Dear Friends:
We all know that April showers bring May’s flowers; however, how about we pivot our perspective on the gloomiest and wettest days of Spring 2022. We can all appreciate that the days are longer, the temperatures are warmer, the grass is greener, and we can spy the heads of our perennial lilies, peonies, and tulips peeking through our flowerbeds.
First, I wanted to wish everyone a belated Happy Easter, Happy Passover and Ramadan. Compared to the last two years, we can be thankful that our families are converging, with caution, to celebrate the spring holidays together. It’s feels terrific, doesn’t it?
April has also been a historic month, as Ketanji Brown Jackson has become the first Black woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. As an attorney, I revere the institution of the Supreme Court, and it's amazing to witness that the court is finally reflecting our America. The Supreme Court was established in 1789, by Article 3 of the U.S. Constitution, and out of the one hundred sixteen justices, only six women and four people of color have had seats on the bench. Whether you disagree with their rulings, we can all agree that a cross-section of opinions, races, sexes and beliefs should be represented in the highest court in the land. Welcome Justice Brown Jackson.
Sports also take the forefront, even in the rains of April. On Opening Day, we get to hear “Play Ball!” (Let’s go Yankees!), as anxious MLB players and fans return to the ballparks to enjoy America’s favorite pastime. And phenom Tiger Woods resumed his hunt on the PGA Tour at the Masters in August, Georgia after his catastrophic car accident last year. Despite his personal quirks and struggles, Tiger is proof that perseverance, hard work and talent can work miracles.
As for me, April brings the release of
Hooker Avenue, the sequel to the award-winning thriller,
The Midnight Call. Not only will I celebrate the book’s release, but I’ll be talking about
Hooker Avenue with journalists, podcasters, and most important, my readers, during my book and blog tour over next few months. It will be nice to meet some of you face to face, finally. If you skim the
Acknowledgments in the back pages of the novel, you’ll realize it took a team to help me research and publish this book. I’m grateful for all of the love and assistance along the way, especially from my readers like you. I’d love to hear from you, so please keep in touch through my website, www.jodemillman.com.
April can also be “the cruelest month,” and I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the heartbreak and terror being suffered by the Ukrainian. My prayers go out to them and if you would like to help, contact: Unicef
https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/en and International Committee for The Red Cross
https://www.icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine. Let’s pray that peace happens soon.
Besides the dreaded Tax Day (April 15), April also contains Laughter Day (April 14), Garlic Day (April 19), Earth Day (April 22), World Book Day (April 23) and Independent Bookstore Day (April 30), Adopt a Shelter Pet Day (April 30) and my favorite, Bugs Bunny Day (April 30). “What’s up Doc?”
Here in the Hudson Valley, we will enjoy a Tulip Festival at Mohonk (4/25-5/8), Daffodils at Innisfree Garden (4/30-5/4), Peonies at Locust Grove and Roses at the Vanderbilt Mansion.
As you can see, April presents lots to celebrate. So, remember when it’s raining, “it’s only raining violets,” and celebrate all the amazing aspect of Spring!
Take care and I hope to see you on my book tour, Jodé
