You know what’s fun? New mascara, book clubs, deodorant, Peyton Manning… I could go on.

You know what’s fun? Being invited to attend a book club when your own book is the book of the month. Know what’s even funner (besides saying funner)? Arriving the night before only to discover you left all your makeup at home. Cue sarcasm. First world problem, I know, I know, but still…

Here’s the thing. Once you start wearing makeup in the ninth grade, it becomes a slight addiction, a minor vice. There’s always that next pot of magical cream that will make you look a wee bit more youthful/taller/thinner/smarter/funner/whatever… And when you don’t wear it people say, “Oh honey, you look so tired. Are you okay?”

Honey my foot.

So you keep wearing it.

This is how it all went down (lest you think being a writer is all glamour and glitter)…

Sunday afternoon: 

I drove to Little Rock for the Saline County Monday Afternoon Book Club. Around eleven p.m. the night before the event, I discovered that I left my “face” back home, three hours away in Fayetteville. So at eleven p.m., I rushed over to Walgreens and snagged a few basic necessities so I wouldn’t look completely dead the next day.

Maybe she’s born with it? Maybe she bought some Maybelline?

 

Yeah, I’m calling this my Maybelline Accidental Salvation Makeup Kit. Maybe I’ll leave it in my car for future such emergencies.

Monday morning:

I enjoyed a nice hotel breakfast that included bacon and lots of coffee with those yummy, individual vanilla creamers. The free wi-fi flowed, and I worked on an article that’s due soon. I showered in plenty of time for my noon checkout, played around with my new makeup which I liked surprisingly well for such a quick purchase, and discovered rather quickly that I left my deodorant at home, too.

Ugh.

Monday afternoon:

I concentrated as best I could on not sweating as I loaded my suitcase back into my car, but it was blazing HOT, like already 95 degrees in the parking lot and 186 degrees inside my car. For the second time in less than twelve hours, I drove (the back way this time because I’m a regular) to Walgreens and bought clinical strength deodorant and two huge bottles of Smart Water, in the off chance it works.

I parked behind Walgreens, right beside a Budweiser truck, and swiped on my Dove.

Baby, it was hot outside and a beer was beginning to sound really, really good. I took a swig of Smart Water instead then drove a mile or so to the library.

What a lovely event—a packed house. Thank goodness for my Maybelline Accidental Salvation Emergency Kit. Most of the folks had read my book, and everyone came armed with thoughtful questions. One lady wore her Gracie Lee t-shirt, and she was a Baylor alum. Discovering another Bear in the wild is always an exciting thing because instantly we have a #BearsofBaylor kinship.

Afterwards, I spent some time with my sister’s best friend, Donna, and her adorable dog, Peyton Manning.

No matter how crazy my behind-the-scenes day began, I realize that any day I’m invited to talk to readers about my book is the BEST sort of day.

Thank you Ann Hall, Charlene Creech, and the Saline County Monday Afternoon Book Club!

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Thank you @Maybelline for saving my face. @SCLibrary #TheAccidentalSalvationofGracieLee [/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Miranda Lambert, Vice (my absolute favorite new song!)