Adventure begins:
10:45 in Huntsville, AL........We got on the road, thought we were on the wrong road, tried to get directions, got on another road, turned around, then finally got on the first road and finally headed in the right direction. 3/12 hours later, and 5 times to get directions we finally arrive at Ruby Tuesdays to meet TN THB, FourFTSQ2, TLCMommie, and TLC's gardening friend from Nashville. Earl (our superior waiter) catered to our every need, and even recommended the most decadent desserts for our eating pleasure. We chatted about Nora and which books are our favorites. We made suggestions to each other on which books we just had to read next, and just basically bonded with each other. It was a hallmark moment.
From Ruby Tuesday's we headed next door to the mall for shopping, shopping and more shopping. We didn't find the dirty dice, but we did pick up some M & M's, Diet Pepsi, and Mandilay for the Queen. Then we headed over to the bookstore to buy Homeport before they ran out. Fabulous bookstore, two stories of books, with a coffee shop at our beck and call. We had about an hour and a half before the Queen was to arrive so I accompanied Sherry outside so she could have a smoke. In her excitement, she forgot to look before she flicked her cigarette, and accidentally burned a passerby. It was purely an accident, (Oh so Sherry says), and she apologized profusely, and then some.......but it was pretty funny at the time.
We had coffee upstairs until about 20 minutes before 6:00, when we went downstairs to sit on benches to wait for the Queens arrival. I had a front row seat and was the first to see the Queen arrive. She was greeted with applause and cheers. She was wearing a navy blue pin striped jacked over a gray top and gray pants. She looked regal yet friendly and approachable. She began by reading the first 4 pages of Chapter One of Homeport, and left us hanging for us to buy the book to see what happens. She then answered questions from the audience of about 50 people. She then began signing the books, and I was the FIRST in line to have my TWO copies of PROMISE ME TOMORROW and my Silhouette Summer Sizzlers 1989 and of course my new copy of Homeport signed by the Queen. She was very gracious, I thanked her for matching the monies for the auctioned books for Breast Cancer. I then sat down and watched her accept praise and compliments from fellow book readers in regards to how much her stories have touched their lives. We took plenty of pictures and will get them scanned to send to ADWOFF for the next addition.
We waited until everyone got their books signed, and chatted with Nora and then had her open our gifts. I found her a T-shirt that had "it's good to be the Queen" on the front, the "Queens" address book that we had everyone put their names and screen names in, stickers proclaiming the "Queen has spoken", mints and hand wipes.
After she opened her gifts, she invited us to have a drink with her back at her hotel. We hesitated about 1/2 a second so we could close our mouths to agree to have a drink with her. We then said our goodbyes to our new best friends and headed off into the night to the Hotel. In the bar, next to the piano player who was playing softly in the background, we sat with the Queen and ordered our drinks. We then toasted the Queen and thanked her for her good works (books). After 45 minutes of sharing with her how much her books have touched our lives, it was time to call it a night, and allow the Queen to retire for the evening.
We then left the Hotel and went to a very nice Italian Restaurant and spent the next hour eating and reflecting on our adventures of the day. Then we piled into the cars and drove 45 minutes north to TN THB's house where we promptly got into our "bathing attire" and relaxed in the hot tub with our champagne. We again reflected upon our day and all of our good fortune, and considered ourselves such lucky BB/N's.
It's now almost 2 am and we're still up and not wanting the day to end. But I've gone on long enough.........it was a fabulous day......one that will live on in our hearts until our next time.
NORA RULES!!!!!
Irene
Today is a gift, that's why it's call the present.
