Author would have more pancakes and write like crazy

"We were shocked by the time frame," Patti Digh said of her stepfather, Boyce Hardin who passed away rather suddenly just after learning he had lung cancer, 37 days to be exact.
Death, for the most part, is a topic of avoidance even though we have a 100 percent death rate, she said.
"We should celebrate someone's life and walk toward them when a lot of the time we want to run away," said Digh, who is from Morganton.
Her book, "Life is a Verb — 37 Days To Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally" was just released in September by Globe Pequot Press.
Digh started recording thoughts of how she might live out her days if she received similar news.
"How can I reframe my life with no regrets?" she pondered.
Initially Digh recorded thoughts of existing with intention in a three-ring notebook for her two daughters, which finally turned into weekly essays in 2005 and posted as an online blog.
"A community of people started forming with the idea of living intentionally," she said.
A publisher began following Digh's blog and approached her about compiling the essays in book form.
Throughout her book she recommends feasible, everyday activities for readers to embrace life with purpose. Saying yes, being generous, speaking up, loving more, trusting herself and slowing down, were lessons Digh said she learned through the writing.
"These six practices will help you live a more intentional life," she said.
Following each essay are action steps and movement challenges.
"This is an immediate reinforcement of the lesson that can be done in 10 minutes and applied to your life quickly through writing," she said.
The movement challenges can be practiced over time and incorporated in life, she added.
"They are something to think about or try to change in a period of 37 days," Digh said.
"Being alive is a special occasion, so use your grandmother's special china today. This is your extraordinary life," she said.
Digh added that she has learned to pay more attention.
"I've grown to love making lunches for my kids from cutting a peanut butter and jelly in the shape of their initials or making rice balls for my 5 -ear-old."
The book was illustrated by the community of people that had been reading the blog through the years, she said.
The artists rendered their interpretation of 37 days.
The publisher saw the art, Digh said, and decided to print the book in color with every piece of art included, all 125 pieces line the front and back covers and are interspersed among the full color pages.
Former classmate Keith Bowers recently reconnected with Digh during a book reading in Asheville.
"I told her I like books with pictures and she told me it has plenty," Bowers said.
He recalled a story Digh shared during the book reading about helping others without getting any recognition.
"I do try to help people, but maybe I'll be a little more anonymous about it," he said.
Digh accomplished that without embarrassing anyone or getting instant gratification publicly while remaining anonymous, he said.
"I like to listen to people especially those who I can learn about dealing with other people, and she's good at that," Bowers said.
The author grew up in Burke County and the book includes lots of Morganton references from Freedom High where she graduated in 1977 to the Morganton Public Library where Digh worked her first job as a teenager.
Her mother still lives in Morganton and Digh has remained close with her ninth-grade Algebra teacher, Mary Rockett.
"It touches your heart in so many different ways," Rockett said of Digh's book.
She encouraged readers to keep the book handy where it can just be picked up.
After finishing her copy, the first one sold at the Muses, Rockett said, "It helps you to be aware of each day."
Shirley Sprinkle said, "It's a really wonderful book. It's inspiring and covers every age group."
Sprinkle owns The Muses bookstore and has read the entire book and said, "She (Digh) grew up in our store, and she has done so many interesting things."
According to Digh, the book is doing very well — No. 1 bestseller at Malaprop's Bookstore in Asheville, No. 1 for the publisher at Barnes & Noble stores over the past few weeks and the readings around the country have all sold out of books.
In addition to book readings around the country, Digh will be offering Retreats using the books lesson of the six practices outlined in "Life is a Verb."

To view Digh's blog visit www.37days.net. Her book is available locally at the Muses for $19.95. For book tour stops — www.booktour.com/author/patti_digh.