Jiminy Cricket

Pinocchio had Jiminy Cricket and I have Cynthia.  Jiminy Cricket was the conscience of Pinocchio and helped keep Pinocchio out of trouble.

Now don't get the idea that I lack a conscience.  I have a fairly developed one.  However, sometimes I need a good swift kick in the ass to get moving.  That is where Cynthia comes in.  She reminds me that I need to do things.  Things that take me out of the RV and into PUBLIC!

I have forgotten how to interact with the general public.  Part of me is still in the "Guatemala" frame of mind.  Part of me has gotten complacent because this last year has been a "limbo time" for us.  Waiting on doctors and test results and making health decisions.

Cynthia borrowed the Weekender from my sister's newspaper and started to circle activities.  The next part of her evil plan was to involve me in said activities.  This week begins part three of the plan.  I must go to the activities. 

Here I come writers group and book club and community theater.  Cynthia will come to some of the same activities, but not all.  She needs to get use to not being with me 24-7.  Seems like our little cocoon of a life is getting ready to expand.

The Book Signing

Preston & Child

Cynthia is a big fan of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.  I have read a few of their books, but Cynthia is the FAN.  She found out that they were going to have a book signing in Phoenix.  She asked if we could go and I said sure!

Phoenix is almost five hours away, but what the heck.  Michael decided that he didn't want to go so it was going to be an all girl adventure.

I have never been to a book signing and wasn't sure what to expect.  It was being held at the Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.  I am thinking we will be under dressed.  I mean Clark Gable stayed there and played golf there.  It had been the hot spot for the Hollywood Glitterati.  We took our toiletries just in case we didn't want to drive back on the same day.

We arrived with Cynthia navigating on the fly through a detour.  It was a little disconcerting to see her turn the iPhone 360 degrees before she would pronounce our intended direction.  She got me there without a hiccup.

Let me assure you, we were NOT under dressed.  I think that casual has gone way to far.  It is amazing what people will wear to a public function.  Some didn't even bother to comb their hair.  And there was the couple that was busy taking their own photo of themselves kissing, waiting for the event to start.

We walked around and then we sat outside the Grand Ballroom waiting for the doors to open.  One gentleman sat in a chair near us and once I said, "Hello" the flood gates opened.  He apparently did the website for Preston & Child.  He told us about which advance manuscripts he was currently reading for them, the piece of a meteorite Child had sent him for his help on the book, Impact.  It took up a good half hour and then we were allowed in the Ballroom.  I needed a beer by then.  I didn't need a five dollar beer, but that was cheaper than a seven dollar glass of wine!  They said there would be a buffet.  They lied!  There were little clear plastic boxes with 4 cookies each for...four dollars.  The cheese and bread box was eight dollars and so was the fruit box.  We skipped dinner.

It was interesting to hear the authors talk about character development and how plot lines came to be.  They had a wonderful rapport with each other and they easily drew you in to their world.  It was interesting to watch people interact with them and try to remind you that they were important to the authors.  We are funny creatures.

So we each have our signed copies of two books.   Would I do it again?  Yes, in a word.  We had a wonderful time and I learned a little more about writing a book.  More importantly, I am now prepared to be a book groupie.

RHUBARB.....

Rhubarb is surrounded with wonderful taste memories.  My mouth still waters at the thought of warm toast fresh out of the toaster spread with homemade rhubarb sauce.  My Grandma made the best rhubarb sauce.  It was sweet and tart at the same time and one was tempted to consume the stuff by the spoonful.  Not a good idea if you didn't want to upset Grandma.

Fresh and Washed

When I hunger for Rhubarb Pie it isn't for some bastardized Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie.  No, I crave the pure pleasure of Rhubarb, sugar, and tapioca wrapped in a homemade flaky crust.

Living in the desert I wasn't sure that I would ever see fresh rhubarb.  So imagine my delight when the local Safeway had fresh Rhubarb.  Sure it was over $2 per pound and I purchased over $6 worth, but it sure was pretty sitting there with its ruby stalks and green leaves beckoning me.

Chopped and Ready To Go

A Little Sugar, Please

Martha Stewart Food Processor Pie Crust - check
Fresh Rhubarb diced - check

Fresh from the oven

Oven Pre-heated - check
Rhubarb mixed with sugar and tapioca - check

Ready for the Oven

Pie Ready - check
Pie Eaten - check

I actually had so much rhubarb that I was able to make a Central American Style Rhubarb Pie for my sister, Helen.  Lucky Girl!

The only thing that could have been better was a third pie!