I suppose so much is topical. I don’t think I think that way, but the world holds so many interconnections, and how often do we find ourselves going the way others go?
So, The Mad Queen and Lavender Farm began when Becky and I were exploring the north end of the Olympic Peninsula. Near Sequim, we found Washington’s lavender country – a series of lavender farms, an area claiming its place as the Provence of the Pacific Northwest. And, touring the B&B Family Lavender Farm, the leader mentioned something about bees, “a mad queen…”
That provoked. “The Mad Queen and Lavender Farm”? A grand title. I just need the novel to fill it out.
Jo Philpot, Lummi Island beekeeper, explained to me what a mad queen was. And that took me back to a friend from years before. When I first met Linda, she had come off a brutal (at least to her) divorce. And she distrusted men in general.
Sort of like a mad queen bee. Something angered her on behalf of the hive.
And John Tiehl, Army veteran and master beekeeper came to life. I learned so much from Jo about bees. And she directed me to Jacqueline Freeman and her book Song of Increase. And…well, someone may give you the chance to read the novel.
So, a couple weeks back down in Hood River, Oregon, a local bookstore, Waucoma, displayed a featured novel by a local author, Eileen Garvin. Her novel, The Music of Bees, looked beautiful. A quick scan showed the integrity of the writings, and I bought it.
And she and her book share so much with me and Mad Queen. Both deal with family. Both look toward the hive as a sort of model for how roles interact within a small community. Both view the environment as precious and fragile.
I haven’t taken the time to write Ms. Garvin about how much I admire her novel. And I’d love to invite her to read Mad Queen.
Reading and Writing Kramer 