RIVER FALLS, Part One

I was picked up at the Mpls/St Paul airport by Wanda Brown who together with her wife Phyllis Goldin have been my very good friends for years; Phyllis and I went to high school together in Winnipeg, and then didn’t see each other until the 80’s when we reconnected at a medical conference and the three of us have been fast friends since.  They visit me often, and I have been in their lovely home several times, and I’m sure we all feel as though we have an extra home in another country.  Many years ago, they came up to Victoria to get married once it became legalized (although they have now been partners for thirty-six years).  They had had a beautiful wedding in Beacon Hill Park with Reenie the dog as flower girl. 

Phyllis is a psychiatrist and a musician/composer – she is the one who wrote the little blurb on the back of my book, and composed (and performed) all the music in the two videos about the book (www.jaggedyears.ca).

As we crossed the St. Croix River, going from Minnesota into Wisconsin, Wanda explained to me that the river was the first in the US to be designated under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act as a protected river.  This was originally sponsored by then Congressman Walter Mondale who of course subsequently became vice-president of the US.  He loved the St. Croix River, which is a tributary of the mighty Mississippi.

Then we drove into River Falls, home of Wanda and Phyllis, and crossed the Kinnickinnic River – I love that name – which runs right through the town.  It is a cold water trout stream and people come from all over the world to fish there.

River Falls is a University town of about 13,000 people, half of which are university students, faculty and staff of the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Similarly to Austin being a blue dot in a red state, RF is a mecca in Wisconsin for a vibrant culture and community, the university offering such rich diversity to the town.

I learned that, unbelievingly, Spam is making a comeback.  I always thought that Spam’s sole purpose was providing Monty Python with material for jokes in the spam, spam, spam and eggs skit.  But no - Hormel, makers of Spam, is thriving in Minnesota where the company is based.  I have even been seeing bumper stickers saying "I heart spam".

It is now mating season, with Canada geese honking their little Canadian hearts out on the Kinnickinnic River.  The apricot trees are in bloom, the daffodils and tulips are up, and it is very beautiful to be here at this time of year.

The first day in River Falls, we started the morning off in what is now becoming a habit – driving early to a TV station (KARE-TV, NBC) and then waiting, waiting, waiting, for the 3 or 4 minute interview on “Showcase Minnesota”.  This time we had a real green room with coffee, a TV and other guests, most notably Kori Linae Carothers, a new age musician, who besides playing the piano, had brought some Native American flutes from the Nez Pierce tribe.  We immediately swapped a CD for a book.  She had two women with her, as I did and we all chatted amiably until Rob came in to meet me.  He was very enthusiastic about the book, and we did a good interview, again with automated cameras (no camerapersons to be seen).

We left KARE-TV and went to Common Grounds Books, Garrison Keillor’s store, where we left them a press kit and a book.

Then off to the Y where the three of us did pool exercises for over an hour.  It felt good to be back in the pool.   We stopped off at an opening art show at the gallery of a friend of W & P before picking up two friends and driving into Minneapolis where we saw “Beyond Ballroom”, a fabulous dance performance.  Apparently this company has a lot of regulars, and at intermission, people are encouraged to get up on the stage and dance.  And they did – some of them being truly magnificent dancers.  Intermission was almost as good as the show!  It was a most enjoyable evening.

Both Phyllis and Wanda went all out for the reading which took place at River Falls Public Library.  Katy, the events coordinator of the library, and a person who was unbelievably helpful and encouraging, used to be Mayor of River Falls!  The building itself was very beautiful and beside the room where I read was a gallery with kite aerial photography by Craig Wilson – quite fascinating photos from on high.

Forty-five people showed up at the reading, which was not bad considering it was a beautiful summer day, one of the first, and really, everyone should have been outside!  I was surprised and very pleased that the mayor attended.  When Wanda welcomed him, I thought she was joking! Phyllis had prepared some fabulous food for a reception so while I was selling and signing books, people were eating deviled eggs and prosciutto rolls and brownies and cookies, and any number of good things.  I think everyone was pleased with the afternoon.  And then a woman who owns the gallery we were in last night came over to say that they might want to carry the books in her store.  So it’s all good.

After a very short rest, it’s off to a party in Minneapolis.  I had purposely allowed myself a few extra days here so I could spend more time with Wanda and Phyllis, who lead incredibly active social and political lives.  So it’s a lot of fun just tagging along with them.  So I'm off tagging again to a party.