Tucson Festival of the Book

"Take gorgeous weather, add 50,000 passionate readers, and stir in 450+ authors and you get the Tucson Festival of Books -a large-scale event that still feels personal and intimate - I was honored to be a part of it."

— Jamie Ford, "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet"

What a great time I had at the Tucson Festival of the Book with my best reading friend and buddy!! Rich and I divided up and we each enjoyed authors to our hearts content. I heard Jon Scieszka, Terry Brooks, JA Jance & Janis Ian (yes, the folk singer I loved on "At Seventeen" fame. She interview Judy Jance and even sang!! I did too!!) I also met a few new authors and loved Craig Johnson. He was larger than life and CJ Box was a total gentleman. I now have new authors to read!! (Like I was hurting for books.... "Houston, we have a problem!") Rich and I rendezvoused only once - at the end when Rich helped me find a few books to call my own!! Great weather, great authors and even some terrific gelato. We ended the evening at Molina's Mexican Restaurant where we met our son and his family. Great memories!!! Thanks Tucson, I can't wait to come back next year!

Spring Break - Beginnings

The first evening of Spring Break & a I don't want to think about anything. It seems the perfect time to pull out a meme and play a bit.

What do you usually have for breakfast? Special K cereal or Dannon Vanilla Yogurt...mmmm. Of course what I really want is pancakes!!!

What are three characteristics in others that you appreciate? A great sense of humor, honesty, and reliability

What are three characteristics in yourself that you appreciate? I think for the most part I am pretty easy-going, I like to laugh and I am really interested in people

If you could visit any period of history for one month, which one would you definitely NOT choose. I am glad I was Not a pioneer!! That was hard work and you were always bone-tired, hot or cold and hungry! I'll just read about it, thank you!

What was your favorite toy as a child? My teddy bear or my football

What is one of your little talents that has given you big rewards? Teaching

What fruit describes you best and why? Cutie mandarin oranges!! Small, chubby and sweet. Everyone say "awwwww....."

What do you think would improve your country? Cooperation and thinking of others.

When you’re shopping are you most like a skunk, whale, bear, or eagle? Why? Eagle. I fly over the whole store to get the layout and see what's where, then I fly over again to see if I really want it, then I fly over again to swoop down and make it mine!!

When you’re working are you most like a mountain, river, ocean, or meadow? Why? Ocean. There's an ebb and flow. I work hard for awhile and then I drift a little and absorb what I've done. There are also times of tremendous activity and force and then there are quiet days!! Gosh, I'm feeling like I want a day at the beach...

What do you most appreciate about your family? Their love and respect for me.

If a movie were being made of your life, what actor/actress would you like to play you? Come on, wouldn't Sandra Bullock be great for the part?!?! She'd make me look good, be funny, and awesome all at the same time!!

We're off to the Tucson Festival of the Book tomorrow. What a great way to start Spring Break!! Wahoo...

Sunday Rambles

I'm in a sugar coma...still.....

• Chocolate chip cookies and milk at a friend's Memorial Service (& leftovers!)
  
• Dinner out with good friends (& leftovers!)
  
• Break-the-fast with young single adults - good desserts with friends to eat with!(Thank goodness there were no leftovers!)
  

We've been partying for a while here now. I'm good all week long so I can party down on the weekends!! But I've got to learn some real restraint!!

I'm counting my blessings...and they number at least 6!!! Ooops...7

On this stormy Sunday I got some good reading in. I finished the dead and the gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer. It's the sequel to Life As We Knew It and still has me checking the moon and pondering if I could survive a calamity. It's startling to think of all the daily conveniences that we take for granted...shelter, food, electricity, running water, abundant food. Why am I drawn to this dystopian YA fiction? Does it make today's traumas and dramas less fearful? Is it just good writing and creativity? Interesting ideas? I am ready for a little lighthearted reading however. I have plenty on the TBR pile but I will definitely read book #3 when it comes out to see what happens to these characters. I feel like I'm watching a car accident and I can't help looking.

It's coming.....it's right around the corner and I can't wait.....report cards, lesson plans, meetings, final projects for my Thursday night class - nothing will deter my enthusiasm!!! You can feel it, can't you?!?! I'm counting the days. Spring Break, you are a welcome sight.

What a random Sunday post....it must be the sugar!