"Most folks are about as happy as
they make up their minds to be."
- Abraham Lincoln
I've wanted to get out and use my new Lens baby on the colorful leaves before they all fall off but my health and time restraints have made it about impossible. When I finally did try some I was a bit too- too something- viewing the images back actually made me motion sick.

When the dust settles and the smoke clears I'll have to get that little lens out again and play.
But after a week of not blogging that certainly isn't what I am hear to talk about. Some of you probably remember voting for "The Legal Limit" this summer for the Library of Virginia's People's choice in Fiction. This weekend was the Literary awards at the Library of Virginia in Richmond.

I was pretty sure I had the flu last week. It is as sick as I have been in a long time. Then Seth tested positive and after we'd been together I figured I was right. I had a hard time making it to get my hair done but this was such a great thing for Martin that I wasn't about to miss it. I was living off Motrin and cough syrup. When I woke Saturday I could not believe I was still so sick. It was one of those times when I had to say "God let me be strong enough to make it through this. Let me be able to be there for Martin." I dozed a lot of the way to Richmond in the back seat. Body aches, sweating, weak, coughing, stuffy nose...I didn't want to look like that for the party! The excitement of rolling into the Jefferson hotel with a party dress mixed in with the meds and I felt good enough to make it through the night. Sometimes we just have to put mind over body and crash later!
Martin's father, Fill, was well enough too to go with us. We'd had some concerns that week that he wouldn't be up for the trip. As I've said before he is 89 with liver cancer and his medicine causes him some problems that make it hard for him to be away from home long. But I guess the excitement kept Fill in working order too.


I love the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond and I had a pretty good idea Martin must've won the People's Choice award for Fiction since we were staying in the Governor's suite. Never have either of us stayed in a room that large. It was more like a wing.
I love the Library of Virginia too. It just has this great vibe every time I step through the doors. But Saturday night it had been transformed into a party room. A jazz band played as guests mingled before dinner. Everyone looked so lovely in their formal dress.
At our table was former Governor Baliles and his wife Robin, as well as Emyl Jenkins and her husband Bob. Fill and Governor Baliles went back a long way and he was very good to help take care of Fill. I met a lot of fascinating people but after the awards when Grisham came back to the table with Martin I missed my snapshot moment. I'd gone off to the restrooms with Fill and then lost him when he had sped off to the dessert line. So that was my only disappointment of the evening. I had really wanted to meet him and get a photo op!
Adriana Trigiani was as fabulous as everyone says she is. She and Martin had worked together before and people always ask him about her. She was a very entertaining hostess for the evening. I loved her. Now I have to read "Big Stone Gap". I enjoyed seeing the poets and other writers. I really liked Roger Mudd and had voted for his book in the non-fiction people's choice. I was very excited to hear Grisham when he got up to accept his lifetime achievement award. During Governor Kaine's wife's introduction Fill had asked me what that woman was going on and on about. It was very quiet and I kept trying to tell him she was introducing Grisham. Then right when he is about to come on Fill turns around and says "what about that ice cream. I thought you were going to get me some ice cream." I certainly wasn't going to get up in that tight crowd and get it then. They had not served dessert with dinner and left it for after the awards. That is why Fill had scampered right to the sundae line after he left the restrooms and I'd lost him. We found him with about 8 different toppings on his and it running on his suit. Yes, I think getting older brings out the little kid in us again.
When Martin's name was called and the Legal Limit won the people's choice award for 2009 it was just a grand moment. His acceptance made me cry and as he walked off it is one of those moments where you know you just couldn't love someone more. Not because he wins awards, or is a successful writer but just because of the way he conducts himself. Just because of who he is and how good he is. He is so well balanced and kind. He is so intelligent but never condescending. He is confident but never arrogant. Funny how out of all the writers, poets, artists at the event. Of all the speeches from huge intellectual achievements to huge commercial successes to huge achievement recognitions the only person who seemed too pleased with themselves and boastful was a children's writer. I thought that was funny.
I think it is wonderful the Library of Virginia can do this in these tough times. Big thanks to their sponsors, especially Dominion for backing this. Libraries and books are such an important thing. Grisham spoke of a sad day when people will be almost exclusively downloading their books and there will be no such thing as a real book. A real tangible, wonderful smelling book to keep on your shelf. I would hate to see that happen. I love books. I love bookstores. I like stories.

Roger Mudd and the poet Charles Wright, another very entertaining speaker.
So a very big congratulations to Martin and the Legal Limit. We will celebrate properly if I ever get well!
Wednesday I leave for the mountains of Tennessee with the family. This year for the first time my brother Delane, Amy, Jackson and Ben are going. Jackson is actually going up earlier with me and mom and dad. Toonces will be solely responsible for the care of Earl and Eudora. Earl needs to go on a diet and I'm sure Toonces will make that happen for him. The farrier told me my horse was too fat as well. Not good. Spirit likes to eat. How many fat horses have you heard of? He is a lazy boy.
So my next posts will be coming from Pigeon Forge. I am sure the kids are going to be wild with excitement and who knows the adventures we will be getting into. Can you imagine all of us in one house???...Papa, Mo, me, Shishy, Mel, Eric, Izzy, Caleb, Seth, Ben, Amy, and Delane. Whoo hoo that is a mouthful. And a big house. But I think we are very fortunate to have this opportunity.
Can you imagine the pictures?
Be forewarned. You can always skip over them!