Book Release Party Part 2
So, after wandering the beach, I headed back to my hotel.
I ate at the local diner which had been recommended to me. The seafood chowder was excellent, but they turned out to be hosting a Halloween party, and some of the guys at the bar had decided to start the party early. When someone started tuning up a guitar, I figured the party would start soon, and looked for the wait staff. They had mysteriously vanished, and by the time I could signal for a check, someone was lip-synching and gyrating to Lady Gaga. I've come to the conclusion that I definitely don't like her music.
The book Release Party was much more my speed - lovely art, delicious food, wine, good books, and interesting people to chat with. I'd had a rather early and light dinner, specifically because I knew there would be food at the party, and it was excellent, from the bruschetta and garlic knots, to the desert bites, to the wine. The garlic knots and the mini-brownies were my personal favorites. There were stacks of books mixed in with jewelry, paintings, and sculptures. Fans had driven up from as far away as Virginia, and as close as Old Orchard Beach itself. The most popular topic of conversation was Sharon Lee and her books, followed by other science fiction and fantasy books, but I ended up discussing strawberry-rhubarb pie, the weather, life in Maine, libraries, and family recipes and traditions.
I ended up closing out the party, as a nice couple staying at the hotel offered to let me walk back with them. They knew the gallery owners, however, and they stayed so late chatting and catching up that we ended up getting a ride back to the Sea View.
I spent Sunday exploring Old Orchard Beach in my Halloween costume. This year I went as a druid, but no one really got the costume. That's all right though, the guesses were amusing. Are you Shrek? was suggested twice, and I felt like laughing and pointing out that it was my clothes that were green, not my skin. The girl in the bagel shop who guessed a fawn from one of the Narnia movies came the closest.
I walked to breakfast after checking out of my room (and getting costume photos on the beach) - there is a little local place that only serves breakfast and lunch, though the front desk staff (who looked to be maybe forty only if one added the ages of both people together) insisted that it was a really long walk. I'd say only about a mile, and it was a lovely walk at that. The pumpkin spice pancakes turned out to be heavy on the spice, but were filling and fueled me up for a walk back into town.
The candy factory was open, and offering a Buy $20 of Candy, Get $20 of Candy which while a neat idea seemed rather excessive. I instead bought 1/4 lbs of chocolates and then wandered next door to Board Silly which had just opened up. This board game store was a real treat, full of great games and puzzles, as well as other cool stuff. I spent a very happy time browsing, and simply must go back to pick up some of the enormous marbles that they sell (and a few games…). I also wandered through a place failed Beachology, where I learned that Stonewall Kitchen no longer sells tea, and bought a book on fairy houses.
The bagel shop was arm and sold soup, and I spent some time just relaxing. The clouds began to look rather scary, so I spent extra time in the shop before it cleared up a bit and I walked back to my car, still at the hotel. The ride back home involved a stop at an extremely crowded Trader Joe's and a simply amazing rainbow.
The rainbow was a perfect end to a lovely weekend.
I ate at the local diner which had been recommended to me. The seafood chowder was excellent, but they turned out to be hosting a Halloween party, and some of the guys at the bar had decided to start the party early. When someone started tuning up a guitar, I figured the party would start soon, and looked for the wait staff. They had mysteriously vanished, and by the time I could signal for a check, someone was lip-synching and gyrating to Lady Gaga. I've come to the conclusion that I definitely don't like her music.
The book Release Party was much more my speed - lovely art, delicious food, wine, good books, and interesting people to chat with. I'd had a rather early and light dinner, specifically because I knew there would be food at the party, and it was excellent, from the bruschetta and garlic knots, to the desert bites, to the wine. The garlic knots and the mini-brownies were my personal favorites. There were stacks of books mixed in with jewelry, paintings, and sculptures. Fans had driven up from as far away as Virginia, and as close as Old Orchard Beach itself. The most popular topic of conversation was Sharon Lee and her books, followed by other science fiction and fantasy books, but I ended up discussing strawberry-rhubarb pie, the weather, life in Maine, libraries, and family recipes and traditions.
I ended up closing out the party, as a nice couple staying at the hotel offered to let me walk back with them. They knew the gallery owners, however, and they stayed so late chatting and catching up that we ended up getting a ride back to the Sea View.
I spent Sunday exploring Old Orchard Beach in my Halloween costume. This year I went as a druid, but no one really got the costume. That's all right though, the guesses were amusing. Are you Shrek? was suggested twice, and I felt like laughing and pointing out that it was my clothes that were green, not my skin. The girl in the bagel shop who guessed a fawn from one of the Narnia movies came the closest.
I walked to breakfast after checking out of my room (and getting costume photos on the beach) - there is a little local place that only serves breakfast and lunch, though the front desk staff (who looked to be maybe forty only if one added the ages of both people together) insisted that it was a really long walk. I'd say only about a mile, and it was a lovely walk at that. The pumpkin spice pancakes turned out to be heavy on the spice, but were filling and fueled me up for a walk back into town.
The candy factory was open, and offering a Buy $20 of Candy, Get $20 of Candy which while a neat idea seemed rather excessive. I instead bought 1/4 lbs of chocolates and then wandered next door to Board Silly which had just opened up. This board game store was a real treat, full of great games and puzzles, as well as other cool stuff. I spent a very happy time browsing, and simply must go back to pick up some of the enormous marbles that they sell (and a few games…). I also wandered through a place failed Beachology, where I learned that Stonewall Kitchen no longer sells tea, and bought a book on fairy houses.
The bagel shop was arm and sold soup, and I spent some time just relaxing. The clouds began to look rather scary, so I spent extra time in the shop before it cleared up a bit and I walked back to my car, still at the hotel. The ride back home involved a stop at an extremely crowded Trader Joe's and a simply amazing rainbow.
The rainbow was a perfect end to a lovely weekend.