As many of you must have guessed, there were some connection issues at the hotel this year, and I couldn’t get online to blog. My schedule was so packed that I was never in the room long enough to bring in the IT people and solve the problem.
I was wined and dined, and I hung out with a lot of good friends. You never know who you’ll run into at BEA–I was at the always-elegant roof-top party Harlequin threw this year, and I noticed a blonde woman with a perky face. It was one of those instances where you just know you’ve seen someone before, but you can’t think where. Not being the shy type, I went over to her and said, “I know I know you!” Her answer? “Well, I was on “The Drew Carey Show” for nine years.”
It was Kathy Kinney, who played Mimi! No wonder I recognized her. It just goes to show how characters on TV, in movies and in books become so real to us that we begin to think they’re actually part of our circle.
I did a satellite media tour one day, recorded a podcast, and signed books on two separate occasions.
I breakfasted with Robyn Carr, one of my all time favorite people–we never get to spend enough time together. I saw Debbie Macomber briefly; she looks FABULOUS. Fergie was in attendance, bless her heart, but she was so surrounded by cameras and reporters that most of us didn’t get so much as a glimpse of her.
There were many highpoints on this trip, but I think the most fun was dining at the Russian Tea Room with my beloved editor, Joan Marlow Golan, and Dianne Moggy, of Harlequin fame. We got a special tour of the second floor–as I understand it anyone can do this if they ask–and that was magical. There is an enormous glass bear in the center of this large room, with goldfish swimming inside. The ceiling is made of the most exquisite stained glass panels, and there is a beautiful golden tree, hung with beautiful bulbs. So quiet. You could just feel all the good-time ghosts from the 30s and 40s, partying up a storm.
As always, I visited two of my favorite stores, MacKenzie-Childs and Kate’s Paperie. Due to time constraints, I didn’t make it to Lee’s Art Supply. Would you believe all three of these shops are within a few blocks of each other?
So, there was all that catching up to do, and no mention at all of Memorial Day.
I’m remembering those who have gone on ahead, though, missing them–Dad in particular–but feeling grateful that they were in my life.
It’s all good.
