Guest Pam Hillman: Tigger, The Muffin Man, and Me
I’m so glad to have Pam Hillman guest on the blog, today. She has a story about people who have made an impact on her life through their smiles and friendly manner. It’s something I think we can all relate to. I know I can. Welcome, Pam!
Tigger bounced into the office, hand outstretched, an infectious grin on his face. “How are you today, Ms.Johnnie?”
The receptionist couldn’t help but respond to his energetic step, his jovial manner, and his wide grin. He didn’t look like a Tigger. He was tall and lanky and middle-aged, and he was a cardboard box salesman.
But he acted like a Tigger, and he brought a smile to the entire office as he peddled his wares. And over the years it became apparent that he wasn’t friendly and bouncy and interested in us just to sell boxes. No-siree!
He genuinely cared about people.
One time my husband had a life-threatening injury that kept him in the hospital for ten days. Tigger dropped by the office while I was out. He was so concerned for my husband (whom he had never met), that he got the number to the hospital and called to check on us. You don’t forget Tiggers like that.
I haven’t seen Tigger in several years, but I will never forget him, and I’ll always think of him as Tigger, and when I do, I will smile.
The Muffin Man was another one of our favorite salesmen. I dubbed him The Muffin Man because he brought us to-die-for muffins from The Beagle Bagel Café!
Oh.My.Stars!
They were the size of dinner plates and so moist, they just melted in your mouth. One would hold you all day…if you could manage to stop at just one. If The Muffin Man visited in the morning, forget lunch. I just skipped the healthy stuff altogether and ate a Beagle Bagel Café blueberry muffin with a fresh-brewed cup of coffee. Yum!
The Muffin Man shared pictures of his beautiful daughters, his latest hunting escapades, and his turkey calls and always asked about my boys. Eventually we got around the purpose of his visit, talking about stainless steel.
Good men, good salesmen who took the time to get to know their customers, who sometimes came bearing gifts, and always came bearing smiles, the gift that keeps on giving.
I haven’t seen Tigger or The Muffin Man in several years, but when something triggers a memory of one of them, I smile.
~
Pam is thrilled to announce the release of her second novel,
Claiming Mariah
In light of her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Fredrick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.
With the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he will unearth more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal and murder threatens more than the well-being of the ranch, endangering the lives of those who hold it dear. With days dwindling until the rest of the Donovan clan arrive to the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed alters their futures forever.
Breaking News!!!
Claiming Mariah will be
ON SALE for $1.99 February 10-16th
Click here for links to your favorite etailer
>>>> Tyndale ebook Promos <<<<
Mark your calendars, put a string on your finger,
or a reminder on your iPhone, (you want me to call???)
but whatever you do,
don’t let this opportunity slip by.
To celebrate, Pam is giving away two eReaders
(choice of Kindle Wi-Fi, 6″ Display, or Nook Simple Touch)
Two Winners: One on facebook. One through Pam’s Newsletter.
Facebook Drawing for Kindle/Nook
Registering both places is not required but will double your chances of winning. Also keep in mind that you will receive updates more often being connected on Facebook than through the newsletter. Just sayin’
Contest runs from January 1st until March 31st, 2013.
And….that’s not all! There will be prizes offered randomly throughout the tour.
Click here to View Current Giveaways!
PREVIOUS STOP ON TOUR:
February 8th: Blogging with Liz Tolsma
NEXT STOP ON TOUR:
February 12th: Blogging with Gail Pallotta
AND in Seekerville!
Click for a Complete List of Stops Along the Tour
Pam Hillman was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn’t afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove the Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn’t mind raking. Raking hay doesn’t take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that’s the kind of life every girl should dream of! Claiming Mariah is her second novel.
Thanks, Pam! I took advantage of the sale that started Sunday. The book sounds exciting and the cover is beautiful. Kudos to the designer for the latter!
Let’s discuss the Tiggers and Muffin Men (or Women) in your life. Where did you meet them? What made them special? What about them makes you smile even today?
I have received no compensation for this post and have no material connection with any product(s) mentioned. Embedded links are strictly for the convenience of my readers. Contests are the responsibility of the author and are not a part of this blog.
No Comments
Pam Hillman
Sandy, thank you for having me today. An unexpected blessing of blogging is being reminded of people like Tigger, and The Muffin Man. Smiling again today thinking about them! 🙂
Pam Hillman
Sandra!!!! Thank you for purchasing Claiming Mariah! Tigger and I are doing a jig!!! 😉
Sandra Ardoin
I’m looking forward to reading it, Pam. Thanks for sharing your memories!
Carole Brown
Your cover is beautiful and hope to purchase the book soon! :)! Enjoyed the post and memories. Congrats, Pam.
Pam Hillman
The art department outdid themselves with that cover, didn’t they? I was blown away when I saw it! Just beautiful!
And, just in case you missed it, you can snag a copy of Claiming Mariah this week only for $1.99!!! Here are the buy links:
Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman $1.99 for Kindle, Nook or CBD! Limited Time: February 10-16th!
Sandra Ardoin
Thanks for stopping by, Carole! I hope you enjoy Pam’s new novel.
Johnnie Smith
Hey Pam!! You made my day! Haven’t thought about Tigger and The Muffin Man in a while…..:)) Need more like them…..
Sandra Ardoin
Sounds like you Pam share memories, Johnnie. Thanks for stopping by!
Pam Hillman
Johnnie, so glad you stopped by. I knew you’d enjoy this post. I’d love to see Tigger, but last I heard, he was off somewhere on a Caribbean island running a cinder block company. I mean, how lucky can you get??? lol