My adventures continue in the state of Utah . Since  I’m on tour for my book, TWENTY WISHES, it just made sense that I make a detour to a yarn store called THREE WISHES!  It was a wonderful little store.  I was also able to stop at what I’m told is the oldest yarn store in the U.S., called Heindselman’s Yarn and Needlework in Provo.  Three yarn stores in a day plus Mexican food is a good day in my book!

I’m sorry I haven’t been able to blog as often as I’d like—touring takes a lot  of energy!  However, there are  links to a few podcasts  here on my website, audio interviews I've done recently.  I had a wonderful time talking with Debba Haupert of GirlFriendology and Carrie Runnals of the Internet talk show, Words to Mouth.  There’s also a Barnes & Noble “Meet the Writers” audio.  You can find all three of them on my website - click here.

I had a wonderful signing in Madison, CT at RJ Julia Booksellers on Tuesday, which included a large group of knitters,  who encouraged and inspired everyone with their knitting projects.  To my surprise and delight, the local yarn store, Madison Wool, stayed open after 10 p.m. to allow me to shop after the signing.  It seems my yarn buying adventures have spread far and wide, or at least along the New England coast!

I’ll write more after I catch my breath from last night’s signing at Foxwoods Resort Casino!

Right after Mother’s Day I hit the ground running, meeting readers in Baltimore, Maryland; Providence, Rhode Island, and Portland, Maine.  Thanks so much  to everyone who has come out to meet me!

Not only have I been traveling, but on the plane and in my room at night I've been proofing manuscript pages sent to my tour hotels by my editor. (For those of you eager for the next Cedar Cove book, rest easy.  One of my tasks last week was reading over the edited version of 8 Sandpiper Way, Number 8, due out August 26.   You’ll be happy with this next installment, I promise!

I did get to rest a bit this past weekend.  I had a traditional Lobster Feed, which means, if I understand it correctly, the lobster was steamed in seawater, and it was fabulous.  This is different from what I’m accustomed to, and I loved it.

The next cities on my itinerary are Hartford, Connecticut; Buffalo, New York, and Vero Beach, Florida.  I’m looking forward to meeting readers there and sampling the local cuisine!

Happy Belated Mother’s Day.  I’m in my hometown of Port Orchard ever so briefly but wanted to share something special with my readers.  A few months ago I received a poem from reader friend, Vickey Stamps, who sent me a copy of her tribute to her own mother, her mother, the Pointer.  Below is Vickey’s tribute, shared with her permission.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

To my Mother, the Pointer . . .

One little finger was all it had taken her mother.
She pointed at someone who spoke good and kind things.
She pointed at someone who supported another that they might not stumble and fall.
She pointed at someone who cooked a meal for an ill neighbor.
She pointed at someone who took the time to visit a lonely friend.
She pointed at someone reading to another.
She pointed to someone pushing a wheelchair.
She pointed to someone quietly listening to one who needed a caring ear.
She pointed all the time at someone who served as good examples of how to mold my life.
I was told it was rude to point, but I don't believe it. My mother pointed all the time. 

Thanks, Mom, for being a pointer.

I am in Las Vegas, and wow what a week it has been!  When I arrived in Vegas, I had to hit the tarmac running, as my flight had arrived late, and I had to get to my signing for the wonderful folks at the Paseo Library in Henderson.  I did just make the Carr Chat and signing on time, and it was fabulous!

It was standing room only, and the good librarians surprised me and their patrons with samples of the foods from the recipe cards that I’m giving away with the book, TWENTY WISHES.  What a treat!  My editor was at the signing, so that was very gratifying.  And Wayne is in town, too!

Today I have more signings, and tomorrow I’ll fly home to Port Orchard for Mother’s Day and three more signings before I head out again on Tuesday, bound for Baltimore, Maryland.  Keep up with me if you can!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there!

Last night in Kansas City I went to bed while watching TV with warnings of storms and possible tornadoes.  I awoke to the sound of sirens blasting around town, so I jumped out of bed, ran around the bed twice, and grabbed my bathrobe.  My thought was that if I had to evacuate my room, I’d at least have my bathrobe on and be ready.  After all that I was worn out, and having received no instructions from the hotel, I decided to go back to bed and prayed.

When morning arrived there was storm damage around the area.  Apparently there were tornados last night.  A fellow traveler described hail the size of quarters and fierce wind and two inches of rain   He said the rain felt like needles, it was coming down so hard.  I’m beginning to feel like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz!

Life on the road isn’t all it's cracked up to be.  I’m an early riser, but getting up at 4 a.m. to make a flight is early, even for me.  I arrived in Kansas City at 8 a.m., only to find the hotel wasn’t able to check me in until 3 p.m..  Not my idea of fun--and there wasn’t a yarn store in sight!  But, I did get to have lunch with my brother, and the day picked up after that.

Of course, the best part is meeting my readers.  They are by far the most generous and friendly.  One gal drove all the way from Chicago to Indianapolis because she mixed up my travel days and missed me in Chicago.  Why did she drive all that way?  Because she wanted to give me chenille yarn--yards and yards of it! 

I’m fully prepared to give a little speech about 20 WISHES, and any of my other titles, if asked, but I’m finding I hardly need to talk about my books at all.  I overhead ladies discussing my books, and they’re virtually selling my books to each other while they’re standing in line. Bless you!

I’m in Kansas City through Saturday, May 3.  Come on by if you’re in the area—I’d love to see you.