![\"Faye](\"http:\/\/blog.fayegibbons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/IMG_0411-e1443802701271.jpg\")
<\/a>Faye with Sherry and some of her family<\/p><\/div>\n
My latest book, HALLEY, awarded 2015 Jefferson Cup Honor for Historical Fiction. Available at: NewSouth Books:\u00a0www.newsouthbooks.com\/halley and Amazon<\/p>\n
One of the joys of our recent trip out west was our side trip to visit
\nthe artist-illustrator of three of my picture books–Sherry Meidell.
\nShe and her family made my husband and me welcome in their home and
\nshared a delicious home-cooked meal–chicken soup and amazing
\nfresh-from-the-garden vegetables.\u00a0 When we sat down at the table with
\nfour generations of Meidells, I felt right at home.\u00a0 Of course, we
\ntalked about our sons–the Meidells have five and we have two–our
\ndaughters-in-law, and our grandchildren.\u00a0 All–ours and theirs–we
\ndiscovered, were well above average in looks and accomplishments.\u00a0 Too
\nbad we didn\u2019t have all those kid present when we lined up for photos.<\/p>\n
Sherry and I compared on notes on independent bookstores.\u00a0 She said
\nher favorite had author signings and launchings all the time.\u00a0 \u201cSo
\ndoes mine,\u201d I told her.\u00a0 \u201cCapitol Books in Montgomery, Alabama even
\nsmells like old books and waxed wood, and leather upholstery.\u201d<\/p>\n
We talked about the joys of writing and illustrating books for
\nchildren–and how difficult it can be sometimes.\u00a0 We compared notes on
\nour long term happy marriages, and our spouses\u2019 creative pursuits.\u00a0 Her
\nhusband was a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for more than 20
\nyears, my husband is a photographer and woodworker.\u00a0 Both our husbands
\nfill the role of best friend and first editor.<\/p>\n
Sherry and and her husband shared something else in common with
\nBenjamin and me: a visit to Peru.\u00a0 They had hiked up to Machu Picchu,
\ninstead of riding up in a bus, as we did seven or so years ago.<\/p>\n
On parting, Sherry presented me with a valuable gift: an original,
\ndouble-spread illustration from FULL STEAM AHEAD–the second book she
\nand I did together.\u00a0 It is especially treasured because the home in
\nthe painting is modeled on the actual house that was my great grandparents\u2019
\nhome place in Murray County, Georgia.\u00a0 In front of the house is a more
\ncheerful version of my great Grandmother and Grandfather Nolan than
\nanyone experienced in real life (to be fair, my great grandparents had
\na lot to be grumpy about).\u00a0 There are also two children, representing
\nmy Uncle Roy Junkins and my Aunt Bert Cox.\u00a0 I gave a family photograph
\nto Sherry to show her how houses looked in Murray County, Georgia
\nduring the time period FULL STEAM AHEAD was set.\u00a0 Little did I know
\nshe would use more than the house!\u00a0 I now have my painting framed and
\nhung in\u00a0 an honored spot in our house.<\/p>\n
Our journey to West Bountiful, Utah was bountiful, indeed.<\/p>\n
Thank you, Sherry Meidell!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My latest book, HALLEY, awarded 2015 Jefferson Cup Honor for Historical Fiction. Available at: NewSouth Books:\u00a0www.newsouthbooks.com\/halley and Amazon One of the joys of our recent trip out west was our side trip to visit the artist-illustrator of three of … Continue reading