On Friday I was not my desk because I was in San Antonio for the Texas Library Association Convention.
So many book-lovers all in one place, such good jujee.
I was there to see All the World take its place on the Texas 2×2 list (which names the 20 best books of the year for children from 2-years-old through 2nd grade) and to sign a whole heap of them for gracious librarians. Honestly, my luck just continues to astound me.
I also had lunch with the very wonderful Andrea Welch from Beach Lane Books.
Plus, I got to see/hug so many old and new friends, like Cynthia Leitich Smith and Greg Leitich Smith, April Lurie, Jessica Anderson and PJ Hoover, Chris Barton, Jennifer Ziegler and Bethany Hegedus, K.A. Holt, Lisa Railsback, Francisco X. Stork, Ruth McNally Barshaw and Laura Salas. And I’m pretty sure I’m forgetting someone.
It’s funny. When I head into something like the TLA Conference, I’m pretty sure that seeing all those folk is going to be overwhelming. I get scared/nervous/shy/catatonic. And then I go anyway, and everyone ends up being so crazy-nice, and I end up feeling so at home. Remind me of that next time I freak out pre-event, wouldja?
I drove home Friday afternoon as the rain dried up and the wildflowers glowed and I felt all full-up.
I really did…
Haiku 16
4/16/2010
Water sliding off
the thick umbrellaed branches;
rain redirected.
I feel the same way
Scared in advance, and then I get there and wonder why I was so nervous. Happens the same way for every event. I’m used to it now.
Neurotically yours,
Ruth McNally Barshaw
PS – WONDERFUL meeting you in person
tanita says 🙂
Scared, nervous, shy, catatonic: it’s the Four Horsemen of the Introvert!
I am so glad that you are feeling “full-up,” what a beautiful way to describe it. And trust me — it’s not LUCK that your book is being so honored, and you know it.
Love this haiku and the whole rest of the post.
I may remind you before the next event, but I’m guessing you won’t believe me until you get to wherever you’re going.
Hard to imagine you scared about this sort of thing since you come across as so wonderfully grounded and mellow.
Love the “rain redirected” in the haiku.