Celebrating That I'm Walking More

One of my resolutions at the turn of the year was to walk more for general health. Well, I started keeping that resolution three days ago. (Yeah, it took me that long to work up to it.)

But first: Celebrate the Small Things  is a blog hop co-hosted by Lexa Cain at: Lexa Cain,  L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge , and Tonja Drecker @ Tidbits Blog. (You can go to any of these sites to add your name to the links, if you want to participate. I recommend it, because it's always fun to see news that others are celebrating, and to share your own as well. )         

So—walking more: 

1. On Friday, I walked 18 blocks to the central branch of the public library, spent some time looking up book publishers, and then walked the 18 blocks home again. That basically translated into walking altogether about three miles. (It also combined my writing resolution with my walking resolution, which made me feel double good.) This week I'll be investigate all the publishers online to see if they are still current and analyze their requirements if they are. I got these from the 2016 Writers Market, because the 2017 was checked out. But the good news is that the nice young man at the reference desk arranged to have it sent to my neighborhood branch 7 blocks away when it comes in, so I can check even further. Meanwhile, it was so pleasurable to be in a library again, I plan to hang out there more this year.

2. Yesterday, my husband and I walked 18 blocks to the Women's March that began at T and 6th streets and ended up at the State Capitol plaza for a rally. It was truly inspiring, and I'll be blogging about it more this week at my Fourth Wish blog "next door", along with posting pictures. But here are a could I put on my Facebook:

That's my husband next to me in the first picture. The sign wasn't mine—we didn't have time to make signs—but the man who took the picture let me hold his. I was especially glad, because that sign resonated with me as a former teacher.  

Today, I only walked two miles. A mile took me to my favorite bookstore here in Sacramento, Time Tested Books. (It's where I had one of my book signings a year and a half ago for Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls.) I stopped by the store and had a good browse, and naturally the owner is saving a book for me to come back and buy this week. (I purposely walk without my purse. It's nice to be un-encumbered.) When I left to come back, I walked a mile in a heavy rain! I had to change clothes when I got home, but it was a wonderful and refreshing walk. 

So I plan to do more of this: Two miles a day, and hopefully, three miles many days.

How about you? Are you a walker? A jogger? Do you attend marches? Do you have a favorite bookstore where you hang out? Do you hang out at your local library? Did you make any resolutions this New Years Day? 

A Reading and Book Signing at Swan's Fine Books in Walnut Creek

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of reading an excerpt from my book, Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls, at a wonderful bookstore in Walnut Creek. Swan's Fine Books, owned by Laurelle Swan, is located in a small shopping center at 1381 Locust Street, Walnut Creek. You can learn more about this fabulous bookstore at her website HERE. Let me just say "fine" is an accurate word to describe this shop. There is a treasure trove of rare and fine books, early editions, signed editions. Many are expensive, as you would guess, but many are also quite affordable for those on a more limited budget.

Laurelle, introducing me.

First, Laurelle introduced me. And then I talked about the background to my book, and then read the excerpt mentioned in the picture above.

Dear family friends.

One of the great pleasures of bookstore signings is the opportunity to get together with a lot of book-loving friends.

Another pleasure is the opportunity to browse books before and after. So I was in book heaven in more ways than one.

Great audience.

Dear writing friend on left; a mother
 and daughter on the right who saw Laurelle's flyer. 

Good friends and good listeners!

College chum and fellow
book lover. 

 And of course, it's always fun to sign those books!

Book club friend.

Dear family friend.

On right, a SBCWI friend

More dear family friends.

Socializing afterward.

We started at three, and by the time the talk, the reading, the signing were over and we did a little socializing, it was time to go. Afterwards my god family had dinner plans for Rajan and me, so off we went for a very enjoyable evening. This was truly an afternoon to remember. Many thanks to all who came. 

And many thanks to Laurelle Swan for this opportunity. If you are in the area, do stop by her store for a treat you won't forget. Both Rajan and I bought books there. (I can never leave a bookstore empty-handed.) So did some of our friends. 

Meanwhile, how about you? Do bookstores have a hold on you? Can you pass hours and hours browsing books? Like me, are you unable to leave a store empty handed?