I can’t believe Christmas is just around the corner. It always seems to sneak up on me. I mean, it’s such a busy time of year, isn’t it?
I’ve had a blast traveling around this great state of ours reading and signing my new book, meetin’ new folks, reconnecting with old friends. What an adventure!
I was at the Kittery Trading Post (which is almost in Massachusetts) where I got to hang out with fellow authors Rebecca Rule and John McDonald. And get this: I met another Ida LeClair! And she was married to a guy named Charlie! What are the chances?
I even went to a "Finding Your Inner Moose" book group a couple of weeks ago. What a treat! All the women there had read my book, so we talked about it some and ate a bunch of delicious food. One gal told me she was reading the book in bed, right? And her husband rolls over and says, “Look, just let it out, will ya? I know you’re tryin’ not to laugh, but you’re shakin’ the whole friggin’ bed!” Now, that was worth the price of admission!
At one book signing, this woman told me a friend of hers hit a moose riding her motorcycle, up near Jackman. Yikes! I guess the woman was OK, but her bike was totaled. Alas, the moose didn’t fare as well. She goes, “You know you’re in Maine when the game warden shows up before the ambulance!”
Down to the A&P, thing are hoppin’, as you’d expect. Busy, busy, busy! We’re selling poinsettias and wreaths up the yin-yang. There was one small spot of gloominess on Friday. My co-worker Courtney, who usually bags for me, was all shook up ‘cause she’d started getting Christmas cards from some of the customers. She’s in her early twenties, and still in the process of figurin’ out what she wants to do with her life.
“What’s wrong with getting cards from customers?” I ask her.
“Don’t take this personal, Ida,” Courtney replies, all mopey-faced, “but I think it means I’ve been working here too long.”
“No offense taken, Courtney. But you know, there might be another way of lookin’ at it. Maybe folks are givin’ you cards ‘cause they like you. ‘Cause they appreciate the good job you’re doing.”
“Maybe,” she says, with a sigh. Courtney didn’t really perk up ‘til later in the afternoon when Nate Thibodaux came to our register to check out, and she goes into full flirt mode. Well, Nate had his new puppy with him, a cute-as-a-button chick magnet, if I ever saw one. I’m talkin’ about the golden retriever, not Nate. Though, if I was forty years younger….
Oh, there was a funny incident at Charlie’s Christmas party up to Sky Lodge. I was in the Ladies, powderin’ my nose, fluffin’ my hair, when I’m suddenly aware of giggling in one of the stalls. Finally, out steps Margie Sanborn.
“Pretty dress, Margie. Love them glitter snowflakes.”
“Thanks, Ida,” she says, still giggling.
“What’s so funny?”
“Well,” she says, “I couldn’t decide on what to wear so I was trying on different outfits. Ralph’s waiting for me, coat on.”
“Sounds familiar.”
“Finally, I decide on this dress. So we’re in the car on the way over here, and I look down and realize I still had on my knee-high nylon stockings. I put those on thinkin’ I was going to wear my black velour pants! I had to make Ralph stop at the Rite Aid so I could pick up some nylons, which I just put on in the stall.”
“Wow, Margie: a fashion emergency, if I ever heard one. You look fabulous, though.”
“Thanks, Ida,” she says, stuffing’ her knee-highs in her coat pocket. “I need a cocktail!” And off she goes, still chuckling.
This holiday, I hope you’re not lettin’ yourself get too crazy. Remember, the best gift you can give your friends and family is a stress-free you. Really! And if you need a little pick me up, sit down, have a cup of tea (or something stronger), eat a few Hershey kisses and put on something with sparkle. That should do the trick! Every once in awhile it’s good to put yourself at the top of the list.
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
IDA'S PODCAST: Busy, Busy, Busy
Ida/Susan in your neck of the woods!
December 22
Signing: Finding Your Inner Moose
Skillins Greenhouse
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
207-781-3860
http://www.skillins.com/
89 Foreside Road, Falmouth, ME
December 22
Signing: Finding Your Inner Moose
Sherman's Books & Stationery
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
207-869-9000
http://www.shermans.com/
128 Main St., Freeport, ME
If you’d like me to do a reading at your library, organization or what not, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line:
[email protected]
And if your book group wants to read Finding Your Inner Moose, I’d love to be part of the discussion. Especially if food’s involved!
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