Happy February, friends! I hope your year has started out well!
I feel like a broken record, but it was, yet again, a very busy month work-wise (hired 2 new teachers!) 🎶 So a lot of my days were spent working, working, working. 👩🏻💻
But I did get to enjoy 2 special day trips before it grew a little colder.
One was to a beach that is about an hour away called Sunset Beach. And guess what? It lives up to its name! 🌅
I also paid a stop to this locally famous mailbox and left a note inside (something I’ve wanted to do since hearing about it). 📬
And the other trip was to this neat old race track-turned hiking trail – The Occonneechee Orange Speedway. 🏎
Along the trail are two old stock cars – makes for a unique trail view. 🥾
I love when things that are no longer being used are preserved and repurposed instead of forgotten and torn down. 😌
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Want to know what Austenesque fun I’m getting into this month?
…here is what’s on this month’s
Austenesque Agenda:
~ TO READ AND REVIEW ~
~ FEATURED AUTHORS VISITING THIS MONTH ~
Catherine Lodge – February 2nd
Elaine Jeremiah – February 5th
Grace Gibson – February 8th
Heather Moll – February 12th
Kara Pleasants – February 15th
Leigh Dreyer – February 19th
Kelly Miller – February 22nd
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I love that mailbox, Meredith, and the beach. Our beach (Lake Michigan) is full of ice and snow for a few more months. You’ve got some great books to read. Looking forward to your reviews!
If you ever venture towards the NC coast, I’d be happy to take you to this lovely beach.
I might like your snow for the span of week or two, but then I would wish to return to the beach!
I know! I’m excited to read them all!
What a wonderful line-up you have this month! What a beautiful sunset and I love that trail! I’ve been hoping to read more this month, but a few projects have consumed me lately and I’m falling even further behind in my reading!
Thank you! I think so too, Carole! I’m already 2 books in and I loved both!
I hope you get the chance to read some more this month!
You may think you sound like a broken record but I am grateful for the tune. I look forward to your monthly updates, the features, reviews, and interviews. I hope you don’t get tired of it! I know it’s a lot to curate while keeping fresh and relevant. Sending you and yours much love and gratitude. Ignore the groundhog; spring is around the bend.
Very sweet of you to say! I’m hoping that work lets up a little and I somehow miraculously gain some more reading time! That would be lovely!
Thank you, friend! I hope you are well!
Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos, Meredith! I’ve been stuck at home, but hopefully I’ll get out again soon too! I look forward to visiting with you later in the month! 🙂
I’m so looking forward to your virtual visit, Kelly! Thank goodness we have so much to look forward to virtually! 🙂
I love your beautiful photos and recaps. I think that racetrack was the one they “used” in CARS3, the animated feature.
denise
I just went searching to see if that was true – it isn’t the main inspiration, but they did visit it. And now you gave me another place to visit in NC – North Wilkesboro Speedway. Although, that one isn’t open to public…just the type of adventure my brother loves!
I should have researched.
We visited a couple of NC universities when my older two boys were searching, and we passed one in that area a couple of times. We came over from Boone and went east, and the racetrack is near where some major routes intersect, if my memory serves right.
Actually, it looks like we’re both right: In popular culture
North Wilkesboro Speedway has been featured in several NASCAR-related video games, including NASCAR Racing, NASCAR Racing 2, NASCAR Racing 3, NASCAR Racing 4, NASCAR Racing 2003 Season, and NASCAR Heat as an add-on track that can be downloaded. It has also been featured in GeneRally and Top Gear (BBC) Series 16 Special Episode, “East Coast Road Trip”. North Wilkesboro Speedway, along with other dirt tracks such as Occoneechee Speedway, is one of the inspirations for the Thomasville Speedway in the Pixar movie Cars 3.[19] North Wilkesboro Speedway was featured as the backdrop and story line on Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern in the episode entitled North Carolina’s Moonshine Highway.[20]
Here’s a beautiful story for those not familiar with the mailbox: https://www.ourstate.com/kindred-spirit-mailbox/
Thank you! I had never heard of this mailbox and its story!. It really connects people in a very special way!. When I was reading the link, the story of “Persuasion” came clearly to my mind because of letters and forgiveness and when the name of the hurricane appeared: “Ana” , I felt the story of Anna and Wentworth could have existed around this mailbox…is there some author who wants to “capture” this idea?
I love how you found a Jane Austen connection, Teresa!
And yes, that would make a lovely feature in an Austenesque story! A perfect first meeting place for the hero and heroine.
Thank you, Denise! I don’t know why I didn’t think of linking to it! ♀️
Such gorgeous photos! I’m glad you’re still able to get out and about.
I’m really looking forward to your reviews as I haven’t read any of those! I do have A Wilful Misunderstanding as you know, but due to health problems I’ve been re reading feel good stories. Hopefully I will be able to read it soon.
I have read Nine Ladies, what a treat that was, loved it.
Good luck with your plans and stay safe.
Thank you, Glynis! I am so glad you liked them.
Oh wow! That is a switch. 🙂 I hope your health problems get better soon – definitely smart to read stories that cheer you up.
So glad to hear you enjoyed Nine Ladies! That one looks great!
Can’t wait to be on your blog tomorrow Meredith! It’ll be fab. 😀
Yes!! Congrats on your lovely release!
Oh, Meredith, you have the best pictures. I just had to look up the Kindred Spirit Mailbox and it is an amazing history. Hope you don’t mind if I share that. Blessings, my dear, stay safe, and healthy.
https://www.ncbrunswick.com/blog/post/secrets-of-the-kindred-spirit-mailbox/
Oh lovely!! Thank you so much for sharing! Hearing everyones’ interest ini the Kindred Spirit Mailbox has made my visit to it all the more special!
Gorgeous photos. I clicked on both links for Kindred Spirit and have tears in my eyes as I watched the videos. I have read 4 of the books mentioned above and have one I will read next. Enjoy your month. We had over 2 feet of snow this past Sunday through Tuesday so it is definitely winter still here. I did get my first vaccine for COVID today – Yay! Thanks for sharing.
Aww, I’m so glad you enjoyed learning more about this lovely place.
Oh wow! That is so much! Perfect reading weather!! And yay!! I’m so happy for you!
Hopefully work will slow a tad and still be steady. Gorgeous sunsets and fun history of that mailbox. I love that they left the cars along that old track when they turned it into a trail.
Woo, nice line up of reading and guests you have this month.
Yes, hopefully!
Me too! The cars and other buildings were fun features to check out.
Hope you enjoy a lovely month, Sophia!
Gosh, I love your photos. The story of the Kindred Spirit Mailbox is heart warming and heart wrenching too. I agree that it is so cool when they make new uses from abandoned places, like the old racetrack!
What a great lineup for this month. I’m looking forward to all the guest appearance. I’ve read two of the books on your review list and I always like seeing what your thoughts are on them.
Have a great month and keep those beautiful photos coming. 😀
Thank you, Michelle! I’m so glad to hear it.
I agree! It is going to be an exciting month, so happy to be spending it with these books, lovely authors, and you all!
Such fabulous photos, Meredith, as always! Oh my goodness, that sunset!! And such a beautiful thing and beautiful thought, that mailbox!
The Feb lineup is amazing, and I can’t wait! So many eye-catching covers!
Thanks again for the happy place that is your blog, and I hope you get to go on lots of wonderful strolls this month too.
Thank you, Joana!! It was a very special trip and that sunset topped all.
I’m so glad you like this line up! It should be a fun month. 🙂
Oh, you are so very lovely. I’m honored you find this blog a happy place.
Me too! Like Elizabeth Bennet, I’m starting to feel restless staying indoors so much.
I love seeing your photos! Between the winter weather and a stay-at-home order, the most exciting, nature-like place I’ve been recently is my (small) backyard. Oh well; spring starts next month, which I am happy about.
What I’m looking forward to this month is finishing work on three projects, which will give me a second or two to breath and enjoy reading a book or two before I dive into the work project. It looks like you have some fantastic books lined up to read this month. I hope you enjoy them. I read Fallen recently and loved it.
Thank you, Lucy! I’m glad you enjoyed them. It is definitely a bit more challenging to enjoy nature at the moment, isn’t it?
Ooh! I hope all goes well with your projects and that you get to enjoy some reading as a reward!
Hi Meredith!
This sunset of your photo is overwhealming! I think I couldn’t apart my eyes of it. Thanks for the pics!. And the mailbox in the sand next to the bench is such a charming image!. It looks taken of a book but it’s real and contains the stories of so many people who happened to walk around…I hope your wish comes true!
Your agenda of February is full of books to read and review as well as authors coming 😉 I look forward to hearing of Kara Pleasants and Jennifer Becton.
Happy weekend!
I almost fell like the pictures don’t do it justice. That’s how special it was.
I’m so glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy a wonderful month!