I TRIED to blog the whole time I was in California, and every day after that–and Word Press would not let me on the site. Frustration city! Evidently, somebody tried to hack this page, but for now, the problems have been dealt with. YES! (I have Jen and the IT people at Harlequin to thank for this–so THANK YOU.) It really bothers me if I can’t blog.
The winery tour and party were both fantastic. There are photos on Facebook–these shots will be the “Before” shots after I’ve reached goal in Weight Watchers, let me tell you–and except for the blog issue, it was a great trip. Robin and Steve Black, the owners and founders of Uptick Vineyards, really know how to throw a shindig, and that’s for sure. The food was wonderful, as, of course, was the wine. Guests got to name a row of grapes–mine is #28, Cabernet if I’m not mistaken. 🙂 I was tempted to make a pest of myself by calling the winemaster every other day to ask how “my” vines are doing–would he mind just going out to check on them? 🙂 Kidding, of course.
In addition to the Blacks, I got to see other cherished friends as well–Debbie and Wayne Macomber (Wayne wore a kilt to dinner and carried it off masterfully, though we teased him a lot about how we were going to drop things so he’d have to bend over. 🙂 Hey, there was a lot of wine served at that dinner–something like eight different glasses, one for each ridiculously delicious course), Renae and Bill, two of my favorite people in the world, were there, too, along with Nancy and Mike Berland. Nancy has been my personal publicist for YEARS, but we’re dear friends as well as business colleagues and it’s always good to see Mike. Two couples from our band of outlaws were missing, though–Buck and Goldie Taylor and Bob and Lynn Massi–be there next time, please! Goldie and I spent a good forty minutes on the phone on Friday night, when I had to stay in because I was under the weather, just a pair of country girls yammering on. Buck, an actor as well as an accomplished artist, has done an original watercolor painting of Michael Landon, dressed as Little Joe Cartwright, at my request–pinto pony included. I can hardly wait to hang it on my office wall–saving a space for it–and there will definitely be pictures on Facebook once it arrives. Goldie wants to hand carry it, as it will cost the earth to insure the peace for shipment. 🙂
We’re well into fall–next spring’s tulip bulbs are nestled away in their compost-enriched beds, where they will work their magic all winter and burst forth in splendor next year. The pumpkin patch really produced, so we’re all set for jack-o-lanterns.
We’ll be notifying two contest winners today and announcing their names tomorrow. On Monday, a new contest will begin. Sorry about this week–with the blog problems, it just got lost in the shuffle.
My earphones finally arrived, so I can start my Italian language lessons. Stay tuned. 🙂
I’ve chosen my 2013 Scholarship winners and, trust me, it was hard to choose. The winners will be announced very soon on my main website, and a new round will be awarded in 2014, so keep an eye out for the rules and regulations.
My rapid eye movement treatment had to be moved to next week–in addition to computer snafus, I was sick when I got home from CA.
As hinted at above, I’m back in Weight Watchers–the only program that has ever really worked for me. Since I promised not to bore you with the details, I’ll only note significant milestones on this blog. 🙂 I will say that I feel skinnier after just one day, and I’m delighted to be moving in the right direction–especially with the holidays looming.
That’s it for today, my friends. I may do some extra blogs, just to catch up.
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
