The Pioneer Woman Comes to Town

In browsing my feed reader hungrily on Monday, I happened to see the The Pioneer Woman would be making a trip to Arkansas on Monday night. To Wal-Mart of all places. I guess all the bookstores here didn't seem like a big enough venue.

I called Tim to make child arrangements, and asked my mother in law if she wanted to come with me. I made sure that I didn't need a ticket and high-tailed it out of the office at 4 on the dot. I ran home, got ready and got to Wal-Mart by 5. When I got out of my car, there was another lady in her van across form me testing out her camera. That's a sure blogger sign. Alone in a van with a big camera...

When I got in, there were only 20 people in line. By the time I paid for my cookbooks, another 10 had queued up, and I got in line to wait beside some delightful faux leather mens coats. By 5:30 the line was down the aisle, and the look on people's faces when they went to take their place was priceless.  Who knew there were so many blogger and blog readers in Arkansas? I normally feel alone in my crazy compulsion to over share with the internets, but about 400 people showed up who share my hobby and hugged cookbooks to their chests in anticipation of meeting a blogging superstar.

The line eventually stretched around the entire store.

We had a roaming, surprise guest. Marlboro Man took pictures and signed the picture of his own butt that is the last page of the cookbook.

My Mother in Law had no idea who these people where, but Marlboro Man made her swoon a little. My Father in Law roamed the store and was chief picture taker. By 6:45 we finally made it to the front of the line.

I gave Ree a magnet and told her who I was.

A long time ago, I did some blog reviews for a now defunct site. One of my last reviews was of Ree's early Blogger site. I gave her some ideas for things that I thought would make her site better, and she took them to heart. She decided to move to a Typepad blog, and she and corresponded for several weeks about the mechanics of it, and she let me look at the early prototype. A year or so later, she moved to the platform she's on now, and got a new fancy design and exploded all over the internet with her fabulousness. I was proud and honored to have offered my assistance in same way.

She remembered who I was, or played a good game acting like she did. She signed my cookbook and one for a Christmas present, and we parted ways. My Mother in law had three to sign, and we left. I felt terrible for those folks 400 back, some with 5,6 and even 10 cookbooks. Ree stayed until the last cookbook was signed. That is pure graciousness and is why Ree is such a hit. That kindness and love for her readers shines through in whatever she does.

Comments

[Carrisa]

You are lucky. I was the very last person in line here in Tulsa. It did give me more time to chat her up though! And my husband designed a poster and bookmarks for the event so it was fun to have something to give her.

[Angela]

I remember meeting her at BlogHer 2007. She is SO awesome. I have the cookbook but no sign of her coming here. You met Marlboro Man too - that is so cool!!!!

And man, you are looking ABFAB!!! You didn't need to but it looks like you've lost a ton of weight. What is your secret?!

[SJ]

I really should have gone to her book signing in Denver! Glad you found out in time to go see her and get your photo taken with her (you are looking gorgeous girl!) and get some of her books signed. And the Marlboro Man?

*swoon*

I'm so glad I got to see him in person, with my own eyes in Chicago! How cool though of him to be there to sign his butt!