Fragments From Floyd

Well, from all accounts, the events in Floyd yesterday were well-attended and enjoyed. I only saw the part from my borrowed tent just across from the livestock tent, from whence I learned the finer points (and wine-tasting nuance of language) to judge calves and sheep groomed and shown mostly by excited, hopeful little farm girls.

We couldn't have asked for a nicer day than yesterday, though at 10:00 when I hadn't had my table set up five minutes my 11 x 17 poster blew over. I finally gave up and propped it in the second folding lawn chair I'd brought along, and borrowed a bit of tape from the vendors next door to hold some other table items in the north breeze that died back as the sun rose. I sat back and prepared for a day of uninterrupted crowd watching, but was pleasantly surprised by the visits, the conversations and the book sales (sold: 17!)

It was great to meet new folks yesterday with whom there had been a connection through the blog or the newspaper columns. "So how DO you pronounce your dog's name, I've wanted to know" asked a couple of folks. "So where IS Goose Creek" asked a few more. Several stopped by to tell me they had bought the book in town over the summer and had enjoyed or were enjoying it. I met long-time blog reader Mark from Greensboro, up to Floyd yesterday for the first time, and one couple told me that buying the book (and having it inscribed) was the reason they had come to yesterday's event.

And no, I didn't make it to the crowning event of the day. I can't imagine it was just sun, as I was under the tent most of the day, but by closing time at 4, my face was flushed and I felt feverish and when I got home, I stayed. I'm sure I'll hear all about the Kingsolver throng at the high school. I think too, I was just burned out on flesh-pressing and conversation and needed an evening at home. I'd had a good day, and enough of one to do these old bones.

Coming events--let's see. Wednesday, back for Radio Readers at WVTF--the third installment and only to page 56. Friday, I'll drive down the Appalachian Literature event at Emory and Henry for the day. Saturday morning, I'll make an early appearance at WUVT, the campus radio station for Virginia Tech, for an interview. Saturday afternoon, there's a pig roast at a neighbor's down the road, and Saturday evening, the Jacksonville Membership dinner. Whew!