Friday 3 September 2010

My Assistant the Hooker

sunny, hot, temps 33

Drove home from Toronto today. Woke up at 5:15am (by wake-up call) - on the road by 5:45. Toronto traffic is hideous, so we wanted to blow town before it closed in. And the Friday before a long weekend, well, you just never know.

The event yesterday at the CNE went very well. As Linwood, the handlers, Michael and I made our way through the giant exhibition hall we saw a demonstration of 'cheese' was taking place. And so, our goal was the try to draw a larger crowd than the aged cheddar. I think we just barely managed it. But we had great fun. This was part of the International Festival of Authors - a huge literary festival in Toronto in October. The IFOA puts on satellite events all year round, and this was one. Their first, though, at the Ex. Competing with stilton.

It was judged a success. And, we sure had fun, as I say. I got to meet Ruth and Jane and a few others who read this blog...hi gals...and that is always a good day when I meet you. As well, three people from my publishers, Hachette Canada came, including the remarkable Donna Nopper, my publicist. The big topic of conversation among them, though, was the hot item of food at this years exhibition. Deep fried butter. I thought it was a joke. Deep fried butter. Why not just put a grenade in your mouth? Deep fried butter. I can't stop saying it, in the hopes with repetition it'll start making sense. But it just becomes more and more ridiculous. Apparently it tastes like vanilla cake mix with a centre of, you guessed it, melted butter.

We were definitely upstaged by the deep fried butter. Perhaps next year the IFOA might try deep frying their authors. And wrapping them in a nice piece of brie.

Got to bed early (again - the life of international jet setting authors...pretty much a hunt for privacy and sleep - though I suspect it would have been different had all this happened in my 20's...I'd have had more fun, but I wouldn't have appreciated it nearly as much). then drove home.

Stinking hot. Unpacked - played with Trudy. Then leapt into the pool. They lay beside it, smelling a very sweet scent of late bloom roses, closed my eyes and felt very much at peace.

Quiet weekend. The major event is that My Assistant Lise (who pretty much masters everything she puts her mind to) is such a great hooker of rugs that she's doing a demonstration at 2pm Saturday (tomorrow) at the Brome County Fair. Michael and I will be there to cheer her on. Everyone's invited. She really is remarkable.

Oh and had the fabulous news that the largest bookstore chain in Quebec, Archambaults, has chose En plein coeur as their 'Book of the Month'! Which means they'll be promoting it in newspapers, magazines, on television and radio. Yippee...

And further great book news, we returned home to copies of THE BRUTAL TELLING, now available in trade paperback! And it looks simply fabulous. And - as a bonus - at the back is the first chapter of BURY YOUR DEAD.

What an exciting time. And how glorious to be home for 2 weeks! My brother Doug is coming down from Toronto this weekend, and I'll finally have a chance to catch up with friends. Bliss.

Hope to speak to you tomorrow.

8 comments:

Debbie said...

Deep fried butter. Just thinking about it makes my stomach queasy.

Can't wait for Bury Your Dead.

Marjorie said...

For those who can't believe it, here it is!:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32665106

--Marjorie from CT

MaryB said...

I can't believe the deep fried butter either - not the least bit appealing (thank god). Enjoy your 2 weeks at home Louise. I will be at a meeting at the Toronto Ref Library on September 24th & quelle surprise!!!! you will be there giving a reading! I really hope to be able to duck out to say hi. Mary from Keswick ON

Unknown said...

Deep fried BUTTER???!! Just thinking about it has raised my cholesterol several hundred points. Who decided that "vanilla cake with a center of melted butter" was appealing and delicious??!!

Enjoy your two weeks at home. Privacy and relaxation are rare for so many of us. :-)

Joy

Darlene said...

Mmmmmmm, lying by the pool. Do lots of that while weather permits. Sounds so peaceful.

lil Gluckstern said...

It is so wonderful to hear about your welcomes! Even if you are competing with cheese, and fried butter (ugh). I have a friend who hooks rugs, I call her the Happy-well you know. Enjoy your peace and quiet. Bury Your Dead is getting closer.

Louise Penny Author said...

Hi all,

totally agree about deep fried butter. We couldn't bring ourselves to try it...and the people we spoke to who did didn't seem exactly sold. And yes, nice peaceful days ahead. Ahhh.

Anonymous said...

Hi Louise,
Deep fried butter is something that hasn't even hit North Carolina, and this New Yorker was shocked to see what is deep-fried when we moved here 14 yrs. ago! Author Beats the Cheese might just be the best headline yet!

I just filled out my Deadly Pleasures Barry ballot and voted for Still Life as Best Mystery of the Decade! Fingers crossed for another tribute to you.

Enjoy a much deserved rest with Michael and Trudy and your brother, as well as the hooking event,
Marni G