I left New York Monday morning for the trip up north into Providence. I had a signing that evening at the great
Ada Books.
Make that a thousand-and-one.
You know you're getting into Providence when the highway bends and all of a sudden it looks like the cover of
Animals.
Ada Books storefront
I went inside and said hi to Brent, the shopowner. I unloaded my stuff and headed into the streets in search of Chinese food.
"Like sands through the hourglass..."
I liked that hook.
Sunset window.
10¢ a ride.
The signing went great. Ada is a lovely little bookstore specializing in small press, comics, poetry, zines, used books, and other worthwhile pursuits. The shelves are all custom made and wrap around the cozy space organically. And always good music playing. I picked up a copy of Charlotte Chandler's I, Fellini on my way out. I was driving up to the Boston area for my next couple signings.
Made it up to Waltham, where I was staying with the artist/educator
Cara Bean. Tuesday I dropped in to her "Comics Club," at the nearby high school where she teaches. I talked to the kids about finding your way as an artist. And they actually listened. I think.
That night was a signing in the local indie bookshop,
Back Pages. Cara had rallied the troops and a lot of folks showed up. It was a great little event.
Lo and behold, my old friend Dan, from
Kilgore Books and auteur behind the upcoming
King-Cat documentary turned up in the audience! We went up to Cara's afterwards and had tea. A nice surprise.
Everytime I saw this bear under the table I thought it was cat. That's my knee in the foreground. Cara has gessoed her tabletop and has visitors add little drawings to it when they come through.
Just so you know folks, this is the kind of thing I have to put up with on the road. It's not all just fun and games.
The next evening I drove to Harvard Square in a DOWNPOUR for the last signing of the tour, at
Million Year Picnic. Owner Tony Davis is one of the coolest dudes in comics, and it was fun hanging out in his kooky amazing shop while buckets fell down outside.
Then, to bed, for an early rise in the morning. I was heading back home, and it was about time.
NEXT: The Long Journey Home
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