Yes, I am aware that Howard Days was two weeks ago. I’m a little behind on posting.

This year’s theme was the 40th Anniversary of Howard Days. The guest of Honor was Rusty Burke, who essentially founded Howard Days when he organized a trip to Cross Plains for a group of fans. Things have grown a little bit since then.

Rusty has had some health issues the last couple of years. It was good to see him back and participating, although at a more subdued level. On a sad note, regular attendee Lee Breakiron passed away a few months ago. He was missed.

West, West, and Waltz, three rogues without blades.

I stayed at the Flagship Inn on Lake Brownwood again. It’s less than half an hour from Cross Plains. David J. West was in San Antonio  doing some work and came up for th weekend. I had two beds in my room, so I told him he could crash with me. We had some great conversations. It was great to see you again, David.

This year, for me at least, was basically a relaxacon. There was no drama that I was aware of, something Mark Finn confirmed at breakfast on Sunday morning.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the primiere of Battleborn magazine. Sean CW Korsgaard was there, and he made a special trip Friday night to Fort Worth to pick up print copies so he could launch the magazine at Howard Days. I’m almost fiinished reading it. Look for a review sometime in the next week.

The docents and the good folks at Project Pirde did their usual excellent job making us feel welcome. The attendance was large, which is good. Many of the attendeees were first-timers. Hopefully, they will become regulars.

The Cross Plains Review once again had some of the best swag, with two new tee shirts.

Bill “Indy” Cavalier, Mark Finn, Rusty Burke, Chris Gruber, Your Intrepid Blogger outside the Howard House.

It was good to see old friends again. Some I don’t get to see except at Howard Days. Who am I trying to kid? Most I don’t get to see except at Howard Days. I really needed that down time with my people. It’s been a rough year in some ways, with not enough down time to read, write, or just hang with people who are into the same kinds of things I am.

I spent too much money at the auction Friday night, the Robert E. Howard Foundation Press table, and at Jason M. Waltz’s table.  Plus t he guys selling the Moorcock books.

And I regret nothing.

On an unrelated topic, peanut butter is quite nutritious,

Dave Hardy, Adrian Simmons, and Mark Finn laughing it up and having a good ole time.

I haven’t been on the bus tour in years. Mark Finn is leading it these days.  I thought about going just to refresh my memory, but with so many first-timers going on the tour, I passed this year. Instead, I went to the post office for the cancelation.  Then I headed to the newspaper to see what they had.

I didn’t go to all the panels. As I said, I preferred to stick around the pavilion and hang out with folks.

Jason M. Waltz, Sean CW Korsgaard, and Dave Hardy, probablly plotting to invade Cisco or something.

There was the annual Saturday night poetry reading ont he front porch of the house. Folks stuck around the Pavilion for a while and visited. Everyone who was left on Sunday morning met at Mexico City Cafe for breakfast. Mark Finn made the case that Howard Fandom is a cult, something that had been a topic of conversation off and on all weekend.

It was a great Howard Days. I’m already looking forward to next year.