A Literary Evening, A Snow Flurry Morning

There's a bit of snow drifting by the window, and I am not heading down to Spartanburg Methodist College.  I've found the weather reports baffling:  one says that Arden will get 3-6 inches, one says less than an inch, while others predict a mix.  Similarly, the Spartanburg forecasts call for nothing to an ice storm that will move in this afternoon.  I decided on a better safe than sorry approach.  My students needs to get caught up; a day without formal classroom instruction will be fine.

And it will give me time to catch up too.

We were supposed to go to Bristol to help Faith Lutheran with the fish fry on Friday, but that's been cancelled.  Their forecast calls for even more snow, with temperatures getting very cold, so the snow won't be gone by Friday.  It's hard to imagine that people will want to come out through snowy streets for a fish fry.

Last night I stayed late after class for a literary event.  One of my colleagues had a chat with the author Signe Pike, who has written a series of books about little known parts of Arthurian legend, and a group of us decided to go.  I feel so lucky that I have interesting colleagues who are willing to grab a bite before a literary event.  I didn't get pictures, but our food was abundant and delicious, and it was good to get to know people better.

The talk was scheduled for 6-7 at the Hub City Bookshop, so I could stay and not get home too late.  What a beautiful bookstore!  It even has a friendly cat.

It was a fascinating conversation, and at some point when I have more time to read for pleasure, I plan to read the books.  

Author Signe Pike interviewed by Dr. Dalicia Raymond

I hadn't been to downtown Spartanburg before--what a delight!  The bookstore is beside the Little River Coffee Bar, where we had a coffee after our early dinner at Cribbs Kitchen.  

I love the shelf of mugs; the person tending the coffee bar told me that those mugs are ones that regular customers leave there.

Downtown Spartanburg has an early 80's Asheville vibe, and I mean that in the best possible way.  There are interesting shops and restaurants, with plenty of free parking.  Last night there were lots of folks out and about, including a running club that seemed to be in training for something.  It was cool, but not uncomfortable in just a sweater.

I look forward to exploring downtown Spartanburg further--I'm sure there are more treats to discover.