Dear Readers,
My husband, Jaybird, and my high school daughter, Madeleine, and I drove in my Red Inferno Pacifica to Austin, Texas for the Texas Book Festival. We arrived after dark, checked into the Sheridan, then walked over to Serrano's for our Halloween night treat of Tex-Mex. The Jaybird thought he would be smart and eat a Jalapeno pepper. Priceless! He became a camel to the well.
The next morning we headed out for the book festival and arrived early to view the Capital building both outside and in. Our first session I had earmarked to go hear Pulpwood Queen three time book club selection author, Rick Bragg, speak on his latest "The Prince of Frogtown". We were not disappointed.
I had heard Rick speak one time before and my vote goes to him as one of the top three authors I have ever had the pleasure of hearing speak. (The other two are Pat Conroy and Gary Paulsen for those who may be wondering and I have heard quite a few authors speak, they are that good). I even got Rick during the question and answer time to retell the story I heard him tell of the good Sister Helen as he interviewed her as they drove to Angola prison. One of the funniest stories I have ever heard.
At the same time, Rick spoke of his family and was posed the hard question why he did not turn out like his father. He told the audience life is all about choice. How can someone be so funny then turn and bring you breathless the next words out his mouth so filled with poignancy and insight. Bravo, Rick Bragg, Bravo!
The next two sessions we went to unfortunately, were told that the room was full, even going event early. The great news is that means the Texas Book Festival is bringing in lots and lots of folks to hear the authors. The bad news is The Jaybird was greatly disappointed he did not get to hear Alice Schroder speak of her book, "The Snowball: Warren Buffet and the Business of Life" of which he is currently reading.
A bit downhearted, we perused the booths at the festival and were amazing at the wide array of choices. Great food to at the festival too as we had a killer hamburgers with all the fixings then we all split the best funnel cake I have ever eaten.
Sunday morning we were up bright and early as we were going to Madeleine's favorite breakfast place, Los Manitas. on Congress. We like to never got to the restaurant as they were having the Relay for Life walk on Congress. The Jaybird figured it out despite the blocked streets and detours. We parked back behind at $7 a pop to park and walked to Los Manitas anticipating the great real Mexican breakfast.
Alas, the place had closed because evidently some kind of mega high rise something is going to be built where this Austin landmark once stood. I took a photo of the sign in the window as we cried over the lost breakfast and then $7.00 parking.
Onward to Threadgill's! Good fortune was not falling down on us because of the time change. The place did not open for Gospel Brunch until 10:00 a.m. It was 8:00 a.m. and now we were really getting miffed and hungry. So then we headed to another favorite Mexican restaurant, Guero's, on South Congress and God Bless Texas it was open. Sated and happy we headed to the Texas Book Festival as I wanted to be there early to hear a few authors speak.
I was thrilled beyond belief when I found out on Saturday that the Lifestyle tent, in which I was to be speaking, was directly across the street from a Starbuck's. I had not had a serious decent cup of coffee since we left home on Friday so I had my mouth all set for one. We walked over to view the sign CLOSED ON SUNDAY! You have got to be kidding me. Right in front of all the tents at the Texas Book Festival packed with Sunday morning caffeine withdrawaled people, can we get a break. I was starting to see a pattern in my Pulpwood Queen life of chaos.
Luckily, Mike Renfro, author of one of my favorite read aloud books, "Under the X in Texas" was to speak on his latest book on the 100th Anniversary of Shiner beer. Unfortunately, yes again, not only no coffee but no beer. Austin was started to make me act even weirder.
Mike gave a wonderful presentation despite the fact that the fire sirens went off, the fire truck and paramedics arrived right behind where he was speaking, and proceeded to escort what looked like a man who had been living amongst the elements for some time. Hard to concentrate with all the noise and drama unfolding but Mike keep at task and so did we, listening to him. Next up was Shannon McKenna Schmidt who wrote "Novel Destinations" that is perfect for the book club member who also loves traveling. As she did her slide presentation I honed in on Mark Twain's house in Hartford, Connecticut. I mentally put that "novel destination" on my must see lifetime agenda list.
Author and watercolor artist extraordinaire, Carol Dawson, arrived who would be introducing me and boy, did she ever. After her incredible accolades I went to the stage blushing hot pink ear to ear. As far as I could tell people were listening and got quite a few laughs over my presentation. Several folks came up to greet me before and after that I had not seen in awhile and had a nice line for the book signing following.
After the last book was signed we hoofed on over to the Capital as I did not want to miss the Stranger than Fiction panel which included Jeannie Ralston of "The Unlikely Lavender Queen" and my new friend and author, Robert LeLeux of "memoirs of a beautiful boy". The panel was lively, well run, and enlightening. Since it was standing room only, Jaybird and Madeleine had to sit in front of me. I could see they were both cracking up at the wit of Robert LeLeux. I immediately grabbed him after the panel and told him he has to help me MC our annual Girlfriend Weekend. With his wit and repartee', he would be perfect to keep things lively!
Back in August, Robert had visited as Pulpwood Queen Book Club Selection of the month and brought his father, his best friend, country/western singer, Jessica, and his husband, Michael. We all had the most wonderful evening of our lives. This time Jessica, the singer, was with him again and his mother, Jessica too! Madeleine turned to me and told me his mother looked just like a Barbie and she did, perfect blonde hair, perfect figure, perfect face and she was how old! You all will just have to see for yourself when they all come to Girlfriend Weekend, January 15 - 17, 2009. We ended the Texas Book Festival with a wonderful grand finale panel as we had to hit the road to make it home before midnight.
Now I also have to tell you while in Austin we ran into our good friend Cyndi Hughes sporting an Obama shirt. Madeleine had to have one so we went to the Obama headquarters. Was that a trip! Austin is a sea of blue in an ocean of red!
Also we hit the author GREEN ROOM a couple of times and Carol Dawson introduced us to some new authors. Also ran into our good friend and author, Will Clarke, so we caught up, Clay Smith, the Executive Director of the Texas Book Festival, introduced himself to me and was more than a bit charming.
The other cool thing was Publishers Weekly southern coorespondent Edward Nawatka came over and introduced himself to me before I spoke and told me, our friend Ron Hogan of http://www.galleycat.com/ ,had told him he must come to our Girlfriend Weekend Author Extravaganza. Keep your fingers crossed.
Ran into quite a few Pulpwood Queens including Leslie Holder of The Pulpwood Queens of Shreveport. There she was working away as a volunteer in the Author Booksigning Tent and after talking to her I found out she had been doing this for THREE YEARS! Talk about promoting literacy, I crown her Pulpwood Queen of the MONTH!
As we drove into the East and sunset, I commend First Lady Laura Bush, our state's First Lady, Anita Perry, our Governor's wife, and Clay Smith, for a book and literacy promoting job well done.
Back home I have hit the ground running because bright and early tomorrow morning you will be receiving the full program for our Books Alive!, Christian and Inspirational Author, Book, and Music Festival with photos too!
Enjoy as always the photos, mostly taken by either me or Madeleine, and see you all this weekend at the festival. It's time for y'all to come to this part of the state, okay!
Tiara wearing and Texas Book Festival sharing!
Kathy L. Patrick
Founder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs and author of "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life"
Beauty and the Book
608 North Polk Street
Jefferson, Texas 75657
903-665-7520
P.S. That's Jeannie Ralston at the top in probably the best photo taken all weekend, (we didn't take it, ha ha ha). She too has blogged on the event, here's the link: http://jeannieralston.blogspot.com/
Also check out her amazing campaign below:
Learn more about The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming at www.jeannieralston.com
Help me plant hope for others by joining The Seed Campaign. Buy a copy of my book via my website, and a percentage will be donated to a worthy cause--a different organization every month. More info on my website.
Also some other great websites to check out:
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