"Climate is what we expect. Weather is what we get." ~ Mark Twain

We have been in Florida for nearly two weeks now, and I can tell you that most days have not looked like the photo above. Gray skies, rain, and cool temperatures have been the norm, but believe me, I am not complaining. When I think of what folks at home (and beyond) have been coping with, I know that there is no room for whining! Warmer temps and clearer skies are forecast.

I have been so busy completing a project that I really have not noticed it much. Now that the project is complete, and out of my hands - literally - I am beginning to give thought to other things. I have gathered with my Florida knitters a couple of times now, and it is so good to see them all, and to catch up on what has been going on since last spring. Same thing with condo friends. It does not take long to slip back into the rhythm of Florida life!

I have a couple of knitting projects waiting for me, and a few new books to read. Below is the schedule for the 2018 Book Mania event. This is always high on my list of things to do while here, even though it seems that I often miss it. I am hoping that I won't this year! I am currently listening to one of the books, have placed a hold on another, and am expecting a third in today's mail (the wait list at the library is so long for this book, I don't imagine that it will make it to me till next winter).

So, there is much to do, even if the weather does not cooperate!

The Martin County Library System is excited to announce the guest author list for its annual BookMania! festival on March 3, 2018 at the Jensen Beach High School Performing Arts Center. Authors will participate in one of multiple panel discussions featuring prominent and emerging writers as follows:

9:15am-10:00am Know Your Body, Know Your Food - Inez Frid
James Hamblin: If Our Bodies Could Talk
Larry Olmsted: Real Food, Fake Food

10:30am-11:15am A Dogs Tale - Jackie Williams
Maria Goodavage: Secret Service Dogs
David Rosenfelt: Collared

11:45am-12:30pm All in the Family: Writing Teams - Joanna Campbell Slan
Liv Constantine (Lynne & Valerie Constantine, sister team):  The Last Mrs. Parrish
Charles Todd (Charles & Caroline Todd, son/mother team): The Gatekeeper

1:15pm-2:00pm The Spy Next Door: True Tales of Espionage and Intrigue - Luann Justak
Eva Dillon: Spies in the Family
Paul Kix: The Saboteur
Michele Rigby Assad: Breaking Cover: My Secret Life in the CIA

2:30pm-3:15pm Relationships in History: Then and Now - Edie Donohue
Jamie Ford:  Love and Other Consolation Prizes
Kate Quinn: The Alice Network
Lisa Wingate: Before We Were Yours

3:30pm-4:15pm On the Edge of Your Seat - Paula Hundt
Rene Denfeld: The Child Finder
A.J. Finn: The Woman in the Window
Anne Hillerman: Song of the Lion

Now in its 24th year, this prestigious literary event is free and open to the general public. BookMania! is sponsored by The Library Foundation of Martin County, Inc.