Book Signing at Bonita Bills

SATURDAY, APRIL 8th 2006
(my Father’s birthday)
San Carlos Island, Florida

Blue sky, sunshine and a gentle breeze.
Hemingway always said,
"don’t forget the weather."

My brother Bill Semmer who accompanied me on several of my trips to Cuba and assisted me with my research on this book and his lovely wife Shirley held a marvelous party and book signing for me on April 8th. My good friend and co-author Hilary Hemingway and her husband and best selling author Jeff Lindsey were also on hand to help kick off the celebration. The event was held at my brother’s wonderful open air, waterfront restaurant Bonita Bill’s on San Carlos Island, similar to the places found in Key West. Over three hundred people attended the event. Hollie Smith, the proprietor of Sanibel Island Book Shop and her hardworking crew managed the book sales. My brother provided a scrumptious buffet lunch. Peppermint Pattie, a cat lover entertained guests with her lovely voice. Restaurant Manager Barb Whatley supervised the event. Barb’s adopted cat Splash who was rescued after being thrown off the Fort Myers Beach Bridge as a kitten, made a guest appearance. Those purchasing books had wonderful cat stories to share with me. In the future, I will post these stories and more on my website. It was great meeting so many people who love animals, especially cats. Many of the people I talked to had adopted their pets from the Humane Society or other animal shelters. Some said their cats had died and when the time was right they would adopt again from a shelter. I love hearing this because I believe a true Hemingway cat is a stray cat in need of a loving home.

In 1934, Hemingway’s brother Leicester (Hilary’s father) docked at the site of Bonita Bill’s for boat repairs. After a few days rest Leicester and his fellow adventurer sailed on to Key West to visit Leicester’s brother Ernest. So it was only fitting that the first book signing and celebration party for Hemingway’s Cats be held in the place where Ernest’s brother a cat lover sought refuge and no doubt, found a few feral cats who lived at the docks to keep him company during his stay.

Barnes & Noble in Fort Myers

Monday, April 24, 2006

I’m excited about my first book signing May 6, 2006 at Barnes & Noble Book Sellers in Fort Myers, Florida. It will also be my first time to answer questions about Ernest Hemingway and his beloved cats in front of an audience, although talking about my favorite author Ernest Hemingway, cats in general or fishing has never been a problem.

The Barnes & Noble store brings back very special memories. It was here that I spent many hours researching my book Hemingway’s Cats and it was here over the years that I purchased many of my favorite biographies on Ernest Hemingway and books about cats. Some of the biographies were hot off the press including Dear Papa, Dear Hotch: The Correspondence of Ernest Hemingway and A.E. Hotchner, edited by Albert J. Defazio III. A marvelous book, giving me new insight into the life of Hemingway. It was in this book that I discovered that Hemingway, who fed his beloved cats, ground beef, cans of salmon and fresh milk from his cows, also included ground turtle meat when available from the turtles he caught during his fishing trips for marlin and tuna. Thanks to my editors June Cussen and Helena Berg, this fact made it into the book. I was at deadline when the book arrived at the store. Valerie Hemingway’s wonderful autobiography Running with the Bulls: My Years with the Hemingways published in 2004 was also a welcome addition to my library. It was from Valerie’s book that I learned that Ernest Hemingway believed his cats and dogs had souls and if his beloved pets weren’t in heaven when he got there it wasn’t a place where he wanted to be. I also believe that pets have souls. Could you imagine a heaven or any type of afterlife where there are no cats or dogs?

Store manager Deborah McIntyre at Barnes & Noble in Fort Myers knew that I wanted to combine my book signings with ways to help the local animal shelters. She suggested we have a cat food drive to coincide with the book signing for The Humane Society of Lee County. Tracey Jones, Director of Shelter Operations and Heather Francis, Director of Development at The Humane Society have been very supportive of the idea. The Humane Society has a large population of cats and kittens in need of homes and cat food especially soft canned food for the kittens is always needed. Barnes & Noble Assistant Store Manager Julie Golden is in charge of the event. To thank those for donating cat food to The Humane Society I’m giving these generous cat people a photo of my six-toed cat Bugsy in a matte frame. It should be a fun day. Check my book signings and events page for further details.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

I read in my local daily newspaper The News Press about a family in rural Columbus, Wisconsin that rescued an orphaned fawn "Bambi" and nursed it to health three years ago. Now the state wants to euthanize the gentle animal even though the deer now a family pet is kept in a fenced, wooded area on their farm.

Michael and Ilene Smith, the adopted parents of the fawn, have filed a lawsuit against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, trying to halt Bambi’s execution. Thank goodness for a judge (he or she must be an animal lover) that had the common sense to decline a DNR request to throw out the lawsuit and by some miracle, the state’s Court of Appeals refused to hear the state’s appeal. All this is happening in a state that allows hunters to shoot feral cats.

It wasn’t unusual for Ernest Hemingway’s father Clarence Edmonds (Ed) Hemingway, once an aspiring veterinarian before becoming a medical practitioner and surgeon to put splints on a wounded creature’s leg or wing and feed orphaned animals, hoping to keep them healthy until they reached an independent life.

So why can’t the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources enlist Bambi into a program which helps educate schoolchildren about deer. If it weren’t for dolphins in theme parks, there would not be the understanding of these marvelous creatures in the wild that we have today. What is the DNR accomplishing except breaking the hearts of caring people and spending tax dollars on legal fees? Let’s hope Bambi’s life can be saved. Let’s hope the feral cats and kittens of Wisconsin can out run the hunters until a better solution for homeless cats can be worked out.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

I was recently told by my brother Bill Semmer that his friend Dr. Ronnie Lea read my book Hemingway’s Cats and once finished enjoyed it so much that he read it a second time in the same day. I was so pleased to hear that a book that took me eleven years to research and two and a half years to write is bringing such pleasure to those who love animals and are fascinated by the sensitive side of one of Americans most important writers.

Saturday, May 6, 2006

It was wonderful meeting so many cat fanciers and Hemingway fans at my Barnes & Noble book signing in Fort Myers, Saturday May 6. About fifty people attended my lecture. Store Manager Deborah MacIntyre and her staff made me feel welcome. It meant a lot to me to be Barnes & Noble’s Featured Author of the Month. I love the store. Each time I walk through their double doors, smell the marvelous aroma of the coffee and see the thousands of books on display I feel right at home.

Heather Francis, Director of Development for The Humane Society of Lee County was in attendance. The Banes & Noble Cat Food Drive for The Humane Society was very successful. The Society received canned food, dry food and cat litter, which was greatly appreciated. A recent large brush fire in Lehigh Acres, which destroyed twelve homes, has left many pets homeless. Thanks to The Humane Society’s staff and other volunteers of shelters in the area, they have collected the animals and they are being housed until owners can claim them. Donations of money or food would be appreciated.

Carlene at Hemingway's House

Book Signing May 20, 2006
Key West, Florida

I was first inspired to write my book Hemingway’s Cats after visiting Ernest Hemingway’s House in Key West on one of my many visits eleven years ago so the book signing at the Hemingway House and Museum in Key West on Saturday, May 20th meant a lot to me.

I stopped by on Friday, May 19th to visit with the Museum’s store manager John Dentinger, known to the staff as John II. Dentinger is a Hemingway scholar and it was a pleasure to meet him. I also met Gwen Poe, the assistant site manager. Gwen was busy feeding the elderly cats at the Hemingway House which are on special diets. When I first saw Gwen surrounded by many hungry cats, the scene reminded me of a photo in my book of Mary Hemingway, Ernest’s fourth wife in Cuba with dozens of cats at feeding time. Like Mary it is clear that Gwen has a fondness for her feline friends. I was amazed at just how lovingly the staff at the house cares for the cats. Hemingway would be pleased.

Saturday, May 20th was a lovely day for a book signing. A table with comfortable chairs was placed next to the bookstore under the porch roof in front of Hemingway’s pool. The lush gardens and the dozens of cats which kept me company made for a very pleasant day. I met so many wonderful people who were Hemingway fans and cat lovers. Signing books in an area where Hemingway once wrote, read or relaxed will always bring back very special memories.

Kitten rescued by ARC

Book Signing, Saturday, May 27

The weather although a little warm cooperated fully for my book signing at the adorable little bookstore on Sanibel Island, The Sanibel Island Book Shop. Proprietor Hollie Smith and her crew set me up in a wicker chair under the shaded eves of the store’s front porch. My daughter Shamie, good friends Carolyn and Jay Mirowitz and my husband Terry were in attendance.

Betty Hughes, the treasurer for ARC, The Animal Refuge Center in North Fort Myers who works with P.A.W.S. on Sanibel brought several cages of kittens. Some were to be viewed for future adoptions and a few were able to go home with a loving owner that day. Hollie Smith adopted a lovely calico, which seemed right at home among the books in the store. ARC also had a storyboard and an album available, which featured many cats and dogs from the shelter in need of loving homes. There was also a miracle kitty named Karl who had been hit by a car and rescued by my daughter Shamie, and me and Mike Gulnac who scanned the photos for my book and who originally found the cat. But it was Betty Hughes who took the time to have her vet tend to the little kitten with a broken shoulder, two fractured legs and an infected eye. Thanks to Betty, the kitten who is a champagne color with yellow eyes is on the mend. He made an appearance at the bookstore with a cast wrapped in bright blue fabric. ARC has over 450 cats, many displaced by hurricanes. There are even a few Hemingway six-toed cats among the many felines. I met many cat lovers and Hemingway fans who purchased books. It was a very enjoyable day.

Brennen with friend and author Ad Hudler

Cape Coral  July 8^th 2006
One For The Books – Book Signing

       On Saturday, July 8^th I signed books at the charming small bookstore in Cape Coral, One For The Books owned by Monica and Done Poole. Their mascot is a lovable female cat named Aggie. She is part Abyssinian and part Manx. She has no tail but what really makes her unique is her marvelous ticked coat. Unfortunately Aggie was not in attendance that day. Recently she has preferred staying at home. As a young cat she enjoyed browsing the books and greeting customers. But as she has got older she seems to enjoy the more tranquil atmosphere of the Poole’s home.
        Monica and Don set up a lovely table in the heart of the store for my book signing. They also served a tray of gourmet treats which delighted visitors. We had a marvelous turnout of cat lovers and Hemingway fans. I met so many delightful people who shared their stories and photos of their cats. One woman brought her six-toed cat for me to meet.
        Betty Hughes, the treasurer of ARC, the Animal Refuge Center of North Fort Myers was on hand with seven adorable kittens in need of homes. I worked with Betty at a previous book signing and I truly believe Betty is one of God’s angels. She gives her heart and soul to the rescue and adoption of cats. She has turned her house into a nursery for unwanted kittens. Out of the seven kittens on display, four kittens found homes including a beautiful orange kitten with extra toes. Monica and Don Poole were immediately captivated by the young energetic male who is now the new bookstore cat. Aggie has since retired to the Poole’s house. The new adopted kitten was christened Ollie and is already delighting customers with his purrs and the playful energy only kittens have.
        When I was researching my book Hemingway’s Cats I found several biographies I needed for my research at One For The Books. It is truly a delightful bookstore and I had a lovely time. I’d also like to mention we received marvelous coverage from our local newspapers and magazines. Because of their features and calendar listings not only did we have a very successful book signing but the coverage also attracted those interested in adopting a cat.

Friday July 14, 2006
Wink TV Interview

 I was interviewed by Judd Cribbs for his local TV show on WINK TV. This popular television personality actually came to my home with his cameraperson. Judd felt my library would be the perfect place to film this segment of the show. Judd is a true cat lover and I feel that is why the short segment came across so well. I wanted to promote the upcoming Cat Show in Fort Myers, show manager Charlene Campbell had set up my interview. The TV segment went so well that I’ve made it available to view on my website. Thank you Judd Cribbs for the lovely preview of my book. I love your show.

July 15-16^th, 2006
Platinum Coast Cat Show
Book Signing

I had never attended a cat show and so when I did my book signing at the Platinum Coast Cat Fanciers Championship / Household Pet Cat Show July 15^th and 16^th at the Lee County Civic Center Exhibit Hall, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was an amazing experience and I met so many delightful people who truly love cats.

Show manager Charlene Campbell and Vender Coordinator Pam Wagner were lovely to work with. They set me up with a spacious table with easy access. I also had a clear view of one of the judging areas. The cats to be judged were not only beautiful but so disciplined. If you haven’t been to a cat show I’d highly recommend the delightful experience. The cats are truly wonderful to view. There are also purebred cats available from breeders for sale. Also don’t forget to visit the vender’s booths. Everything imaginable for cats seemed to be available. There was even a cat photographer. Another wonderful part of the show is an area where no kill shelters display cats and kittens in need of loving homes. Several lucky cats and kittens found homes that weekend including a purebred Maine Cooncat (declawed) and two Scottish Fold cats. These cats were left homeless after their owner’s died.

I met many delightful people at the cat show including people who had already read my book and just wanted to meet me. I’m always glad to chat or answer questions about Ernest Hemingway or his cats. I’m looking forward to next year’s cat show in Fort Myers. It was a delightful experience.

July 22, 2006
Key West Express Boat Trip
and Book Signing

            Saturday, July 22 I had a lovely book signing aboard the beautiful new Key West Express Boat on route to Key West for the Hemingways Days Celebration. The boat is very spacious; it reminds me of a large luxurious yacht or a small cruise ship. I was situated in a large circular booth next to the galley for my book signing. The boat with air conditioned cabins offered large screened TV’s throughout the boat featuring movies, and sports. The chairs were plush and comfortable and there was a full bar. Also plenty of deck space to enjoy the sun and the marvelous salt air.

            The boat takes three and half hours to reach Key West. You can dine on the boat or enjoy a tasty lunch at numerous Key West restaurants. Many of the people purchasing my book were Hemingway fans who had made the trip to Key West to honor one of their favorite authors. They were pleased to find my book not only had new information on the world famous writer but also photographs never before published of Hemingway and his cats. My husband Terry Brennen accompanied me on the trip and assisted me with the book signing. Due to another book signing in Key West later that day we decided to spend the night at a charming bed and breakfast, The Curry House on Fleming Street. We would take the boat back the following afternoon. I had so many requests to sign books on the trip back from Key West to Fort Myers Beach, (San Carlos Island) that I held another book signing aboard the boat on the return trip. There were several Hemingway Look A Likes on board including a past winner of the event which made the trip back even more festive.

July 22, 2006
Key West Museum of Art & History
Book Signing

July 23, 2006

July 23^rd, 2006
A Visit To The Hemingway House

August 12, 2006
Barnes & Noble Book Signing in Naples

        Saturday August 12^th, I had a book signing at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Naples, Florida. The charming two story bookstore is situated in a beautiful shopping area. My signing table was situated close to the front of the store in view of their delightful Café. Assistant Store Manager Bill Evans and his assistant Terry O’Connell were on hand to greet me and make my stay quite enjoyable. I met both cat lovers and Hemingway fans. Most wanted to chat about Hemingway or their cats. My daughter Shamie, my husband Terry and his son Scott Brennen who accompanied me on my visit were delighted with the wide selection of books and music. It was a very pleasant day.

August 2006
Six-Toed Cats at Hemingway Home In Dispute