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I'm handing out excerpts of my book at Stitches this weekend as fast as my little hands can pass them out, and before I fall asleep face down in my soup, here are a couple of my favorite reactions so far:

Me, handing Knitter flier: "Hi! Take a sneak peek at my novel, which comes out on Tuesday!"

Knitter: "Did you write this?"

Me: "Yes."

Knitter: "Did you write the other one?"

Me: "…"

Or this:

Knitter, looking at the back of the excerpt, where my picture is: "Oh, I know her. She's from LA."

Me: "I'm from Oakland."

Knitter (suspiciously): "Hmm." 

Or this:

Knitter, looking at the cover: "Oh, I heard about this on NPR!"

Me, thinking: I wish. Saying: "Mmmm." 

Or my favorite:

Knitter, picking up the excerpt and flipping it over: "What channel will this be on?"

I had no answer for that one at all other than (what I thought was) the obvious. "It's a book."

A disappointed "Oh" was all I got. 

But it is SO MUCH FUN. Knitters are my people. Knitters FOR THE WIN. While these reactions are funny, most of the reactions I got were overwhelmingly positive, to the point where sometimes I just wanted to cry with joy from it all. The smiles, the encouragement, the excitement on their faces when they learned it was my first novel — I could have hugged everyone. Maybe I did.

I can't wait to go back tomorrow.

It's just been one of those really eventful days. One of those days that sneaks up on you, and acts all quiet, and moves like a normal day but isn't — you know the kind. I went to work and answered 911 and looked at email and talked to coworkers and it SHOULD have been a normal day, but it wasn't. It was special.

Good things are happening in book world. Nothing completely momentous (I would tell you), and nothing that I can really blog about, but good things.

But I'm a BLURB. A real blurb. I got this book in the mail today, and when I turned it over, I'M ON THE BACK COVER AS A BLURB. I've never been quoted before. Are they sure they got the right gal? I'm right there with superstars Annie Modesitt and Clara Parkes. Come on, really, I know from knitting, but only from a trotting horse. I think I forgot to tell Adrienne that. I'll be reviewing her book later next month, but if you want to take a sneak peek, hie yourself over to Amazon now, because I loved this book.

I worked a really short shift today, only eight hours, and then went to the doctor for a routine visit, and then got to go into San Francisco, where we attended a schmancy art opening (they let us in! We saw people we knew and didn't know they would be there!) and got to see Lala's old roommate, Rachel Maddow.

 

(Lala was wearing the glasses first. But Rachel M was perhaps Lala's first (of MANY) Rach(a)els, near and far. There was some talk of how I was the Saudi Arabia of Rachels, and she was the Afghanistan, but I kind of stopped following that line of reasoning when my ass hit her HER GIRLFRIEND'S ARTWORK on the wall (Susan Mikula — it was her opening). I was taking that photo and tried to act as if I hadn't almost taken out some of the Important Art.)

This lovely reunion was followed by Laphroig at the Westin, and a discussion about a great interview Lala had today (please think good thoughts!). I do love a hotel bar. I swear I saw an earnest looking young guy in a suit get out a dog collar and place it carefully next to the bar lamp, so I was watching to see who met up with him but we left before his date arrived, damn it.

Then home for TJ's pizza, and now I'm off to bed, exhausted and happy. Tomorrow is Stitches West, and I'll be there all weekend. Catch me if you can! xoxo

My book is here. T minus eight days to on-sale date. (Also, I dork out. I ALWAYS DORK OUT.)

The beginning of the week was outstanding. Disneyland was amazing — the perfect place to go and BE. You just have to live in the moment at Disneyland, and we did. We had the best time. Rode all the rides. Ate all the food. Laughed and screamed and did everything right. I talked Lala into riding the Tower of Terror, and I think it was the most fun ride I've ever been on. (It's an elevator ride that keeps dropping, over and over. She hated it, though, and gets points for going on it at all, and I'll never make her do it again.)

She hadn't been in thirty-four years. She was in the first group of people to ride Space Mountain. It was high-time she went again. And it was flipping awesome.

But so far today I've been laid up by either a migraine or some sickness some kid gave me in Disneyland (cute little things, but little germ factories, all gathered together in one place like that), Miss Idaho's butt has exploded (anal-gland problem — she's at the vet now), the cops have been at the door asking about the fight on the street they were two hours too late to break up, Clementine has pooped in the dining room, and I've received bad news on the phone that I don't really want to talk about (nothing big, just disappointing — I'll get over it). 

But I'm glad to be home.

Now, here's something nice someone I like is doing for others. The very talented Rosemary is selling her gorgeous Brandywine pattern for a great cause. She wants to sell 10,000 patterns to raise $50,000 to help Haiti (that's a LOT OF PATTERNS). She's already donated more than $2000 $3,500!! so she's on her way. Click HERE to help!

 

As drawn randomly by Random.org, the winner is Mosprott! I'll email you privately….  Congrats! I hope you enjoy!

And now (in the morning), we're off to Disneyland. I CAN'T WAIT. I haven't been in so many years (maybe eight or so) and Lala hasn't been since she was EIGHT. It's going to be rad.

Also, I got Lush for Valentine's Day. Yum. Happy.

To honor the fact that How to Knit a Love Song will be in TARGET (*happy dance* happy dance*) I’m going to give away a copy of the Random House Australia version of the book, Eliza’s Gift.

BECAUSE I GOT A STACK OF ‘EM, PEOPLE! This has been a damn fine week.

All you have to do to be entered is make sure you’re on my mailing list (don’t worry, I haven’t even sent out one announcement yet — you haven’t missed anything) — sign up is to the right up there, or you can click here.

(There are only a few differences between the two books — like spellings of words, for example. Color/colour, fiber/fibre. It might be best if a Candian wins, since they speak the language. Heh.*)

I’ll draw a random winner on Sunday! Good luck!   

* Edited to add: HA! Pam TOTALLY gets points for this comnment:
Being Canadian I would endeavour to think that my humble behaviour might bring favour from my southern neighbour! It would be an honour if an author of your calibre, candour and demeanour would consider honouring me with a flavourful book full of fibre, fun and humour. Don’t let my ramblings colour your opinion…but somewhere deep inside you know that at least one copy needs to go to someone who’ll savour the flavours of your literary style! 🙂 Pam