One of my favorite community things is Open Mike Night at the Round House Cafe, a monthly gathering for musicians, poets, writers and singers to come and share their work. Tonight, some of Scott Carrino’s staff were sick, he asked if Maria and I could help, so we rushed over and helped set up the tables. Maria worked the cash register, I served the food from the kitchen and then read from my new book “Saving Simon,” and also read a poem from the blog, “To Scott and those who hurt: You don’t have to be good.” This was the first Open Mike Night of the season, so things were a bit chaotic, but some fine singers and musicians turned out to perform, it was a beautiful example of community happening. My small town, Cambridge, N.Y., is much about community, something I often resisted in my life.

Scott was amazed at how quickly Maria adapted to his new computer/inventory/cash register, she is not intimidated by much these days.