The Bright Lights Book Project is a member of the Palmer Chamber of Commerce. Most towns have these business-related organizations. Palmer is no exception.

So today I went to the bi-weekly meeting and there met up with two friends: quilters, Susan and Jenna. We sat at the same table, and Hally who is a Kid’s Kupboard employee, joined us. It began with each organization present speaking for 30 seconds about either their organization or what their organization is doing.

Bench View

We have paired with Quilts of Valor, and on June 14 we will host a silent auction. Quilts of Valor will auction off quilts for veterans, and The Bright Lights Book Project will auction off theme baskets with books. I’m going to make a dog basket. Pete is put together a hanging basket with flowers.

When I spoke about the BLBP, I made a blunder and said that we’ll be at Friday Fling starting on May 23. What I didn’t say was that we’ll have a booth next to the Palmer Historical Society. Well, the woman in charge, she came up to me as the keynote speaker was talking, and said that we might have a free site on May 16. I thought this was the end of it, but apparently not. She sent me an email and left a phone message saying that we are not getting any spots at Spring Fling, but that we could be put on a one-site wait list.

This of course got me thinking about how some people are quick to make sure that the rules are adhered to. They can only think inside the box because here there are (presumably) absolutes.

I tend to think outside the box, so I often clash with such people. Well, we got our space by the Palmer Museum, and so all is well.

And if this wasn’t enough – we were, at 15 minutes to the top of the hour, told we’d be having a round table session. And so an older fellow, a board member with a very friendly expression, he comes and sits with us six woman. Survey forms had been left on tables. They disappeared at the conclusion of the get together. I think Mr. Friendly face took them.

The very far ranging conversation eventually got some nibbles when the group began talking about the use of AI. I stayed quiet and listened. Most found AI to be helpful with their businesses. Finally, after considerable discussion I first clasping my hands together, looking heavenward, and then said “This is a Godsend!”

Those who extolled AI’s virtues didn’t know that a Ph.D. with a specialization in the writing process was sitting amongst them. And the truth be known, I didn’t know any of them.

The story is in the telling. I continued to smirk, and smirked the entire way home.

I hope the pendulum swings the other way politically – and that AI goes down with it. This is a good thing to hope for.

Next: 133. 5/15/25: The Day after the Day Before