Ah, the Great Northwest

After a week in Minnesota, it was a relief to touch down in Seattle Sunday evening. This is no slight to Minnesota--the people I met there, those folks who shepherded me from place to place, the scenery and the food--were all wonderful. Old friends (and new ones) helped make me feel like their home was my home and I could feel the slightest sense of roots finding their ways down. Not in a sense of Minnesota being a home to me in any way, but a place that I can imagine returning and, in one way or another, feeling welcome.

The pictures above are from a couple moments along my tour. The spot at the microphone was during my interview at MPR, in the American Public Media building. What an amazing place. It was a great interview and I felt pretty on top of things, even though in the picture I look like I've had one pause too many with the traveling Pepsi can (some of you may not be able to make heads or tails of that reference, but my memories of high school Saturday nights at Harborview Park Beach brings the image to mind). I was in complete possession of my faculties; my eyes were just a little slow on the take.

The other picture is that of me and Don Claret, the grandson of Elmer Jackson's cousin. He came to two of my readings, and we were able to have dinner together both times. What a great guy. Who'd have thought we'd have become good friends? Full circle.

Running on Fumes!

Man, oh man. Yesterday I was able to tape a short segment at KARE tv in Minneapolis, a 5 minute piece on a morning show called "Showcase Minnesota". It went well, but was very assembly line oriented, perfect for the ADD viewer. I shared time with Jodie Foster (via tape), some circus performers, baby farm animals, Ms. Senior Minnesota and a couple cast members from "High School Musical". In the afternoon, I talked to a classroom of nursing students at the College of St. Catherine.

Today, I taped a segment for "All Things Considered" at the MPR studios. I think it was local, but it may get picked up for the national show sometime. Perhaps. I just heard it on the radio and it came off pretty good; I didn't sound too boring or clueless.

My favorite one was this afternoon, talking live with Lori and Brian at FM107.1 with the "Drivetime Divas" show (Brian isn't one of the divas, but was sitting in for one). The conversation was really engaging, friendly and both announcers really worked to put me at ease. We had a great conversation, about 15 minutes long.

I just got an e-mail and talked to a person from the local public tv station who wants a short interview before I leave town. This basically leaves tomorrow morning, before I head to the airport. She's willing to pick me up here at the hotel at about 7:00 am, tape a quick 10 minute piece, then jet me to the airport. I really didn't want to schedule it, but I suppose that's what I'm supposed to do if I can, so be it.

In about an hour and a half, I'm off to my last reading here before heading to Duluth, then I need to talk over the phone with a Duluth reporter. I can't wait to get back to work on Monday so I can relax....