Friday, October 9, 2009

I will confess to being just a tad starstruck

Big doin's today at the 7MSN.

Flash back to 2007, Albuquerque Federal courthouse...
In all the times I had been summoned, I had never been selected to be on a jury. Until now. And I was dreading every minute of it. I would have to make the 150-mile roundtrip commute every stinkin' day until the trial was over. I would have to wear adult clothes for many days in a row. I would be trapped in a room with people, not animals, during endless breaks and recesses. And to add insult to injury, the single most obnoxious human being I had ever met in all my 50-some years was a fellow juror. I truly thought I would not survive.

But early on in the trial, as I sat in the jury room during yet another recess, reading a book with my fingers plugging my ears, trying not to listen to the single most obnoxious human being I had ever met in my life, a female juror struck up a conversation and asked, "How do you like that book?" (It was "The Owl & Moon Café" by Jo-Ann Mapson). I said, "I'm loving it. It's written by one of my favorite authors." To which the juror said, "Really? She's a very good friend of mine."

Well, if that didn't just change my mind about jury duty. Turns out my fellow juror – Judith Ryan Hendricks – was a fascinating person and accomplished author in her own right, and we were drawn together by an intense dislike for the obnoxious human being in the room.

After four or five arduous days, we pronounced the defendant guilty and Judi and I went on our merry ways, grateful to have made each other's acquaintance and for never again having to breathe the same air as the planet's most obnoxious human being.

Flash forward to February 2009...
I received an e-mail from Judi announcing the release of her latest book, "The Laws of Harmony." I sent back a congratulatory message, then received this e-mail (yes, it's still in my in box):

...I have excellent news: Jo-Ann Mapson and her husband have moved to Santa Fe...I’ve told her all about your ranch and our adventures on jury duty. We’d love to drive down and see you this spring sometime. Are you up for visitors?

Hell, yes!

Spring turned to fall, and we finally got organized. Guess who's coming to the 7MSN today?



The house is clean, lunch is almost ready, a Key Lime pie is about to go in the oven, and there's a great big bottle of pinot grigio chillin' in the fridge. I get to spend the day in the company of two fabulous women who write about fabulous women. Now how stinkin' cool is that?

28 comments:

  1. You know I am tickled to death for you ... what a fabulous day! Hope you will share with posts/pictures.

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  2. Wow! Talk about the alignment of stars!
    Can't wait to hear all about your day!
    And I will be investigating the works of your friends, The Authors.

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  3. Oh that is very 'stinkin' cool'!! Hava great day!
    openhorseshowjudge.blogspot.com

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  4. Wow! They are going to love their visit, and I'll bet that if they have read your blog, they're feeling a little starstruck themselves.

    The Owl & Moon Cafe was one of my favorite Mapson books. I'll have to check out Judith Hendricks now, too.

    Have a lovely lunch.

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  5. Way stinkin' cool!!! I hope you are breaking out some of green chile! Oh! And I am sure it's an oversight, but you didn't tell us what you made for lunch!

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  6. That is "pretty stinkin' cool"! Thanks for your blog ~ you and PW are on my favorites bar!

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  7. That's just great! Hope you really enjoy yourself. I'm sure you'll be an inspiration for a character in one of their new books, yet to be written. Have fun.

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  8. Oh how lucky you are!!! Being able to sit down and talk with some of my favorite authors would be wonderful. Have a blast!

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  9. ...not to discount the "treat" they will garner...:-)

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  10. THIS is the only good thing I have ever heard come out of jury duty (except for an acquittal -- but that's my gig)! Have a wonderful day, enjoy the good company. I'll bet they will put the 7MSN on their lists of wonderful places they have visited.

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  11. How lucky they are, to get to visit with you and see those adorable donkeys up close and personal, be beguiled by Lyle, get Smooched, and best of all, pet DEETS!!!

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  12. pretty stinkin' cool! And we expect a full report, photos and all!

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  13. Very cool! I'm going to reserve these books from my library. I hope you'll post pictures of your visit?
    You may find yourself and your critters as characers in one of their future upcoming books!! :-)

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  14. Don't you just love those random connections that occur in the oddest circumstances? So cool. And, I think those 2 gals are the lucky ones, getting to meet you and all of your amazing animals!

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  15. Serendipity is a wonderful thing.

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  16. That is SOOOO cool!

    I am envious, have a great time and bet sure to tell your bloggies are happy for you.

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  17. what a lucky girl...can't wait to hear all about it....

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  18. They're getting a real treat being able to visit you and the lovable crew at the ranch. How wonderful for you to meet these women you admire.

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  19. Oh that is sooooo awesome! Hope you all have a fabulous day! Cant wait to see the pictures!( Because they have to meet George and Alan! LOL)

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  20. Funny how fate happens. Lucky you! What an amazing opportunity. Have a great time...and keep Smooch away from the wine ;)

    ~Lisa

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  21. I say how LUCKY for them!! What a wonderful day they will have.....and I am sure you are thrilled too!

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  22. Wow! Look at what you're creating. What power you have in the Universe to be drawing these magnificent women into your life, both at the same time. I can feel the energy building from here!

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  23. Hey Carson, my friend Nancy in NC has been trying for 2 yrs to get me to read Bad Girl Creek. She said it was a great story.I just called her to see if she saw todays post and told her about it.also told her that if she would have told me the last sentence in the first chapter ended with "you think a bale of hay will fit in the trunk of a jag" i would have been all over it 2 years ago.Hope you have a fabulous time as i'm sure they will.

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  24. I can't believe what a charmed life you lead! JoAnne Mapson has been one of my fav's since I first stumbled upon _Bad _Girl Creek several years ago! (I can't figure out how to underline the title.) Hope ya'll have a great visit. I can just see George & Alan as being characters in an upcoming novel!

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  25. Hope you have a fantastic day with the ladies! I'll have to check both of their books out - I'm all about fabulous women writing about fabulous women!

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  26. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!! *freaking out!!* THAT IS SO COOL! Oh what I would GIVE to be in your shoes!!
    I'm just going to totally freak out for you. YOU HAVE TO TELL US ALL ABOUT IT. Right now!! lol
    I can't wait. Totally awesome!!

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  27. How exciting! I've read a couple Judith Hendricks books, working on The Baker's Apprentice right now. I'll have to try a Mapson book soon too! Can't wait to read all about it!

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