"A Walk in the City"

If we are fortunate, sometimes we get to look at the familiar from a new perspective.  Last week I was able to do that by having a lovely walk and lunch with this year's Vive le Livre Author, Bill Bryson.  It was Veteran's Day and the parade was going on downtown, so Mr. Bryson and I walked to lunch along the parade route.  How amazing to see families, young and old, who had come out to support those who work to maintian our freedom, to follow along behind the marching band as they played patriotic tunes, and to watch our veterans be applauded as they walked the parade route.  We ate outside and talked about how planting roots are important to each of us and about how great the chicken salad and fried chicken were!

We didn't really talk about his books or what inspired them, we talked more about family and home and what they mean to each of us.  He is the proud father of four and even prouder grandfather of five!  He loves the old rectory that he and his wife make their home in England, but also loves his home state of Iowa.  Instead of flying to Huntsville, he drove in from Iowa after visiting with his mother and then drove on to his next engagement in Cincinnati.  Mr. Bryson took a walking tour of Huntsville finding the beauty in our city that we often overlook.  On Friday he became a patron of the Library when he came over to print something for his next engagement.   Mr. Bryson let me see through fresh eyes what a lovey city we live in and how important the Library is to all its citizens.

Thank you for making the 24th Annual Vive le Livre with Bill Bryson such a huge success.  Mr. Bryson is an engaging and humorous speaker who filled the South Hall of the VBC with laughter.  The Foundation is thankful to those who supported this event by their attendance and their gifts of time, money and talent.  I am thankful for the many people who helped plan and prepare such a big event and who carried it out so well.   The funds raised from this event will support the Book Fund of your Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.

For Photos of the event, go to www.clicksfoto.com, select "private parties", look for "Huntsville Library" and use the password hsvmadpublib when prompted.