The Byrne Diaspora

New normal

Many of you have heard already, but for those of you who haven't: our Dad is going in for back surgery on Thursday. Without going into too much detail, it turns out that Dad's had spinal stenosis (a congenitally narrow spinal column) for his whole life. After some recent minor strains, the condition has suddenly come to prominence, which means he's lost much of his feeling and mobility in his limbs. The goal of the surgery is to maintain existing function and, with physical therapy, walk with a cane within the year. 

This is all very sudden for all of us. Much is uncertain. So I'd ask you to keep us in your prayers and send us your good thoughts, especially early on Thursday morning, when he's going into the operating room. Thank you, and much love.  --MCB

Mighty Macs on the big screen

It's a great story: in 1972, a little Catholic girls' college with zero resources somehow ended up winning the first national college women's basketball tournament ever played. That's why I wrote a book on it!--on the "Mighty Macs" of Immaculata College and their improbable, barrier-breaking run. And now the story is finally a movie, too, starring Ellen Burstyn, Carla Gugino, and David Boreanaz--wow! The book was optioned for the duration of filming, but really the movie is based on the life of Cathy Rush, the Immaculata College coach in those years. So I was barely involved (and made no money, lol). But I am still really glad all the championship women--from Rush to the I.H.M. sisters to the next generation of rocking coaches the team produced (Theresa Grentz, Marianne Stanley, Rene Portland)--are getting their day in the sun. Opening this Friday nationally! G-rated and definitely for all the little girls who play sports, and their awesome families.--JEB

Fourth family fiction

Recently I got an email from my Aunt Francie: "CHECK THIS OUT!" Her link pointed to the web site of Jeanne Darst, Francie's third cousin and therefore, my fourth; who (from the hot vaudeville-esque web site alone) looks like a kickass writer. I got in touch with her to say hello, and immediately found out that (1) she's published in the October 2011 Vogue, and (2) she just released a book called Fiction Ruined My Family!

Francie is already reading it. So far, she says, "it's funny, clever and irreverent." I ordered it for my Kindle and can't wait to read it--maybe around Christmas, maybe en route to Belize?--when all of my novel research is done! But BRAVA, sharer-of-our-genes, and we Tietjens, Mers, Wysongs, Wieners and Byrnes wish you all the best!  --MCB

Ticket to ride

It's official: I'm going to Belize! I've been saving up money for years, for the Next Big Trip, and I finally bought the tickets. I'm headed to Belize City in mid-January, and will be traveling around the country for the next three weeks, after which I'll catch a plane to San Jose, Costa Rica and do the same there. "Excited" doesn't even begin to cover it.

But, as you may have guessed, one of the reasons I'm going to Belize specifically is to finally see the country that was so dear to my mother's heart. She spent a year there, in 1962, as a Papal Volunteer. And now that I'm going, I realize how little I know about her time there. Does anyone know what city she was in? What school she taught at? Where she lived? I'm not planning on a maudlin pilgrimage, but I'm certainly curious, and if I have names and places, thought I might just investigate a little before I head out into the countryside. So any information you can dig up (I'm looking at you, Tietjen aunts!) would be most welcome. :)  --MCB