Into the Home Stretch
Omaha, Nebraska
Last full day in the Cornhusker State. I'm wearing my new sweatshirt, and trying to pass for a native. Richard Miller of the NE Library Commission picks me up at 8:30 and we drive to Elmwood, home of Bess Streeter Aldrich, who is the author of 2009's One Book for Nebraska [Adults], A Lantern in Her Hand.
It's a little eerie to notice that she died the year I was born. Passing the book lantern on?
The Elmwood-Murdock Schools hosted the morning's event, and we had 20 people come out at 9:30 on a Saturday morning to talk about books. Fifteen adults and four kids asked questions, listened to me tell historical (and hysterical) tales, and bought a good number of books. Refreshments were served: cookies, muffins, cupcakes -- Nebraskans have been tempting me with baked goods all week!
I was still chatting and signing when I noticed Richard gesturing at his watch. The next event wasn't until 2:30, but it was in a town 130 miles away, and we needed to get on the road.
We stopped for lunch at the Cafe on the Square in Seward, where I had a wonderful corn chowder and Richard had what he said was the best grilled cheese sandwich ever. I would have liked to stay and try the homemade apple dumpling, but we had to eat and run. If you're ever in north central nebraska, check it out. It would be worth a detour!
www.sewardcafeonthesquare.com
We drove through now-familar country, since I'd been in Seward on Wednesday, and would pass by signs leading to Wayne, Scribner, and West Point. But -- hoorah! -- the sun was shining, it was about 65 degrees, and the sky was blue and filled with puffy white clouds. An absolutely beautiful day, and the fields of dried cornhusks stretched from horizon to endless horizon.
Despite detours and driving on two-lane roads behind farm machinery on occasion, we pulled into the parking lot of the Norfolk Public Library only about five minutes late. I walked in to cheers from about 25 kids and a handful of adults -- some parents, some librarians. The kids ranged from 9 to 12 or 13, and they had all read the book, so we had a very lively exchange. One girl recited the entire Greek alphabet to enthusiastic applause.
I drew names out of a box, and two kids won copies of White Sands, Red Menace, while another won a gift certificate to the local bookstore, all compliments of the Norfolk Library Foundation.
I signed books and bookmarks and chatted with some kids and two dads who had come out to support literature, even though the Nebraska - Texas Tech game had started at 2:30. (Alas, my 'Huskers sweatshirt was not a lucky charm. The home team lost, 31-10.)
Back through the prairies to Omaha, about 115 miles. We parked in front of The Bookworm at 6:15, and had a wonderful dinner at The Market Basket with Ellen Scott and other Bookworm staff and some Omaha Public librarians. I had a delicious filet -- my last chance for Nebraska beef -- and the 10 of us lingered for almost three hours, sipping wine, talking about books and eBay and other adventures.
http://www.marketbasketomaha.com
Richard took me to the 24-hour Wal-Mart so that I could buy duct tape. (Frontier Airlines had ripped my duffel-like suitcase open at one end, which wasn't too bad when I was loading and unloading from car to hotel, but if I wanted to get home with all my socks, etc., I needed to make some sturdy temporary repairs.) We got a bit lost in downtown Omaha, but I was in my room at the Holiday in by 10:15, and kicked off my shoes and checked my email.
No wake-up call tomorrow! I'll be at the Omaha Public Library downtown at 2:00, and I fly to Denver at 6:30 for a couple of days of R&R at my sister's house. (And a visit to my niece and nephew's school...)
Last full day in the Cornhusker State. I'm wearing my new sweatshirt, and trying to pass for a native. Richard Miller of the NE Library Commission picks me up at 8:30 and we drive to Elmwood, home of Bess Streeter Aldrich, who is the author of 2009's One Book for Nebraska [Adults], A Lantern in Her Hand.
It's a little eerie to notice that she died the year I was born. Passing the book lantern on?
The Elmwood-Murdock Schools hosted the morning's event, and we had 20 people come out at 9:30 on a Saturday morning to talk about books. Fifteen adults and four kids asked questions, listened to me tell historical (and hysterical) tales, and bought a good number of books. Refreshments were served: cookies, muffins, cupcakes -- Nebraskans have been tempting me with baked goods all week!
I was still chatting and signing when I noticed Richard gesturing at his watch. The next event wasn't until 2:30, but it was in a town 130 miles away, and we needed to get on the road.
We stopped for lunch at the Cafe on the Square in Seward, where I had a wonderful corn chowder and Richard had what he said was the best grilled cheese sandwich ever. I would have liked to stay and try the homemade apple dumpling, but we had to eat and run. If you're ever in north central nebraska, check it out. It would be worth a detour!
www.sewardcafeonthesquare.com
We drove through now-familar country, since I'd been in Seward on Wednesday, and would pass by signs leading to Wayne, Scribner, and West Point. But -- hoorah! -- the sun was shining, it was about 65 degrees, and the sky was blue and filled with puffy white clouds. An absolutely beautiful day, and the fields of dried cornhusks stretched from horizon to endless horizon.
Despite detours and driving on two-lane roads behind farm machinery on occasion, we pulled into the parking lot of the Norfolk Public Library only about five minutes late. I walked in to cheers from about 25 kids and a handful of adults -- some parents, some librarians. The kids ranged from 9 to 12 or 13, and they had all read the book, so we had a very lively exchange. One girl recited the entire Greek alphabet to enthusiastic applause.
I drew names out of a box, and two kids won copies of White Sands, Red Menace, while another won a gift certificate to the local bookstore, all compliments of the Norfolk Library Foundation.
I signed books and bookmarks and chatted with some kids and two dads who had come out to support literature, even though the Nebraska - Texas Tech game had started at 2:30. (Alas, my 'Huskers sweatshirt was not a lucky charm. The home team lost, 31-10.)
Back through the prairies to Omaha, about 115 miles. We parked in front of The Bookworm at 6:15, and had a wonderful dinner at The Market Basket with Ellen Scott and other Bookworm staff and some Omaha Public librarians. I had a delicious filet -- my last chance for Nebraska beef -- and the 10 of us lingered for almost three hours, sipping wine, talking about books and eBay and other adventures.
http://www.marketbasketomaha.com
Richard took me to the 24-hour Wal-Mart so that I could buy duct tape. (Frontier Airlines had ripped my duffel-like suitcase open at one end, which wasn't too bad when I was loading and unloading from car to hotel, but if I wanted to get home with all my socks, etc., I needed to make some sturdy temporary repairs.) We got a bit lost in downtown Omaha, but I was in my room at the Holiday in by 10:15, and kicked off my shoes and checked my email.
No wake-up call tomorrow! I'll be at the Omaha Public Library downtown at 2:00, and I fly to Denver at 6:30 for a couple of days of R&R at my sister's house. (And a visit to my niece and nephew's school...)