Who would have thought?

Who would have EVER thought that I'd wind up being a published author. I certainly never had that in mind, yet I find myself in that position. How odd. How fun!

"Tales of the Road-Highway 61"-- The Book is now out in fine bookstores across the Midwest and on Amazon.com. The book is beautiful beyond my wildest dreams. Denny-the-photographer took some lovely photos, and the Minnesota Historical Society archives added some great old pictures to create a very nice package of images and words. 

When the Minnesota Historical Society Press asked me to write a companion book to the public television documentary  I remember thinking at time that they must be crazy. Why would they ask ME to write a book?  I never really thought about writing anything long-form. I'm used to writing news copy. Quickly. Concisely. The process of writing a book has been quite a journey. Thank God I had a wonderful editor!!!

Today, I had the great good fortune of speaking for and signing books on behalf of the Winona County Historical Society. I was surprised at the number of people in attendance. How nice to see many of the people who initially helped me some 6 years ago when this project was just a glimmer of an idea. How humbling that people would pay their hard earned dollars to buy something I created. It is quite odd to be asked for an autograph. You'd want someone like Elizabeth Taylor, or Robert Redford or Garrison Keillor to sign your book. Cathy Wurzer's signature just doesn't stack up. 

Earlier this week, I was signing books in Grand Marais for the Cook County Historical Society's event. (Which is where the photo was taken.)  Both of those groups were incredibly helpful and supportive. There was NO way I could have ever written the book nor produced the documentary without them. Someone at work asked why I was planning on dividing the proceeds among the historical societies and local history groups along the Minnesota stretch of Highway 61. Why not keep all the money for myself? Here is the answer to that question. These groups need the money more than I do right now.  Yes, I'm still raising money to produce the documentary, but these organizations rely (to a large extent) on donor dollars and volunteers. Few have big paid staffs. They do incredible work. They have helped me. I wish to help them. It is that simple.

This weekend, while I'm busy signing books, my crew continues to shoot. The Red Wing Pottery and the Sheldon Theater in Red Wing are the focal points this weekend. We are closing in on the end and the weather is closing in on us!!!!!