I'm humming that Willy Nelson song.  Yesterday was the first stop of my 2009 book tour for SUMMER ON BLOSSOM STREET, in my own back yard of Vero Beach, FL  This evening is the second stop,  Des Peres, just outside of St. Louis, Missouri.  I'm a people person, so do come and see me if you're in the area.  I so enjoy meeting my readers.

I feel like a rock star when I tour.  I have escorts taking me around to signings and interviews, and I get to stay in some really nice hotels. (However, no one has ever confused me with Madonna.)

This year, because of the length of my tour, my husband, Wayne, will be joining me part of the time. So if you see a handsome, blond-haired, blue-eyed man following me around, do not be concerned . . .
 

I unpacked my suitcase from Gettysburg this morning, dumped my dirty clothes in the hamper, and took a serious look at the carry-on bag I used for our trip to Pennsylvania, thinking I could reuse it for Chicago.  No way!  I’m heading to STITCHES , and the yarn market there is—in a word—INCREDIBLE.   Just for all the yarn I intend to cart home, I’m going to need every inch of space I can find in the largest suitcase the airline allows.  

Although this has turned out to be a busy, busy travel month, it’s been wonderful.

I'm off for the next ten days on business, starting with meetings in New York City.   From New York I head for Detroit and the start of the tour for KNIT TOGETHER.  I’ll be in five cities in as many days.  This is a form of speed touring, which should work well.  I have a secondary goal, other than meeting my wonderful readers and autographing as many books as possible.  My quest is to find a baked potato.  As I wrote earlier in the week, the much-loved baked potato has disappeared from Port Orchard restaurants.  I’m beginning to wonder if this is an industry trend.  Is it any wonder America is in a spiritual and moral decline?????!!! 

I finally unpacked fromReno and was carting my suitcase downstairs when I realized I’m leaving for Chicago in the morning. I swear, I’m meeting myself coming and going.

I’ll be at the Craft and Hobby Show in Rosemont, autographing in the Leisure  Arts booth. I’ll be signing the pattern books based on the Blossom Street series. (This is a trade show, so I’m sorry to say unless you’re a member of the Craft and Hobby Association, you won’t be able to attend.)

In case no one thought about this, having me show up at a craft show with a credit card in my hand is dangerous. Downright dangerous.There’s still plenty of room for yarn in our basement, and if Wayne says one disparaging word, all I need to do is point at the half-completed airplane in his work room.  Stay tuned!