When the apparent temperature outside is a balmy 95 degrees and the "feels like" is 108F, what do you do? Road Trip! This was probably NOT one of my more sane things to do, but it had to be done. One of my editing clients sent tickets for me and a friend to attend Writers on the River, a huge author event and book signing. My son was gracious enough to give up his Saturday to drive me to Peoria, Illinois in weather that can only be likened to hell's kitchen, literally.
Because my vehicle is a 4-cylinder (please second think if you plan to purchase one) traveling in heat/humidity and running the air conditioner for 3 hours at 70 mph speeds is not good on the engine. So, we drove with the windows down...oy!
Multiple Sclerosis and I have a love/hate relationship. It is such a fickle disease and I have learned over the sixteen years it has inhabited my body that heat/humidity and MS do not mix. So, where am I? In a vehicle, toodling down I74 in oppressive heat trying not to think about it.
Along with MS, I have Sjogren's Syndrome (where your mouth and eyes dry out) and situational anxiety. So, open-windows-blowing-hot-air on my eyes was not a good thing, either since I'd had an incident that landed me in the ER a few hours the prior morning.
Fast forward. We arrive at the Par-a-dice Hotel and Convention center about an hour early, so travel across the street to the Burger King for lunch (in my opinion all I wanted was to bathe in the ice from the ice machine!) before returning to the event.
I had several clients who were signing at the event and it was imperative that I meet them. I was in the wheel chair, because walking that distance around the circumference of the room and up and down the aisles greeting the authors would have sapped what little energy I had left. We stopped by the end of a table...and a delightful personal assistant to an author began visiting with us. Meeting E.M. Shue was delightful. I should have had a photo with her, but didn't. We were trying to figure out where table #63 was and it was right around the corner, hidden by an author banner.
Because my vehicle is a 4-cylinder (please second think if you plan to purchase one) traveling in heat/humidity and running the air conditioner for 3 hours at 70 mph speeds is not good on the engine. So, we drove with the windows down...oy!
Multiple Sclerosis and I have a love/hate relationship. It is such a fickle disease and I have learned over the sixteen years it has inhabited my body that heat/humidity and MS do not mix. So, where am I? In a vehicle, toodling down I74 in oppressive heat trying not to think about it.
Along with MS, I have Sjogren's Syndrome (where your mouth and eyes dry out) and situational anxiety. So, open-windows-blowing-hot-air on my eyes was not a good thing, either since I'd had an incident that landed me in the ER a few hours the prior morning.
Fast forward. We arrive at the Par-a-dice Hotel and Convention center about an hour early, so travel across the street to the Burger King for lunch (in my opinion all I wanted was to bathe in the ice from the ice machine!) before returning to the event.
I had several clients who were signing at the event and it was imperative that I meet them. I was in the wheel chair, because walking that distance around the circumference of the room and up and down the aisles greeting the authors would have sapped what little energy I had left. We stopped by the end of a table...and a delightful personal assistant to an author began visiting with us. Meeting E.M. Shue was delightful. I should have had a photo with her, but didn't. We were trying to figure out where table #63 was and it was right around the corner, hidden by an author banner.
I waited while the author finished with a couple passersby, stood with my trusty arm crutch, and ambled over to her table, still unnoticed. Even after a hug, it took the amazing CJ Baty a while to know who I was. It was delightful surprising her. Whoever said clients can't be good friends is so wrong. Most of my editing clients become treasured sisters of the heart.
Next was around the corner, stopping by Suzan Tisdale's table to greet her, and then down the way to meet the fabulous Jennifer Daniels, who so graciously provided the tickets to the event. I've so enjoyed editing Jen's work. Being with her from the beginning and watching her grow has been a delight. The sisterhood we've formed will last a life time, even though we are several thousand miles apart.
Another highlight was meeting the beautiful Jolanthe Aleksander. This talented author along with ten others and myself have a beautiful anthology all about sea creatures and love under the water. Most of the authors have printed paperbacks and in September when the anthology is retired forever, we will then put up the ebooks with our paperbacks. Jolanthe's story, Naiad's Awakening, is one of my favorites.
Speaking of this beautiful anthology, you still have time to order it exclusively through Amazon for only 99 cents in ebook form! Twelve beautiful stories you will want to read over and over. I can tell you the printed copy, while a huge book, coming in at around 900 pages, would make a beautiful addition to any bookshelf. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QFFR137/
After visiting with the authors for a while, the noise level--coupled with being overheated and very tired--took its toll on both of us and we left a lot earlier than planned. Will I do WOTR as an author? Someday, but not next year. Next year is devoted to going west...back to Montana, and maybe even the Calgary Stampede if it coincides with the all-school reunion.
It was a lovely event and those in charge did an amazing job. I loved being there, but loved being inside my air conditioned home more.
It was a lovely event and those in charge did an amazing job. I loved being there, but loved being inside my air conditioned home more.
Superior's Elixir, my contribution to the Between the Tides Anthology, is for sale in paperback. It is the story of what happens when the Ides decide to wreak havoc on Lake Superior and the life beneath the surface that could exist, if only we believe! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1099157528
That's all for now. Stay cool as we approach the month of August and schools beginning again. Wasn't it just yesterday when they had their last day???? Time flies much too quickly. Smile at someone...you may be the only kindness in that person's life.
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