Arts on the Ridge Festival - May 5, 2012

If you've never visited the charming town of Ridgeway in the South Carolina Midlands, you deserve to treat yourself.  Dawn Hendricks of Java Nook Books invited me, along with other South Carolina authors, to sign books and visit with Festival participants.  Java Nook Books itself is worth a trip to Ridgeway, even without a festival going on.  This quaint, independent bookstore shares space with the charming Whistle Stop Cafe where I got some of the best sweet tea ever (perfect, not syrupy sweet).  I loved the vibe in there, so much it was tempting to stay inside.  Nevertheless, I dragged my sorry self back outside to the book table just in time to see a cousin I had not seen in decades!

Dawn was so gracious and helpful, she would have turned the heat down if she could have -- 94 degrees and no shade in sight.   I was impressed by the talented, and prolific, authors from around our State.  I shared a table with the lovely Mary Neal Kunsman, there with her memoir Loves Remembered.

My friends and relatives came from Winnsboro, Columbia, Fort Mill and Camden, and it was great seeing everybody.  Thank you all for being so supportive and for being so much FUN!
After packing up my gear from the Festival, I loaded my belongings in Columbia and drove the three hours to Georgetown.  I was eager to get home and see the Super Moon over the lake there and, truth be told,  eager to wake up in my own bed Sunday morning.   At my familiar Sinking Springs. You know what I mean if you've read the book!

Thanks, Dawn, for the invitation and for wanting to have Dancing on Mars on the shelves at Java Nook.  I'll get copies to you ASAP!