Etruscan Evenings, the sequel to Cairo Diary, follows the life of Justine Jenner after she is expelled from Egypt in the wake of discovering the controversial diary of the Virgin Mary. In Italy, the anthropologist confronts 
Cairo Diary: An Egyptian Fable is a tale of two women 2000 years apart: the Virgin Mary, living with her family in Old Cairo; and Dr. Justine Jenner, an anthropologist. During a violent earthquake, Justine becomes trapped in the crypt under St. Sergius Church, the cave that served as the Egyptian home to the Holy Family. When the shaking stops, the diary of the Virgin Mary lies at her feet. When Linda visited this ancient crypt, she was inspired to write Cairo Diary: An Egyptian Fable, her first historical novel.
Fiction
« Older Entries Newer Entries »San Geronimo Day-Part II
Saturday, October 8th, 2011
Being invited to the home of an Indian family on the Pueblo for San Geronimo Day is quite an honor. It began last April when I met Amitola (meaning butterfly, but not her real name) at a ranch and agricultural conference here in Taos. Her intelligent question drew my immediate attention, so I approached her and explained my project. After two long conversations at her favorite coffee shop and a couple of letters in between, she invited me to join her and her family on this special day.
I called her the day before to ask if my husband could come along and she said in her dry humorous style, “I don’t allow men in my house, but perhaps he could stand in the back.” Clearly the intervening months had not tarnished our playful relationship. After the morning races, we sought out her traditional Indian adobe home down a dusty road behind the Pueblo plaza to leave off a ham, cookies and lemonade, then returned later for lunch. As we arrived, her daughter invited us to sit in the backyard—it was a beautiful, warm day and visit; Amitola and another friend joined us. We were told of the history of this 1945 family home built by her grandfather when he returned from WWII. Set among the red willows, replete with carved wooden columns and artwork, we felt as though we had move back in time.
The lunch was a feast. Turkey and dressing, salads, chili stews, homemade breads, posole, cakes and lemonade. Great coffee, homemade biscotti. Luscious. Family and friends—including many children—gathered in shifts around a table in the kitchen sat for ten. As one group finished, the table was replenished, then another group arrived, reminding us of the race. The seven-year old grandson, who had shown his readiness to be part of the community by racing that morning, said the prayer.
Next, San Geronimo Day, Part III
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San Geronimo Day-September 30-Part I
Tuesday, October 4th, 2011
When we left the house at 6:30 am last Friday to share in the renowned San Geronimo Day (St. Jerome Day) at the Taos Pueblo, the air was chilled and the soft light of morning barely enough to guide one’s steps. But we knew that by the time the end of this long day arrived, we would be very warm indeed. We drove the half hour to the Pueblo and settled ourselves with friends at the base of the five-story pueblo near the grandstand and starting line for the race. Well, “race” doesn’t quite describe this ancient Indian ritual for the men, ages 7-70, ran in tandem, one at a time. No competition. It is said that this essential ritual keeps the seasons, as well as the sun, rotating around the earth. The sacred earth, Mother Earth, source of all life. “And what if you didn’t perform these rituals,” Carl Jung asked of Chief Mountain Lake in 1925. “The earth would become dark and everyone would die,” Mountain Lake replied simply.
As we stood waiting for the ritual, the sun sprayed across the multi-layered pueblo lined with women in colorful shawls. One of Taos’ brilliant animated paintings. The guests, mostly Anglos, lined up on the south side of the running area. On upright beams eight feet above ground, sat the grandstand wrapped in tree limbs with golden autumn leaves. A golden cross towered over the enclosure. Inside sat two priests, the leader of the Penitentes, and three Indians. Statues from the nearby St. Jerome Church had been paraded out after the 6:00 am mass and planted on the platform. The Virgin Mary–dressed in her seasonal gold colored satin– was joined by St. Jerome, the Indian saint Kateri, and Jesus.
About 50 Runners gathered at the base of the grandstand and readied themselves to run. Their bodies were adorned with white and clay-colored paint, brightly decorated loincloths (red velvet, blue satin, decorated with flowers, design, black, purple) feathers across their chests and in their hair. As each barefooted man stepped up to run, the men standing behind them rubbed his back with feathers to help him fly. The runners whopped and yelped—women trilled. They left the starting place as another runner returned and crossed the finish line of green and gold branches. One little boy tripped and fell as he left, but got up and continued. Runners left in a fast sprint, returning slowly, some walking. We understood the path to be about l/4 mile. Feathers lined the outer rim of the race and visitors were told not to touch them.
Relationships among the runners were helpful and caring—rubbing dust on the legs of returning runners, kissing a hand, patting a shoulder, rubbing with feathers, brushing hands with open palms. After nearly an hour and a half, everyone ran as a group toward the east, then back again, standing for prayer. As they paraded out, small candies were showered on them by the crowd. Those in the grandstand scrambled down the ladder and paraded the statues back to the church.
Next: Lunch with Indian friends on the Pueblo
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Journeying back to Taos….
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
With the release of the second novel in the Cairo Trilogy, Etruscan Evenings, Morgan and I enthusiastically return to Taos at the end of this week to pursue research on the third novel, Taos: Song of the Loom. We are eager to reunite with friends and enjoy the beauty and culture of New Mexico. While there, I will be discussing Etruscan Evenings at the La Fonda Hotel in the Lawrence room on October 2 from 4-6, arranged with exceptional skill by Mary McPhail Gray and co-sponsored by The Friends of D.H. Lawrence and the bookstore, Moby Dickens.
It is a breathtakingly rich period in Taos. On September 28, film producer Mark Gordon will be present his film-in-progress about Mabel Dodge Luhan at the Harwood Museum with Ali McGraw reading from Mabel’s Edge of the Desert. On September 30, San Geronimo Day at the Pueblo draws Indians from all 19 pueblos and hundreds of visitors for the rituals and crafts of the southwest. Liz Cunningham, curator of the website “Mabel Dodge Luhan and the Remarkable Women of Taos” gives us stories of the artistic community and alerts us that 2012 will be the “Year of the Woman.” BBC and author Geoff Dyer (Out of Sheer Rage: the Search for DH Lawrence) will be researching a new film on Lawrence. The twenties are very much alive in Taos…reminds one of Woody Allen’s new film, “Midnight in Paris”! How delicious.
More from Taos….Linda
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Upcoming Book Talks-Etruscan Evenings
Friday, September 2nd, 2011
Four-Eyed Frog, Gualala-September 14, 5:00
La Fonda Hotel, Taos, New Mexico, October 2, 4:00-6:00
Home of Mary Gardner, San Jose, CA, November 18, 5:00-7:00 (e-mail me for directions)
Il Pero, Arezzo, Italy, April 28, 2012, time to be announced
More to come…Linda
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Etruscan Evenings released!
Friday, September 2nd, 2011
Etruscan Evenings lies in the sensuous curvature of ancient
and present day Italy. The sequel to Cairo Diary: an Egyptian
fable, follows the life of anthropologist Dr. Justine Jenner
after she is expelled from Egypt in the wake of discovering
and making public the controversial diary of the Virgin Mary.
Exiled into Tuscany, Jenner finds herself embroiled in three
interwoven stories of discovery: the long-lost letters from D.H.
Lawrence to her great-grandmother, Isabella; an Etruscan
tomb revealing the origin and migration of an ancient people
predating Rome; and the genealogy of the Virgin Mary and
Jesus. While shaken by the frank revelations in Lawrence’s
letters and the intimate relationship between the primeval
Etruscans and Jesus’ mother, Jenner must confront her own
sexuality and yearning for personal freedom. The second in a
trilogy, Etruscan Evenings is riveted with literary, religious and
archeological history and international politics, each narrative
magnifying and altering the meaning of the others. Get Etruscan Evenings
by ordering at your local bookstore, Authorhouse.com, Amazon or Barnes & Noble on-line.
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A Narrative of a Friendship
Friday, July 29th, 2011
Mary Gardner and I have been here at The Sea Ranch for a week working on a couple of our books, trying to solve the debt ceiling problem, shopping and cooking, laughing, planning marketing strategies, walking along the bluffs…we’ve revisited Joseph Campbell’s “Power of Myth” in preparation for Taos: Song of the Loom, Linda’s third novel in the trilogy. Last night we saw the excellent local play “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and recognized the parallels with our current political situation. But perhaps the most striking insights about our friendship reaffirmed our mutual acknowledgement in Women’s Ways of Leading:
“First, we want to thank each other for continually deepening our understanding of reciprocity and friendship. During the last two decades, we have worked on two other books together, but it has been this study of women’s leadership that has woven itself into the fabric of our relationship as well as the fabric of our lives. We listen to each other, construct knowledge together and accept responsibility for mutual decisions. Within a landscape of laughter we realize that a lightness of spirit is like a shared secret, a magnetic circle sometimes blurring lines of separateness. We often laugh at ourselves as well, making fears and hesitations buoyant and fleeting….”
Wishing you deep friendships, Linda and Mary
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Moving with the wind…
Monday, April 18th, 2011
Which is ferocious here. Our neighbors from home, Sharon and Tom are here by way of small plane, which can’t fly now. However, the wind doesn’t slow down the Taosenas nor thwart their creative impulses. A generous and fascinating people.
On Saturday, we were all invited to a delicious dinner in the new home of Liz Cunningham and Skip Miller who seem to be at the apex of several other friends here. Liz is the keeper and writer of the website “Mabel Dodge Luhan and the Remarkable Women of Taos” and author of the acclaimed In Contemporary Rhythm: The Art of Ernest L. Blumenschein.” She is now preparing for the year of the woman, next year along with the Centennial of New Mexico. The notion of how to identify “remarkable women” is a companion to our search for “women to watch.”
Skip is a historian and forest archeologist (and potter) who knows Taos and the Pueblo Indians with an exacting intimacy that is immediately treasured.
We prepare to leave Taos on Wednesday. The short visit this time requires that we return in the summer and fall. Perhaps I could linger longer on this book, continually finding excuses to return to this wonderful land.
While here, I’ve had the pleasure to read with the New Mexico Writers at Mabel Dodge Luhan’s on April 8, and at a book talk and signing in the DH Lawrence room of the La Fonda Hotel on April 15. A busy time. And, am getting close to the outline for the Taos book with these themes: DH Lawrence, the archeology of communities, Justine’s search for spirituality and consciousness, Amir’s participation in the revolution of Egypt.
Next post: reports from Egypt
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Learning in Taos
Saturday, April 9th, 2011
When the rains returned to Taos a couple of days ago, we were quickly willing to take credit. For Taos is now a federal disaster zone because of the drought (“we didn’t have a winter”). The weather is a temperamental character in the drama that is Taos. It can be freezing in the morning with ice on the windshield, yet as we step outside the tulips have burst into bloom, and lunch can be served outside.
Last night was the New Mexico Writers evening with DH Lawrence at the home of Mabel Dodge Luhan. Nearly 14 writers and entertainers perform—including Dean Stockwell and Mirabel Starr—and I read from the fictionalized letters from DH Lawrence to Isabella Hassouna, his Egyptian muse. These letters are from my second novel in the Cairo Trilogy, Etruscan Evenings. Even though the emcee and I said the letters were from a novel, afterwards, people came up to me to ask about what happened to Lawrence’s child. I said, wait for the next novel.
This morning, we attend a Third Farmer’s Conference attended by Hispanics, Indians, and Anglos. (And, we have been told that these subcultures never work together! Not so). Officials from the Department of Agriculture and other agencies participated in the program. A young woman, newly appointed to the Minority Advisory Council said, “Perhaps our grandparents were right. We are reawakening to what is important. There is a profound change with this administration that is trying to make things right, address ancient wrongs and historic grievances.” One of the key items was a new process for Hispanics and women to submit claims for cases in which they were discriminated against in getting loans for ranches or farms.
Tomorrow morning, we’ll meet with Jeff Boyer, archeologist, who is offering a job to Justine (my fictional protagonist). In the afternoon, a conversation with women on the pueblo followed by dinner with the former mayor of Taos and his wife.
Tulips and stars appear effortlessly. And so, apparently, does learning.
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Returning to Taos…
Monday, April 4th, 2011
With the appearance of April, we eagerly return to Taos to research the third novel in my Cairo Trilogy. Warm days, ferocious winds, and cold nights. Snow capped mountains and temperamental clouds. As always, welcoming and receptive people.
On the way to Taos, we spent a couple of days in Santa Fe to talk with the curator of the archives at the New Mexico History Museum and visit the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts to see the exhibit of Soul Sister: Re-imagining Kateri Tekakwitha—the almost Indian saint (she has yet to be canonized), and the excellent presentation at the St. Francis Cathedral by artist and author Giovanna Paponetti about the life of Kateri. At the Georgia O’Keeffe museum we heard about Gertrude Stein and the Modernists. On Friday, we sought out Joe Bacon, weaver par excellence, who explained the processes of dying wool and weaving. Many of these experiences were shared with three Santa Fe friends.
Two major events will take place during this visit to Taos (March 31-April 20). This Friday, April 8, an evening with DH Lawrence will be held at Mabel Dodge Luhan’s home during which I’ll read from the fictionalized letters from DH Lawrence to his muse Isabella in my second novel, Etruscan Evenings. On April 15, artist friends Jan Mellor and Steve Gootgeld will host a book talk for Cairo Diary and Etruscan Evenings in the DH Lawrence room at the La Fonda Hotel. Many of Lawrence’s paintings that were confiscated as obscene in London in the late twenties hang dramatically on one wall of this room. Inspiring.
An this time unfolds, we will be learning from local weavers, archeologists and anthropologists, Pueblo Indians, artists, social workers and educators, members of the DH Lawrence society, journalists, writers… More on Taos soon.
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The Lamberts Living Life Fully….
Monday, January 10th, 2011
The Year that Was….
The Lamberts Living Life Fully-2010
Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice.
Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.
—-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
To reduce the length of this year’s message and minimize redundancy, we suggest that you take last year’s letter out of your file and simply add one year to many of the stories contained therein. For example, each grandchild is now one year older. What…you can’t find our 2010 letter?…Shocking! OK, we’ll bring you up to date. Life at The Sea Ranch continues to be very satisfying—a gorgeous environment and an ever-widening circle of stimulating friends and activities. We continue work with the Democrats United for Progress and write editorials (the latest enclosed), participate in two book clubs, Readers Theater, a writing group, a “Blue Brothers” luncheon group, as well as several circles of friends meeting for conversation and films. Healthwise, Morgan has adapted fairly well to the limits on vigorous hiking imposed by his spinal stenosis and stays healthy generally. Just this week, we learned that Linda’s sarcoidosis condition is improving (smaller lymph nodes).
Every year is a grandchild year for us—14 of them so far. How fortunate we are! Entering the world: Abbey Morita (see Abbey’sFirstYear on the web), Feb. 11, 2010, daughter of grandson, Eric Morita and partner, Julie (who will begin nurse’s training this month). Abbey joined the “month of great grandchildren,” Emily on the 7th, Bradley on the 13th. Entering and learning in the world of higher education: Ashley Lambert, Santa Barbara, and Shannon Pintane, Ft. Collins, CO; Keely Lambert, a sophomore at Chico, Chloe Smock, a junior in the School of Education at the University of Oregon. In June, grandson Dylan Smock and granddaughter, Catherine Lambert will graduate from high school and launch their university lives. Our children have also had interesting years, including recognition of Citizens of the Year for son, Kent, and his wife, Darcy; and a 25-year anniversary for daughter, April, and son-in-law, David. A June family reunion was beautifully hosted by daughter Laura, son-in-law, Terry, and granddaughter, Shannon (where we also spent Thanksgiving). And daughter Ellen finally was able to sell her property in Somerset and begin a new chapter of her life.
Linda continues the joys of her writing life—and travels of research. In March, Cairo Diary: an Egyptian fable was released. Etruscan Evenings, the sequel in this trilogy, will be released this summer. The research on Taos Sunrise (working title) led us into Queen Isabella’s Spain in April and the Taos (New Mexico) of D.H. Lawrence in the fall (for 3 months!). While fiction is her primary passion, she continues to work with school districts and universities (mostly on Skype), review publications, and do some educational writing herself. On February 4, Dear Maxine, the Conversation Continues will be released at an event in Lincoln Center, New York, a publication to which she contributed a letter recounting her nearly 30 year relationship with the philosopher, Maxine Greene. On March 28, Morgan and Linda will conduct a workshop on transforming schools at the National ASCD conference in San Francisco. And, in May, we will both travel to Beirut, Lebanon, for a Middle Eastern conference of schools from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. For more information on Linda’s work, see her blog at www.Lambertleadership.org.
Morgan’s current writing project is an article on school transformation; applying “lessons learned” in his career to the huge problems schools face today. Ambitious readers can merely request a copy by February 1. He would really appreciate candid critical feedback. One of his New Year resolutions is to expand on this theme in an “education memoir” over the next few months (hoping to complete it before Linda finishes her third novel!)??
Among the celebratory events this year will be our 30th anniversary. My, time goes fast when you’re having fun! We still have great faith and affection for our President, whom we consider to be extraordinary. And we hope that today’s “Breaking News” about the tragic event in Tucson will lead to a reduction in vitriolic political rhetoric and to candid and respectful dialogue.
With much love, Linda and Morgan
Linda and Morgan Lambert
PO Box 135, The Sea Ranch, CA, 95497
707-785-1733; 707-328-4645 (cell)
Morganlamb@aol.com; LinLambert@aol.com
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