Des Moines, IA

I'm in Des Moines, sitting in the still-dark morning, hoping I'm doing this right. I have a brand new computer I'm still trying to figure out, and using the motel's wi-fi system to get online. I think I'm there. I'm writing this directly on the post page, so if it's a little shaky, it's because it's done without much prep.

Today and tomorrow I'll be at the big quilt show at the Des Moines Events Center on Third downtown -- y'all come! I've done quilt shows before, sitting in Linne Lindquist's booth, The Craftsman's Touch. We usually do pretty well, as people who quilt very often do other needlework, too. I get to walk around the show on my breaks and never fail to be astonished and pleased down to my toes at the beauty and creativity of the quilts on display. I also often buy pretty pieces of fabric. In fact, hanging on my door at home is a big rectangle of Halloween-themed fabric I bought in Duluth some months back. It's meant to be the centerpiece of a quilt, but I just hemmed it and ran a dowel through the top. It features black silhouettes (sp?) of comic witches dancing on an orange ground.

Last weekend we were in Waukesha, Wisconsin, then Rockford, Illinois, and then Madison, Wisconsin on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In Waukesha we stopped signed up in advance. The menu was based on a meal my character Godwin served to my sleuth Betsy and Godwin's new boyfriend Rafael. I think that is one of the coolest things anyone has done in connection with a signing! (The meal was delicious, too!) The weather was miserable so the turnout was smaller than expected, plus a feather arrangement I had put on my hat was blown away before I got there. I didn't notice it was gone until I got back to the hotel. It was a nice arrangement, too, of ostrich and peacock feathers. The weather continued bad to Rockford the next day, so the people who came were the ardent fans. Thank heavens I have some of those, I am so grateful!

The weather was nicer in Madison, and we had a very nice turnout. I read the Prologue to Blackwork, which is just about the right length and sets the theme for the book quite well. Which, come to think of it, is probably the purpose of a prologue.

All this travel, and some bad weather, means I haven't played any golf. I am hoping to get at least one more game in before winter sets in. I used to laugh at reports of golfers playing in the snow, but I think I'm starting to understand. I'm going to look around for one of those indoor ranges.

Time to go get some breakfast. Hope I have a good day at the Events Center!