Jayne Bailey at Work
It’s not often I get to hang out with a cover girl, although now that Legendary Locals of the Long Beach Peninsula has been published, we all have that privilege more frequently than you would think! There are fifteen faces on that cover, eight of them women and, of those, five of them alive and well right here at the beach.
Today, from 11:00 to 1:00, I’ll be at Bailey’s Bakery and Café in Nahcotta. Cover girl Jayne Bailey is, of course, proprietor and ‘chief cook and bottle washer’ of that delightful establishment and she has asked me to come and sign books for her customers. She has had the book for sale since it came out in May and I understand she has only a dozen or so left. It is my hope (and no doubt Jayne’s hope, too) that she sells out today.
Jayne Bailey: Bottom Row, Second from Right
So, in the hope that an author’s signature is any kind of a draw, I’ll be there for this book signing. And happily, too. It’s not every day that I get to sign books surrounded by the glorious ambiance of baked goods and deli fare! I’m trying to convince Nyel to hang out with me and buy me lunch once the books are sold and I can devote myself to one of Jayne’s fabulous grilled cheese sandwiches.
That’s my all-time favorite lunch item at Bailey’s. But, at least when I eat it, it’s messy. In addition to the melting cheese, it has sliding avocados and tomato slices. It’s definitely not the thing to order if you are on your first date and trying to make an impression! Nor would I attempt one while there are yet books to be signed! Too much chance of yummy bits leaking onto crucial pages…
Yesterday was a record day at Jayne’s. Today will probably be another. I have been forewarned to tuck myself in wherever I’ll fit. I wish I had some kind of “book hat” so people will be able to see me. Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Parrothead hats come to mind. You know, something colorful to help a short author stand out in a crowd…
Jayne has a huge following of folks from elsewhere who are often here on holiday weekends. When we chose the date for this signing, those were the people we had in mind. But I understand that many of her local ‘regulars’ have been snapping up books, as well. Great! Come on by today for a signature. And, if she has a moment, have the cover girl, herself, sign er picture! While your’e at it, have a delicious something to nosh on! After all, it’s a holiday weekend and the calories don’t count!
I wish I could be there! I am drinking coffee out of my Bailey’s mug right now, so I am there in spirit.
Jane~Wenatchee