Overwhelmed-ville, Texas

Or maybe exhausted is a better word. Either way, I don't even know where to begin. The school visits are going swell, especially the speaking part (great sigh of relief heard ‘round the world). But that fourth one each day is a REAL push. I am pretty physically exhausted by 4:00. I drag my limp body and empty mind back to the hotel room and fall on the bed and nap for an hour. Or maybe I’m comatose—I can’t be certain.

But other than the stamina factor, I am LOVing Texas! The schools here in Katy are aMaZinG! I have serious school envy! And the school libraries! Oh my. I begin drooling every time I see one. Each of these school libraries is bigger than the library in my town. Clearly school libraries are a HUGE priority in Texas. (California—are you paying attention??)

The teachers here in Texas are pretty amazing as well. I am hugely impressed by these fun, loving, warm, firm women. I would have loved to have any one of them as a teacher when I was in grade school. I would have felt very cared for and safe, both physically and emotionally.

Also, I have to say, the Texans' idea of a small town has me laughing. It takes an hour to drive from one end of town to the other, and Katy is a “small” town. Texas-size, that is.

Have gotten exactly zero words written, so it’s a good thing I didn’t set that as a goal for myself. And tomorrow I’m off to visit Blue Willow bookstore, a legendary indie bookstore here in Texas.

Mostly just wanted you all to know I was still alive and kickin’. Well okay, drumming my heels anyway; I’m way too tired to actually kick.