An Authors' Event: Along the River and Through the Woods of South Jersey

Yesterday I committed to participate in an author's event at the Landis Amish Marketplace in Vineland. I found that Google maps decided to take me through the picturesque route of Upper Mays Landing and into Cumberland county.

Forget Camden city, South Jersey has some gorgeous and pristine woodlands that outshine the rustic Pine Barrens. 

Yes,it really looked like that!

I made a left instead of a right turn and although that made me late for my event, the longer drive gave me the chance to simply admire the view on the road less taken. I think it's like writing, if you take the straight and short route, you'll get to your destination, but it might not be as enjoyable.

The dense forest along each side of the newly paved two lane roads is not any road I'd venture to travel at night, but during the sunny light of day I found it relaxing to sort of get lost in the woods. 

A fellow compatriot, Marie Gilbert, checked in on my ETA, to which I informed her that I was taking the long way, not deliberately, but no less enjoyable since I was slowed down  passing through a couple communities that were more like cozy hamlets, celebrating the Spring with music festivals and craft fairs.

Once I arrived at the Landis Market in Vineland, my view was chastened by struggles of revitalizing the once thriving and vital city of Vineland.

While on one of those stretches of Jersey backroads I passed through small but seemingly productive farms, with a beautiful McMansion anchored in the rear. There were no McMansions to be found in center city Vineland. The Landis Marketplace does a brisk business with the Amish stands. I personally zeroed in the bacon, reminiscent of the Lake Logan bacon, enjoyed on my retreats in Asheville,  but that is another story.This bacon was reasonably priced as were most of the products, especially the fresh meats. Check it out, you won't be disappointed. 

Oh, the authors' event, I got sort of lost there, thinking about the woods. 

I was promoting the anthology Writing in Circles by Sunburst Writers. This is an anthology of collected stories written by women from across the country that have retreated with Peggy Tabor Millin using her writing process in the comfort and support of writing while gathered in a circle. I am happy to be included in this collection and doubly blessed to be among this group of writerly 'sisters'. 

Here is my "shelfie selfie" at A Novel Idea Chapter 2: