We went to the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon yesterday. I always enjoy walking around and checking out the crafts. I'm curious about the folks that come back year after year and show (and sell!) the same things. I check them out closely to look for new designs or innovations. To be honest, I rarely see anything new from them. Even the painted rocks have the same pictures I remember from previous years. If we find innovation, it's usually someone who's new to the festival.

But, I did use the trip to release my first books into the wild.

We stopped in the Martha Washington Inn and went to the lower level where the Shops (and the restrooms) are. I left a copy of Fannie Flagg's latest book on the bench in the hallway.

After we left the festival, we went to Cracker Barrel to eat, and I dropped off a mystery in the seat of a rocking chair outside the restaurant. When we came out, I noticed the book was gone!

I've enjoyed trading in used books at the bookstore in Johnson City, but there's something exciting about guerrilla book distribution. I've got a copy of GenX reader to leave at the mall, and I'm looking for the right books to release at the Virginia Welcome Center on I-81.

It's a fun way to thin out the bookshelves. I also tend to leave six or eight books at a time in the break room at work to let folks have something free to read.

If you haven't checked out bookcrossing.com yet, take a look.

Flashback to the weekend of July 25-26-27, when we tried to squeeze the entire summer into one weekend.
Our high school reunion was Friday and Saturday. It was the 40-year reunion, but the first we had attended. Virginia High School, class of '63.
We arrived at Sugar Hollow Park in Bristol at about 10am Friday to help with the setup. We left about 9:30pm. We had a great time, visiting with our old classmates, comparing hair color, waist sizes, and careers. It was good to see everyone, and I'm really thankful for all the work the committee put into the reunion. They did a great job!

On Saturday we attended a family reunion from 1-5pm. We arrived early and Sarah set up her digital camera and a tv for portraits. She took portraits of all who attended. A memory book will be available (at cost) and photographs for free downloading from the net will come later. I've met so many of her family and it was good to see them again, but in reality, the high point was my chance to visit with "Ms Wright." When I was growing up, I'd sneak out to the little corner market near our home and visit with the Wrights, buy a Nutty Buddy and a Mr Cola and trip out on sugar. The Wrights were always nice to the neighborhood kids, and I hadn't see her since about 1961. Of course I didn't recognize her, but she picked me out of the crowd. We had a wonderful visit.
The high school reunion picked up again Saturday night at Confetti's. We had a big buffet and a chance to sit around and listen to "our music" and visit. Again, we had a great time!

Sunday afternoon, we attended the APWU (American Postal Workers Union) picnic at Steele Creek Park in Bristol TN. The union did a great job with barbecue, bingo, door prizes and a band. Thanks to the organizers of this one, too. You guys done good.

I was just too tired to post last weekend. I'm believe I'm getting too old for this much excitement in one weekend!