Feeling literary and social

Occasionally I get a real longing to be in the world of books and among book people. I scratched that itch this week by attending the banquet of the Texas Literary Hall of Fame. My history with that movement, group, whatever, is long but spotty. I was on the first committee to choose the inductees—in 2004 the committee honored J. Frank Dobie, Elmer Kelton, John Graves, Katherine Anne Porter, Shelby Hearon, Horton Foote, Larry McMurtry, and Walter Prescott Webb. An impressive class of inductees, some of whom were honored posthumously. Since then, the Hall has honored a new class every other year, though the ceremony got off schedule in 2018, postponed until 2019, and then, because of pandemic, not held again until this year. I blush—but not much—to mention that I was in the 2010 class with my good friend Jim Lee.

I chose to attend the dinner and invited Jean to go with me, partly because I thought she might find the people interesting and partly because I needed a shepherd. I went with some trepidation—I have been retired for eleven years and for the last two virtually a recluse. Would I know anybody? Would anybody know me? I was pleasantly surprised—I saw many people I knew and received lots of virtual hugs, had lots of good conversations. Jean did a masterful job of shepherding me through the crowd in my transport chair, so I could linger and visit with several. I was indeed back in the world of books.

The Hall, founded at the Fort Worth Public Library, had moved in recent years to TCU. Apparently leaving the library was not happy, but it has found a good new home at TCU under the direction of Mary Couts Burnett Library and its dean Tracy Hull. Tracy worked hard to make this dinner special so that Bunny Gardner, who started the whole thing way back when, would be glad of the move. And from what Bunny said to me, she was.

There were seven inductees—one of whom I knew from having worked with him on several books, though we did not that evening get a chance to talk, a couple of whom I knew by slight acquaintance, and one I knew by name. Jean said their acceptance speeches gave her new insight into writers, their passions, and their frustrations. If you’re interested in books, particularly Texas books, I would urge you to watch for the 2024 dinner.

My interest in the Hall of Fame is renewed so that I’m thinking of people to nominate and have three in mind. A friend on the selection committee tells me that those who nominate must submit a summary of the reasons an author is worthy, so there’s another project for me.

Tonight, still being social, I went to dinner with Carol, Kathie, and Subie for a belated celebration of Kathie’s September birthday and an early celebration of Subie’s December date. We went to Pacific Table, one of my favorites, but it is being remodeled, and the indoor space available was small and all hard slick surfaces—so noisy. I still say they have the best Caesar salad in town, and the fried oysters I had with it were wonderful. It was good to be together with these dear friends—obviously if we were late for a September birthday, we hadn’t seen much of each other for a while. But it was so noisy I missed much of the conversation. I did come home with a belated birthday present for my July birthday—remember those muffin tins your mom had that made cornbread in the shape of ears of corn? I know have one that makes it in the shape of saguaro cactus. Can’t wait to try it.

Came home to a houseful. Jordan and Christian were entertaining their nearest and dearest for supper. Most of the guests are people I’ve known since their high school days, so it was a delight to visit with them and catch up. Sophie of course won’t miss out on a minute of sociability, and many of the guests were her friends and fans. She went from person to person getting love. But now, she and I, the old folks, are settled in the cottage.

This social life is too exhausting for me. No, not really. I enjoyed it

Me and Christian 
at theier dinner party