Luna and Beth, Live and In Person

Our last in-person visit to a school was in February, 2020. As always, lots of questions from the kids. (photo by Jamie Ceaser)

After two years of teaching memoir-writing classes via Zoom, visiting third-grade classrooms via Zoom, sitting on panel discussions via Zoom, participating in my book club via Zoom, visiting family members via Zoom, I’ve been looking forward to life in person again.

Be careful what you wish for.

The calendar Gods have conspired. Starting January 26, a week from today, I have six, count them, six, in-person events scheduled in one week’s time.

Happy to report that all six events require mask-wearing and full vaccination status. And of course, due to that Greek letter that I never needed to know how to spell before, any of these in-person events could be cancelled at the last minute. As of today, though? My in-person schedule looks like this:

1. Wednesday, January 26: 12:15 pm, lead memoir-writing class in person at senior living and retirement community
2. Friday, January 28:12:40 p.m. to 1:40 pm, visit third-graders in person at Indian Trail Elementary School in Highland Park, Illinois.
3. Tuesday, February 1: 10:50 am, visit third-graders in person at Ravinia Elementary School in Ravinia, Illinois.
4. Tuesday, February 1: 2:40 pm, visit third-graders in person at Braeside Elementary School in Highland Park, Illinois.
5. Wednesday, February 2: 12:15 pm, lead memoir-writing class in person at senior living and retirement community.
6. Wednesday, February 2: 6 pm, participate in panel discussion in person at South Loop Neighbors Speakers Series: Authors Night at Half Sour, 755 S. Clark, Chicago, Illinois.

It’ll be nice to cap off the week at Half Sour – the authors event is free, four local authors will give ten-minute talks about our books and our lives as writers, and keeping the talks short should allow time for questions after. . The event includes an hourlong social hour with a cash bar from 6 to 7, then our little talks at 7 pm.

But wait. There’s more! Ellen Sandmeyer from Sandmeyer’s Bookstore will be carting copies of our books from her store in her little red wagon, and of course we authors will be more than happy to sign them for our book buyers.

A nice neighborhood event, I think. Very flattering to be one of the chosen authors along with Amy Bizzarri (111 Places in Chicago that You Must Not Miss), Sylvester Boyd (The Road from Money), and Greg Borzo (Chicago’s Fabulous Fountains). And who can argue with an author’s night that starts with a 6 p.m. social hour? After that long week of coming-and-going, I’m sure to enjoy a little glass of wine before my ten minutes of fame on 02/02/22. Ge whiz. I may even wear one of the two new dresses that have been sitting idle in my closet since I bought them in January, 2020. Look for me there…in person!