The Weight of Snow and Regret

On By ResaIn Blog Book Tour, Creative Writing

by: Elizabeth Gauffreau


Liz– Thank you for hosting me on my blog tour for The Weight of Snow and Regret, Resa!

Resa – My pleasure, Liz!

Liz – Today I am very excited to shine the spotlight on one of the minor characters in the book, bandleader Sterling D. Weed. But first, here is what The Weight of Snow and Regret is all about.

For over 100 years, no one wanted to be sent to the Sheldon Poor Farm.

By 1968, no one wanted to leave. 

Amid the social turmoil of 1968, the last poor farm in Vermont is slated for closure. By the end of the year, the twelve destitute residents remaining will be dispatched to whatever institutions will take them, their personal stories lost forever.

Hazel Morgan and her husband Paul have been matron and manager at the Sheldon Poor Farm for the past 20 years. Unlike her husband, Hazel refuses to believe the impending closure will happen. She believes that if she just cares deeply enough and works hard enough, the Sheldon Poor Farm will continue to be a safe haven for those in need, herself and Paul included.

On a frigid January afternoon, the overseer of the poor and the town constable from a nearby town deliver a stranger to the poor farm for an emergency stay. She refuses to tell them her name, where she came from, or what her story is. It soon becomes apparent to Hazel that whatever the woman’s story is, she is deeply ashamed of it. 

Hazel fights to keep the stranger with them until she is strong enough to face, then resume, her life—while Hazel must face the tragedies of her own past that still haunt her.

Told with compassion and humor, The Weight of Snow & Regret tells the poignant story of what it means to care for others in a rapidly changing world.

For today’s tour stop, I will introduce you to a character who makes a cameo appearance in the novel, Sterling D. Weed, a historical figure known for being the oldest working bandleader in the state of Vermont. He worked as bandleader until his death in 2005 at age 104. He was also known for having the first integrated swing band in New England. 

Truth be told, I couldn’t resist putting him in the novel. When my late brother George was in high school, he played saxophone in the Enosburg Falls Town Band with Sterling D. Weed as bandleader. In college, George played gigs with Weed’s Imperial Orchestra to earn money to live off-campus. How he loved to tell his Sterlin’ D. Weed stories! 

Weed’s Imperial Orchestra appears in the novel in a brief scene when Hazel and Paul celebrate their first wedding anniversary. The first song they hear is the Weed’s Imperial Orchestra’s theme song, “The Wang Wang Blues.”

Click on the above pic, and a new page will open. You can listen to the music while you read!

Excerpt from “Newlywed” chapter

Hazel turned her attention to the raised stage. Seated behind their music stands, the members of Weed’s Imperial Orchestra wore fancy black suits and bow ties. She’d never seen anyone wear such a fancy suit before, much less a bow tie. Their shoes would be polished to a high shine, even though no one could see them. The man standing on the stage with his back to the dance floor must be Sterling D. Weed himself. When he turned to face the crowded dance floor, Hazel was surprised to see a man of about Paul’s age, smooth-faced, bespectacled, and balding. Except for the fancy suit and the saxophone on a strap around his neck, he looked like her high school algebra teacher.

“Welcome, one and all! The boys and I will start you off this evening with our theme song, a little foxtrot called ‘The Wang Wang Blues.’ If you don’t know the foxtrot, don’t worry. Come out on the dance floor anyway; you’ll pick it up soon enough. And if you don’t, there’s always next week.” He bent over and picked up a clarinet. “Ready, boys? A-one, a-two, a-three.”

The tempo was lively, the notes tumbling from the clarinet sparkling. The melody would not be denied, despite repeated kicks from the bass drum to keep it in check—nor could it keep the crowd in check, as they stepped and glided and twirled.

Sterling D. Weed announced the next song as “Sing, Sing, Sing,” but instead of a sing-along, the drums pounded out a primitive beat, seemingly of their own volition. The crowd cheered, and an explosion of brass blasted from the stage as the dancers flung themselves about the floor. 

Paul’s eyes widened. He mouthed something, grabbed Hazel’s hand, and pointed behind him. 

Outside, he kept hold of her hand and led her to the edge of the lake. “Jeezum. We coulda got killed in there.” He pointed to a large rock. “How about we listen from here?”

Now that she was no longer in danger of being kicked in the head or trampled to death, Hazel was perfectly content to listen to the rest of the song that seemed hell-bent on driving itself off a cliff. 

About Elizabeth Gauffreau

“I am drawn to the inner lives of other people–what they care about, what they most desire, what causes them pain, what brings them joy.”

Click on About to read up on Liz, or on her name in smaller print to visit her blog!
About Elizabeth Gauffreau

Look at all the places you can buy Liz’s book!

Click on the photo list below. It will take you to a page where all the links are live. I bought mine on Kobo.

I’ve read 3/4 of this special book. I add this music and piece of street art as extras. Read the book and discover why!

Some have said the first Lightnin’ Hopkins video wasn’t available to them. In case it didn’t work for you, here’s another try!

177 thoughts on “The Weight of Snow and Regret”

  2. I’m enjoying this blog tour, and I will be reading the book. I love the description of the music and the wonderful final line of the excerpt! The Benny Goodman songs are very familiar ones.

    The video Resa added at the end is “unavailable” to me.

      2. Sorry about the video Liz, and it’s an official one. They seem to work universally, always! I hate when that happens. I’ll add another that might work.

        I spent an entire day with Lightnin’ Hopkins music playing. He is a true blues great! I love that part of your book!

        Thank you for letting me be part of your tour!

        1. That’s so funny that you spent an entire day listening to Lightnin’ Hopkins’ music! I was first introduced to him in a documentary my husband stumbled across called “The World Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins” on YouTube. Here was a guy who spent all of his time playing the blues, drinking, and telling BS stories. What a life! The video clip you included—I was able to access the second link you posted—is from that documentary. Later, I read two biographies about him. In one, there was an interview with the documentary film maker, and he said Lightnin’ was adamantly opposed to having the interview included in the documentary because his hair looked bad.

          Thank you for including the Martin Luther King street art.

          1. LOL! B.S. stories… so … colourful.
            I’ll try to find that docu!
            His hair looked bad. I get it, but his music is so good, who’d notice? I really enjoyed listening, as I knew his name, but never really listened.

            Welcome about the MLK street art. I never know what I’ll find out there, or if I’ll ever use it. Still, I take pics of everything.

              1. Hahaha!…
                I’m glad he’s not here to hear me laugh, but it seems a bit shallow for someone with such deep blues.
                His guitar playing is fabulous.
                If I meet him in any hereafter, first thing is I will compliment his hair!

  4. I love this excerpt and enjoyed the old songs! A cool character. I love the connection to your brother too, Liz. Thanks Resa for your part of the tour.

    2. You’re welcome Darlene!

      It’s a pleasure to host a stop on Liz’s tour. She is a terrific writer. Her story on a drug addicted woman in Victorian times has stayed with me. It was in a magazine a few years ago.

    2. Thank you, Maggie! I don’t get to host blog book tours much, so I’m honoured.
      I don’t read a lot, or fast, but I find 4 out of 5 books I do read are by my WP blog pals.
      There are many talented people out here. 💕💕

    2. The book is so intriguing Brad!
      I love fiction woven around real history. I get to learn, while being entertained.
      This book is just that.

  8. What a wonderful interview with Liz! “The Weight of Snow and Regret” sounds like a fabulous book. I love swing music and the Blues and often go to a jazz club with my partner, so it’s lovely to have those influences in there. As Resa just said above, it’s always a special touch to find history woven into fiction! 😊💜🌹

    1. Ada!
      Yes, history and fiction, and Liz knows what she’s doing.
      Music has been a big player in my life (lol- I married a musician).
      The music parts in this story really made sense, not just ear candy.
      Thank you for this terrific comment, Ada! 🌟❦ 🌟❦

  10. Resa and Liz, what a wonderful interview — thank you both for this thoughtful exchange. I already have The Weight of Snow and Regret, and reading your conversation makes me even more eager to dive deeper into the story. I was especially intrigued by the focus on Sterling D. Weed — I love how minor characters can reveal so much about the world around them. This was a beautiful dialogue between writer and artist, full of warmth and insight.

    1. It’s mostly Liz doing all the talking, but I got a cent or 2 in!
      You will love this story, Rebecca. It is rich with a certain slice of history, and humanity. We should not forget Poor Farms…like we should not forget Residential Schools.

      In some ways, it’s a brave book for Liz to have written. I hope she is proud and satisfied.

      1. Resa, I couldn’t agree more. We should never forget Residential Schools — or the lives and histories that too easily slip from collective memory. Books like Liz’s help us face those difficult truths with empathy and courage, reminding us how storytelling can become an act of remembrance and healing. I’m so glad you brought this conversation forward — it’s an important one, and you’ve given it the care it deserves!!!! Sending hugs!

            1. Hello Rebecca!

              LOL, I believe I’m in your SPAM! I commented on Resistance from my Art Gowns blog. It’s not there, so I am likely in your SPAM folder.

              Please free me! (sent a mail as well!)

        2. Hi, Rebecca. One of the writers in the prose group I host for Woven Tale Press is currently working on a memoir about his sister’s time as a residential school for the deaf. What happened to her and all the fallout to her family was horrific.

          1. Oh, Liz… I can only imagine how heartbreaking that must be for him to write. These stories are so painful, yet they need to be told — not only to honour those who lived through such experiences, but to ensure they are never forgotten or repeated. Writing can be an act of remembrance and healing, even when it opens old wounds. My heart goes out to him — and to all families who still carry that legacy.

      2. Hi, Resa. When I began writing the book, it was historical fiction. By the time I finished writing it, it became social justice fiction with a strong message for the godawful mess my country is in. I hope the book can be a contribution to the cause.

        1. Liz,
          My compliments on a book that should be in schools and libraries. Maybe it will one day, but for now and the rest of my life it is in my mind and heart.

          Poorhouses may be shut down, yet, there are more homeless than ever.

          The world is overpopulated and the degradation of humanity is appalling.

          Canada is a bit better off than the states at this point, but I fear the needs of many are weighing on the middle classes, and upper poor to the point of giving into believing the lies of people like your felon/sex offender/possible pedophile, and extreme religious.

          I must blame corporations, the government and uber rich.

          Bernie Sanders is right. A Social Democracy is NOT communism. If the wealthy and corps paid their fair share, the USA would be different. But, the governments uphold the status quo, stoke fears and the rest of us scramble.

          You have made a contribution. It has been my honour to help you get your book underway!

          Yes, the USA is in a bad place. It’s taking the entire thinking, rational and kind people who live in Canada all we have to control the hate that has entered our country. The maple maga we call them.

          1. Thank you for your insightful comments, Resa. The dominance of Trump and the MAGAs through the electoral process has been a big wake-up call for much of the country, particularly those of us who have always believed in our system of checks and balances, myself included.

                1. ….and the world turns.
                  The history of man had been mostly inglorious, very little glorious.
                  Yet, we have the ability. We keep trying, only to let it slip through fingers again.

      1. You’re most welcome, Liz! I think it’s so clever how you weave real people into your stories — it gives them such authenticity and depth. It’s a gift to write fiction that feels so true.

  12. Resa you always do the best book posts. All the nooks and crannies of them filled with pictures, street art, music, extracts. And you also find what sounds like an amazing book. Congratulations Liz. Thank you ladies for a great post.

    1. Shey,
      xxxx
      Well, it’s a book tour, so Liz did most of the writing, but I did fill in everything I wanted to.
      It is a crazy slice of history wrapped in a novel. You know how much I love that!
      I can hardly wait for Saturday!

      1. I reckoned that Liz would just have given you the ‘ script’ but she didn’t just hand over the blurb and buy lines. I gave up hosting a lot of authors because that was all they did and I wasn’t having just that for my followers–lol. She did a greatly engaging post. and you… well…you got your bit in and chose music, which is a fab way of involving readers. So yeah. this didn’t come over like a post on a tour. And just listen to your description in your comment. It is clear you read and love this book. I can’t wait either for Sat…..so-oh excited.

        1. Thank you for saying that Shey! I want to help, but the tour posts can get repetitive.
          Although, what Liz did, having a different character highlighted in each one is a great idea.

          TOMORROW!!!!!

      1. I’m covering Shey’s new book on Art Gowns tomorrow!
        I got to draw gowns for that post!
        Lol… it’s an odd escape -gowns – but it works for me!

  15. What a surprise to find Liz here. Congrats again on a fabulous book launch. This is a fascinating post, especially because of the family connection.
    Resa, I love blues, so thanks for adding the second video (I’m another who couldn’t use the first link).
    Thanks to you both for this post. Hugs all around.

  16. Gotta love that clarinet. That was my instrument when I was in my junior high school band. I know this music well, because my mother played it all the time.

    And what a wonderful connection to make between your family and the book. I’m smiling just thinking about it. (K)

    1. Thank you very much, Kerfe! The clarinet was my instrument in junior high and high school band. Then I took two music theory courses and discovered to my horror that music is based on math. I was so glad I could include that family connection in the book.

  17. A book tour, how fabulous!! Your blog posts are always full of delightful surprises, Resa. Love this book excerpt, Elizabeth, you describe things very well, as most great writers do. Great book title, and Sterling D. Weed is such an intriguing name. I love these types of music, too, definitely puts you in a good mood 🎶🎷 Wonderful post and the extras are awesome. Thank you, ladies!!

    1. Well, Liz picked the excerpt!
      I’m almost finished reading it. What a great book to have written!
      Thank you dear Ruth for popping by and for your lovely comment.
      🥰❦🌟🌹
      ps( I have a post on Art Gowns on Sat. with drawings.. designs from 1800 on a book character. It’s like designing for a movie.)

  20. Good to know your brother played saxophone in the Enosburg Falls Town Band with Sterling D. Weed, Liz! He would be pleased to see Weed in your book. Thank you, Resa, for the lovely post and your extra! When something doesn’t work, you have another extra! That’s wonderful.

    1. It’s been an honour hosting Liz on her book tour. The book is A+++
      Thanks for popping by, Miriam!
      Yes, when a few said the song didn’t work I figured, doesn’t cost $$ to add another!
      I appreciate you commenting on that!

  21. Resa, my dear friend, this is truly one of your most lovely and wonderful posts—an excellent introduction to Liz’s work; brilliant. I love jazz and own a collection of CDs by Benny Goodman.

    Thank you, both.

    🤗🌹🌹🎶📚🎼💖💖

  22. I am really enjoying how this blog tour is choosing to focus on different themes and characters in the book. And Sterling Weed is such a wonderful name! (I have shared Liz’s linked post on Twitter.)

    Best wishes, Pete.

    1. I agree, Pete. Blog tours can get repetitive, but focusing on a different aspect/character on each stop make is way more interesting. Also, it helps sell the book better. This is an A+++ book!
      Best back to you!

  28. I loved this book, and it’s fun to see it here at Resa’s. That’s cool that you gave Weed a cameo, Liz, and that your brother played in the town band under his direction. A fun little tidbit from the book. Your book is also on my blog today if you have a chance to stop by. Thanks for hosting, Resa!

  30. I love this entire presentation with a great excerpt and music! Thanks for hosting, Resa! You are the Queen of amazing promotional posts! 🙂 Congrats to Liz! I look forward to reading her book! 💖🤗

    2. LOL! Thank you Lauren!
      Yes, another late reply, but I’ve been over on my other blog.
      2 blogs was easy when I had 10 followers. Now, I just have to do my best.
      The book is fabulous!
      It is important.
      xo 💖🤗

  31. Another fabulous book introduction to Liz’s beautiful book. You make book launches and reviews fun art Resa. Congrats to Liz. I too shall look forward to reading this. Hugs 💜🧡❌⭕

Comments are closed.