I just returned from Phoenix yesterday, where I went with my Mom to support her during her book signing duties at the University of Tucson. The University was the location of the Tucson Festival of Books where many vendors and authors, including my Mom, were present to cater to the reading public’s desires. Writers of all description were present at the Festival, and potential readers both young and old were studying their wares.
We flew down to Phoenix on Friday and stayed with family while there. They tended to our needs and drove us to the event in Tucson. They also stayed with us during the signing, took us back to their home and maintained the ‘excellent host’ badge they so deserved.
Here’s Mom, settling in to her post at the Tucson Festival of Books where she’ll stay for an hour or until all the books have been signed and passed out. Diane, the girl in the photo, was her Assistant during the event.
Once she settled in to her station Diane began handing out flyers to people passing by. Very quickly a line formed at Mom’s table and never at any point did it disappear until all books were gone. She appeared to be in her glory and she said she couldn’t believe how quickly the time went.
At one point during the signing she was surprised by my niece who also flew down to Phoenix. Mom was totally unaware of the planned surprise and leapt up with glee when Elizabeth approached her and asked to have her book signed. Mission accomplished, her elation was obvious.
If there was any downside to the trip it was that the rain came and stayed almost right through the weekend. This is apparently quite unusual for Phoenix and area whose typical rainfall is about 5″ per year. Saturday morning the temperature was about 12 degrees C, lower than normal and about the same temperature as at home.
The weather, and the fast pace of the visit, also prevented my from getting out with my camera. I had high hopes I would be able to take pictures of some of the flora and fauna but such was not to be. Any photographic opportunities would have to be done on another trip. Too bad too, I was told the Sonora desert would blossom after the rains and provide beauty and color not seen many other places. I look forward to taking advantage of that some day.
At any rate we had a great time, both during the Festival and signing and during our stay with Gayle and Steven. Hopefully they will have us again some time, I’d love to continue the visit.