Today is my father's birthday, and he's celebrating up in heaven. I was chatting with a friend of mine earlier and mentioned the significance of the day, and we got to joking back and forth about our fathers connecting up in heaven.

My dad liked to brag about his children. Apparently, her dad did, too. Before long we had an entire scenario going with one father attempting to out-brag the other. My editor reminded me recently that the first house number for the Cedar Cove series - 6 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD - was chosen because Dad's birthday fell on the 16th of April. Happy Birthday, Dad!

I'm taking lunch over to my cousin Shirley this morning. She had hip replacement surgery and sounded a little down when I spoke to her earlier. You might remember Shirley, the former nun who inspired my book, CHANGING HABITS. She is such a fun person. You can't be around Shirley and not laugh. I tried a new recipe last night (cabbage and sausage stir-fry) compliments of reader Cindy Thornlow, and it was great. We're sure to eat and laugh our way through lunch.

I promise you this has nothing to do with the fact that I no longer have any discernable fingerprints. My walking partner, Martha Powers, who writes wonderful suspense/mysteries, is chin deep in plotting this week. As we rounded the park track this morning, we were bouncing ideas back and forth. I did notice, however, that several people who generally stop long enough to say hello kept their heads down and gave us a wide berth. Interesting! I wonder if they feared we might be talking about them . . .

I could take up a life of crime. I won't, but the idea intrigued me when I was recently fingerprinted. I'll bet I have your attention now. I signed up for the new security clearance program offered at the Orlando Airport, which will soon spread across the country. Once inspected, fingerprinted and cleared, I won't have to wait in those long security lines. Only guess what? Because of all the years of pounding away on computer and typewriter keys, I no longer have discernable fingerprints. I can't get clearance through this new program as a result. No fingerprints. Unbelievable. I don't think I'll ever look at a bank vault the same way again.

I was in my element this Easter; back in Port Orchard in my big, family-style kitchen with my shelves of recipe books. I cooked all morning on Saturday, getting ready for the feast that evening, along with the Easter Egg Hunt for the grandkids. Everyone had a fabulous time and a wonderful dinner, including homemade Boston baked beans and two different kinds of potato salad. Easter morning we worshiped together at church as a family . . . and really, isn't Christ's death and resurrection what Easter is all about?

Wayne and I flew back to Port Orchard today to spend time with our kids and grandkids for Easter. It's so good to be home.

It's amazing how much things can change in a few months. We're planning to build a garage, so we had some trees cut down in our absence. It opens up our yard so much it's barely recognizable. It's going to be much harder to hide Easter eggs this year!

Wayne and I are in the Florida Keyes with our daughter, Jody, and her two children, Jazmine and James. We've had some incredible experiences. We saw a manatee in the wild, up close and personal. What a wonderful creature! There is nothing wrong with being large, as manatees will testify.

We also went to an alligator farm and took a ride on an airboat. I was looking for Horatio (from CSI Miami) the whole time!

Thursday we're heading home for Seattle to spend Easter with our grandkids - Wayne and I are both badly in need of a grandkid fix. It'll be nice to see the kids, too! If I don't write before Easter, have a blessed Easter, everyone!