The Beginning

On horse hill in Wyoming

It began over 10 years ago, when I was waiting at the gate for my plane to take me back to Plum Island, where I had scattered my mother’s ashes one year prior. I was sitting there, and the words of this novel starting rolling through my thoughts. At first, I just kind of acknowledged them, and then started thinking of other things. Soon, however, the words of this story just demanded my attention, and I was absolutely positive that my mother was telling me her side of the story. I had no paper, so I grabbed the book I was currently reading, “The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire, and began writing in the margins of the book…

I have found that writing in the margins was the perfect metaphor for where I always find my mother. She is still here. In the margins. She hovers between waking and dreaming, the beachy oceans’ edge, the horizon in the huge Wyoming sky and at twilight in my garden.

Each year I return to Plum Island for a few days, and during these few days, the book writes itself. A few summers ago, with the encouragement of my children and my husband, I embarked on a road trip literally from sea to shining sea; from Santa Cruz, CA to Plum Island, MA, to finish my mother’s book. I created this blog to share excerpts from the book and the journey along the way. I returned from that journey changed. Absolutely. While I have yet to finish “The Death and Adventures of Jackie”, I look forward with a grateful heart, anticipating further tales of my mother’s adventures.  Mom (Jackie)…I’m listening.