Sometime in 2007 I agreed to be the keynote speaker at a Writers’ Conference in Boise, Idaho, in June of 2008. In May of 2008, Bill’s bi-lateral knee replacement surgery, which had originally been scheduled for August, got moved up to June. His new hospital/rehab stay was right in the middle of the conference. I told my daughters, “I’m going to call the people in Boise, tell them my husband is in the hospital, and say I won’t be able to attend.”
What did my daughters say? “You keep your promise and go to Boise. We’ll look after Dad.” It is SO annoying when your children grow up and start spouting back to you all the things you used to say to them! As a result, and muttering under my breath, I went to Boise, and the girls looked after Bill.
I was six feet tall in seventh grade. I was smart. I wore thick glasses. Any one of those conditions can turn someone into a social misfit in junior high and high school. I had all three, and believe me, I was not high on anyone’s prom dance card. Then, years later, I happened to hear Janis Ian’s iconic song—”At Seventeen”
I learned the truth at seventeen
That love was meant for beauty queens
And high school girls with clear-skinned smiles
Who married young and then retired.
Boy did I relate! That was my teenaged life in a nutshell, because:
Dreams were all they gave for free
To ugly duckling girls like me.
Once I started doing live-audience events in my forties, those haunting lyrics became my theme song, and I often ended presentations by singing it. And that’s exactly what I did in Boise in June of 2008—I finished my keynote speech by singing Janis’s song. Sunday night, when I got home from the conference, I opened my computer to find an email from Janis Ian.
“Hey,” she said. “I hear you sang my song in Boise this weekend and that you did a good job of it!”
Astonishingly enough, that was the beginning of my now almost twenty-year friendship with Janis Ian. I count it as one of the miracles of my career as a writer.
Years later, at an event in Newport News, Virginia, a woman came up to the stage before the program started and said, “You put my husband’s name in your book.” I was visiting in Virginia, but I was living in Washington state. It didn’t seem possible that I knew her husband.
“I did?” I said.
“Yes,” she answered,”my husband, Joe Kenda.”
I had been a devoted follower of Joe Kenda’s TV show Homicide Hunter for years, and that was why I put his name in a Beaumont book. The two of them have always seemed to be birds of a feather.
I said, stupidly, “You’re married to Joe Kenda?”
She replied, “Yes, he’s right over there.”
She pointed, and sure enough, there he was in the flesh! What followed was an amazing fan-girl introduction as well as several photo ops, and Kathy and Joe Kenda now count as friends as well. I’ve often said that those two friendships—the one with Janis and Pat and the other with Joe and Kathy are two of the highlights of my life.
This past Sunday I received an email from a man in Mesa. He said his wife, who recently passed away, had been a huge fan of the Joanna Brady books. One year, as an anniversary present, he had treated her to a weekend at the Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, where they signed up for a Pink Jeep tour so they could become better acquainted with the area.
By pure coincidence Bill and I happened to be in Bisbee that weekend, showing some grandkids around. To make things easier, we ended up scheduling the same Pink Jeep Tour. When I stepped inside the vehicle, the woman was so surprised that she almost fell out of her seat.
And that’s why her widowed husband wrote to me last week—to thank me for that meeting which his late wife had always considered to be one of the highlights of her life.
See what I mean? What goes around really does come around.
Oh so true.
This is sad I ask all to pray for those in the Texas Hill Country. Kerrville. The floods have been bad. The death toll rises. As a former volunteer firefighter. And EMT. I have searched for victims. It is never easy. When you find some bodies, the parents ask you many questions Finding little kids the hardest thing you can imagine. When it is over you have sessions where you talk with other responders. Once I found a 3 year old. That scene is still etched in my mind. I cried when I told the parents. We became friends. I see them occasionally. We sit and cry now So please include those in your prayers.
You were in Mesa and no explanation that it is in AZ. It made me smile. We in the valley only think we are so well known.
I love reading the blog and your books. Keep up the great work.
Judy, what an awesome blog…your friendship with Janis Ian and the Kendas is admirable but the special care you took to celebrate that woman’s life in Bisbee is truly an act of love. It may have been one of the highlight of her life but I’m sure it was also one of the great highlights of your life as well. Bless you for doing that!
It’s the chance comments that catch your attention. Several years ago you wrote in your blog that a devastating flood at your house had changed your immediate life and you hadn’t ordered lefse from Montana. I read it and contacted you as I make lefse and we were living in Lake Stevens. After making and delivering lefse to you for 2 years in a row, We have had some very nice visits. Fast forward a few years and we came to see you at the Poison Pen. We were going there with my oldest son who lives in Mesa. We went to eat at the Pasty Company before and ran in to you and Bill there. Later my son commented that we really did know you! Incidently I have passed on my lefse expertise to both sons and they have taught their oldest sons. Safe to say that it will live on for a couple more generations.
When I first saw it, I thought your ‘lefse’ was a typo! After seeing it several more times I knew it wasn’t so I had to look it up. It sounds delicious! I’m going to find an ‘authentic’ (as close as possible) recipe and try it!
Check out You Tube for videos. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me at my email.
Lefse is awesome! I had a great teacher!! (Thanks Dad!) I make it several times a year and it never get’s old. Unlike Dad who prefers it cold, I like to eat it hot right off of the iron. It’s a great Tollefson Family Tradition and recipe!!
I had a great teacher when it comes to making Lefse. (Thanks Dad!) I make it several times a year. I believe Dad likes to eat it cold but I love to eat it hot off the iron. Melts in your mouth. The Great Tollefson Family Tradition!!
Another great Friday blog story. Thank you so much.
I wanted to write to you and also thank you for your Brady series…actually all of them, but Joanna is who I’m reading right now. I love the way you wrap things up and end your stories. Just a small thing, but usually puts a smile on my face.
I have to say that seeing you in Sun City, AZ a few years ago and having my book signed was definitely one of the highlights of my life! I had read your books for many years and could never seem to coordinate our schedules with your tours. My sister, who lived in Shoreline, knew I was a huge fan so she went to an event several years ago at the Swedish Lodge (or Norwegian…I forget which one) and had a book signed for me. Thank you for many years of reading enjoyment!
I have to say that meeting you last year was one of the highlights of my life, and as far as I am concerned, we are friends for life.
Happy Birthday [87] to me today!
Blessing to you and Bill.
Happy 87th Birthday! What a milestone…have a great day!
Thank you so much!
So nice! <3
Loved the story!
Hi Janice,
Your Friday blogs always give me the warm fuzzies. I live in Battle Ground, WA, and have always felt a kinship with J.P. I remember reading one of your books and immediately going to Powell’s and buying the entire unread set. This was back in the 90s, so there weren’t yet that many, but I spent many content hours reading. I introduced my neighbor, Marlene, who went to meet you in Vancouver or Portland (at 71, my memory isn’t what it used to be. The picture with you now hangs on her wall as her most prized possession. I’m jealous.
Looking forward to your next book, whether it’s JP, Joanna, or Ali.
Best,
Jackie Olsen
Yes, the sorts of things I call “God-things.”
Coolest blog ever!
Lovely…absolutely lovely stories. You could have titled this blog: “There are no coincidences.” and would be just as lovely.
Thank you for the reminders…
Seventeen was my theme song as well. It was perfect for those of us to whom it applied.
I look forward every week for your blog. Your little stories are very appreciated and I am a fan of all your novels. Most of them are signed by you. My wife Renee a Bisbee graduate had several of the teachers you had when you were at Bisbee High. Please keep up your wonderful books. A loyal fan: Dennis Thompson, e-mail: nosaints3@yahoo.com.
Such heartwarming stories. I too love Janis and her music and related to it as well. I believe chance meetings sometimes were meant to happen and can bring wonderful people and opportunities into our lives. You have been blessed with some wonderful “chance” meetings. Thank you for making my heart feel good today.
Okay, so I’m crying from your remarks. And you are right – what goes around comes around. I would add that kindness, whether it comes around or not is a marvelous thing.
It certainly does, in many different ways.
Keep on keeping on, you positively touch the lives of so many. Mine as well, since I attended your book signing event at the East Mesa Library 2 times. Even had a picture of the 2nd time.
Hearing your life stories helped me to ‘buck up’- whatever that means. My husband was in his Alzheimer’s decline, as I call it and you sharing some of your life challenges gave me a little hope that I’d get thru it. ?
It certainly does, in many different ways.
Keep on keeping on, you positively touch the lives of so many. Mine as well, since I attended your book signing event at the East Mesa Library 2 times. Even had a picture of the 2nd time.
Hearing your life stories helped me to ‘buck up’- whatever that means. My husband was in his Alzheimer’s decline, as I call it and you sharing some of your life challenges gave me a little hope that I’d get thru it. ?
That’s just a wonderful post today .Loved it
Three neat and very special encounters. You are blessed.
Super cool! Small world, huh? These things are so surprising, and it’s nice when they are also pleasant!
It’s a fun world after all…
Like the old saying goes… “It’s not what you know.. it’s WHO you know!” and I am glad I have met you through your novels!
Interesting things, ripples. We all make them for better or for worse. I just finished “Den of Iniquity” (thanks for the signed copy, my first), it exposes the ripple effect on all of our lives, none of us escape. I just reminisced with a Priest I met in Haiti nearly 20 years ago and how he caused ripples that changed my life forever. I have in turn created new ripples that continue. We are all on this ride together and we can all be a blessing to another. Thank you for all of your works.
On another note, For nearly 15 years I have been listening to your books starting at volume one of each of the characters series then moving on to the next until I have heard them all and then I start over again. I am currently listening to “Lying in wait” for the third time. Right in the middle of it while at the beach and not driving I read “Den of Iniquity”. Being currently in the middle of one that was written decades ago and reading this one gave me pause. So many changes in our lives that we don’t seem to notice while they happen but end up being worlds from where we were. So many lives touched, so many ripples.
Thank you for your stories, they are precious.
Agreed…the stories are precious. And she is spreading so many ripples.