On Time in New Jersey
I was gifted with Divine intervention at the Tallahassee airport yesterday. At the very last minute I was able to change my previous departure, which had a too-tight connection in Atlanta, to an earlier flight. This allowed me just enough leeway to make my connecting flight and to arrive on time for my New Jersey signing. I would have hated to disappoint the over 200 people who were waiting to greet me there. And if you know me at all, I hate to be late for anything (and rarely am). When things like this happen, I know God is looking after me.
Thank you to everyone who came to the Barnes & Noble in Princeton yesterday. It was fabulous to meet you all!
Happy Memorial Day!
I was overwhelmed with the reception I received in Savannah last night. A knitting group rented a bus and drove four hours from Gainesville to come to the signing. Carol Laird, of Jacksonville, Florida, was there (Carol won an all-expense paid trip for Cedar Cove Days, August 26-30, 2009 through a contest my publisher ran a few months ago). Elizabeth, a military wife, drove five hours from Fort Bragg to attend the signing. Several other ladies told me stories of how my books have helped or encouraged them. I am humbled by the caring shown to me. Thank you one and all for coming!
Wayne and I are heading home to Vero Beach for a few days of respite, to unpack, do laundry, and take a deep breath before I hit the road again.
I wish you all a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend, and if you are able, spend it with people who are important to you. I encourage all of us to take a moment to remember those who have served our country in ways big or small.
Savannah, GA
 Although I’m technically on a book tour, Wayne and I are continuing our own personal restaurant tour of the south. Here we are in Paula Deen’s Savannah restaurant called Lady and Sons, enjoying our lunch. I had fried green tomatoes and crab soup, and it was fabulous. Wayne had the buffet—three times!
I'm looking forward to meeting my readers in Georgia (if I can get into any of my clothes).
Charleston, SC
Wayne and I are en route to Charleston, SC. I am still overwhelmed from the special gift I was given today at the Sam’s Club signing in Columbia, SC. Delores and Ben, a young military wife and husband, came to the signing to give me a coin called Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am so honored and touched to receive this special coin. My friend, Leslee, who was with me and considers herself a hard-nosed New Yorker, was close to tears.
The coin is given to servicemen and women to pass along to others who have touched them or helped them in some way. It has an eagle on it with Baghdad on one side and on the other side a red, white, and blue star with all branches of the military listed. Delores said reading my books helped her get through Ben’s deployment while he served in Iraq and healed from his injuries. I feel so blessed to be the recipient of this special symbol.
I've posted a picture of Delores (Aprilmauve), Ben and me on my scrapbook page.
Driving instead of flying
After a restful break at home in Port Orchard for Mother’s Day, Wayne and I boarded a plane for North Carolina. Also aboard the plane was Bruce Crandall, Medal of Honor recipient (and our friend), along with four young women and two young men headed toward marine boot camp. It was a thrill to give them a standing ovation and let them board the plane first.
For this next portion of the tour, Wayne and I will be driving instead of flying, and we’re looking forward to traveling through portions of the South. I hope I’ll have the chance to meet you in Charlotte, Charleston, Savannah, Tallahassee, New Orleans, Shreveport or Knoxville. Check out my tour schedule if you live in these areas--I'd so love to meet you!
Tour Adventures
I have completed the fourth city of my tour and have been doing quite a bit of TV. (Personally, I feel a lot thinner on radio!) Yesterday morning in Fresno, I joined the two anchors on the FOX affiliate for the morning newscast and was seated with them. Five seconds before air time the producer asked me to raise the level of my chair. Attempting to comply, I touched the bar and immediately sank to the point my nose was level with the table top! There was some furious maneuvering as the cameras switched around to focus on the one anchor. I leapt up to readjust my chair and sat down, my heart pounding, just as the cameras focused on me. Who said life doesn’t hold adventures on a book tour!
News from the road
Signings in both St. Louis and Denver have been incredible and it’s been wonderful to meet my readers there. If you missed me, I did leave behind several signed books in the stores where I signed, along with a small gift.
In addition to signings, I managed to squeeze in visits to two yarn stores and loved seeing new knit projects for future knitting.
On Sunday I’m off to Austin, Texas and am looking forward to connecting with my long-time friend, Jo Ann Algermisson.
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