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.

A Swirling Mass of Activity

Sounds more interesting than it really is. If I was in the midst of anything swirling, I'm not sure whether I'd swat at it or crouch to the ground, close my eyes, and wait for it all to be over.

This last week was that kind of storm. Two separate school activities (concerts), piano lessons, an evening meeting for each parent and school conferences. This was all between Tuesday and Thursday. Friday was a church teen overnight (with the teen sex ed program). Yes, it always sounds way more salacious than it is--the teen sex ed group is having a co-ed overnight! Is it like that final jumping out of the plane after hours of rolling on the grass, practicing pulling the ripcord and hoping that the parachute opens? No, but it is a great program. My favorite story? The one in which the teacher demonstrates use of a condom by rolling it over the hose attachement of a vacuum cleaner. I felt compelled to clarify to my son that he need not aspire to such garganutan proportions, lest be be sorely disappointed.

The weekend concluded with my partner and the kids at a dinner party while I volunteered for the local schools foundation wine auction. A great time and always a wonderful reminder of how lucky I am to work with a community that supports its public education so wholeheartedly.

I talked with my editor today and she was excited to tell me that the "official" copies of my book, "The Lyncher in Me", are being released today. I'll be getting them soon. The public must still wait until March 15th, but I'll have a few to show off before then. She says it's stunning, a combination of glossy and matte finish that really brings out the artwork nicely. Apparently, the book received a lot of attention at a recent trade show she attended. I can feel the storm kicking up again...