We just finished the last workshop and book signings in Big Timber and Livingston. The Livingston segment was rather quiet--held in a small book store on a very hot night, competing with an outdoor art stroll. The Big Timber segment, where 18 paying participants listened to me pontificate about writing memoir and self publishing for nearly four hours, was a smashing success. Before we left, I was invited to assist at three more seminars. My energy is totally depleted right now, and my blood pressure is soaring. I'll need to think long and hard about the next phase, as I renew my visits to the gym in Sequim and lose the five pounds I put on by bad diet and no exercise.

In total, nearly 300 Montanans who attended our readings, book signings and seminars purchased more than 600 copies of "Dancing" and "Walking" in the last month. Jim is the one who got exercise, carrying cases of books into meeting places. I have many, many requests for the third book of the trilogy, "Chasing Ghosts," which probably won't be ready for at least a year. I look forward to resuming work on it.

Thanks to all who have read these postings and left comments. It helps to know there are kindred souls out there.

Child Beater (as promised):

When I married my first husband (1960 in Wolf Point) his very best friend all through high school lived right next door for a time with his wife and two children, a five-year old daughter and a one year old baby boy. One day the baby was taken to the hospital with a broken leg. The wife told the story that the perp (I'll call him Lonnie) had dropped the baby on the wooden arm of a chair. At the time, a nagging doubt plagued me. I became more alert, and one day after the baby's leg had healed, I sat in their living room playing with him. Lonnie walked into the room, and the baby grabbed my leg and started crying, trying to get far away from his dad. I glanced up and saw pure hatred on Lonnie's face as he looked at the child. I told my husband, "That baby is scared to death of his dad." Ray pooh poohed the remark and I dropped the issue, but remained disturbed. Less than a year later, before the baby's second birthday, I heard the gossip that the baby had had another broken bone-his arm-and Lonnie and his wife had driven all night, 400 miles to Bozeman, before getting treatment for the baby. I'm sure they knew that taking the baby to the Wolf Point hospital could have led to arrest and jail time. Her brother, who lived in Bozeman, found out about it, and started the process of removing the baby from Lonnie and his wife. The wife left Lonnie for awhile, but soon she was back with him, and gave birth to ANOTHER baby boy. About that time, I left Wolf Point, but ran across Lonnie a couple times in connection with my work. I asked no personal questions. He always acted as if we were the best of old friends, even though Ray and I had been divorced for years.

At the book signing at the Wolf Point library last Monday, I told my husband Jim "That guy is liable to show up. He thinks we're friends-that I don't know about what he did to his son." Jim couldn't imagine anyone having the gall. Sure enough, just as I started speaking, in he walked. He sat at the very back of the room and kept his face hidden behind a white cowboy hat. After the discussion about the book, he took his place at the very back of the autograph line. When he reached me, his statement was, " I really liked your book. I know just how you girls felt." Then he started to describe to me all the "beatings" he'd had as a child, how the razor strap felt, etc.

I stopped him and said," Lonnie, the difference between you and me is: I made the CHOICE not to abuse my kids. Your choice was using your parents as an excuse to abuse your little boy." He could sense the hostility in my voice.

"Yeah, you really lucked out on that," he said. "It's really coming back to haunt me."

I was so outraged I was speechless, and I turned my back on him. Later, I thought of a hundred things I should have said to him, like. "LUCKY? What does luck have to do with it? I made the CHOICE! And you want me to feel sorry for YOU, for beating your baby?"

I also should have asked him, "When that baby, now 45 years old, beats HIS kids and goes to jail (times have changed!) do you suppose he'll sit in his cell and blame YOU? It's all a matter of CHOICES!!

That's enough for now. I've met some VERY interesting people. We are off to Malta, and on the way we're stoppind for a couple of days at Fort Peck for fishing and dinosaurs. We'll meet my 14 year old grandson in Malta, and take him back to Washington with us. I'll report on the turnout and discussions next time (a total of 75 people and 125 books in Wolf Point.-0

From Glasgow: The weather has been lovely for the past three days. The Wolf Point turnout was the biggest to date, with 48 people at the discussion and signing, and ten at the workshops. Meeting so many old friends (who mysteriously looked like their parents did the last time I saw them, just as I look like my mother) was exhilarating and exhausting. I slept twelve hours. I have been meeting more old friends here in Glasgow and meeting new ones, and we have another discussion and book signing tonight, sponsored by the Women's Resource Center. Then another mini-workshop at the Senior Center, and back to Wolf Point for the Stampede. I SO hope my energy holds up. So far it's been very rewarding. Next time I'll talk about the child beater that dared to show up at the discussion in Wolf Point.

Sidney was the best turnout of all (except for Circle, my home town.) Thirty eight people turned out for the book signing/discussion in the cool library basement, and bought dozens of books. The Sidney library and its staff, along with Deniece Schwab of the Sidney Herald did a wonderful job of spreading the word. Rene Goss, the librarian, vibrant and dedicated professional, who gave us support above and beyond. The Sidney facility has every resource a novice writer could possible need, and if she doesn't have it on the shelves, she will get it from another library. She's ordering some new audio versions of talks by Joel Saltzman and William Zinsser. These are very worthwhile for anyone hoping to write their memoirs.

Now we move on to Wolf Point, in 100 degree heat. We're staying cool though, in our little home on the road, and meeting great people in the RV parks we visit. I had to order even more books from my publisher in Victoria, BC. They printed and shipped the last order in six days! Great service.

Wireless is wonderful. I am sitting in my air conditioned car in the shady parking lot at the Sidney library, catching up on my e-mail, blog posting and enjoying a cappucino. The announcement about our session here in Sidney is on three radio stations (that I've found so far.) The local newspapers and radio in eastern Montana has done a great job. I'll report on the Sidney session tomorrow.

Glendive was great! We had an excellent turnout at the book discussion, about thirty five people, and ten at the workshop on memoir and self publishing. I've met many wonderful people, and renewed old acquaintances. I'm glad I had Trafford ship more books.

Glendive has one of the most beautiful and well equipped library facilities I've ever seen in a small town, a former bank; and the golf course is extremely well maintained, affordable and accessible. Our chosen RV park, Green Valley RV, supplied us with all our basic needs at a very affordable price. Glendive is altogether a great little town.

We will head for Sidney today. Forecasts are for a return to extreme heat. So glad for air conditioning!