7 April 2008
deeply rooted, ginda simpson, & leukemia fundraising
There is a book that I’ve been meaning to tell you about for a long time, and now that time has finally arrived because if you buy one copy now, you will be sent two copies–a way to entice you to go visit author Ginda Ayd Simpson’s site and help her raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
I recently got an email from Ginda explaining that her sister-in-law Carol Ayd, although being diagnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia in 1988, has been cancer-free for 20 years thanks to a successful bone-marrow transplant–and now Carol is involved with fundraising with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with a goal of raising $6,000.
Ginda is not only the author of this wonderful book but also a fabulous artist (more on that below; paintings throughout this post including the cover art on the book) and co-owner of El Marsam Bed & Breakfast in Umbria–$25 of each B & B booking up until May 31 will also go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
A few years ago, Ginda’s book first caught my eye because she writes about her family’s ancestral town, Davoli, which is just minutes from me.
In Deeply Rooted, in faith & family, Simpson invites us with her and her husband as they transplant their lives from Egypt to Umbria, the Green Heart of Italy.
We follow Simpson through her travails with the infamous Italian bureaucracy, her time in Florence learning new crafts and perfecting her Italian, her constant deep faith in God, and, perhaps most intimately, her reconnection with her Calabrese family.
During the course of the book, Simpson shares many details of Italian living that every Italophile will appreciate, particularly the luscious descriptions of the regional foods of both Calabria and Tuscany.
We are also guests of Simpson at the wedding of her daughter; the family’s church, Santa Lucia, in Davoli is the chosen location. For this most special of all occasions, a cousin has written a poignant, spectacular poem, which Simpson has graciously shared in her memoir.
This engaging, vivid tale paints perfectly the emotions of all of us who have traveled back to our ancestral Italian home–those who haven’t yet taken this journey will find the courage and inspiration to continue the search.
When you go to Ginda’s site to buy the book, also be sure to check out the Art Sale at her El Marsam Studio–her original paintings are 20% off of the original price and Ginda will donate another 10% of the sale price to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
You can also donate directly through Carol Ayd’s Fundraising Page!
Go! Buy! Give!
Related posts:
- art & craftsmanship of calabria
- MotherTalk book review: The Daring Book for Girls
- book giveaway: my cousin the saint by justin catanoso
- gifts for your favorite italians
- how i ended up in italy, what i miss and when i’ll be leaving
12 beans of wisdom »
cheeky on 07 Apr 2008 at 7:59 am #
I know I can count on you for a good recommendation. Sounds good, even if I’m not an Italophile.
cheeky’s last blog post..Bush By Foot
This is really a lovely memoir Cheeky; I think you’ll enjoy it–any lover of beautiful things will
cheeky on 07 Apr 2008 at 8:04 am #
I meant to check the spelling of *recommendation*. I always mess that one up but I know you can appreciate my obsession in correcting my spelling errors.
cheeky’s last blog post..Bush By Foot
Yes I can, and through the magic of the editing button….
Vee on 07 Apr 2008 at 9:50 am #
I will be looking into this. All for a good cause. Thanks
Vee’s last blog post..For Real
My pleasure, and by the way? You are *amazing* Vee.
Cherrye on 07 Apr 2008 at 9:52 am #
Sounds like another great book to add to my “must read” list…it is getting long!
Cherrye’s last blog post..Meme Monday: Friday Fill-Ins
I hear you! This one is truly a pleasure
My Melange on 07 Apr 2008 at 12:43 pm #
Ohhh, another Italian memoir…you know I’m on it!!! And for a good cause too!!!
My Melange’s last blog post..The River Arno
Yes yes! An excellent cause indeed
qualcosa di bello on 07 Apr 2008 at 1:29 pm #
awesome!! our friend who just passed away died from leukemia, my daddy did also (& he had non-hodgkins lymphoma as well), & in my sidebar there is a link for liza’s race,…she is doing it for her daddy too. the leukemia & lymphoma society is a regular on our tithe list…thanks for putting this out there.
& the book…i’m on it!
oh yeah,,, i have 2 titles on my nightstand that just might show up in calabria soon…good stuff
qualcosa di bello’s last blog post..heavy heart in the midst of spring
Wow Qualcosa, I had no idea how much this disease has touched your life. I’m happy to do anything I can of course
Also, woohoo! Looking forward to some new reading material…if you can fit them in your luggage, you can even ship them from inside the Bel Paese
Tina on 07 Apr 2008 at 1:58 pm #
I have to count my pesos very carefully right now, but once I get paid by this client I will surely get one!
Yay for Italian memoirs.
Tina’s last blog post..Un Fiorentino a Buenos Aires
I hear you Tina! You’ll definitely like this one
Karina on 07 Apr 2008 at 4:00 pm #
Love the artwork and it sounds like a great book. But like your last commenter, right now I need to stop buying books (and all other things I spend frivolously one)…I’ll add it to my list of future buys, after I get that great paying job I’m going to get.
Karina’s last blog post..Attack of the Teen Idols - Fun Monday
I definitely am there with you Karina. Can’t wait to hear about that job
sadira on 07 Apr 2008 at 8:20 pm #
What a wonderful way to raise money for such a worthy cause! Rich’s mother was one of the first longest survivors of a bone marrow transplant (even though she is no longer with us she dedicated her life to this research by giving of herself so much) I am so happy that the author’s sister-in-law is doing so very well…
sadira’s last blog post..Jerome…
Thank you for sharing Rich’s mother’s story! A worthy cause indeed; thanks for coming by
Marie on 08 Apr 2008 at 4:27 am #
Sounds like a great read,and beautiful art work too!
Marie’s last blog post..ANTIPASTI
Indeed Marie; I hope you’ll check it out
Leanne on 11 Apr 2008 at 6:02 pm #
Thanks for the suggestion - I’m always on the outlook for new books to read and especially love them if they are about life in Italy! Also a very worthy cause!
Leanne’s last blog post..A new friend
Hope you go ahead and get a copy Leanne; I think you’ll enjoy the Calabria parts especially
Wunschdenker on 15 Apr 2008 at 1:53 pm #
Sognatrice,
I visited her site, read her resume, am duly impressed with her life choices and with her many and varied accomplishments and will buy the book because 1) I can relate 2) it sounds very interesting 3) a young friend/coworker of mine died of leukemia and 4) I believe that what this painter/author is doing is very admirable.
Thanks, as always.
Wunsch-d
You will enjoy it, Wunsch-d. It’s such a great story.