What a Great Day

This Sunday the 12th was the Exton, PA Ordinary Beauty release and the Chester County SPCA Gala Forget-Me-Not Fundraiser, and oh, what fun!

Met some really nice people, signed books and then had to run to get ready for the CCSPCA event. I was scheduled to speak there, so I was going over what I wanted to say, trying to figure out if it was compelling enough or too long. Happily, it turned out fine.

The event was held at a gorgeous, historical property and we got there early to set up our table:

(The bandstand where I'm speaking from is waaaaay up front.

Fabulous food from some wonderful restaurants and bakeries. (All listed over on the ccspca.org site.) Notice the SPCA and the animals dancing around the edges?

Ice sculpture. Gorgeous

The view from my table, which I loved. (Think dogs on both sides of me.

We were located between the U.S. Customs Agents and their cute little beagle, who were going to do a demonstration, and two gorgeous Search and Rescue German shepherds and their handlers, who were also going to do a demonstration. When i heard that S&R would need a volunteer to go get lost so they dogs could find them, I immediately volunteered to do it.

Oh yes. Love dogs.

They had adoptable dogs and cats there too, like this sweet, beautiful little Italian Greyhound named Izzy. I fell in love with her. She looks like a delicate little gray fawn. And those big, brown eyes. Melting.

The carriage parade. Lovely.

The band, Younger Than Charlie, was very kind in helping me set up.

I wish I could remember why we're clapping.

The fabulous Rich Britton, Spokesman Extraordinaire for the CCSPCA and former Philly newsman, gave me a stellar intro and off I went! I'm so glad people were listening:

Rich and after I got off the stage. Whew! Made it.

And then I got to go get lost for the S&R dogs, except that they didn't want to make me go into the woods in pantyhose and heels (even though I would have, without hesitation) so they sent me off to a recycling bin.