New camera

I bought a Canon PowerShot A720 IS camera at a low price plus I received a $30 gift card with purchase. I have been trying for several months to buy it but it has not been available. The lens and pixels are not much more than my current camera, Canon PowerShot A 540, but it has an Image Stabilizer.

The Great Ice Age Floods Elderhostel 2008

Elderhostel.org is again offering "The Great Ice Age Floods: Nature's Power and Beauty in Northwestern Landscapes" Program Number: 9695RJ from August 3 - 8, 2008, beginning and ending in Spokane, Washington. Travel is by comfortable coach. Itinerary: Spokane, WA, 2 nights; Moses Lake, WA, 1 night; Walla Walla, WA, 1 night; Spokane, WA, 1 night. All accommodations are in comfortable hotels with private baths. This is an Activity Level: 3.

On Reading Books

I picked up an interesting bookmark at the 24th Annual Miami Book Fair International November 4-11 from the National Endowment for the Arts: "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them" - Ray Bradbury.

Miami Book Fair International - Day 11

Tuesday, November 13 – I caught the Super Shuttle at 3:00am but it was nearly 4:00am before we were on our way to Miami Airport. I flew to Portland International Airport via Chicago. The seat belt sign was on almost the entire flight from Chicago to Portland. We were jolted around almost continuously. I will NEVER fly coach again! I arrived at PDX about 12:30pm. It was very cold standing outside the terminal waiting for my ride but I was so glad to be home again!

Miami Book Fair International - Day 10

Monday, November 12 – Even though I still did not feel well I ventured forth. I had the complimentary breakfast at Tapas & Tintos of green tea and pastry.

I caught the “H” bus north to 163rd and Biscayne Blvd. (Hwy 1). I walked north passing a market where I bought a banana. I visited The Cloisters of the Ancient Spanish Monastery at 16711 West Dixie Highway.

I explored the museum where I saw the Hymnarium, Pope’s Cabinet, and 150+-years old Chasuble. I wandered through the doors where I watched several raccoons feeding near the patio. I passed through the original iron gate that was set in front of the walls leading into the monastery. It is hand-wrought and weighs over 200 pounds. I walked through the garden taking several photos of the exterior of the monastery. I entered The Cloisters of the Spanish Monastery which is officially listed in the Register of Historical Sites. I explored the interior courtyard and The Chapel--originally the monastery refectory (dining hall). There were two large statues in the courtyard: King Alphonso VII and Alphonso VIII (grandson of Alphonso VII). I walked back to the museum where I saw two “tuxedo” cats on the patio, waiting to be fed. I was given a long-stemmed rose which I took back to my home in the Pacific Northwest.

I walked several blocks to the bus stop. I rode it to 55th Street on Biscayne Blvd. I searched for a house at 5200 Biscayne Blvd. for a Waymark Category but there was just an empty field. I rode another bus to OMNI station, and rode the Metromovers to Bayside station.

I purchased fruit & cheese plate and a drink at Starbucks at Bayside Marketplace (disappointed that they did not have any shortbread cookies). I caught the “S” bus to Lincoln Road. I wandered along the eight blocks of Lincoln Road pedestrian mall with its artist shops, art galleries, boutiques, shops and sidewalk cafes. The central mall was adorned with quirky tiled fountains. I ventured into the Britto Central Miami Art Gallery. I still did not feel well so I was glad to return to my hotel room. I ate dinner while I watched television. I finished packing and slept soundly until 2:00am.

Miami Book Fair International - Day 9

Sunday, November 11 -- I had the complimentary breakfast at Tapas & Tintos of green tea and pastry. I traveled by “C” bus to the OMNI Metromover station and rode the Metromover to MDCC.

I heard Erica Jong on “Writing for My Life” and Sena Jeter Naslund on “Marie Antoinette”. I went to the session on “The Changing Face of Journalism”. I heard Tom Hayden on “Ending the War in Iraq” and Craig Unger on “House of Bush”.

I suddenly became quite ill. I took the Metromover (I took a photo of the book fair from the platform) and “C” bus back to my hotel where I was sick for the rest of the day. Luckily my flight home did not leave until Tuesday morning.

Miami Book Fair International - Day 8

Saturday, November 10 -- I skipped the complimentary breakfast at Tapas & Tintos of green tea and pastry. I caught the “C” bus to OMNI Metromover station. At OMNI station I rode the Metromover to MDCC. I ate a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit at McDonalds.

I heard “American’s Cultural Obsession With the Law” at 10:00am, “The Making of The Joy Luck Club and its Legacy” at 11:00am, Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson in conversation at 12:30pm, Jeffrey Toobin on the secrets of the Supreme Court” at 2:00pm, and at 3:00pm “Traveling with Good Books”.

The Rock Bottom Remainders concert was held at 5:00pm at the MDCC Student Life Patio. On stage were Dave Barry, Sam Barry, Ridley Pearson, Scott Turrow, Kathi Kamen Goldmark, and other musicians and authors including Jeffrey Toobin.

After the concert I rode Metromover and then the “S” bus to Miami Beach. The traffic was so bad that I got off the bus and walked the last eight blocks to the 2007 Authors’ Party at The Raleigh Hotel, 1775 Collins Avenue. I got a chocolate chip cookie at the nearby Doubletree. The setting was beautiful at The Raleigh’s outdoor patio but not very functional. I sat with a woman from Miami Beach in small groups around a campfire and never mingled with other people much less saw any authors. I walked several blocks back to the hotel.