Twenty-Five Years
Yesterday I celebrated 25 years with the same publisher. The thrill of the sale and publication of my first book will always be with me, even now after all these years.
What is a joy for me is to watch the many talented authors who are just starting out. One new author to watch is Geri Krotow, whose first book is currently on the stands. Look for Rendezvous To Remember, a November title from Harlequin Everlasting Love.
New York
I’m heading to New York City early Sunday morning. I love visiting The Big Apple, especially this time of year when the autumn colors are in full display and the air is crisp. It doesn’t hurt any that some of my favorite people in the whole world will be there. Naturally, I’ll squeeze in a bit of shopping and more than one fabulous dinner, and a friend managed to get us tickets to the hottest play in town—“Jersey Boys.”
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Shared Birthday
My granddaughter, Maddie, and I share a birthday, which just happened to be yesterday, October 22.
My daughter told me Maddie woke up in the wee hours of the twenty-second and with gusto shouted “I’m eight!” I’m here to tell you, my friends, I slept through the entire night and didn’t once think to toss aside my warm covers and declare to the world how old I am. It must be an age thing!
Luxury Bath
My two eight-year-old granddaughters, Maddie and Bailey, spent the night with me Saturday. Tradition insists that we take a luxury bath with bubbles, scented water, bath oil beads—the whole nine yards.
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Renaissance Yarns
Wayne is nervous, and with good reason. I’m making an appearance at Renaissance Yarns in Kent, Washington, this afternoon. Any time I’m in the close proximity of a yarn store, Wayne knows there’s trouble. I simply love to buy yarn. In addition, knitters are my kind of people. We can chat all day long. I did promise my wonderful, patient husband that I would use restraint . . . as best I could. As a reward, I’m treating him to his favorite dinner . . . in a restaurant. I don’t have time to cook–I’m knitting!
Yarn Harlot
I’ve been working on my knitting lately, finishing up a number of small projects and getting ready to knit others. I finished the socks for my son, added the fringe to an afghan I knit for my brother, did the last of the beading work on a scarf project, and finished up two hats.
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is known as the Yarn Harlot, and I know exactly what she means. I hate to admit it, but I’m one, too.
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One of Those Days
Have you ever had one of those days in which everything went wrong? And I do mean everything! That happened to Renate, my personal assistant, and me yesterday.
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Haut Chocolat
Speaking of chocolate, my friend Christina Skye brought me the most unusual chocolate I’ve ever tasted. The small Vosges Haut-Chocolat bars came with detailed instructions on how to eat, savor and enjoy this treat—I swear I’m not making this up.
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Chocolate!
I have the most wonderful readers and some of the most responsive, too. When I returned from South Bend and Knoxville late Friday afternoon, I discovered that Pam and Barbara, a mother and daughter, had mailed me three Cadbury dark chocolate bars to replace the one Wayne ate.
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The Volunteer State
Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State. If I understand this correctly, the term goes back to the time of the Alamo when a large number of men from Tennessee volunteered to fight. From what I can see, the tradition continues. I’m in Knoxville as part of the Literacy celebration and have been touched and encouraged by the dedication of these volunteers. Knoxville is experiencing summer-like weather. Yesterday it hit 91 degrees. I brought autumn clothes. That’s OK; I look good with a sheen on my face.
I’m in Knoxville, TN
I’m in Knoxville, Tennessee for the annual East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame literacy event, which will take place the evening of Thursday, October 4. I flew in on Monday from South Bend, Indiana. When you’re trying to fly from one small town to another, sometimes you hear, "You can’t get there from here.” But indeed I could, thanks to small commuter planes. Read more