Welcome to Family Matters!
I’m so glad you are here.
At last, the world has opened up again, and I’m scheduling visits to bookstores and book groups.
If you belong to a book group and would like me to visit, virtually or in person, please contact me using the Contact or Events tab, or at marlenebumgarner@gmail.com. If you scroll to the bottom of the page you can see what I’ve posted lately on my blog. Look around, and please leave a comment so I know you’ve been in the building.
My latest book, Back to the Land in Silicon Valley (Paper Angel Press)
is available in hardback, paperback, audio and e-book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and by order from independent bookstores everywhere.
A revised version of my 1982 book, Organic Cooking for (not-so-organic) Families, has been at the publisher for four years, but hopefully will be released soon.
Meanwhile, I am trying to find a publisher for Grandparenting Matters: Strengthening Relationships in the Modern Family. (Are you a grandparent? Join my Facebook group!)
I’m also working on a cozy mystery, Death on a Sunny Morning. The main character is a grandmother, Harriet Palmer, and my loyal canine companion will join her halfway through the book!
Marlene
MY BOOKS
My first book, The Book of Whole Grains (St. Martin’s Press, 1976), grew out of teaching cultural history to fourth graders. After opening a natural food store, I wrote a food column for the San Jose Mercury News and a feature for Mothering Magazine, where I was a contributing editor. A series of cooking classes followed, and a second book, Organic Cooking for (not-so-organic) Mothers (Chesbro Press, 1982). In 1997, St Martin’s Press revised and republished my first book as The New Book of Whole Grains. While teaching developmental psychology to undergraduates, I wrote Working With School-Age Children, (Pearson, 2013, 2017). My most recent book, Back to the Land in Silicon Valley (Paper Angel Press, 2020), is a memoir of the decade my family and I lived on the land in the 1970’s in California’s Silicon Valley then known as The Valley of Heart’s Delight. I am currently revising both Organic Cooking and The Book of Whole Grains for a summer release.
RECENT ADVENTURES
I treated myself and a high school friend to a short cruise to Ensenada in November to celebrate my birthday. In December I flew to Italy with Road Scholar’s Christmas in Sorrento. My return was quickly followed by the horrendous southern California fires, which required me and my nearby son’s family to evacuate for several weeks.
Each time I return from an adventure, I transcribe my travel journal and post excerpts on my blog, so be sure to check back for updates (or subscribe to my newsletter if you want to receive articles by email.)
These web pages are where I post excerpts of my latest work, share peeks at new projects, and connect with my readers. I no longer teach Child Development online, but I occasionally do some consulting and public speaking. Mostly I write about my experiences as a teacher, mother, grandmother, gardener, and cook. Please check out my blog, subscribe to my newsletter, buy my books, and drop in often.
Marlene
Meet Kismet
Dear Kismet passed away in February. I miss her terribly. Some years ago I asked a professional photographer to capture her smile, and she did a great job. Click here to open the video in another window!
Same Boxes — New Home — Downsizing 101
The Move Well, Kismet and I have survived the downsizing, packing and driving phases of this move, only barely. After watching Meathead Movers (honest - that's their name) load all my boxes and furniture into their truck, I drove six hours south, arriving at my son's...
Musings on Highway 101
Back to Normal? Sitting in a rest stop last week, two hours south of Santa Cruz and a third of the way to my destination, I was overwhelmed with the beauty of it all. People coming and going, politely walking around one another, everyone masked, the hot breeze...
Are Your Pets Acting Strangely? Pandemic Pet Behavior
Kismet, my Border Collie, is lying on my feet. Since the pandemic, that is her favorite place to be while I write. My study is the warmest room in the house, and for most of her life, Kismet has spent the daylight hours there, sleeping on the soft rug under my large...
