cynthialord ([info]cynthialord) wrote,
@ 2008-05-09 07:15:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Current mood: happy

The Mitten Award, Grand Rapids, Michigan
counter create hit 
m9.jpg picture by cynthialord2005
My beautiful tile plaque for the Mitten Award

I had a lovely time in Michigan this week where I accepted The Mitten Award for RULES.  Grand Rapids has a beautiful downtown, and I even saw. . . LILACS!  We're a few weeks behind in the "spring" department in Maine, so seeing those purprle lilacs in bloom--it felt like a promise.  

The Michigan Library Association took very good care of me. I had a gorgeous room in a historic hotel and everyone made me feel so welcome.  

m16.jpg picture by cynthialord2005

Isn't this a beautiful view?  At night, the bridges are lit up, and on the right side of this photo, do you see the circular building?  It's an indoor carousel!  Sometimes when I was working at the desk, I would look over and watch the lights going around and around inside--it was magical!  


I had a suite with a little living room and TWO BATHROOMS!!!  
m19.jpg image by cynthialord2005  and m18.jpg image by cynthialord2005

TWO!  You know I loved that.  

m15.jpg picture by cynthialord2005 The hotel was grand and beautiful. The award ceremony was in a huge ballroom and I was so excited to meet the members of the Mitten Committee!
  
m12.jpg picture by cynthialord2005

m14.jpg picture by cynthialord2005
 
m13.jpg picture by cynthialord2005

See the podium in the background?  That's where I gave my speech after the dinner!  I was very honored to receive this award, and I felt a lot of goodwill shining back at me as I spoke  (and I saw some tears as I read some poignant and funny emails I've received from children).  

Then it was KARAOKE time! I spared everyone my singing, but it was so much fun!

m11.jpg picture by cynthialord2005
The Shoop-Shoop Song!  
If you wanna know
(shoop shoop shoop shoop shoop shoop shoop)
if he loves you so
it's in his kiss
(that's where it is!)

The next day I signed books. I sat next to Judy Schachner (SKIPPYJON JONES). She drew SkippyJon in every book she signed!  Wow!  Judy and I also had the same first flight home, so it was wonderful to chat with her.

I met lots of wonderful people and signed many books, including one for John Green. I had met John at last year's ALA, but when I looked up and saw him standing there holding RULES, I have to admit my first reaction was wanting to say, "You don't want this book!" 

He's JOHN GREEN, for goodness sakes! I did realize it would be a stupid thing to say, since he was standing there in front of me holding RULES. So I didn't say it, but I felt it!   

m7.jpg picture by cynthialord2005
John and me.  

m8.jpg picture by cynthialord2005
me and Nancy from BWI

Scholastic and BWI Books had sponsored me to come to Michigan to accept the Mitten Award. I asked Nancy if I could have a photo of us with the poster of RULES (and Pete Hautman's RASH won the "Thumbs Up" award for YA). 

I was so happy to meet Kristen, who chaired the Mitten Committee and has become a friend this year, as we've corresponded about conference details and nailpolish and other vitally important things.

m6.jpg picture by cynthialord2005
Kristen and me

Then I had some time to spend on my own.  I had to check out of my room so I couldn't work on my book, but my flight wasn't until 5:30 pm. I thought, "I'm in Grand Rapids, and I have time to go see something!" Within walking distance across the bridge was The Gerald Ford Presidential Museum and the museum with the carousel. I love history, but. . .

m3.jpg picture by cynthialord2005

There was no sign saying "Goofy middle-aged authors are waaaaay too big for this ride!" so I waited until a group of kids and parents came along, and then I slipped in behind them.  
 
m4.jpg picture by cynthialord2005
My trusty steed.

m5.jpg picture by cynthialord2005

Here's a new rule for me:

You'll only live this day once. Enjoy it.


Thank you to Scholastic, BWI, the Michigan Library Association, the Mitten Award Committee, Jayne and Cory and Ken who drove to and from the airport, Kristen and Deb for making sure I never felt lonely or got lost, and to all the Michigan librarians for making me feel so welcome.  

(Post a new comment)


[info]lurban
2008-05-09 12:51 pm UTC (link)
What a wonderful day. Thanks for letting us enjoy it, too.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]cynthialord
2008-05-09 01:21 pm UTC (link)
Michigan is so beautiful! What part did you live in, Linda?

Any chance you'll be at the DCF event that the kids attend?

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lurban
2008-05-09 08:18 pm UTC (link)
I lived in a Detroit suburb -- near the base of the mitten's thumb. Not nearly so pretty as the view from your window. From my childhood window I saw other people's windows and powerlines. But I loved it anyway.

Both Jo and I want to go but I understand that it isn't open to the public. We're debating about crashing the thing and seeing if the bouncers toss us out. I could also call my former DCF colleagues, but I'm afraid they'll say no. Harder to say no to a rabid Lord fan at the door I think, so I might just risk the trip and see what happens.

I'm sure they're putting you up for the night(s) but if you want a place to stay, we have a guest room and the shelves in there are loaded with Middle Grade fiction!

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
I might just risk the trip
[info]cynthialord
2008-05-11 01:18 pm UTC (link)
Hmmm. I should be able to say that I want you and Jo to come. Don't you think so?

Are you and Jo serious about wanting to come?

Thanks so much for the guest room offer. :-) I would take you up on it, but they've made me a reservation at a hotel in Randolph.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]cynthialord
2008-05-11 01:22 pm UTC (link)
It would be good practice for you, too. . .seeing as you're my pick for next year's winner!

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lurban
2008-05-11 01:35 pm UTC (link)
Ha!
Did you not see Hugo on the list? Sure fire winner, baby. Although at the DCF conference for teachers the hot book was BLUE LIPSTICK, I'm told. In any case, I'm THRILLED to be on the list

And, y,es Jo and I both do want to be there. Pull those strings! I'd love to see you.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]cynthialord
2008-05-11 02:04 pm UTC (link)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Hugo will be splitting votes between them, though. . .while they're fighting it out, Zoe's gonna sneak right in there and grab it!

I'll be in touch :-)

(Reply to this)(Parent)
random commenter
[info]rowanda380
2008-05-09 01:28 pm UTC (link)
wow, congratulations on your award, that is fantastic!

(Reply to this)(Thread)
Re: random commenter
[info]cynthialord
2008-05-11 02:06 pm UTC (link)
Thank you!!!

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]jodyfeldman
2008-05-09 02:49 pm UTC (link)
I think it was last year when I was at the St. Louis Zoo with another too-big-for-a-carousel person, and we were walking toward the carousel. And we stopped. And looked at each other. And bought our tickets and hopped on. I'd forgotten how wonderful they are.

(Reply to this)(Thread)
I'd forgotten how wonderful they are.
[info]cynthialord
2008-05-11 02:05 pm UTC (link)
It was so fun!

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]acoppedge
2008-05-09 03:23 pm UTC (link)
Congrats on "Rules" being picked as a Florida Sunshine State reader for the 08-09 school year! I have already given "Rules" to my patrons so many times--I look forward to my library buying many more copies of it and giving it out even more.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]cynthialord
2008-05-11 01:28 pm UTC (link)
Thank you so much! I'm absolutely thrilled to be on the Sunshine State List for next year!

And I'm coming to the Florida Association for Media in Education conference in September. Do you ever go to that conference? It'll be my first time ever in Florida.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]acoppedge
2008-05-11 08:28 pm UTC (link)
I doubt I would be able to go . . . I work in a public library and my system doesn't usually send people to that conference. Have a great time! Wow, you've never been to Florida? Are you going to Disney since you'll be so close?

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
Are you going to Disney since you'll be so close?
[info]cynthialord
2008-05-12 10:10 am UTC (link)
It feels weird to be so close and not go, but my family won't be with me. It will be very exciting to be in Florida, though, even without Mickey :-)

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
Re: Are you going to Disney since you'll be so close?
[info]acoppedge
2008-05-12 12:49 pm UTC (link)
Yes, that would be strange to go without family. Someday!

(Reply to this)(Parent)
OH IT HAS IT ALL!!!!
[info]agyw
2008-05-09 03:28 pm UTC (link)
Cindy, I've not envied your journey even a little bit, because it's so well deserved, BUT...

KAROAKE AND CAROUSELS!!!! You know they gave you MY holiday!

They sure know how to plan a party, and an award celebration! You look fabulous, and congratulations! Again! And thank you for the vicarious thrill! YAYA RULES!

(Reply to this)

[info]deenaml
2008-05-09 04:20 pm UTC (link)
My CP Emily said she met you -- I was so jealous! So glad you enjoyed MI!

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]cynthialord
2008-05-11 01:28 pm UTC (link)
Emily was so nice! I'm delighted that I got to meet her and sit with her at lunch.

(Reply to this)(Parent)
You coulda carpooled w/ my sister-in-law....
[info]slatts
2008-05-09 04:42 pm UTC (link)
...on second thought, no.

They just drove from Grand Rapids --stopping at our house to and fro-- to Machais, ME to return their son from college.

But 15 hours out to Northfield and then on to the second leg....no.

(Reply to this)

[info]amanda_marrone
2008-05-09 05:39 pm UTC (link)
What a great trip!!!

(Reply to this)

[info]elmarshall
2008-05-09 07:11 pm UTC (link)
Cynthia,

It was really nice to meet you and chat with you briefly at lunch. Thanks so much for coming. I really enjoyed your speech as well. Congrats again on receiving the Mitten award.

Emily

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]cynthialord
2008-05-11 01:31 pm UTC (link)
It was such a pleasure to meet you! That lunch was so nice. I couldn't have chosen a nicer group of people to sit with.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]elmarshall
2008-05-11 02:28 pm UTC (link)
Cynthia you are way too nice. Best wishes on all that you are working on now. I'm looking forward to your future books.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]dayoppermom
2008-05-09 10:34 pm UTC (link)
Cindy, thanks so much for coming. Let me tell you, when you are a lowly children's librarian, one's view at the "Grand" is not nearly so grand. I over looked the parking structure. But I forgotten what a pretty downtown Grand Rapids has. My daughter use to work at the museum you visited. She's an astronomer. It was fun to meet you in person. Again, thanks for coming.
Jan

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]cynthialord
2008-05-11 01:37 pm UTC (link)
Jan, it was so nice to meet you!

I felt like Cinderella playing dress-up in that room. I'm very down to earth. In fact, when I was waiting for my registration folder, someone asked for volunteers to go to the parking area and carry in easels. I thought, "I can do that." So I did, and then when we were all walking in carrying stacks of big easels, someone asked me my name.

The look on their faces was priceless :-) "I can't believe we asked the Mitten Award winner to carry easels!" someone said, but I didn't think anything of it. I'm glad to help out.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]susanwrites
2008-05-09 11:14 pm UTC (link)
Oh Cindy, this is so exciting and I'm so very happy for you.

You are such a sweetheart to spend so much time documenting things for the rest of us. Thank you for that.

(Reply to this)

[info]jessicaburkhart
2008-05-09 11:15 pm UTC (link)
Thank you for sharing these lovely pics! Congratulations! :)

(Reply to this)
Your Mitten Award
[info]elspeth47
2008-05-10 02:37 am UTC (link)
The tile plaque is beautiful. I can just imagine it hanging on a wall of your little writing house. The asparagus on your dinner plates looked yummy. What was for dessert?

(Reply to this)(Thread)
What was for dessert?
[info]cynthialord
2008-05-11 01:44 pm UTC (link)
Hmm. I don't know what you'd call it. . .it was a bit thicker than a mousse, but it was a creamy mound of super rich chocolate. I only had a few bites, because my speech was next.

Lunch the next day was cheesecake, and I ate ALL that!

Thank you so much for the armadillo!!!! He's out in my writing house with me :-)

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]kellyrfineman
2008-05-10 03:05 am UTC (link)
How marvelous! And of course John wants your book - your book is wonderful and honest and true, just as his are.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]cynthialord
2008-05-11 01:45 pm UTC (link)
Thank you. It was fun to see John and Hank together :-)

(Reply to this)(Parent)

Create an Account
Forgot your login?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…