Teardrop Trail Log: June 17, 2016

One of the best parts about writing a book is getting out, meeting the people and sharing their  experiences. Canning, Pickling and Freezing with Irma Harding reached a wonderful group of folks who have a connection to the subject of preserving food. I also enjoy hearing people share their personal family stories about relatives who canned as well as how they started preserving food. Octane Press, the publisher of my Irma Harding book hosts signings at each Red Power Round Up and this would be my third. I headed into the exhibition hall to don my Irma Harding apron, created with Irma Harding fabric.

       
This morning, I would be in the booth with Holly Dufek, the author of the Casey and Friends books. Her books introduce children to the world of farming through a cast of illustrated characters including Casey the farmer, Tillus the Worm and a whole team of farm equipment characters, each with their own personalities. Holley arrived and quickly put on her Irma apron.

Marilyn and Holly signing autographs at the Octane Press booth

People stopped to share their stories. Many girls thanked Holley creating Casey, a young girl who farms. Other visitors stopped by to share that their International Harvester refrigerators were still running after all these years. Several folks recounted the difficulty of getting such a sturdy (heavy) and dependable freezer out of the basement of an old farm house. Several people ask if I was Irma Harding and I had to explain that I was Irma’s ghost writer.

A little before 1:00, I left for the Main Building to share Irma Harding and Rural Electrification. The presentation provided the background for the introduction of the IH refrigeration products. I make a new presentation for each Red Power Round Up. Last year it was The Women Behind Irma Harding, that introduced the home economists who answered Irma’s mail, wrote the recipe books, ran the test kitchen, consulted with the designers and engineers on femineering design features on the appliances as well as going into the IH dealers for field demonstrations on the techniques of freezing food. More than 70 of Irma’s dedicated fans filled this audience.

The author speaks