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Friday, June 17, 2016

Who's For Dinner with Patricia Kiyono


I love to share meals with friends and colleagues, so when Diane invited me to put together an all-star guest list for a make-believe dinner party, I jumped on board. But then I started working on this post. I could invite anyone, real or fictional, living or deceased. That’s a HUGE pool. Where would I start?



I like to laugh. I figure every party needs entertainment, so I’ll invite some clever people. I think Tina Fey is funny, and so is Jeff Foxworthy. Both of them have unique outlooks on life, and manage to express themselves eloquently without using a lot of foul language. Between the two of them we’ll all have a great time.



But two other entertainers I’ve always enjoyed are Jimmy Stewart and George Burns. I think they appealed to me because they seemed so much like regular people rather than movie stars.




I also enjoy meeting other authors. I like to find out what inspires them, especially those who have written several series of related books. I’ve devoured most of Debbie Macomber’s books, as well as Robyn Carr’s. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Robyn Carr at the Chicago Spring Fling conference last month and really enjoyed her sessions. I think it would be awesome to be able to speak one-on-one with both ladies.





Since I’m a musician, I want to be sure there’s good music. I’d love to meet Sir James Galway and his wife Lady Jeanne. Both are incredible flute players and I’d be honored if they would agree to play for us as an after-dinner treat.






Of course, I need to have my friends there, too! Writer friends, sewing friends, scrapbooking friends, school friends….hmm. I might need to stretch this out into a week-long event!


Putting together a major event is the task Rose Sheffield takes on in Searching for Lady Luck. She doesn’t have the luxury of inviting celebrities, but the town welcomes all the visitors and pitches in to help. https://amzn.com/B00JZCDY3Y

Do you like large events, or do you prefer smaller, more intimate gatherings?


Bio:
During her first career, Patricia Kiyono taught elementary music, computer classes, elementary classrooms, and junior high social studies. She now teaches music education at the university level. She lives in southwest Michigan with her husband, not far from her five children, nine grandchildren (so far), and great-granddaughters. Current interests, aside from writing, include sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, and music. A love of travel and an interest in faraway people inspires her to create stories about different cultures.



Author links:
Patricia Kiyono can be found at her website, blog, and Amazon author page. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.


41 comments:

  1. Debbie Macomber for sure. This lady remembers everyone for years. Very gracious lady and do love her books. I'd walk five miles to visit Tina Fey. I think we might need comics for presidents.

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    1. Debbie Macomber was in Grand Rapids a few years ago and I was so upset that I wasn't able to hear her! Comics as presidents would be a unique idea. Thanks for visiting, Rohn!

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    2. We had an actor for prez, why not a comedian?

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  2. What a great list of people to invite to dinner, Patty. And what a great idea for the blog, Diane. I'd love to listen in to all the conversation at the table and afterward over coffee and dessert. Patty, what would be on the menu?

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    1. Oh my, I hadn't gotten that far, Loralee! For something this big I'd imagine there would be a huge selection: chicken, fish, and beef - no fancy sauces, just lightly seasoned, a couple of seasonal vegetables, and something chocolate for dessert, And no, I wouldn't be cooking!

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    2. I wouldn't cook either, Patty. I'd want to visit with my guests and not keep running back & forth to the kitchen.

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  3. Fictional - Jake Harkner from my Outlaw series. And then I'd take him to my room afterward. !!

    For real - David Phelps - the most magnificent Christian singer ever. What a voice! Listen to him sing "HE'S ALIVE!"

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    1. I never thought about my own fictional characters. My samurai in The Samurai's Garden is based on stories I'd heard from my grandfather's ancestors, and since I'd never met my grandfather I have no idea if he's like any of them. So I guess my grandpa and his ancestors would have to be guests of honor! I'll check out David Phelps.

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  4. I want to come to your party. I'd love to be in the same room with your special guests. Can I come? Please, pretty please?

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    1. I'd love to have you there, Maris! Now all I have to do is convince all these celebrities to show up - we'd have to have pictures or film clips of Jimmy Stewart and George Burns, though.

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  5. Love your selections. I'd like to come too. I wouldn't talk much, just listen and enjoy!

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    1. I have the feeling I'd be doing more listening, too!

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  6. Patty, I love your inclusion of Sir James Galway. I used to work in a flute store with a huge mail order business. I talked to him a couple of times when he wanted sheet music sent right away for a concert. He even gave me his credit card number. LOL Very charming gentleman, in the true sense of the word.

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    1. Wow, what an honor to speak to him! I would have been too awe-struck to complete his order correctly. He's always struck me as a gentleman, and Lady Jeanne sounds like she'd be fun to know. One of my flute-playing friends from college got a Facebook friend request from her!

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  7. What a fun blog. Makes me think who I'd invite to dinner.

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    1. I'm sure Diane would love it if you'd share your choices on a Friday post, Diana!

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    2. Love to have you. The invitation is extended to everyone here.

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  8. Patty, I love your choices for dinner guests. I hope you save a spot at the table for me!

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  9. Oh how fun! Love this blog idea. :) And, I love most of your guests on the list, but I haven't heard of the flute players. I think Tina Fey is hilarious. I believe I'd want her to be her Liz Lemon personal during the dinner.

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    1. The Galways are well-known among classical music fans. You'd be amazed at the sound they get from such small instruments! Thanks for visiting.

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  10. What a delightful blog, Diane. I love Patricia's guest choices. It really got my mind working on who I'd invite. Fun!

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    1. It was fun once I started on it, Gemma. I'm sure Diane would like to know who you'd invite!

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    2. Thanks, Gemma. Come on over. Contact me at: dmburton72@gmail.com

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  11. Enjoyed your post and your list of invitees! I have a Galway Christmas cd that is played every holiday season - a long tradition in my home. Best wishes on your book release!

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    1. Thanks, Ashantay! I have that CD, too. It's a favorite!

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    2. That's one of my fav CDs, too.

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  12. sounds like a great party!
    good luck and God's blessings
    PamT

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  13. Excellent guest list! May I come? I'll even help clean up afterward. :)

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    1. Of course you're welcome to come, Marissa! I'm sure the caterers will clean up, but thanks for the offer!

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  14. I love your list, Patty! I wanna come, too! :-) I've spent the last three days at my day job planning for an all-employee meeting with a bunch of corporate leaders. I do not enjoy this part of my job. I'm too neurotic and imagine all sorts of things going wron from the sound system to having a flay tire on the way to pick up the goodies we're giving away. I think I'm developing hives. Maybe I'll just imagine I'm at your party instead. :-)

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    1. Oh my, what a headache! Yes, you're welcome to come to my imaginary party. I guarantee it will be totally stress-free!

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    2. Sounds like you need to sit down and just enjoy the dinner, Leah. Come on over.

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  15. What a fun dinner party! It's as diverse as Patricia's career and eclectic interests. I hope I can get an invite, since it looks like I know a few of the writer friends from the Mid-Michigan RWA...

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  16. I'm enjoying your dinner party blog, Diane. What fun! Some great people you invited, Patty. I think it would be a wonderful time. We all can dream, can't we?

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    1. Thanks, Lucy. I'd love to see who you would invite.

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  17. I got to see Debbie Macomber in GR a few years ago--she was fantastic. And...Jimmy Stewart! Love him!

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