NUDITY AT THE BOOK FAIR

Darlene Miller was one of the many great authors I met at the Reader's Oasis Bookstore in Quartzsite Arizona. She was a great gal and her series of books, "RV CHUCKLES AND CHUCKHOLES" definitely brought plenty of smiles to the book browsers ... and buyers.

I was drawn to Stu Campbell's table because he had a hat bigger than  mine. His "voice " in the series of short stories about cowboy life in Colorado is as true to life  as his stories.  A humorous look at the western side of life, I found his book "HORSING AROUND A LOT"  not only funny but made me feel like in was in the saddle riding along. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. He has a new book coming out, "COMEDY IN THE CORRAL."

I also was privileged to meet author Joesph L. Gerard. I purchased his book "FLIGHT  FROM TOKURA. " which has been optioned by The Disney Studios for a movie, based on his war experiences.
Sandra Moore Bernsen was another author who wrote about her tragic but inspiring life after she lost her two sons, her husband, her mother and even a dog all within  a short span of two years.
And Debbie Hilbish, last but not least, was a resident and the hostess for the Book Fair. Thank you Debbie! Her books of poetry, "BITS AND PIECES"  and "LIFE DREAM COLLISIONS" are beautifully illustrated.

There were many other authors that came and went the ten peak days of the Quartzsite phenomenon that I didn't get to meet.

A peek inside the Readers Oasis Bookstore. A real book oasis in the desert  and a real peek at the owner! I wanted to spend hours browsing the thousands of old books but had to stay at my table and greet the many visitors.

People came for the books but also to see Paul Winer the bookstore owner reknown for being the "Naked Bookstore Owner." 

There is another "side" to Paul Winer besides the obvious. In his younger life Paul was a male stripper in Canada and the US who performed boogie woogie music and was known as "Sweetie Pie." 

At the community center in Quartzsite,  I attended one of his two performances. Fully attired, in fact, changing costumes constantly he entertained to a sold out crowd.. The highlight of his performance was when he dedicated a song he had written ( He is a poet and song writer as well) to his mom and dad in the audience. They were 93 and 97 years of age and had never seen him perform. It brought tears to the sold out crowd of 900 people.

WANDERINGS IN REVIEW OF 2011

The Zions in Utah!! Are they the most majestic? "Aye No Mas"

How could it get any better than this! This is why I love RVing. In one year, I can have all these views from my living room window. Or I can wake up to scenery that is so majestic, serene, and beautiful that I hold my breath and whisper," Aye No Mas!"
Translated, " It can't get any better than this!"
And yet in the life of an Rver , surprise and amazement! It does. Just down the road , just around the bend there will be an unimaginable delight.  

Jackson Lake, Utah in the morning. The most serene place in the world?

Yellowstone! Or is this the most serene?

Wyoming's Yellowstone. Or this?

 Mt. Rushmore. How could this NOT be impressive?

Durango, Colorado. A real cliffhanger!

Canyon De Shelly, New Mexico. Feeling on top of the world!

Canyon De Shelly . Same place.Feeling small.

Morro Bay, California. No this is the most serene!

Gajome Campground, near Camp Pendleton, Southern California

AND YET ANOTHER BOOK SIGNING WITH A NUDIST BOOKSTORE OWNER!

You can't miss this one!! No way! The little town of Quartzsite, Az. has a world renown bookstore,, Reader's Oasis, owned by Paul Winer. Paul is a nudist who on any given day dons only a hat, sunglasses, sandals, and a pouch over his privates.
Authors from The Penwheels, an RV writing group, are hosting a book signing on Wednesday, Jan. 25th. I have been invited to participate and you can bet I would not miss an event like this to add to my resume! I hear he poses for photos with the ladies and I'll post mine on my next blog. So stay tuned.
Quartzsite, Az. is only 200 miles from the Inland Empire and known for attracting over a million RVers to its small township during the month of January. The attraction is not only Winer's Readers Oasis Bookstore, but the desert community has earned the reputation of being  the largest swap meet in the country.
So make a day trip on Wednesday, the 25th. Make the bookstore a must see and bring your walking shoes to cover the acres of tents with treasures from sandals to sunglasses and gems to junk.
SEE YOU THERE!

MEET 'n GREET THE AUTHORS in SUN CITY

MARK YOUR 

CALENDARS!!

FOURTEEN AUTHORS TO MEET AND SIGN THEIR BOOKS.

10:00 AM TO 2PM

THIS SATURDAY, JAN. 21ST

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Sportster and I want to thank everyone who crossed our paths this wonderful and exciting  year. You all contributed to my inspiration and success on my new journey as an author. The reviews are beginning to come in and they are five star!

Words cannot express what I am feeling this year as I review 2011.The adventures I experienced, the scenery that stirred me somewhere deep, and the friends I have formed will all live in my heart.

And now I am eager for 2012 as we all venture forward  with so much to share.My goal this year  is to inspire courage in others through my seminars and workshops that they too may share their stories and adventures with .family,  friends and perhaps the world.
So join Sportster and me  as we grab 2012 by the wheel and step on the accelerator.I hope to see you all in the new days to come and meet your friends and family as well.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Judy Howard
www.sportsterandme.com

PEOPLE ALONG MY PATH IN 2011

My sister, Sandy and my nephew, Shanan  are having a moment at the Elfin Forest near Morro Bay, Ca. Shanan who was doing a major remodel on a home in Cayucus when Sandy and I stopped to visit him.
Sahnan became our tour agent of the area: The Elfin Forest, Montana De Oro State Park, of course The Rock, as well as the touristy town of Cambria are wonderful memories.

Just one of the  Writing Workshops I performed at the Escapade RV Rally in Gillette Wyoming. These are the students who inspired the teacher and encouraged me along the Road of  Writing.

My friend and unpaid editor, Vicki Andreotti and her Min Pin, Tika are demonstrating the doggie self wash in Buffalo, Wyoming. The business was partnered with a car wash, an RV wash, and laundromat. What an enterprise.

We traveled through the summer, as we caravaned across Wyoming, into South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and finally parting ways in Laughlin, Nevada. We created lasting memories and a solid friendship.

I

My  65th birthday at Red Robin with my employees earned me the paper napkin rose in my hand. It was crafted by the 30 year old manager that now as  an o official senior,  I had the liberty to  flirt with. At the age of 65 I am  no longer pathetic but just  a cute old lady.

Only a small sampling of the Shanty Shakers, an Escapee Chapter out of San Diego, Calif. We are enjoying happy hour in Gillette, Wyoming before we all head out to dinner. Of all places , after traveling over 1200 miles, we had dinner that night at Kentucky Fried Chicken.The food was great and the price was right!

Our trip to the Wellbourn Gourd Farm.
This was so much fun. Decorating our gourds.

SPORTSTER REMEMBERS 2011

I remember Deer Creek State Park just outside of Heber City, Utah. The reservoir was nestled in  Provo Canyon  and surrounded by the Rockies.  We left this beautiful place the next day to see the "Heber Creeper" another name for the Heber Valley Historic Railroad.

I remember the creatures that lurked deep in the  Utah dirt .

I was always on alert for new adventures.

I remember this was taken in Evanston,Wyoming. The town was  founded during the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad. That Blue Jay  in the tree told me the Phillips Ranch Rv Park  has been owned and operated by the Phillips family since 1936. The Phillips family claim this is the last stop before Zion and Yellowstone.

I saw a bear in Zion!

Ahh! My friend Tika! I had missed her. She and her Mom,Vicki, met up with us in Colter Bay Village in Mt. Zion.another great campground with plenty of forest to explore.  She told me she would help me get that bear.