'UP NORTH" TO HORIZON BOOKSTORES

My husband Murray and I took a weekend trip to northern Michigan to sign novels at the Horizon bookstores. “Up-north” is gorgeous with its deep green forests and charming lake towns. Although I was nervous, with Murray’s support and terrific sense of direction, I was able to be open to the experience and had a validating, satisfying time.

The Cadillac Horizon is a renovated, pleasant and roomy bookstore with tables and comfortable chairs. Employees Mary and Casey were welcoming; Mary served me a low calorie, iced mocha coffee that alone is worth the trip to Cadillac. Due to an art fair, the store was quiet. However, a few visitors did wander in. I visited with a “biker” whose husband was canoeing the Pine River and told her about Sparrow’s trip on the Pine. A mother and daughter attending a family reunion listened in the background. A gregarious glass frame salesman, on vacation stopped to chat. All three purchased a novel.
Because most of the people who came in purchased a book, Mary, Casey and I agreed we’d done well. I told them that I’d let them know if Cadillac’s sales beat Traverse City’s. Mary said that after three were sold to hide the novels. We laughed; fat chance of that.

Traverse City Horizon is situated in the heart of the historic district. It is huge with three stories and bargains in the basement. Customers were drinking coffee at sidewalk tables and milling about the store. Families with creative teenagers in tow were stopping on route to Interlochen Art Camp. Parents stopped to visit and many purchased novels. Thirteen-year-old Devyn, an aspiring writer, promised to read “Family at Booknook” and email me her thoughts. One young woman who lives in Adrian, the setting for the novel, purchased a book. A psychiatrist from California was touring the area with his Interlochen granddaughter. He and I visited about our experiences with unwed mothers.

The highlight was a brief encounter with a petite, bright-eyed woman wearing a beaded choker reminiscent of the 60s.

After reading the description, she said, “It sounds good.”

“It’s about a sixteen-year-old in the 60’s who gets pregnant and keeps her baby. Mother and daughter come of age together,” I replied.

She exchanged a knowing look with her handsome husband, then to me. “I was sixteen. My daughter is twenty-five. We had some hard times.”

I commented. “And now you’re happily married.”

“But not to the father,” she said

She has a story to tell, I thought.

This I’ve learned: If I relax and connect with people, I have a rich experience.
Oh, and Ludington State Park has picturesque walking trails around Lost Lake.
Interesting that it was the vacationers in both stores who purchased books. Perhaps they were looking for a remembrance of their trip.