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Best Intentions

Remember when I used to blog? A lot? Well. I got out of the blogging habit during the FORGE booktour! ARGH! I’m sorry! I miss you guys!

So I am trying to get back into the habit.

Right now.

I think one of the things that has been holding me back (other than catching up on my sleep) is that I felt as if I had to write a gigunda blog post in which I would mention absolutely EVERYTHING that happened in the tour. And the mere thought of composing such a long post made me need another nap all over again.

So.

I’m going to sneak the highlights of the tour in gradually, if its OK with you. Like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This mural graces the hall of one of the KIPP Academy schools I visited in Washington, DC courtesy of the completely amazing people at RIF.

(BTW – you’ve been looking for a reason to bug your Congressfolk, right? Some confused people running the country don’t want to continue to fund RIF, thereby depriving 4.4 million children of books!! YOU CAN HELP RIGHT NOW!)

I’m also going to get back to the regular blogging flow of life in the country, my writing process, my dogs, and whatever else strikes my fancy. So…

1. It has been snowing here since Saturday. This is a Good Thing because

2. I’m working on a new book, but I can’t tell you about it yet because I am superstitious and

3. The dogs say “Hi! Hi! Got a ball! I have a ball! In my mouth. It is big and red and slimy!! I want to put this ball in your hand. NO! I want to rub this ball in your hair so you’ll smell just like me!! Wait! Where you going?”

4. Tonight my heart is with the children of Elizabeth Edwards. They have been through more than their share of sadness.

And here endeth this post. As far as returns go, it’s a little uneven, but as with all writing, it will improve with some daily practice.

See you tomorrow.

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Feasting

I’m alive. I’m happy. I’m blessed.

And I have a LOT of catching up to do!

Look for news and stories next week. Until then, keep eating pie.

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In the Home Stretch…

Most of you know that Laurie is very into running; her enthusiasm for the sport even rubbed off on me and my sons when we ran in Paige’s Butterfly Run with her and Scot. (I was last out of the group, but I finished!)  Laurie and Scot will be running in the Philadelphia Half Marathon next weekend; and while thinking about this post and that run, I imagine that at this stage in the book tour Laurie would be in the home stretch to the finish line in a half marathon.  I also know from just running a 5K that the last mile, or home stretch, is the most surreal experience.  You are beyond tired, almost giddy; yet you are so pumped that you have come this far. And then… it’s over.

Laurie has a few more public events and lots of school visits in the last few miles of this marathon book tour.  Come on out and cheer her on!

Thank you to all the booksellers, teachers, librarians, author nannies, parents, and readers (and the behind the scenes peeps – Deb, Anna and Paul) who have made this book tour such a success.  You have carried Laurie through this marathon with your heartfelt stories and praise.  I can’t wait to meet her at the finish line!

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At the Halfway Mark!!

In a hurried early morning phone call to the Forest, Laurie asked that I fill you in on her activities since she last posted.

Laurie is so grateful to everyone who has come out to see her at her many events; those that walked a block and those that drove for hours, doesn’t matter, she thanks you.  She has met many new people, has reconnected with friends and fans alike, and has been ushered around this country by some amazing people. (Keep reading to see highlights!)  Here are the public events where you can find Laurie next:

Friday, November 5 – Houston, Texas    4:30PM CST Blue Willow Bookshop “Meet and Tweet” Don’t worry if you don’t tweet, you can still meet!

Monday, November 8 – Seattle, Washington    6:30PM-8:00PM PST Seattle Public Library, Ballard Branch

Tuesday, November 9 – Portland, Oregon    7PM PST  Powell’s Bookshop at Cedar Hills Crossing

Side Note:  While in Portland, Laurie will get to meet the really cool kid who made the CHAINS video.  Yes, check it out!  Isaac ROCKS!!!  (Disclaimer:  not my fault if you can’t get the words out of your head after watching this video.)  🙂

Wednesday, November 10 – Menlo Park, California   7PM PST Kepler’s Books

Thursday, November 11 – Travel Day

Friday, November 12 – School visits only

Monday, November 15 – Chicago, Illinois    7PM CST Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville

 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIRST HALF OF THE FORGE BOOK TOUR

Laurie would share really cool photos that she took while at events, which I am sure she will when she can, but I thought I would share some links to two fabulous blogs.   The first link is to the superbly detailed post by Elizabeth Bluemle in her blog, ShelfTalker, on PublishersWeekly.com about Laurie’s visit to Vermont where she visited the Flying Pig Bookstore and local schools.  Ms. Bluemle’s description of the day makes me wish I had been there.  Were you?

And then there is this recent post from Jamie, over at the Perpetual Page Turner blog.  Jamie drove an hour with her trusty GPS to see Laurie at Children’s Book World in Haverford, Pennsylvania.  Must take a look – short video of Laurie after she lost her mind, something about an android?

Okay, how does Laurie do this?  I have been working on this for most of the morning and a part of the afternoon.  This, my friends, is why I let her be the author.

Ciao!

Queen Louise

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Road Warrior

Some people have asked about my decision to travel with only a carry-on on this tour. So far, it’s going great.

It helps that I am not terribly fussy about my clothes. I’m wearing dri-fit yoga pants on the tour, with a dryfit black tee-shirt topped by a shirt which is, I hope, more or less presentable. I wear my running shoes on the plane because they are bulky, and switch to my custom Converse for tour events.

packing cubes are the best!

This is everything. My clothes are in the packing cubes. The black thing front left is a portable nebulizer – can’t go anywhere without that. I have to put that, the iPad, my toiletries and meds and shoes in the buckets at airport security screenings. They ALWAYS pull out the nebulizer for a special going-over. Not sure why. I also have water bottle, belt, and hat for running.

 

 

see - it fits! In a very clown-car-esque manner, everything fits in the carry-on and rather large purse. (My stuff is from Sherpani, if you are interested.)

I have the chance a couple times on tour to get my laundry done. The reason I am wearing mostly dri-fit stuff is that I can wash and dry it quickly in between official laundry visits. Which might be too much information. But a number of you have written and asked.

This week I’ll be in the mountains of NY and VT, and in Boston. I head for NYC next weekend. And pretty much the entire country after that.

I am visiting schools every day. You can see me at the public events in the afternoon or evening. Here is this week’s line-up:

Monday night in Glens Fall, NY.

Tuesday in Lake Placid, NY.

Wednesday in Burlington, VT, at The Flying Pig!

Thursday at the Brookline, MA Library.

and Friday in Wellesley, MA.

Will I see you there?