all of you too as a favor to yourself, read the book! It all begins with the first page, the first word, the first sentence, the first paragraph. Walk in these characters shoes and you too will be able to talk the talk of America's most beloved book! The same social issues that were prevalent when this book came into publication are still the issues we are dealing with today. It is no wonder we love this book, it speaks the truth through a child's innocent eyes. We can all learn from the reading of "To Kill a Mockingbird", won't you join me?

Tiara wearing and Beauty and the Book sharing,

Kathy L. Patrick

Author of "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life", Grand Central Publishing

Founder of the Pulpwood Queens' and Timber Guys Book Clubs

Beauty and the Book

608 North Polk Street

Jefferson, Texas 75657

903-665-7520