Thanksgiving is behind us and a wonderful day it was. We’re still enjoying the wonderful leftovers.
Now, on to the next celebrations!
Next Friday, December 6, 2014 we will be a doing a book signing at The Plaid Duck in Pine River as part of the Kick-Off to Christmas Celebration. We will be signing from about 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. If you book purchased one of our books at an earlier date and would like it signed, please stop by and we would be honored to sign it for you. The day of the signing our books will be 20% off, so if you would like to pick one up for a Christmas present it would be a great time to do that, too. Several of the business in Pine River are participating in this celebration and each business will be running specials and providing treats to enjoy, as well as a punch card to be punched at each place and entered for a drawing at the end of the day.
Some friends of ours are having their annual Christmas Party in the evening on December 6th, also. It just wouldn’t be Christmas if we didn’t get to enjoy their party. The only year I missed it was when Joel was in the hospital in 2003, but Verdale happened to be home that weekend so he went without me.
On December 12th I will be having foot surgery on my right foot due to arthritis in my big toe joint. Ouch! I’m not very excited about surgery, but I am excited about the prospect of my feet not hurting so bad all the time. I’ll be in a “boot” for 4 – 6 weeks. Since it’s my right foot, I may not be driving for a while.
So, before this surgery I need to do some serious Christmas shopping…and baking…and cleaning! I did get the tree up today and the front porch decorated, so I have a good start.
I hope you all have a very blessed Christmas!
Happy Fall Everyone!
I am very, very guilty of neglecting my blog posts this past summer. So sorry!
I hope everyone has had a great summer. We have been very busy, as I am sure everyone else has been, too. Joel and I did a couple of book signings already this fall and always enjoy that opportunity.
In September we were invited to do a signing at the Little Falls Craft Bazaar. We sat with four other authors who we got to know quite well by the end of that weekend. Everyone has a story to tell and it so fortunate that these folks have had an opportunity to get these stories written and published.
This fall has kept me very busy digging potatoes, carrots and onions, not to mention digging up enough canna and dahlia bulbs to cover a small county! Before the snow flies, we still have a lot of yard work to do, boats and docks to get in and decks to clear off. I had wonderful plans for a garden shed to be completed before winter, but…. maybe next summer!
Enjoy these beautiful fall days!
What a glorious day it was in Nisswa, MN on Saturday, September 21st. I had a book signing at Turtle Town/ Rainy Day Books and enjoyed the activities of the Fall Festival. Nisswa was bussing with shoppers and fun events. Lots of food and music to be enjoyed too. My first two visitors at the book signing were previous customers who so enjoyed Standing Tall – On One Leg, that they each came to purchase another copy to share with other folks they know. One copy was going to New Jersey and the other to Kansas. I think that is one of the greatest compliments an author can get, is to have someone buy numerous copies of your work to share with others!
Today our local grocery/convenience store asked for 15 more copies of Standing Tall – On One Leg. They have sold 75 copies in their store and I am truly grateful for their dedication and confidence in my work.
My husband and I will soon be traveling to a nephew’s wedding near Lake Tahoe. We are getting very excited for the big event. Of course I will be bringing a couple copies of the book along – just in case someone in Nevada would like to read it. I know there are several copies being distributed out there already – thanks to relatives – but a few more would be even better!
Have a great “last week of September!”
Here’s an update of more speaking events that I have been scheduled for in the upcoming months.
I will be hosting a book signing in Walker, MN on Saturday, May 10, 2014 which is being held at Tagged by Brea. This upscale resale boutique has invited me to take part in their grand opening event. Thank you Tagged by Brea!
On Friday, May 16th I will be speaking at a physician’s conference at Madden’s Resort on Gull Lake near Brainerd, MN. This is sponsored by Essentia Health, and I have to admit that I am a little nervous about this presentation! Thank you Essentia Health for having confidence in my story and ability to tell it.
Joel and I will also be giving the survivor speech at our local Relay for Life event on June 20th this year. We have been active participants in this event for many years and are honored to have been invited to be the speakers this year. We are going to try to be at other Relay for Life events as we can fit them into our summer schedule. My goal is to do book signings at each event and give the profits from the night directly to the Relay.
I have also started attending the Toastmaster’s meetings in Brainerd, MN in order to hone my very basic speaking skills. I’m learning a lot – but I have a lot more to learn.
Have a happy week!
I’m finally getting a chance to let you know about my weekend at Spotlight on Books in Grand Rapids, MN.
The event was held at Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge. We arrived Friday afternoon, and after checking into our room and setting up the display table, we relaxed with a cocktail and some pleasant conversation with a few other authors. Then we enjoyed a wonderful dinner provided for those who had already arrived for the weekend. The remainder of the evening we participated in the “lightening round” which was a fast paced interactive demonstration given by regional librarians and educators.
Saturday morning began with a delicious buffet breakfast, lots of coffee and great conversation. I gave my 5 minute blurb at about 8:30 and the rest of the day we enjoyed listening to several well-known authors – Mary Logue, Michael Hall and Will Alexander – as they told us about their experiences with writing children’s and young adult books. It’s always interesting to hear how other authors got their start, what they do to promote their writing and what hard work it is to get a book in the hands of the right people.
Throughout the day we had book signings and I had an opportunity to meet many inspirational authors, speakers and ordinary folks like myself, who were trying to gain some knowledge and learn more about books, authors, publishing and all that goes with it.
I have to say that I was very humbled and honored to be a part of such a great group of authors and I look forward to meeting them again some day.
Thank you, Spotlight on Books, for inviting me to your event!