Thursday, October 22, 2009

Bus stop, rosy cheeks and bursting

- Sitting at the intersection of Deering Road and Peachtree Street and smiling at the sight of friend Karin Slaughter's poster advertising her latest book at the end of a bus stop shelter. Only ten years ago she was running a neighborhood sign shop and dreaming of being a published author. (Slightly fuzzy photo because of the zoom and from hurriedly taking the photo because the light had turned green.)

- Three rosy cheeked skateboarders complete with helmets, sitting side by side on the bank beside the condominium mailboxes, munching big red apples.

- Waiting for a flu shot along with two men, both of them bursting to talk. Since I spend so much time doing nothing but talking during the day, I welcome a quiet few minutes, but instead join in the conversation, remembering that I always learn something from speaking with random strangers.

16 comments:

Lynn said...

Thank you Bharat!

TALON said...

That's so cool about Karen's poster!

Healthy snacks and skateboarders - great image!

When I read your title, I was wondering what sort of bursting was going on! It's true - it can be really interesting when you strike up those random conversations - even when they interrupt your scheduled mini-down times.

Meredith said...

Oh, wow, Lynn! You've made my day! I used to shop at the Borders there on that corner and pick up my honey there when he'd come in on the Amtrak, and my old church is right down the street from this intersection :) It's only about a mile from my former house...

You've brought back dear Atlanta to me with a blurred photo of Deering Road & Ptree (and it *is* encouraging to know that writer was still daydreaming 10 years ago -- makes me think it's still possible if I keep at it.)

Thank you :)

Cookie said...

Congrats to your friend on her book and on the sign! that is exciting :)
and I love the image of the skateboarders eating apples. I'm always trying to get my kids to eat healthier. Good role models are hard to find :)

Lynn said...

Talon -

Karin is known all over now - I usually just see her at book signings.

And I do like to talk to people - that happens to me a lot. Random conversations.

Meredith -

That is my cut through to Peachtree to get on I-85 north - I work on Collier Road near the Chattahoochee Avenue end. I'm glad it reminds you of home. Did you go to Peachtree Christian? Or maybe First Pres?

Yes - Karin's story is an inspiration to keep at it. It took her a long time and a lot of rejection letters to get published, but it was only after someone recommended that she write what she knows, did she write the book set in Georgia and get a contract from William Morrow for three novels. That is her 9th book seenon the bus stop. :)

Cookies -

Those were spunky looking kids - their mom was nearby talking to a group of neighbors.

Riot Kitty said...

I'll be encouraged by Karin :)

Lynn said...

Riot Kitty -

She is doing exactly what she wanted - it just took a little time to get there. I keep asking her if I could be her assistant and carry her purse to book signings in Europe. :)

LL Cool Joe said...

It's funny how you can get drawn into talking to people when you don't want to, and in the end you get their whole life history. I can't bring myself to turn away and ignore them or just make it obvious I don't want to talk. I'm too polite!

Kim said...

I love talking to strangers as well, for me those conversations usually occur at the bookstore or coffeeshop.
Very cool about your friend's new book!

Lynn said...

Joe -

I always end up liking the conversation and end up learning something. The men this day were a very elderly man and a construction manager. Then we got our shots and left.

Kim -

Another place - airplanes. I am always chatting with people on airplanes. I'm glad you like that, too. :)

G-Man said...

When are you gonna give me a 55?
It's EASY!!!!!

Lynn said...

G-man -

I believe I will try to work on that this week for next week. :)

Snaggle Tooth said...

Fuzzy Fotos on the Run! These days we can get published easier, but getting sales n paid well is tougher, unfortunately. Nice poster ad-
Skateboarding is publically banned in a bylaw here- must be on private property-
Flu shot? Lucky you- this place cancelled all the clinics-

Lynn said...

Snaggle -

Fortunately she is doing very well with her books - she seems to have caught on.

The skateboarders were on private property. They are the most lively kids they are always around down there playing with their mom watching.

No flu shots anywhere? That's odd. My sisters got one at Target when they were shopping for mom and dad last week.

Jannie Funster said...

Yep, don't need a picture of the middle one, that I can plainly see.

How many of Karin's book singings have you been to?

Lynn said...

Jannie Muffin!

Ah - good. It is the way I always used to do it - description, no photo.

I have been to 6 out of 8 book signings. I almost typed singings. :)