It’s Tuesday. TFOB starts on Friday night. I’ll be flying out on Thursday. I haven’t brought out the suitcase yet, but I’m mentally packing.
This isn’t like the old days when I headed out for three weeks on the road, landing in a different city every day and staying in a different hotel every night. Back then, I changed time zones so often during book tours that after getting back home, it would take days for my body to get back on some sort of reasonable schedule.
Those days were fun, but they were also exhausting. This is four days only, and since Arizona doesn’t acknowledge Daylight Saving time, no time-change adjustment will be necessary. And no hotel changes will be required, either. Same hotel room all four nights.
Our daughter is coming to look after Bill while I’m gone. It’s a reasonably complex undertaking, but I’m sure she’s up to the task. Nonetheless, I’ll be worried about him while I’m away because that’s what caretakers do—they worry.
The truth of the matter is, this is probably my last year of attending TFOB. The ladies from Mostly Books are no longer having a booth at the festival, and I don’t blame them. The physical effort of transporting all those books back and forth has become too much.
I’m worrying about navigating the uneven patches of grass on the mall as I make my way to the tent. I’m worried about the killer stairs to get on and off the stage in the Modern Languages Building. And, at age 80, I’m worried about my stamina.
I’ve enjoyed every minute of TFOB, from the very first one when no one was quite sure how everything would work out. I got a kick out of Bill Viner, the brains behind the whole outfit, jokingly referring to me as “the queen of the festival.” And I loved being honored with the founder’s award. That little statuette of a Navajo storyteller means the world to me because that’s how I’ve always regarded myself—as a storyteller rather than a novelist.
All things considered, it seems as though this is as a good a time as any to bow out gracefully.
So for all you TFOBers out there, if you have a stack of my books that you’ve always wanted to have signed, it’s probably now or never. Feel free to bring them to the signing table. If the line wranglers tell you that there’s a two book limit, feel free to let them know they’re wrong, because if you’re willing to wait until the end of the line, I’ll sign them all.
For the past forty years my corporate policy has always been to leave no book unsigned.
Even at this late date, that’s still true.
Years and years ago, I was a volunteer at one of the (TFOB) book stalls. I glanced up and this familiar image walked by…You! Rejecting my duties, I took off and caught up with you (stalking?). Y’know the only thing I could say to you? I love you! We all know it meant the gift you have given us, your talent for writing. Thank you! I still love you!
You are such a jewel. My ‘other’ favorite author will only sign one book per person, and that is the new release just bought. It is no wonder your fans love you.
Have fun at TFOB, but please take care. If possible, have someone walk with you to the tent. I only walk on grass if I can hold on to someone, otherwise I use a walker rather than just my cane.
Blessing to you and Bill.
You are a storyteller!!! My mother-in-law was a storyteller from the hills of Virginia and you remind me of her. She never wrote a book but I’m sure if she had it would have been a good one. You entertain my brain every night. I get lost in your stories so much that when I take a break I am stunned that the room is so quiet. The story “noises” fill my brain as much as a TV movie would. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much.
I also look forward to your Friday blogs too.
Hats off to storytellers!
Enjoy the festival. Sorry we won’t be there to say hello.
Dear JA… it made me sad to read this morning‘s news from you. I understand how, as we get older, we make different kinds of choices, and some other choices are made for us. Things we can’t control, but that we need to pay attention to him. And changing the way we do things is a big part of that. i’m finding this time of life very nostalgic time in someways because I’ve loved my life each new and different stage of it. And that’s just it there’s always a new and different stage ahead. I don’t dwell much on the past I look back with fond memories and hoping I’ve learned something along the way that makes me a nicer and better person. I wish you a wonderful time as you have off for this event and may you have a wonderful one. May you come home with renewed energy, and the knowledge that you do have the stamina to do some things but not everything. Lol. And I send you something that I don’t even know how to explain but it’s kind of love and support and prayers all mixed together for whatever it is you need to do That you have the support and love to help you enjoy life and your work and those you love so dearly. With many blessings for you, Catherine. PS And may I say that not only have I enjoyed your books, but I have also been inspired by you as a writer.
Since your worried about tramping across the grass bring a pair of trekking poles. They really help when walking on uneven terrain! I use mine all the time!
God Bless you and keep you safe in your travels. As an avid fan I know how much this means to your fans. All goods things, in their own time. May your time be fruitful and beneficial for you as well.
Liz
Fort Jones
Thanks to the Facebook link you provided last week I was able to tune in for your Poison Pen event yesterday evening. My initial thought was, wow! what a fantastic story teller, and at the same time it was obvious how much you enjoy telling your stories and interacting with you fans. I’ve reread some of your earlier novels lately and come to recognize how you weave family and friends into your story line. You confirmed that during your presentation yesterday. I enjoy that aspect of your books. I thought it was pretty special when you told us about you and Bill, how you met and your life together. Thank you sincerely for that. Yesterday was the first time watching you give a live showing so I feel fortunate that I got to see it, and saddened by the fact it might be your last one. You’re the best, Judith Ann. Keep on truckin’.
Wishing I could be there. Bisbee is not that far away. Just had pneumonia and still on oxygen. Started reading your Brady series over again.
Enjoy TFOB. Whether it be in state or across states, travelling takes a lot out of all of us.
I am glad you have someone to take good care of Bill. It’s natural to worry.
Take care . Smooth and safe travels
And I remember bringing in an almost full set (at the time) of your J.P. Beaumont books to be signed in Scottsdale in 2017 or so…while you were signing the books, we had a long discussion about my wife’s illness.
You were very positive and supportive, and I’m proud to know you as a person as well as an artist.
Enjoyed your comments because they are so pertinent to me now. At 91 and 88 my husband and I depend on others more and more. When we visit our daughter in Arizona she does it all. Traveling from our home in New York is no longer a fun trip.
I am sorry to read about Bill and about your concern navigating at the book fair. Your “steps” introduced me to the app last year. I enjoy your books so hope you will continue to share those from your lovely garden.
It won’t be the same without you, but understand completely why.
Be safe and Vaya Con Dios.
My husband and I are looking forward to seeing you this weekend! We’re snowbirds in Green Valley and last year was the first time we actually made it to TFOB and saw you. We lived in SD for 10 years teaching in Rosebud and I always feel the connection to you because of where we all have lived. I’m so impressed by your stamina – navigating uneven grass, getting 10000 steps, as well as the many wonderful characters you weave together. ??
God bless you for your contribution to great reads! You’re still an inspiration and will continue to be such. Stay safe and enjoy the journey. As my hiking guide used to say, “Remember FOES: Focus On Every Step”
Aww just made me cry. Love your stories and love you. Stay safe and enjoy your time here in Tucson.
I felt your emotions as if they were mine- you write from the heart and it hits its mark.
I felt your emotions as if they were mine- you write from the heart and it hits its mark.
Hope you have fun
You are amazing! Join the 80s decade (83),. Our passions are what keeps us going strong, I firmly believe this. By the way, I’ve started counting my steps, thanks to you. How many steps per day is your goal? I know you’ve mentioned it before, but, true to my age, I forgot!! Ha ha.