Road Trip: 10 Cities in 14 Days: 6

Day 6: McKinney, Texas

MY BOOK PRESENTATION and PAUL'S BIRTHDAY   

The Heard Craig Center for the Arts

We left Tulsa and arrived in McKinney on Sunday night, staying at The Grand Hotel. I have reservations about old hotels called "the Grand...," but this one was terrific. The rooms and lobby were pleasant, the staff really friendly and it's  right in the center of the old part of town, which we walked around Sunday afternoon, ending up at the spot where I had my gig the next morning, the Heard Craig Center for the Arts, in a sweet historic mansion. 

My gig? Back story: when we were planning our road trip, I noticed in my  National Federation of State Poetry Societies newsletter that one of the NFSPS groups in Texas named "The Mockingbirds" (after the state bird that can sing over 200 songs) were holding readings of ekphrastic poetry. I wrote several members about my book, Woman with a Fan, asking if I could get in on one of their readings or meetings, and their enthusiastic President named Barry Rynk invited me to give a reading/presentation at the town's historic Heard-Craig.

First thing next morning, I had breakfast with my high school classmate, Adela Seal, who has retired to McKinney with her husband Bob. Adela and I grew up two blocks from each other on Perry Drive, and our parents grew up together in the old NE end of Canton, Ohio. She was always a foot taller than I and played flute, while I, barely four foot tall in 7th grade, played drums, so we made quite a sight in the halls of Edison Jr. High carrying our respective cases. I haven't gotten much taller. She and Linda Ecksmith were the funniest girls I knew back then. And fun. We're till having fun. (Cue The Orleans.)

Dr. Karen Zupanik, 
Executive Director

After breakfast I changed clothes (the heat!!) and Paul & I walked over to the carriage house behind the Craig-Heard, where I met their new director, Karen Zupanek, a terrific artist and administrator from Cleveland, Ohio! We talked nonstop setting up equipment and snacks, when Barry showed up with even more snacks. I knew these were my people. And they were. The audience was wonderful, attentive, full of questions and  responses.

The President of the State Poetry Society of Texas, Catherine L'Herisson drove a long way in Texas traffic to come and gave me a copy of their anthology, both of which I appreciated, and sent helloes to Amy Zook. Two other Mockingbirds in attendance were Elizabeth Riddle and Jiaan Powers, who talked to me about their work. Barry, who spearheaded the ekphrastic poetry project of the group, has come to Dallas after living in Altadena, California, and you can find his photo, bio, and one of his poems about that place here.

I'd really encourage to Ohio Poetry Association members to make contact with other NFSPS groups when you are on vacay. These are our people!!  

Russ Mortenson getting a book signed in  memory of his wife

 

Barry Rynk sharing his ekphrastic poem based on a music score

Two Mockingbird: Beth Ayers and Tom Martin

But this was not the end of our day in McKinney! Because now, four days after my birthday, it was Paul's birthday, and I was taking him to Rick's Chophouse, owned by the owner of the Grand Hotel of McKinney and right around the corner. (Still no driving!) I know, I know, taking your vegetarian husband to a "chophouse" (also referred to online as a "Steak House") is not a very appropriate move, but this was MONDAY, and McKinney's Harvest Restaurant was closed. Fortunately, Rick's (unlike my birthday restaurant, Maldaner's see day 2) did have its listed vegetarian dish: "Cauliflower Steak: Grilled Cauliflower, Saffron Risotto, Smoked Carrots, Asparagus, Arugula Vinaigrette, Microgreens, Sweet Pickled Peppers," and it was good, as was the vegetarian's omnivore wife's "Elk: Black Pepper Crusted Elk Medallions, Au Gratin Potatoes, Sautéed Mushrooms in Red Wine Demi-glace, Garlic Green Beans." All of our food, including the birthday dessert they brought on a chocolate-decorated plate and we took out with us, was excellent. The service tended toward the haphazard but very friendly and attentive. The only downer was that the room was aroar. I couldn't hear Paul. So we ate our dessert back at the quiet hotel.