“The Lone Cypress by J. Collins Kerr Trafford Publishing reviewed by J. Carol Davala The more we have, the more we are slave to it. The irony of wealth. There are often trade-offs in life for those individuals who possess an independent spirit and adventurous streak. Such was the case for Phyllis Reeves, a woman who never married, never had children, and never pursued any illustrious career. Yet in her 91-year life span, Reeves proved to be a self-made original that embodied the essence of a true renaissance woman. Here in a threefold collection of writing, poems, and travel anecdotes compiled by Reeves' niece, J. Collins Kerr, readers come to know the quirky yet tenacious Aunt Phyllis, a woman that loved to travel, spoke several languages, had a deep affinity for nature and animals, and often championed the underdog. Whether working as a clerk at the American Embassy in Spain, hiking the hills of Athens with her beloved dog Chispa, teaching school on Midway Island in the middle of the Pacific, or viewing flora and fauna in the rainforest of Costa Rica, Reeves was intent on broadening her horizons. Kerr effectively reveals Reeves' love of art and poetry by including many of her aunt's works that pay homage to the beauty of nature, friends and coworkers, and even the unique personalities of her cats. Ever the teacher, many of Reeves' poems are written in French with English translations offered in the books final pages. Herein, Kerr also includes her own lyrical verse, a light-hearted yet sincere gift in ode to her mentoring aunt. The Lone Cypress also includes the collaborative efforts of two other nonagenarians (i.e. Reeves' sister Dorothy Wiley, and lifelong friend and artist Nylan Jeung who provided the ethereal cypress cover art, as well as other mystical landscapes). At the heart of these personal contributions, and the additional memories and farewells offered up by family and friends, Kerr uncovers the portrait of a multi-faceted individual who was undoubtedly a positive influence on those she knew. Ultimately this book is a beautiful testament to the power of a solitary life. Reeves once said that she wanted to be remembered for her "guts and compassion." In this well-balanced, enjoyable rendering, readers will quickly learn that Aunt Phyllis truly had both. http://www.theusreview.com/reviews/Lone-Kerr.html#.UpJOjcTnu2U ”
“Allene Arthur's Column Friends climb closer to heaven to say goodbye Written by Allene Arthur Special to The Desert Sun Jan. 11, 2014 | mydesert.com This had to be the most nonconforming but appropriate memorial ever held. Instead of traditional services in a house of worship for the departed, a Phyllis Reeves Memorial Hike was held. An all-day hike up Murray Peak to an elevation of 2,200 feet was taken by friends and relatives of the lady who was entwined in our desert for more than 50 years. Before that, Phyllis Reeves worked for the U.S. Foreign Service, serving at American embassies in Spain and Greece. Then the Coachella Valley got her and Phyllis taught French and Spanish at Indio High School from 1961 to 1970. After retiring from teaching, Phyllis worked as assistant to Ted Grofer, then publisher of The Desert Sun. From there she took a job at Palm Springs Desert Museum. What else? She was active in the Sierra Club as an outings leader. She volunteered at the Mizell Senior Center. See what I mean? Phyllis was a part of the weave of this valley, and it was a part of her. Phyllis’ niece Joan Kerr and husband Allen were there from Nashua, New Hampshire with daughter Mackenzie, Phyllis’ grandniece. Niece Linda Reid and husband Clyde came from Gleneden Beach, Oregon. Another niece Cathy Berger of Beaverton, Oregon was there. Locals included Phyllis’ longtime friend Sal Guilin of Indio, Phyllis’ attorney Stephanie Slahor of Palm Springs, Margie Suski, Phyllis’ former French student at Indio High. Silvia Henao, now of Antwerp, Belgium, flew a long way to honor her lifelong friend Phyllis. Pausing on top of a peak about halfway up to Murray Peak, each individual read an excerpt from French poetry Phyllis had written in a published book. Then her ashes were scattered. It was where Phyllis wanted to be —free to mingle with the clouds, to be one with the mountain and the desert that she loved. Apres-hike Now that Phyllis was where she belonged, her kith and kin gathered that evening at the Palm Springs home of Leann and Ron Dale for socializing and edibles. Leann had been senior advisor to Phyllis during her weak and aging years before she died at 91, helping to find her board and care home, doing many of her errands. She even took in Phyllis’ beloved cat Timmy and gave him a reassuring home. Joining the hikers at the party-reception-wake were Luzmile Vasquez of Palm Springs and grandson Oscar, Esther Guilin and son Joseph, and assorted friends and former students. Phyllis’ big sister Dorothy Wiley, 96, of Portland, Oregon was not able to travel to the desert, but she purchased a memorial tile at Living Desert for the endangered species carousel in little sister Phyllis’ honor. So Phyllis is still with us —physically, spiritually and sentimentally. Reach Allene Arthur at arth71@aol.com or (760) 323-6014.” - Allene Arthur
“lone-cypress-press-release.pdf http://www.prweb.com/releases/JCollinsKerr/TheLoneCypress/prweb11284183.htm **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:Marketing ServicesTel: 1-888-232-4444Fax: 812-961-3133Email: promotions@trafford.com(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)J. Collins Kerr honors her aunt in eclectic collection of poems and writings Author announces release of ‘The Lone Cypress' NASHUA, N.H. – In “The Lone Cypress: A Portrait of Aunt Phyllis” (published by Trafford Publishing), J. Collins Kerr presents a book of poems – and escapades – which she describes as a revelation about the uniqueness in everyone. “If you look hard enough, you’ll find it,” she says. “The Lone Cypress” is primarily a collection of writings by Kerr’s aunt, Phyllis Reeves. It includes anecdotes from her adventures as an aide in the American Foreign Service in Europe after World War II and as a teacher with the U.S. Department of Defense schools in the Pacific. Kerr also incorporates her aunt’s poetry that reveals Reeves’ feelings toward, and observations of, nature and life. An excerpt from “The Lone Cypress”:... and Phyllis thought to herself, “Here I am, drinking whiskey and dancing with a man who is an almost total stranger in a night club in Basel, Switzerland, at three in the morning. Not bad for a middle-aged school teacher from California!” Kerr looks back in time and uses the book to view the world from her aunt’s perspective. She celebrates a life, “as God made each of us unique.” Read more about Reeves in Kerr’s “Pensées et Impressions,” a full-color collection of French poems. “The Lone Cypress”By J. Collins KerrHardcover | 6 x 9 in | 234 pages | ISBN 9781490707983Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 234 pages | ISBN 9781490707969E-Book | ISBN 9781490707976Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the AuthorJ. Collins Kerr received a B.A. in English education from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore., and an M.B.A. from Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. Her writing has appeared in Business Week, Hardcopy and various industry publications for the high-tech world. She is an investment professional in the financial industry, living with her husband, daughter and dogs in New Hampshire. More information is available at http://jcollinskerr.com Trafford Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC, author services imprint, was the first publisher in the world to offer an “on-demand publishing service,” and has led the independent publishing revolution since its establishment in 1995. Trafford was also one of the earliest publishers to utilize the Internet for selling books. More than 10,000 authors from over 120 countries have utilized Trafford’s experience for self publishing their books. For more information about Trafford Publishing, or to publish your book today, call 1-888-232-4444 or visit trafford.com. http://www.prweb.com/releases/JCollinsKerr/TheLoneCypress/prweb11284183.htm” - Trafford Publishing
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