On Friday lunchtime of my Iowa book tour, I was invited to speak at a women’s lunch at Scottish Rite Park for elegant senior living. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Lots of tartan? Old men in kilts? People talking in a delightful brogue?

Actually, the Scottish Rite is a branch of Freemasonry that came from France. They “consist of the 4°–32° and an honorary 33°, which is awarded for exceptional service.” Confused? Yeah. Let’s move on.

My talk there was well-advertised by the delightful Marilyn Warling, a lady who has known me since I was eight! We began with a delicious lunch of quiche and a melon, grape, mint, and jasmine tea salad. Hmm, maybe I should go into food writing. Or not.

My table companions were delightful, and we soon discovered a common connection: Bruce Hann, a creative writing professor at Des Moines Area Community College. A couple of them taught there; I rode with him to college and he wrote one of the quotes on my book’s back cover; my mother, who was there too, was his neighbor and friend. 

After lunch, the talk began. Thirty people signed up to come, but I was encouraged to see lots of on-lookers grouped at the back of the room. After the talk and reading, there were lots of questions.

Marilyn invited us back to her room and we enjoyed a quiet talk, reminiscing. All too soon, our time at Scottish Rite was over. But, who knows? We may be back.