It is proving to be one of those days of small difficulties, one of those days where I feel impatient with myself and life in general. It is on days like this that we need to tell ourselves, "Chin up, honey."
Well, the phrase is staring me in the face, because that is the title of my upcoming book. Chin Up, Honey, number seven in the Valentine series, and I've been working on final edits over the holidays. First I worked on the printed copy of the manuscript sent to me from my editor, with all of her changes and questions. My tools were a pen, Post-it Notes, hot tea, and the expanse of my bed, where I can spread out pages.
A few days after I mailed the changes back to my editor, I received the computer file of the manuscript for one more final edit. I have to tell you that this is the first time I have edited on the computer, and I absolutely loved it. I can make the print as large as I need it on the computer screen. After I finished putting in my edits, I then made a few clicks and the entire manuscript was back in New York, and in production. Amazing. Chin Up, Honey, will be published at last this coming June. Good golly, I just counted-- it will be released in less than five months! I will post an image of the book cover soon and talk more about it. I have to tell you, and unashamedly, it is the funniest, dearest book.
Now, I want to share with you a headline I came across just a few minutes ago:
Missing: 2,700,000 Americans Undiagnosed with Celiac Disease
This headline is in connection with a story about Michele Wallick, who is sailing 7,000 nautical miles across the South Atlantic to raise support funds and awareness for the estimated 2,700,000 undiagnosed Americans with Celiac Disease. You can read the entire story on the Gluten Intolerance Group website, as well as at Michele Wallick's site www.gfadventures.com, where she tells of her adventures with traveling gluten-free, as well as offers gluten-free sailing charters. My word, I could go for that-- especially someone else cooking!
Yes, Celiac is the great misunderstood and undiagnosed malady of this century. Countless people go around suffering, when a change in diet could save their lives. While things are far, far better for those who suffer from gluten-intolerance today than twenty years ago, and even seven years ago, when I was diagnosed, there is still an enormous gap in knowledge not only with the general public but with the medical community. Thankfully there are many people working to change this situation.
Do yourself a favor and visit the Gluten Intolerance Group website and educate yourself. The life you save may be your own or that of someone close to you.
Blessings,
CurtissAnn