Here we are in the home stretch. Hang on...

Saturday...

Saturday started with a reading and signing at Barnes & Noble where some unexpected folks showed up, including my neighbor from across the street, friends from my high school days and some other people whom I haven't seen in fifteen or twenty years--maybe even longer. 

I think of all the readings I've given, this one was both the most fun and the most difficult. So many people there seemed to know my backstory--they knew where my story began and where Nina's took off. And then of course, there's all the assumptions that people make about what was and wasn't true. I must confess that I'd never felt quite so naked in public before. And yet--not that I recommend going naked in public--there was something very freeing about it all.

And oh, before I forget, I want to thank Kelly Fogel, the Community Relations Manager at Barnes & Noble for all her support!

After the signing we swung by Swensons--an Akron landmark and a real old-fashion car hop, just like they had in Happy Days. Best burgers and fries you're likely to find in all of Ohio.

I got back to my mother's just in time to get a wee bit of writing done before it was time to get ready for party central.  Saturday night, my sister and favorite brother-in-law graciously opened their home to about 50  plus people who came to wish me well and celebrate Every Crooked Pot. 

Thinking I was all done with public speaking, I had already enjoyed several glasses of wine (thanks to my favorite brother-in-law, who hates to see me with an empty glass) when someone asked if I'd do a reading.  Turns out I read pretty well when I'm tipsy or maybe I sound better to people who themselves have been drinking. Either way, note to self: down two glasses of wine and get your crowd loaded before doing any public speaking! 

After the party--which was lovely (thank you Pam, Andy and Joey!)  we moved the party to a bar around the corner where we met up with some other Firestone High School Alumni  and among them was Rick  whom I hadn't realized was the founding father of the Mad Marauders. Something else I didn't know was that Rick has a very famous aunt who many regard as literary royalty.  I won't go public with it here, but trust me when I say that it was pretty cool. Rick along with other Mad Marauders, David and Kirk   and I had fun catching up  with the rest of the gang who vowed that  we were going to plan our 30th (ouch!) High School Reunion--Look out Akron, that will be some shindig! 

After taking a long and winding road through Fairlawn Heights while Stephanie and I were trying to find our way back to West  Market Street (what can I say--we've been away from Akron for a few years) I made it back to my mother's where I'm sure I had stayed out way past my curfew. Pyack, as we like to call her, and I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning talking and before I knew it, it was time to get up, get packed and get to the airport.

And so there you have it... I went back to Ohio and I'm oh so glad I did. Thanks for sharing the journey with me.