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Peace Garden Passage

a portal of petals featuring the writing of Roxane Beauclair Salonen

Home / Beautiful Views, Brown and Bruel…Bad Kitties, Buster, Baskets and Birthdays

Beautiful Views, Brown and Bruel…Bad Kitties, Buster, Baskets and Birthdays

I’m a bit hung up on B’s momentarily. It’s been quite a bounteous past week!

It all began with a beautiful view of Downtown Fargo from the board room on the 16th floor of the Radisson building:

You might argue that an April snowfall doesn’t lend itself to beauty, but in my book, you’d be wrong. I’m like a bird that way. Anytime I can get a high-up view, I’m in my element. I love seeing the city — any city — from the top down. And I felt like the luckiest presenter at the 2011 North Dakota Reading Association spring conference this past Friday and Saturday, having been given this awesome room for my presentation, “Five Things Your English Teacher (Probably) Never Told You About Writing.”

By the way, don’t put English teachers in the title of a presentation unless you want plenty of them to show up with their arms crossed! Ah, just kidding. But I did have the privilege of having no less than five of my kids’ teachers and/or English teachers, both past and present, in my presentations those two days. (Truthfully, it was wonderful having them there. I didn’t mind a bit!)
I also had the great privilege of sitting next to the wildly talented children’s author and illustrator Nick Bruel, both during an afternoon book-signing and luncheon. Perhaps the coolest thing of all is that we didn’t just talk shop, but about life — specifically, our lives as parents. Yes, Nick Bruel is real, of that I can attest! I enjoyed hearing his thoughts on some parenting issues I’m experiencing at the moment. His creative, problem-solving suggestions just may get put to use. Thanks Nick!

Nick was the keynote speaker for the evening banquet and did a terrific job. Then, for Saturday’s lunch, we all were treated to a real-life meeting of the widely acclaimed author of the Arthur series (if you haven’t heard of Arthur, we need to talk…), Mr. Marc Brown! Marc showed us slides of his newest book, as well as a photo of his third-grade class, from which many of the characters for his successful series derived. Yes, there really was a boy who was his best friend who later became “Buster.”

His youngest sister, Kim Brown (a.k.a. “D.W.”) joined him, along with another sister (a.k.a. Francine), both teachers, I believe. I got to sit next to and chat with “D.W.” during another book-signing: 

Yeah, it was pretty great. I always love the chance to be around book people anyway, and I have to say, teachers are among my favorite people to present to. They live and breathe books and appreciate authors, so it’s a great deal all around.
And if it wasn’t enough to be in this mix (I count myself blessed), presenters often are treated to something extra special at events like this, and this one was no exception. I love the baskets that accompany conferences. But I have to say, and I mean this truly, this was the BEST such basket I’ve ever received. 
A beaded pen and blue ribbon, a book-cover canister of Tic-Tacs, a pack of the famous Fargo Chipperz (chocolate covered potato chips…which lasted about a minute once I got them home), a book of cards, and a bottle of chocolate-covered sunflower seeds!

 
The final day of the event was also my “baby’s” birthday. How many kids named Nick get a birthday present that’s a book called “Happy Birthday Bad Kitty” signed by the author, also Nick, fresh that day?

What better way to turn 6?

Q4U: Thanks for allowing me to share my special time at the NDRA! What letter comprised your weekend, or week so far?

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  1. Oh gosh, I hate to be redundant- but B for busy would be mine. It was also beautiful and a blessing to have my two nieces come from PA and spend a few days with me and my mom. Loved reading about your day the conference! Why have I not thought of purchasing your book and having you sign it for the silent auction at the benefit. How silly of me! I am still holding Friday open and hope it works for you as well. It’ll be low key but we can certainly get together!

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