Pasadena’s a fair distance from my house, and traffic’s horrendous. So I rolled up to my sister Coral’s house at 2:00, which allowed us plenty of time for a leisurely dinner before Wednesday’s book event at Vroman’s Bookstore.
We ate at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles–a legendary, ultra-popular hangout, I’m told, but that didn’t matter to us. Nope, we were there for the food. We spent a lot of time in the South, you see, at roadside diners and church suppers. Grits. Crisp-fried chicken breasts served with home-baked biscuits. Waffles, cooked in a waffle iron, slathered in butter and drenched in syrup. Mmm…Southern Cooking’s one of my favorite rest stops along Memory Lane! Would the food cooked at this Pasadena diner taste anything close to what I remember eating Way Back When?
Sue Ann ushered us to our seats. A sassy contralto, she moved to Hollywood to pursue a dream with Motown. Private gigs and oil painting–those are her main interests now, but she pours her heart and soul into waitressing, too. When I asked her to recommend her favorite menu items, she looked for all the world like I’d asked her the silliest question. She planted one hand on her hip and positioned the other behind her tilted head. “Girl, I like all of it! You know I didn’t get this sexy eating lettuce!” So as you can see in the picture below, we ended up sampling a little bit of everything. Also…see the radiant smile on my sister's face? More about that later.
Sue Ann kept refilling our coffee cups, and it wasn’t long before we were swapping stories about church picnics, soul food, and All Things Southern. “By the time you leave here, you’re gonna have that chicken glow about you,” she said. And herein lies the secret to Roscoe’s popularity: "Chicken glow" is a reflection of the love with which Roscoe's prepares and serves their food.
Like Luz (and so many other friends I've encountered along the way), Sue Ann blessed us with Light. I'm basking in it here…
…and reflecting it here.
With full hearts and stuffed bellies, we headed off to Vroman’s for the DEAR BULLY event. It drew people of all ages–people who understand the importance of this project and who relate to the issue of bullying, from whatever perspective, and for whatever reason. All 50 seats were filled, and an overflow crowd spilled into the aisles, leaned against bookshelves, and perched on nearby tables.
Connie (the event coordinator, bless her generous heart!) started us off by introducing the author panel. Here we are, left to right: me, Amy Goldman Koss, Cecil Castellucci, Lisa Yee, and Nancy Holder. We read our stories. We talked about the unique vantage points from which we experienced bullying. We showed off our Circle of Caring bracelets, paid tribute to friends who've helped us along the way, and talked about different paths we took, on the journey from darkness into light.
We listened, and we answered questions. And as with the book event in Santa Monica, some of the best parts of this experience occurred in one-on-one conversations beforehand and afterward, with my co-contributors and members of that audience.
Again and again, DEAR BULLY's message rang out: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. “You’ve found your tribe,” suggested in a previous post. I do believe I have.
You had me at Roscoe’s. I love it there!
But especially YAY on your event and what you all are doing.
This makes me so happy, Melodye. You and your courageous heart brought you to this point where you’re living your life on your terms, surrounded by the many who care.
Your kind words make *me* happy. :And more than a little bit teary-eyed.
You know that phrase, “Joy in the Morning”? I feel so much that it’s my story, encapsulated in a single phrase. I’m blessed beyond measure, and I’m grateful.
Oh boy, Melodye, you had me tearing up and drooling too with your Roscoe description. And wow. You sure do spread the love around, my dear friend! (But I already knew that) xo
If/when you come visit, we’ll visit Roscoe’s together. Wouldn’t that be fun? I’m smiling at the very thought. Oh, and hey, do you like grits? Because we didn’t order any, and now I’m regretting that, big time…
As to your very sweet comment–back at you. xoxo From farm to table, food offers us so many wonderful life metaphors. That’s what I think, anyway. For example: The work you’re doing to help promote sustainable farming & locally grown crops. What better way to nourish ourselves, while also nurturing Mother Earth?
Happy Birthday!! (I don’t really use LJ anymore but I log in to check communities and read friends pages and saw this alert in my messages. I thought it would make you smile this weekend!! Hope all is well with you.)
Well, hi there! You’re absolutely right: I have a big ol’, bright-wattage smile on my face right now. Thanks for stopping by–being surrounded by friends & loved ones is the best b’day present possible.:)
Hope it sincerely was a good day for you. Take care! 🙂
I LOVE your story about Sue Ann. Love love love it. And am now dreaming, again, of chicken and waffles. 🙂 (We had chicken last night, though. My husband picked it up so I wouldn’t have to cook. Mmm mmm good!) Happy weekend!
I’m glad you enjoyed meeting Sue Ann & visiting Roscoe’s with me. Joyful experiences are even more delicious when shared, can I get a witness? =:)
Your husband sounds like a keeper! Cooking=love, manifested, but to my mind, take-out’s even better.
This made me sooo hungry!!!
Loved seeing you again & hope we gig together again soon. Meet you at Rosco’s next time!
xo
Amy
Amy~My pleasure, truly! I hope you’re feeling much better by now…how selfless, that you came to the event & gave your all, even when you weren’t feeling 100%. You inspire me.
(YES, Roscoe’s next time! Hope that “next time” comes soon…)
Beautiful! You and your sister both glow – chicken or not.
But now I’m hungry…..
May I offer you some leftover chicken? Oh, and I’ve got birthday cake, if you’d like some…
🙂
Looks like a great time! But, who will break it to Sue Ann that Motown is in Detroit? 🙁
It was a tasty experience, start to finish.
Ha, good point. I think she meant she was pursuing the Motown sound, more than the actual location. I only regret that I didn’t ask her to sing for/with me!
I absolutely love reading your stories from the book tour, Melodye. 🙂 You really are just such an inspiration and such an amazing person. I’m so glad that so many others are getting a chance to see that as you share your story. I truly do admire you very, very much.
And I’ve always *loved* the fried gizzard plate at Roscoe’s… always order that when I’m there. 🙂
I thought about ordering the gizzards, but I love chicken livers way more. Gizzards are a bit rubbery for my taste, but hey, deep fat frying makes just about anything more tasty.
Wish you could’ve been there, Kevin. Maybe next time…:)
LOL… deep fat frying definitely makes everything more tasty. lol…
I would love to come to the next one. I will hopefully (fingers crossed) not be flat on my back with the plague. Just let me know because I’d love to be there!
Very cool, in so many ways 😀
I hope your day (today) is filled with joy and light and warmth…you give so much, Melodye, and I hope your birth day returns all of that to you tenfold!! Love and HUGS 😀
*revels in this birthday gift*
Thanks, Robin. You put a million bucks in my back pocket. I treasure our friendship.
I really should try that restaurant sometime. The food looks good!
Isn’t Vroman’s a cool bookstore? I like to visit it when I’m in the area.
Have a “joyous” birthday! :>)
You really should, Christine! They have several locations–I hear President Obama hit the L.A. Roscoe’s a week ago. 🙂
I’ve never been to Vroman’s before, but I’ll definitely go back. It’s very cool.
And last but not least, thanks so much for the birthday wishes. xoxo
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dearest most loving Melodye,
Happy birthday to YOU!
I hope you’re having a sunny, laugh and love-filled day in SoCal. Sending love and hugs from the other side of the Rockies….
My b’day was wonderful, start to finish. Thanks for helping to make it so.
As for the birthday song…such a lovely, fun gift! I’m happy to sing back-up and/or accompany you on my tambourine…We need to liven up this place, and I have a feeling that’d do it.