All my life I have treasured women friends and have trusted them with secrets, hopes, fears, and dreams. From these splendid women I have received and returned unconditional caring and acceptance. Acceptance, knowing and caring for the smaller, meaner parts of another as well as the finer, better parts, is a gift, the gift of a true friend.

I have had women friends for more than a half century, and although some of us have grown apart in interests and live far from one another, we share a history, a town and its people, a way of life, and experiences common to us alone.

The ladies of Covington came, I am sure, out of my love and need for women friends, who have offered me a shoulder to cry on, someone to call in a night of deep despair, someone to belly laugh with over the most ridiculous joke, someone with whom to share a secret, a concern, a joy, a sorrow. Women friends have provided me with a listening ear, sustained me when I have been most foolish, and given me, if not total understanding, more importantly, acceptance. Without them my life would have been and would be sorely lacking.

Philosopher John Oliver Hobbes wrote: "There are deep sorrows and killing cares in life, but the encouragement and love of friends were given us to make all difficulties bearable." And to quote author D.H. Lawrence, "One doesn't know, till one is a bit at odds with the world, how much one's friends who believe in one rather generously, mean to one." The ladies of Covington are a tribute to my belief in the importance of women's commitment to women's friendships and I hope that your life is enriched by a woman friend or friends.

I wrote my novel The Three Mrs. Parkers, after I finished The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love, but my publisher wanted a series, and it was my pleasure to write a series. Still, I hoped and hoped that they would publish The Three Mrs. Parkers and I was thrilled when they decided to do so.

The novel is about three generations of women -- Winifred in her seventies, Zoe, in her fifties, and Katie, in her thirties -- who find their way past old hurts and losses to understanding, forgiveness and love. It is set in rural S.C. in an area of wonderful lakes and rolling countryside, where we once had a farm and spent our summers. It will be published in trade paperback rather than hardback and will head Pocket Books' list in the new category of books called Matron Literature, yes, that's right, Matron Literature.

I am delighted to tell you that Marilyn Gardener, a writer for the Christian Science Monitor has written an article about Matron Literature which includes me and my books. The article will appear in a Wednesday edition of the newspaper by the time you get this, or soon after. I will post this review in this newsletter at a later date.

I hope that you will read The Three Mrs. Parkers and enjoy these new women, Do drop me a note and let me how you like them. The book's cover and the first chapter are now on my web site.

I was flattered, recently, when I learned that Chelsea, a 6th grader in Connecticut, whose Mom had told her about the Ladies of Covington and my novels, created a play based on an old game show. If you recall, in that show several people claim to be a certain person, questions are asked, and finally the game show hosts asks, "Will the real----stand up. Remember that show? This time the three participants all claim to be ME.

One of the questions asked of the participants was: "Where were you born?" Panelist One replied: "I was born on St.Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands." Panelist Two replied: "I was born on a little known island in Figi called Lookie Cookie Mookie. There were many more questions and replies, and you know from the above that Panelist One in the play was the real Me.

The play was very well received by all, and Chelsea received a grade of 97 for her work. I am honored that Chelsea did the research necessary for this production, which included having to know thirty- three facts about my life. Hats off To Chelsea.

In January the opera Aida visited The Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at the Asheville Civic Center and Amelia, an old opera buff, cajoled Grace and Bob into going along with herself and Mike. Grace had never attended an opera and was nervous that she would be bored and have to sit through hours of, as she told Hannah, caterwauling. Grace had no idea that above the stage the words would appear in English, explaining what was being sung. She became completely absorbed in the story and in Verdi's exquisite music and wept like a baby when Aida and Radames, the ill-fated entombed lovers, sang their farewell to love and life while the Princess of Egypt sang of her regret and her undying love for Radames.

"How did you like it?" Amelia asked as they left the auditorium.

"I loved it," Grace said. "I loved the drama, the singing, the staging, everything. I had no idea opera was so powerful, so gorgeous, and those voices. Do you have a recording of Aida? Can I borrow it? I'll go with you next year."

Amelia laughed. "You hear that Mike? We have a convert. I'm so delighted."

For many months I have been troubled by lower back pain, the inability to stand for long, and juggling my life around the health of my back. On December 29th I underwent surgery to remove a benign cyst and bone spurs from within the 5th lumber vertebrae. The procedure was highly successful. Mission Memorial Hospital in Asheville exceeded my expectations. The nurses were wonderful and very kind. My Doctor was terrific, and to top it all I experienced very little pain and healed rapidly.

Thank you so very much for your prayers, for your cards, and your well wishes.

I have healed rapidly and I am off to Florida Feb. 5th on a book tour. As it will not be six weeks since surgery, and I cannot drive myself but can ride as a passenger, a friend from Florida offered to fly up here and drive my car and me to Fl. I was deeply touched at this, and ultimately accepted her gracious offer. She flies in on Feb 4th. We leave the 5th.

The book tour begins in central Florida at The Villages, at the Bookworm Bookstore's luncheon, on February 8th and I end my tour on the 20th Feb. at the Vero Beach Book Center in Vero Beach (see my website for details and phone numbers).

Along the way, I will speak and sign books at five library events, two Red Hat gatherings, and enjoy dinner with my Florida Fan Club. Caring friends have invited me to stay with them, for which I am so grateful. Motels can be sterile and lonely.

email: jmedlicott@mindspring.com

web: http://www.joanmedlicott.com