This ugly woman couldn't be ME!

Reporter Laura Braddick wrote a simply marvelous story about Ociee and me for the Northside Neighbor Newspaper. I could not be more delighted . . . Ociee Nash would be equally pleased. I know.

HOWEVER the photograph taken in my own house right in front of family pictures is certainly not me! A profile, the strange lady is apparently in the final stages of life, has no smile, and will certainly frighten small children. Big ones for that matter. Not only did she scare my grandsons and their young Miami cousins, but she terrified their two older cousins as well!

Actually, this dreadful creature is oddly similar to the witch-woman in "The Further Adventures of Ociee Nash."
There, I've let it go now.
Again I am truly grateful for Laura's article. I'm just concerned for the poor woman in the picture.
Bless her heart. MMP

Happy Thanksgiving Yawl

I'm waiting for out-of-towners to arrive and am not only ready but actually "chompin' at the bit" to give warm welcoming hugs to everyone. I love Thanksgiving because there's no wrapping paper involved, just lotsa good food, fine conversation, and much laughter. It's fast becoming my favorite holiday because it's uncomplicated and seems to bring out the best in people.

Today I got a call from my friend Helen who's on her way to the mountains to celebrate with the huge Murray family; trying to count her five siblings and all of their family members is beyond my math skill. We have only 22 all together and we will be "all together" this year. *Another reason I'm in such a happy frame of mind.

Anyway Helen did tell me something I want to pass on . . . there's an article in the Northside Neighbor Newspapers about Ociee. I'm announcing this on the good faith she's not only correct, BUT also that the story is a positive one and that this author doesn't look too bad!

Must close, headlights just came up our drive way! They're here . . .
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and to all of yours. Milam

Gettin' kinda cocky

It's Friday afternoon and I was about to close up shop when Deb Smith, the ace marketing voice of Belle Books, sent me a review of "The Adventures of Ociee Nash." Bridget, a librarian who reviewed my book, began by briefly telling the novel's storyline. THEN she wrote a paragraph called "What I thought."

I WAS SO THRILLED I COPIED THE ENTIRE BOOK REVIEW and may frame it for rainy writing days! Here's part of Bridget's piece:

"What I thought"--------------------

"I continue to be delighted with the character of Ociee Nash. She is wonderfully spunky and adventurous. In many ways, she reminds me of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne and Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi. Ociee is the South’s answer to a classic juvenile heroine. I especially like the fact that the author bases Ociee’s adventures on her real relatives. That gives the book something extra—historical flavor and truth. I eagerly await the next installment in her adventures."
What is Bridget Reading is a place to deposit all the book talks, reviews, and opinions I have about children's and young adult books

IF I KNEW WHERE BRIDGET LIVES, I'D TAKE HER THE WHOLE POT OF CHILI WE'RE HAVING TONIGHT FOR DINNER.
Deb Smith continues to encourage me saying, "Slowly but surely, we ARE getting there."
The truth is our success is due to the readers who appreciate my grandmother, readers such as Bridget. We thank you.

By the way, if you are reading my blog, please tell me so. I keep running into sweet friends who mention they enjoy it, but I don't have a real handle on who's out there following the blogging adventures of Ociee and me.

Gotta go stir the chili, Milam

Another big grin

A couple of folks have written very nice reviews of "The Further Adventures of Ociee Nash." I just gotta brag a tad:

Midwest Book Review has made Ociee a Reviewer's Choice and gave it the following review.
"The Further Adventures of Ociee Nash" is Book Three of a wonderful series about an eleven-year-old girl's life in Tennessee and Mississippi circa 1900, based on the real life biography of the author's grandmother, Ociee Nash Whitman. Plunging right in with a near death daredevil leap off of a moving train, "The Further Adventures of Ociee Nash" is mesmerizing to readers young and old from start to finish. Aimed at readers age 7-12, the Ociee Nash is a delightful invitation to experience real history from a child's point of view.
Also from Midwest:
The 11/09 issue of their online book review magazine "Children's Bookwatch" features Ociee. The review has been provided to the "Cooperative Children's Book Center' (University of Wisconsin, Madison) where it will be made available to school and community librarians throughout Wisconsin's public school systems and community libraries. The review has also been provided to the Cengage Learning, Gale
interactive CD-ROM series "Book Review Index"

The real credit here goes to Deb Smith of Belle Books for working herself into a frenzy getting our book into the hands of people who seem to appreciate our Ociee girl. You can see why I'm so very happy this evening.
Ociee's Grandgirl, Milam

Just a quickie:

I'm still happily promoting E. C. Putnam's "Final Season," but please take a minute to go to "Library Things" and type in my name, Milam McGraw Propst.
Hmmm, think I'll get Mr. Putnam to put his book in this marvelous site, too.
Going to babysit darlin' grandsons now. Milam (MyMy)

Congratulations on your fine book, E. C. Putnam!

This Sunday afternoon I've been trying to copy a beautifully done book cover to my blog. I know my readers would love to see it. Alas, no luck. So we must rely on my own words to praise E.C. Putnam's new book "THE FINAL SEASON, State of Grace."

Initially I thought I'd not be terribly caught up with the story because it's about baseball. HOW WRONG I WAS! Putnam's page-turner will intrigue even the least sports-minded reader because the story is compelling, it's heartwarming and faith-filled, and is well written with all manner of twists and turns in the plot.

Although the book is set to be released on January 5, 2010, it can be ordered right away by going online to www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore. "The Final Season" would make a terrific Christmas gift. Besides, can Spring training be very far away?

Gotta run now; think I'll reread Putnam's novel. Milam

Just in time . . .

I was beginning to get a tad discouraged wondering how people liked the new Ociee story. THEN today came the nicest review on "Google Alerts". The reviewer said some lovely things which, in humility, I'm a bit reluctant to repeat to you. However, here's one great point she made which I am delighted to both hear and share with you.

FREDA'S VOICE
My Take on the Book:
For the third installment of the series, it did not disappoint. With all the great adventures of this young woman, and her family. It is a pleasure to read about her life. Usually the final book is more boring than previous, however I found myself just as rapt as the previous books. I had to know the outcome, and was so happy at the end! Of the three books, so far, this was my favorite. I hope the next will be just as good! A great read for any young girl!

It is sooooooo nice to learn "The Further Adventures of Ociee Nash" is her favorite of the three. Why? Because it's my favorite, too. The marvelous Georgia author Terry Kay taught me how to best reply to the question, "Which book of yours do you like the most?" Terry said, "Milam, always say it's your most recent one!"

Not only am I following his advice, but I'm also being perfectly honest. One thing I enjoy about this new story is it includes some little boys. Ben Nash, Ociee's brother gets more of the spotlight and there's a brand new character, Billy Boy Williams.

Thank you "Freda's Voice" for your generous remarks. Milam