She Smiles for Hours on End...

I've been throwing alot of words in the blender lately...writing business articles on BIG business for the MS Business Journal. I like writing business profiles, particularly on businesses like Ross & Yerger Insurance, which has been in business for 150 years. They are obviously doing something right.

But today's post deals with reading, not writing...and not the kind of reading that makes your brain hurt. Instead it's the kind that makes your heart sing! And author I'm talking about graced us with her presence recently...

She can smile for hours on end. She can wave, too. She can even smile and wave at the same time..."It's harder than it looks!" Those are her talents, and by God, she uses them to entertain and delight all those around her.

Who is this talented woman? None other than Her Royal Highness, Sweet Potato Queen Jill Conner Browne, and she was our guest at the BB Queens Book Club Monday night at Lemuria. There was food galore (I think everyone was showing out a bit...), but Jill has skinnied-up on us, and didn't eat a bite. Wine flowed like a river, but all she drank was water. That's fine...more for us!

We read her book, "American Thighs, The Sweet Potato Queens Guide to Preserving Your Assets" for this month's selection.

(Don't waste your time trying to click and look inside...it won't work here...)

Jill entertained us with lots of fun stories and a complete history on how she became a self-proclaimed Sweet Potato Queen. Of course, the message in all her madness was to incorporate a little fun into our lives. It just makes it all the sweeter.

After a ticket-snafu, Jill gave out a couple of door prizes--her trademark rhinestone-studded sunglasses, and a tiara. We all had a great time, and appreciated her visit. After all, she has eaten with presidents and other VIPS...

It's always good for a writer to meet other writers, particularly when they are successful writers like Jill. Being a member of this book club has afforded me the chance to meet other writers. We met Pat Conroy at the Girlfriend's Weekend in Jefferson, Texas along with several other writers. We've dined with Neil White (In the Sanctuary of Outcasts), and enjoyed the humor of Shellie Tomlinson and River Jordan.

Jill's story also showed how everything you do leads you to the next thing...and you have to be open for it and know that sometimes the plan God has for your life is so much bigger than your own plan.

So, I'll leave you with some fun photos of a fun evening...enjoy!

Blessings to all who read this!
Susan