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! 

Whippers of the World Unite!!

No I am not talking S&M or spanking your children.  I am talking Miracle Whip.

I have been a whipper for a long time.  I didn't realize that it wasn't Mayo until as a child I visited the house of a friend and she made me a sandwich with....mayo!  I almost spit it out.  What was that strange white paste that she slathered on my bread?  She asked if I wanted mayo and I said, "Yes."  Little did I know that we did not agree on the definition of mayo.

So then what do I do, but move on to a sailboat for ten years and live in Central America.  There are many things that you learn to live without on a sailboat.  Miracle Whip is one of those things.  I remember on our annual trip to the States that we always picked up several jars of Miracle Whip.  I can't tell you how happy I was when they started packaging it in plastic squeeze bottles.  They travel much better than glass jars.  When guests came to visit we asked them to transport it for us.  Imagine our surprise when in the Bay Islands of Honduras we discovered that we could actually buy Miracle Whip.  I almost fell on my knees in front of the display.

So now Miracle Whip has this commercial campaign.  Personally I don't understand NOT liking Miracle Whip.  It is the condiment of the gods.  It makes the best taste even better.  I can't imagine my turkey sandwich without the tang of Miracle Whip.  And Deviled Eggs, what would they be without Miracle Whip?  Tasteless I tell you.

Not Much New Under The Sun

Here we are in the summer entertainment season.  There sure isn't much out there that is new.

They are bringing back DALLAS!  No I am not excited.  I never watched it the first time around and have even less desire to watch it the second time around.  There is a new movie out called the Change Up.  Two guys who stand in front of a fountain and wish to have each others lives.  Old idea.  How many movies have been made based on this idea?

We can't seem to come up with anything that hasn't been done before.  TV especially seems to have cycles.  The season of Police Shows, Alien Shows,  Medical Shows.  The funny thing is that they start out about the police, aliens and doctors/nurses and before you know it, it is about who is sleeping with who.  Who wants to sleep with who.  I don't know how they sit around a dinner table.  They have all slept with each other and everyone else around the table.  Do they share?  Right they all ready did!

Even books from authors are stale.  James Patterson comes to mind.  I liked him in the beginning.  Now the font is huge, the chapters are two pages and I have figured "it" out by the second chapter.  I am not even sure that he is really writing the books anymore.  My theory is that he gives someone and outline and they fill it in.  I must say not well.  It is predictable!!!

I can hardly wait for Thanksgiving.  We will have to learn all over how to cook that Butterball!

HABOOB????

Being the water girl that I am I was unfamiliar with the term, Haboob.  It comes from Arabic for strong wind or phenomenon.  In other words, an intense sandstorm.

Phoenix looked like the movie set in The Mummy.  I was expecting Anubis to jump out of the dust.  It was eerie and beautiful at the same time.

Haboob

When ever we are driving in Arizona and I see the signs for Blowing Wind I get nervous.  I am terrified to get caught in a sand storm.  I am not terrified of 10 foot seas.   Go figure.

So last night it got windy in good ole Bullhead City.  We were out in the dark moving things from blowing down and around.  We were on a landlocked "Anchor Watch".  Everyone was up in the park.  The poor guy behind us was in the middle of putting up a metal shed yesterday.  It is gone, gone, gone.  We heard in tearing apart and that woke us up.  Yes, the RV was shaking and for a minute I thought it was a tornado.  No just your friendly Haboob.

We were lucky.  No damage and we are still in our site.  We have all our chairs.  So life is good.

iPad Crossing the Generations

My Dad has a brand new iPad2.  He used my lowly first generation iPad and got hooked on, yes... Angry Birds!  So he finally decided to get one of his own.

Dad in Action

My Mom is sure that there is a device that comes out of his forearm and connects to the iPad2.  I have assured her that that is not an accessory that Apple provides...yet.

He syncs, downloads apps and plays games with the best of them.  He has his rosary and Divine Office loaded and takes the iPad2 to Adoration twice a week.

Well, the Pope was not to be outdone and now has an iPad2, though I suspect that someone does the downloading for him.  The Pope has a twitter account, though again I suspect that someone does the tweeting for him also.

The Pope

While we were at my parents we spent most nights huddled around one of the iPads and played Carcassone.  We love the game and now instead of pass and play we play over the internet with each other.

I am sure that Apple didn't have the over 80 crowd in mind when they developed the iPad.  Though it has given our family a new way to connect.  FaceTime is not only great for seeing the grandkids, it allows you to talk to the parents, grandparents and great-grandparents!

Dad and I both carry the family tree on our pads.  Helpful for that latest headstone photo that needs to be added.  Now we can do that right from the cemetery.

I love it that my Dad is a mini-geek and loves techie things.  I can see him now on the way to Alaska to see my baby brother, playing Angry Birds on the plane.

P.S.  Dad, don't forget to use Lane's account for a couple of apps!

Happy 80th Birthday!

I can't imagine being 80 years old.  I am looking at 60 in a couple of years and I don't feel a day over 55.

In Guam

My father is turning 80 this weekend.  It is a milestone.  You can't deny that fact.  He has seen a lot of changes over the years.  Computers, men in space and on the moon.  Cars have changed and so have planes.  World politics have changed, though I suspect in some ways they are much the same.

The Newly Weds

He has been faithfully married to the same woman for 58 years this August and they are more in love today then the day they spoke their vows.  They don't just love each other, they like each other and that my friends is rare indeed.

When I look at my Dad he is still just my Dad...able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, able to shape the lowly wire coat hanger into any tool for any occasion.  He is calm in crisis and decisive when decisions must be made. 

Not Much Has Changed

At the Helm

He has corrected me, stood by me, hugged me, cried with  me and laughed much with me.  His gait may-be a little slower these days, but he still keeps moving forward.  His mind is sharp and clear and he has just ordered his own iPad!  He volunteers several days at the Veteran's Hospital in Tucson and works for the Church and the Knights of Columbus.  Occasionally he "rests his eyes" while sitting in his recliner.

As a Young Father with the Brood

In Honduras

There are a thousand memories attached to my Dad.  There are a thousand things if not more that I am thankful for when I see or talk to my Dad.

There isn't much to say except that, "I love you Daddy and always will.  You are the best, thanks for everything."

Boat Rowing Skills