And so she returns

I arrived at home around noon on Monday, and I’ve been in a stupor ever since!  Which is not to say I didn’t have fun–if anything, I had too MUCH fun.  (Is there such a thing?)
It was just one highpoint after another, that trip to Florida–I’m on the lookout for a chance to go back.
March 1st was my speech and appearance at the fabulous Treasure Island Country Club, and the turnout was just terrific.  Two of my blog readers, Crystal and Angelica, actually drove some 12 hours to be there, coming all the way from Louisiana.  How sweet is that?  I get teary just to think of  how much time and effort these gals put into meeting a cowgirl from Spokane.   We (Nancy, my personal publicist,  Jenni and I) waited for them, and when they arrived, we had a warm if brief chat and took some pictures, too.  Crystal and Angelica, you are delightful.  Thanks so much for making the effort and for being you.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–my readers are the best.
One woman arrived (send me your name when you read this and I’ll mention you properly) wearing the loveliest fused glass jewelry, her own creations, in beautiful blues that really bring the Florida experience to mind.  I was particularly struck by her bracelet, and asked if I could get a business card so I could order one when I returned home.  Well, the negotations were short and sweet: She: Do you want to try it on?  Me: Yes!  She: It looks great on you.  Me: How much?  She: $65.  Me: sold!
What fun–autographing books AND shopping, both at once.  Talk about multitasking.  (Although no one who knows me will be very surprised by this.) 🙂
On Saturday, Jenni and I headed for Fort Meyer, where we tracked down a Chico’s store–Chico’s and me, a whole other blog–and I bought some very nice stuff, my favorite being a black and white skirt with a rather wild geometric pattern.  We checked in at a small hotel and then headed for another country club–I don’t think I’d ever set foot in one before this trip–again, the name escapes me–where we enjoyed a fantastic dinner with Bill Francis, Renae Kinsey and Renae’s mom Joette.  The view was even better than the food and fine wine, and the company was better yet.  Later, we were guests of Bobby Valli, brother of Frankie, who signs extremely well, by the way.  A man named J.T. was there, too, making a special appearance–his last name also escapes me–but he was with a band called the Crescents, and they recorded the legendary hit, “Sixteen Candles”.  WOW.  I ended up dancing behind Bobby with Renae and another lady, generally making a fool of myself and loving every minute of it!  Throughout the show, Bobby would suddenly stick the microphone in front of me, challenging me to  fill in the words to songs I’ve known by heart for as long as I can remember.  He only tripped me up once.  (I know my Four Seasons songs, and most of the major hits of the 60s, which is NOT to say I can sing, because I can’t.  What I lack in talent, though, I make up in enthusiasm–Bobby joked that he was taking me on the road with him.  🙂 )
It’s crazy around here this morning–renovations are ratcheted up to the max–there’s a wood floor going into the room that will soon be my office.  My goal is to have the whole place carpet free, and we’re well on our way.  My bathroom is torn up, which is not real convenient, but I know I’ll be glad when the new tub and nice linoleum are in.  What started as improving one guest-room bath has morphed into an overhaul including two other bathrooms, a set of kitchen cupboards, and some jazzing up of closets.  Laying wood flooring is, of course, noisy, and neither Bernice nor I are overly fond of that, but it’s going to be a lovely space to work in.
Speaking of work, I’m about to start story #6 of the Parable/Big Sky series, “Big Sky Secrets”, starring Ria Manning and Landry Sutton–Landry being that most unusual creature, a cowboy with a butler.
On that note, I’ll wrap this entry up, having left you, I hope, with something to ponder.  🙂
See you tomorrow.