Meeting Janette Oke

It was a lovely day. Verne took me to a delicious lunch at the local steakhouse and we enjoyed delightful conversation. I love that after so many years of marriage we still have so much to talk about. After supper tonight, Autumn, Collin, Abigail, and I headed to the local library. It was advertised about a month ago that one of my favorite authors, Janette Oke, would be speaking tonight.

We arrived about an hour and a half early as we wanted to get good seats. Indeed we did. We were able to sit in the very front row! I found Mrs. Oke to be very personable.

She spoke for about 30 minutes. She told of her childhood on the prairie in Canada, growing up in a 25 x 25 foot cabin. She was one of eight children. She has four children of her own, and fifteen grandchildren.

"The value of a book is not determined by what you pay for it, but by what you gain from it."
Janette Oke, April 24, 2007

After speaking, Mrs. Oke asked if there were any questions. She patiently answered each one. Autumn and I were curious as to what she thought about the movies that are featured on the Hallmark Channel. We do enjoy the movies, but they are NOTHING like the books. I wondered how she felt about that. As avid readers, we wish that the movies were just like the books.

Mrs. Oke explained that she has no say so about what happens with the movies. Her publishing company owns all of the rights to those decisions. While she never said that she didn't like the movies, she did say, "...You just have to forget about what you have read, and enjoy it (the movie) for what it is." I found her to be wise!

When the last questions were answered, Mrs. Oke moved to a table where she was seated to sign books. She graciously signed each book that was handed to her. She took time and talked with every person who stood in line, and allowed everyone who desired to take their picture with her. We had fourteen books signed and she was thoughtful enough to write something unique in each one of them.

We had a lovely evening in our small town. I was impressed that Mrs. Oke made time to visit our tiny corner of the world. Thank you Mrs. Oke, not only for your writing, but for the lasting impression that you made upon our family tonight!