I've got BIG news and it this has nothing to do with the fat cells clustered around my knee cap. (FYI, my daughter suggested liposuction.)

My news has to do with Barnes & Noble. They have chosen A GOOD YARN as their on-line Book Club choice for the month of June. I'm so excited. What this means is that I'll be on-line almost every day in June to discuss the book with readers. All you have to do to join is to sign up by following the link listed below. This is going to be a lot of fun and the more the merrier. Can't wait to chat with you.

I’m off for a weekend get-away with Wayne in Las Vegas, and all next week I’ll be in New York for Book Expo America. But, I’ll stay in touch through Renate. I wish you all a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
http://educate.barnesandnoble.com/educate/bn/home/catalog/overview.jsp?productId=39405

I'm back from getting the MRI. No one told me it would take so long. I assumed I'd race in, get the X-ray, and race out. (Are you laughing yet?) First off, this isn't an X-ray and secondly . . . and this is embarrassing . . . do you realize these machines are capable of showing fat cells?!

I took a gander at the film. I have a rather attractive looking knee, I thought, but I made the mistake of asking what those clusters were all around the bone. Fat. That was rather shocking.

To complicate everything, my granddaughter Maddy is graduating from pre-school this evening and I promised to take her to Cold Stone Creamery. I might as well just apply that ice cream to my knee cap because it seems that's where it's headed.

I love Wednesdays. It's my breather in the middle of the week. This morning my daughter Jody and I are going to get our nails done, and after that I'm meeting three of my dearest writing friends for a noon plotting session. There's nothing I like better than to plot over lunch. We're meeting at my house instead of the office in order to avoid interruptions. It's a potluck, and while we're sitting in the sunshine we'll bounce ideas off one another. I can't think of a lovelier way of spending a spring afternoon.

After weeks of hobbling around (some of you may have noticed a little limping when I was at an autographing), I finally broke down and scheduled a doctor's appointment for this aching knee. I hurt it a while back and just insisted it was getting better. Well, guess what, it didn't. After a brief lecture from my favorite doctor (at least it wasn't about gaining weight!) for waiting so long, I'm scheduled for an MRI with a good likelihood of upcoming microscopic surgery. I wonder if this means a long recuperation time, lying in the sun and having Wayne fan me with huge feathers on a long pole. My guess is it doesn't. Darn . . . that's an idea that I find downright appealing.

I had two really wonderful signings this weekend. The first was in Shelton at Sage Books, which is about an hour from Port Orchard. Myra, from Fancy Image Yarn, was there with sock kits to sell. What a great combination. On Saturday I signed books at my dear friend Linda Johnson's store, Linda's Knit ‘n Stitch in Silverdale, where I purchased more sock yarn. Looks like I've got my feet covered!

Wayne and I had fun dreaming yesterday. We've been planning an addition onto our home for the last couple of years. The designs were drawn up and the permits purchased, but there were a lot of other places we wanted to put that money . . . until now. Thursday afternoon we met with a contractor and all of a sudden it seems very real. It's going to happen and I'm excited.

We have a beautiful, spacious, Tudor-style home, but unfortunately it lacks a family room. When all the kids and grandkids visit, everyone tends to congregate in the kitchen, and we're constantly bumping into each another. I'll keep you updated on what's happening, and once it's finished, I'll provide pictures.

Yesterday afternoon I had the fun opportunity to meet with 56 junior high students who expressed a desire to become writers. I wasn't sure what to expect. Both my sons are junior high teachers and they love that age group. I, on the other hand, remember what life was like when my own children hit adolescence.

To my surprise and delight, these kids were amazing. The questions they asked were thoughtful and intelligent and far deeper than what people generally want to know—where do you get your ideas? How did you start out as a writer? They wanted to know about my relationship with my editor and the most difficult part of being a writer. (The answer to that last one was easy: waiting to get paid!) With students such as these, I think the future of our country looks promising indeed.

This is a glorious day, despite the dark clouds and rain. Why, you ask? I'll be more than happy to tell you, because I have returned to my life again.

I slept in my own bed last night and came into my office with my own desk. Okay, to be fair, I couldn't see the top of my desk, but I'm working my way through the piles of mail and guestbook entries. Yes, I do read each and every one. What my readers have to say is important. And I listen. Okay, I'm getting back to work now, which really doesn't feel like work at all. It's just plain good to be home.

I'm back . . . well almost. After two glorious nights in my own bed I'm off to Bellingham, Washington, which is about a three- to four-hour drive from Port Orchard. Thankfully Wayne is traveling with me.

Speaking of Wayne . . . while I was away he bought himself an ATV for our small farm. He does this every year when I'm on tour. He can't help himself. He decides he needs something expensive like a motorcycle or a plasma television. This year it was a camouflage four-wheeler that he can use to chase after the goats and chickens and drive to collect the mail. Husbands . . . you've just got to love them.

California has been so much fun because I had a friend to pal around with. Leslee, from the publicity agency that books my tours, has joined me in San Francisco to assist me in both business and play. After two radio interviews we had a free morning, which we spent working hard . . . shopping. We visited the ferry building on the waterfront, and then Leslee led me into sin with Parisian macaroons. After the signing at Waldenbooks I was worn out and spent the evening in my hotel room indulging in another one of my passions–reading Regency romances.

I had a fabulous signing at Knitterly in Petaluma this afternoon. I have one last signing tonight at Borders and then tomorrow I head home to Wayne who, gasp, has been out shopping for toys. An all terrain 4-wheeler will no doubt be parked in the driveway when I arrive home.

Monday will be a short day in the office as I'll be heading out for Bellingham for an evening signing at Village Books. This time my media guide will be Wayne!