1. This is what it looks like when you tell your kids they can each choose two books at Powell’s:
Never fear. Right after I took the picture I made Kiddo clean up that pile of books and compare his choices in a neater fashion.
Girlie chose three books of temporary tattoos, which she had me apply all over her arms when we got home. Arms full of tattoos and a pretty dress–a true Portland girl.
2. This evening a friend with a great eye and a fancy camera took about a thousand photos of me in an attempt to come up with an author photo that won’t make me cringe. It’s really hard to stand there with a camera pointed at just you for a half hour when you hate to have photos taken of you. I have a gift for looking awkward in photos. My face tenses up or something. Gah. Results to come.
3. I’ve started reading How to Get into the Twin Palms by Karolina Waclawiak. I’m loving it so far.
4. Billy and the kids got me (us) a fire pit for my birthday, and a friend gave me a S’mores kit for it. S’mores kit–awesome. We had S’mores around the fire pit. I hadn’t done that in years and years. But now we’ve got marshmallows in the house, and Google the Enabler told me how to make S’mores in the microwave and someone really needs to come take these marshmallows out of my house. I’m weak… weeeeaaaaak.
5. Our two zucchini plants have succumbed to powdery mildew before we reached the point of being completely fucking sick of zucchini. That’s just not right. A moment of silence for our hardworking cucurbits. (Scourge of the Pacific Northwest! Damn you, powdery mildew!)
6. Remember back in 2003 or so when a lot of us met here online through the knitting blog ring–when the knitting blog ring was a thing, and a cozy thing at that… Something you could click all the way around on one cup of coffee? Yeah… That was nice. I miss the way we used to know each other. I suppose I lost a lot of the knitters along the way, given that I only ever knit plain st st socks anymore, and never post pics of the results.
7. Planning ahead/daydreaming: If I make myself available to Skype with book clubs when The Revolution of Every Day comes out, would that be something you’d be interested in doing? And what if I signed book plates and mailed them to people who want personalized copies of the book but won’t be able to make it to one of the readings?
When my daughter was toilet training we applied a temporary tattoo as a reward. Every time. She looked like a carnival sideshow, and when we went to visit my grandmother I thought she was going to have a heart attack at the sight of my toddler covered in tattoos. I quickly explained that they were not permanent, but she still looked pretty shaky.
Marie: Ha! That’s awesome. I hope you took many, many pictures.
I love the idea of bookplates (and I miss the knitting rings. Do you still miss off the ribbing at the top of your socks, so they roll over and look pretty?)
Jane: Yes, I still skip the ribbing. All roll-top socks. Part preference, part laziness.
Laurie: I never quite clicked with Ravelry as social media, though I use it as a pattern resource. I’m just not a forums person. I miss reading all the personal stories that went along with the knitting photos.
Rebecca: At this point we’re talking about readings in Portland, New York, Seattle, and SF. It’s all a matter of where I’ll be able to fill seats.
I *love* the signed book plates idea Cari – NZ is a bit far away to make it to a reading 🙂
YES on book plates! More authors need to do this!
There is a ravelry group for Portland knitters and even some groups for specific areas of the city. That is nice but I’m with you. I miss being able to browse through each other’s sites.
1. LOVE IT, both the books and the temp tatts. My only rule is no tattoos on your FACE.
2. I recommend a few glasses of wine before the photo session. I’m sure you look great in your pictures, because you have amazing hair and soulful eyes. You would look witty and sophisticated even if you were photographed in a plaid blouse, sticking out your tongue.
4. Damn! Now I can’t stop thinking about s’mores, Wicked Enabler! I don’t have any marshmallows in the house, but I might have some chocolate chips hidden in the pantry…
7. YES to signed book plates. Would all of the readings take place out on the West Coast?
author photos!!!! YAY! Re: Skype, on my “appearances” page, I give the info for a skype book club, which I’ve been taken up on a couple of times, and it’s super fun. Low maintenance. xo! (miss the ring, but we kept the best ones, no?)
You still have at least one knitting pattern on Knitty!
When powdery mildew shows up, spray your plant thoroughly with a mixture of baking soda and water. 1 Tbsp baking soda to 1 cup water, top and bottom side of leaves.
Who needs S’mores? Just marshmallows in the microwave are pretty yummy! Yes, I am an enabler.
Evalyn: That’s a good trick. I’ll tuck it away for next year. This summer’s plants are too far gone. As for the marshmallows, well… LA LA LA CAN’T HEAR YOU!!! LA LA LA
Powell’s is a vacation stop for us when we visit Portland. Sigh. It has been too long since we’ve been out West.
How exciting! Author photos!
I know it is too much to hope for, but I am keeping my fingers crossed for a reading in my area. Iowa City? Minneapolis? Kansas City?
Yes to signed book plates!
Emily: We’re still a year away from the pub date, so a lot could change, but there hasn’t been any talk of readings near you. They decide where I get to go based on where it looks like I’ll be able to fill seats. A lot can happen in a year, though. Let’s both keep fingers crossed, yeah?
Philly? Bookplates please!Maybe I’ll be out visiting in SF at the right time.
I have been checking in at your blog since the “Dogs Steal Yarn” days, and yes, I remember the old days.