New Release! “Simple Pleasures” By Elizabeth Gauffreau #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #poetrycommunity #newrelease #whattoread #poetry #haiku

I’m thrilled to have Elizabeth Gauffreau here to day to talk about her latest release, “Simple Pleasures!” Here’s my five-star review: LINK

Simple Pleasures Blog Tour

Thank you, Denise, for hosting me on my blog tour for Simple Pleasures: Haiku from the Place Just Right! For today’s stop, I’ll be taking your readers to Smugglers Notch, which is between Jeffersonville and Stowe Vermont. (In this context, “notch” refers to a pass between two or more mountains.)

 Smuggler’s Notch originally got its name during the War of 1812 when it was used to smuggle goods to and from Montreal, Quebec after President Thomas Jefferson placed an embargo on trading with Great Britain and Canada.

There were plenty of large boulders and caves to provide smugglers with ways to evade detection. (Source: Vermont Historical Society)

In the 1850s, the Underground Railroad used the pass to smuggle runaway slaves into Canada. And, of course, Smuggler’s Notch was used to bring liquor across the border into the United States during Prohibition. (Source: Vermont Historical Society)

So, Smugglers’ Notch has earned its name! Today, a narrow, winding road with hairpin turns and jutting boulders makes vehicle passage a tricky proposition in places. Needless to say, the road closes in winter.

And you do not want to attempt to bring a tractor-trailer rig through there.

(Photo Credit: Vermont State Police)

It’s always a thrill to drive between two mountains. (A lot of sun glare that day!)

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO LINK

It’s good to get up close and personal with the forest–

 

–and take a hike. Once again, a kindly stranger takes our photograph!

 

 The bird’s eye view:

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO  (Central Vermont Aerial Photography)

 

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free

‘Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be . . . .

                      ~ Shaker song attributed to Joseph Brackett

The simple pleasures of our favorite places in nature are gifts of the spirit to be shared with others. In this collection of 53 haiku, each paired with a photograph, poet Liz Gauffreau invites readers to come with her to some of her favorite places in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Some places are long-time favorites going back years; others have become favorites by virtue of inspiring poetry.

 

Author Biography

Elizabeth Gauffreau writes fiction and poetry with a strong connection to family and place. Her work has been widely published in literary magazines, as well as several themed anthologies. Her short story “Henrietta’s Saving Grace” was awarded the 2022 Ben Nyberg  prize for fiction by Choeofpleirn Press.

She has published a novel, Telling Sonny, and a collection of photopoetry, Grief Songs: Poems of Love & Remembrance. She is currently working on a novel, The Weight of Snow and Regret, based on the closing of the last poor farm in Vermont in 1968.

Liz’s professional background is in nontraditional higher education, including academic advising, classroom and online teaching, curriculum development, and program administration. She received the Granite State College Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018. Liz lives in Nottingham, New Hampshire with her husband. Find her online at https://lizgauffreau.com.

Book2Read Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/SimplePleasures

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BookFunnel PDF Purchase Link: https://buy.bookfunnel.com/gef1ili6qd

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95 thoughts on “New Release! “Simple Pleasures” By Elizabeth Gauffreau #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #poetrycommunity #newrelease #whattoread #poetry #haiku”

      1. Now that you mention it, Denise, I think Smugglers’ Notch would be a great place for Amanda to visit. Some of the terrain is rugged, so she’d need to be careful, though.

  8. A bit of history about Smuggler’s Notch that I didn’t know. And I’m going to driving that winding road in about 3 weeks. How fun to see it here. Liz’s book is lovely and brought back many memories of New England for me. Congrats to Liz, and thanks for hosting, Denise. 🙂

    Reply

  12. That Smuggler’s Notch road looks perfect for an adventure, Liz, hopefully of the good kind and including a picnic.
    Great review, Denise, and thanks for hosting this part of Liz’s tour!

    Reply

  15. The aerial view of the cars driving on the mountain pass is spectacular. The trees surrounding the road looked like fresh heads of broccoli. The history and images of this area are a wonderful way to showcase Liz’s “Simple Pleasures.” Nice review, Denise! Good luck, Liz! 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Nancy 🙂 It was an amazing video and pictures. Makes me want to explore the area, and I agree a great way to showcase “Simple Pleasures!”

      Reply

  16. Denise, thank you for hosting this stop on Liz’s blog tour. I can rest easier at night knowing the meaning of “Notch” geographically. I also enjoyed the first video but had to hold my breath: We got SO close to the guardrails–or no rails! 😀

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Marian 🙂 Thrilled to have Liz here today. I loved all the information and videos. Definitely one of those drives you take nice and easy but looks worth it. Thank you for supporting Liz!

      Reply

  17. Yahoo!
    Denise, this is another wonderful stop on Liz’s blog tour.
    Thank you for hosting!
    I have read my copy, and thoroughly enjoyed it!
    Cheers!

    Reply

  18. That’s a dizzying road! I would not want to be attempting to navigate it at night.

    And it does seem the perfect place to hide. Also beautiful. (K)

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    2. I agree you wouldn’t want to drive it at night. Plus, you’d miss all the great scenery, Kerfe 🙂

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    2. Thank you, Jan! I hope you get a chance to visit Smugglers’ Notch someday. Let’s add Dixville Notch, Crawford Notch, and Hazen’s Notch while we’re at it. 😊

      Reply

  23. What a fascinating post. Congrats, Liz, on your release. Wishing you much success.
    Denise, Thanks for hosting:)
    scoxox

    Reply

    1. It looks like an amazing place to explore, Sandra, doesn’t it? Very happy to host and that you stopped by! Xoxo

      Reply

    1. It is a great post and videos, Robbie. I don’t like being the driver but completely trust my hubby. Then I can enjoy the scenery.

      Reply

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