VIRGIN FLIGHT

I have to admit to being preoccupied yesterday, knowing I would be offering my first reading of the book to my community. I tried to be cool about it, but in fact I couldn't focus and ended up playing with my granddaughter much of the day! I had found a new skirt and blouse at the thrift store, and my girlfriend brought me a gift: a necklace of silver in the shape of a morning star. How perfect was that.

Then the question, how many books to bring? I settled on two boxes (40), but left one in the car! We set up a table where my daughter and her two girls managed the sales end. I perched on my stool from home, hoping my voice could be heard over the kitchen and cash register sounds.

With every familiar face that entered the bakery, I felt more and more excited and confident. Finally I introduced myself, and read the first chapter to about thirty people who sipped tea and coffee or enjoyed a light dinner. By the third page I noticed the atmosphere was focused, deeply quiet, and I felt the amazing honor of sharing my efforts with my dear friends, finally! No unfamiliar faces were in the audience--what a wonderful way to launch my baby!

Twenty-two books now live in others' hands and hearts, hopefully to be shared and discussed. Several people in the group knew about The Farm, and one knew Sun Bear as well. Am I tapping into the dormant culture of the seventies? Well, not really so dormant around here. Our valley has herbalists, farmers, environmentalists, peaceniks, craftspeople, and communes living side by side with Bushniks, private rightists and the extremely wealthy. We're all still doing what we did 35-40 years ago, manifesting our deepest beliefs in lifestyles and financial choices that are highly personal.

I was happy to see the surprise on the face of the local bookstore owner when I shared the number of books that had been purchased. I'll be in his space next Saturday, and I hope it is prosperous for both of us. While we were wandering around looking at the book shelves the elder granddaughter (13) came over and said, "Nana, how do you get the people on the East Coast to know about your book?" Now wasn't that the question of the day! And only a few minutes later the younger one found me to ask, "Nana, what are you going to buy with all that money?" Her brown eyes were wide and innocent.

"Books, Sarah, more books!"

With this small victory behind me I will call Missoula and Spokane and begin more scheduling. Maybe the local paper will show up at the book store? In the meantime my royalties account on IUniverse shows two books purchased from the web. My account is $6.56 in the black.

Perhaps I should start buying weekly lottery tickets! Yes, and I'll just keep working on marketing...and oh yes! I've started the next book!