Tea With Lee

Held at the Fearrington Barn and sponsored by The Women's Center, author Lee Smith was our hostess and presented featured award-winning author Elizabeth Spencer. Elizabeth has written nine novels, seven short-story collections, a memoir and a drama. One of her novellas, Light in the Piazza, was adapted into a Broadway musical which has won 6 Tony awards.

A room full of Southern women ... all sipping tea, coffee, or lemonade. A couple hats, lots of jewelry, clicks of friends, and a table full of finger food and desserts. It could've been a scene from one of Elizabeth's novella's, over 100 gracious and lovely Southern ladies ... sitting in white chairs next to columns of twinkle lights.

I pictured what it would've looked like had the year been 1945 or 1955 even. Everyone would've worn their favorite hat, dresses, (no pantsuits), gloves, heels, red lipstick, barbie doll hairdo's, and instead of new age music playing softly, it would've been the Andrew Sisters, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, or a little "Sentimental Journey," possibly.

The styles have changed, but not the protocol. The teas in the South are alive and well. And yesterday, was a wonderful glimpse into the writings of a true legend in the world of Southern Literature. Elizabeth Spencer captured our imaginations as she read from her memoirs and spoke about LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. "A little story that has followed her for years," she said. She reflected on her youth, growing up near the shores of the Gulf, memories that speak to her heart and yet break her heart. The results of the recent hurricanes have certainly affected her.

"Elizabeth writes with passion in all its glory ... " Lee Smith said. "A courageous writer who was not afraid to tackle taboo subjects in the South of the 40s, 50s, and 60s."

The afternoon flew by listening to her speak about the South, of Italy, and all the places she's been that have inspired her as a writer. Before you knew it, it was time for the door prize. Guess who won?

A signed copy of LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, signed by both Lee and Elizabeth. A treasure. But that's not all. A signed copy, by Elizabeth, of the poster from the Broadway play, LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. It will look lovely framed and hung on my office wall, don't you think?

Thank you to The Women's Center for this memorable afternoon, and to Lee Smith and Elizabeth Spencer who constantly inspire me to write. To walk in even a few of their footsteps would be to live a dream.

Blessings to you and yours.