As Promised: Weymouth Pictures
It was hard to tear ourselves away this morning, but it’s good to be home with my boys: John, Keeper and Jet. There are distractions all over my desk, though. Ugh.
Here are some of the pictures from our productive trip.
This poster hung directly above my desk. How could I not be inspired to work??
The day of our arrival was Margaret Maron’s birthday, so after going out to dinner, we surprised her with her favorite: carrot cake. That’s Brenda Witchger to the right.
The Weymouth House is full of fascinating rooms, large and small. Below is the spirit-filled library where writers are annually inducted into the NC Literary Hall of Fame. Their pictures hang on the walls. F Scott Fitzgerald, Maxwell Parrish and many other famous writers spent time at the house. The desk in the corner had (reportedly) been used by Abraham Lincoln. This is the room where we met during the day to set goals and brainstorm. Katy and I tried to make contact with the house ghost last night in this room, with some spooky success.
Here we are enjoying an Italian dinner. From left, that’s Brenda Witchger, Margaret Maron, Katy Munger, me and Sarah Shaber.
And here we are at the Southern Pines Library where we spoke on Sunday. From left, Katy Munger, Alex Sokoloff, local thriller author JD Rhoades who showed up to give us support, me, Brenda Witchger and Sarah Shaber.
There are a carriage house and stables on the Weymouth property, where horses are trained to pull carriages. As I was leaving this morning, I spotted these gorgeous horses being put through their paces. Aren’t they stunning?
Well, speaking of pace. . . I’m hoping to keep up the pace I set at Weymouth, but it’s not as easy when there’s a stack of bills on my desk and laundry in the laundry room. . . not to mention ready Internet access and TV. John taped Design Star and Big Love for me, so I guess I’ll get back to work tomorrow. . .
What a wonderful experience Diane! It’s easy for me to see why you accomplished so much with the gorgeous environment and historical background to inspire you. I’d love to know the story of the House Ghost! The food looks yummy and helped me decide what’s for dinner tonite…Italian! (-:
P.S. Diane, I noticed your not wearing your glasses in the pics…must mean the eye surgeries were a great success! I’m very happy for you.
A family member killed herself in one of the bedrooms long, long ago. Some people have reported ghostly happenings since that time. For example, a receptionist one heard typing on the second floor, but when she went upstairs to investigate, no one was there. She quit immediately!
On the large lazy susan built into a round table in the library, we set up small arrow-shaped pieces of paper stating “yes,” “no,” “i don’t understand” etc. Then we sat around the table at night and one of us would ask a question of the spirit and spin the lazy susan and watch for the answer. (None of us really believe in this stuff, but were trying to remain open). The first night, the spirit “told” us she had died in Brenda’s bedroom. During that night, Brenda felt someone in climb onto her bed in the middle of the night. This is why only Katy and I were willing to play with the spirit the following night. 🙂 However, it was not the aunt who “came” to Katy and me, but the wife of one of the Hall of Fame inductees, a woman with five children who seemed a bit annoyed that Katy and I were not asking her the right questions.
Just think of all the writing we could have gotten done if we hadn’t been goofing off with the lazy susan!
Diane – what a fabulous time. You certainly do draw a fabulous group of women. 🙂
I just love a good ghost story. Thx for sharing D! (-:
I think that is a beautiful place. So many great authors…
I am at the college grading papers…fun…
Girls-I just read an old old Anne Rivers Siddons…HEARTBREAK HOTEL–if you like her-and I do–you should read this one and see how her writing has changed-believe me it has. Why did I want to read this one (an older one)??? It is about the l950’s, etc…
Take care all of you.
Can’t we go there with you next time? 🙂 🙂
Brenda, it seems like you just got “out of school” for the summer and here you are grading papers already. I hope it’s a good year for you. Siddons’ HEARTBREAK HOTEL is a REALLY old one! I started with her PEACHTREE ROAD and still enjoy her.
Her books are great…as are yours, of course…
Back to school and have a virus…this happens to me the first few weeks of school-especially since I have to move room to room-our high schools are too crowded…I go into a warm room, then one with broken air conditioning, and then one in the brand new wing where it is COLD…not good for us…but…good to be back at work and meeting new students.
I absolutely enjoy my high school kids, but I have to say that doing the two college classes-despite the SMALL salary there–is exciting…these folks are eager to be back in college. Wish me luck
i do wish you luck, brenda. it sounds like you’re loving it despite being sick.