Helpful tip #1:
It’s probably not a good idea to try out trail running for the first time, on unfamiliar trails, an hour and a half before you need to leave for a book signing.
Even if your son, who just started running cross country and claims to know the trails, really wants you to go with him.
Because if you have fall allergies, there will inevitably be lots of ragweed. And your asthma will kick in and you will be the wheeziest runner the trails have ever seen.
And then you will probably trip on an invisible root and go flying through the air and land on your stomach with the kind of loud, guttural "Ooomph!" sound that is usually reserved for people falling in cartoons. And then your legs will look like someone attacked you with sandpaper and you will have to wear the longer skirt to the book signing.
If you ever get there, that is.
Because when you turn around to run home, you will take the wrong trail, not once, but three times, before you find the right one. You won’t have time to eat lunch, and you will just barely have time to shower really, really fast before you put on the skirt that covers your scraped up legs and get to Lake Placid. (The good news is that you will be just a minute or two late, but the people at the Bookstore Plus are so, so nice that they will have your table all ready and offer you cold drinks and cookies anyway.)
Helpful tip #2:
If you are ever invited to sign at Bookstore Plus on a glorious Labor Day Weekend, you’ll want to say yes.
I had the best time at this afternoon’s event, despite my burning knees. Lake Placid was bubbling over with visitors, and they set up a lovely little table outside under the awning for me, right on Main Street. I spent the afternoon handing out bookmarks, visiting with readers, and signing lots of books, including one for Arabella…
She’s 15 months old, and her mom let me take her photo since she’s officially the youngest person I know of who owns a signed copy of GIANNA Z. Her grandmother bought it to save for when Arabella is older, a tradition that I absolutely love.
Helpful tip #3:
If you are in Lake Placid signing books or doing anything, really, you should probably have dinner here afterwards.
Tail O’ The Pup BBQ is sort of a legend in the Adirondacks, thanks to their picnic tables, live bands, and killer chicken and ribs. (Which you will appreciate more than ever…because you didn’t have lunch on account of that trail run, remember?)
Anyway…thanks to the great, great, book-loving people at Bookstore Plus for a fantastic afternoon – and to everyone who dropped by to say hello!
Great story — thanks for sharing it with us!
We go to Bookstore Plus every time we visit Lake Placid. They do very nice story times, and the folks there are so nice.
~Della
Oh dear – that run sounded like SUCH a good idea at the time, didn’t it? 🙂
What a busy, but totally awesome weekend you’ve had. Yay for Gianna Z!!
Oh man. Makes for a memorable day, at least! I’m glad the signing turned out so great after the rough start to your day. 😉
Despite everything, you do have a healthy glow about you,
it ended well, and you have a story to tell. But good advice :o)
I’m SO glad you made it on time and lived to tell about it. Your story took me back to the horror I felt when I was stuck on the San Mateo Bridge for TWO HOURS and was 15 minutes late for an appearance at the Alameda Public Library. I cringe thinking about it.
Arabella is a lucky girl!
gianna kind of day
Kate,
What I appreciate the most about your post is that it sounds like Gianna and her mishaps! I wish you continued success and wonderful memories.
I’m extremely glad to hear you had a good signing, and exceedingly sorry to hear about your asthma/fall.
Good advice. I just wish I hadn’t had to learn that trail-running/ragweed allergy/long skirt lesson all on my own…
I don’t think there’d be any danger of me going for a trail run before a book signing, but the rest is duly noted. :>)
Wow, in spite of everything, you still looked good.
Hooray for book-buying grandmas!
Sounds like it was a wonderful event! I hope your legs feel better soon!
It was an eventful day -that’s for sure!
Aren’t they great at Bookstore Plus? The owners, Sarah and Mark, are just so nice, and one of their employees, Caitlin, spent most of the afternoon with me, chatting outside and making sure the day was going well. They’re all really just delightful.
I find that most of my less-than-stellar ideas seemed like really good ideas at the time. At least I got some exercise in, though… Thanks, Lisa!
It did all work out fine in the end – thanks, Shari!
Thanks, Jody! What is that saying, though… Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other?
Oh! I think I’d actually rather be lost on a trail than stuck in traffic on a bridge – traffic makes me seethe.
Re: gianna kind of day
You know what? That didn’t occur to me until you said so, but it was indeed a very Gianna kind of day (difficult hair day and all!) Thanks, Donalyn!
Thanks, Kelly – and not to worry – both my lungs and my knees are doing much better today.
LOL! I’m happy to be of help…
Thanks, Christine!
Much better today! Thanks, Deva!
Phew! That beginning made ME wheeze and I don’t even have allergies. It sounds like a great time in spite of the jogging disaster!
It was – and I actually did like running through the woods, except for the whole wheezing, falling, oomphing bit…
And you look so calm, cool and collected at the table! I never would have guessed you had such an event filled morning.
I have noted your advice, although the possibility of me taking a run anywhere is, uh, slim. Looks like another great event!
Well, the photo was taken after I’d gotten settled and had lemonade…I was feeling much more composed by then!Thanks!
You are a wise person… Thanks, Lisa!
Congratulations on such a wonderful signing!
Thanks for the tips! Sounds like a crazy, fun day!
Looks like great fun! Congrats!
Thanks, Susan! It was such a fun afternoon!
It was both – thanks, Karen!
Thanks, Kathy!
Sounds like a great adventure. At least you weren’t late (were you late?). And I will second the motion on Tail o the Pup. That place ROCKS!!