Reno Phil plays Pops in the Park in Genoa on the Fourth

The Sierra Philharmonic League hosts their 27th annual Pops in the Park at Mormon Station State Historic Park in Genoa on July 4. The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra will play patriotic musical selections and TV personality John Tyson will once again narrate the Gettysburg Address. The Reno Philharmonic Chorus and the Carson Chamber Singers are also scheduled to perform. The concert starts at 4:15 p.m.

Entertainment gets underway at 1 p.m. and includes a silent auction, food, drinks, face painting, a Children's Instrument Petting Zoo and fun for the entire family. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, Theresa at 781-0150 or Brenda at 267-2403.

Writers are my weakness

Usually, I consider myself a fairly steady and collected individual, but something unfortunate happens to me when I meet someone whom I deeply admire.

I recently had an opportunity to come face to face with one of my all-time favorite authors, Pam Houston. Her impressive array of essays, short stories and novels include titles such as "Waltzing the Cat," "A Little More About Me," and "Cowboys are my Weakness" (1993 Western States Book award winner and my personal favorite). I've admired her writing for years; anyone fearless enough to navigate the dynamics of personal relationships and expose the internal dialogue we all engage in captures my heart and compels me to read more.

Houston was a panelist for the Nevada Arts Council's 2010 Artist Fellowship program. After reviews were complete, onlookers were invited to introduce themselves.

Now, here's where it gets a little funny. I am not nervous before meeting her; I am too busy imagining the impending conversation, the witty banter. I can see us sharing stories and chatting about the writing process over a cup of coffee.

Then I'm standing in front of her.

Do you think I am able to articulate to her how much I appreciate the fearlessness and honesty in her writing? How time and time again, I've read her words and laughed aloud; gleaned comfort and a sort of kinship from them? How her willingness to put it all out there inspires me to tap into my own courage as a writer?

No.

I smile simply, broadly, and slide my copy of her book across the table for her to sign. I tell her how much I love her writing. I lose any and all sense of cool I think I might be harboring. I behave ... like a fan.

There are worse things, I suppose. It would have been nice to form a sentence comprised of more than four words, but really, what does it matter? She was, of course, gracious and kind, and even posed for a photo with me. And truly, that's everything this fan could ask for.

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com