Both events served as opportunities to renew old relationships and discover new connections. At the Waupun Public Library I worked once again with Pamelyn Garcia who ably promoted the event in every news outlet available.  Though disheartened by the small turnout for all her effort, I did make the acquaintance of one of mother’s friends, Henri (short for Henrietta), who I learned had replaced my mom as the personal secretary for the top executives at Shalers and National Rivet.

The turnout at the Madison event at Booked for Murder on University Avenue was similarly sparse, but sufficiently remunerative to convince Terri to ask me back when my next book comes out.  Several old friends did turn up, including Phil, a retired Madison area schoolteacher, who graduated several years ahead of me in high school and had written an unpublished memoir about the school’s 1964 championship football team which produced several college-level players and alums who later distinguished themselves in other fields.  Another friend and Internet artist, David, discussed our mutual acquaintances from the days when I worked for the General Library System at the University of Wisconsin.  And my sister-in-law, Ann, played hookey from the last class of her continuing education class in veterinary medicine to purchase a copy of my latest book.

These incidents, along with the comraderie I shared with my friends and family that put me up during my visit, helped make the occasion rewarding on several levels.  I look forward to renewing these acquaintances when my next book comes out.