You were all right: I needed to go to RWA-San Francisco and I had a great time. And the air was clean and the sky was bright blue!!! That alone was heaven.

And I got to hang out with my old friends!!! Here are two shots from breakfast one morning. The first includes Janice Kay Johnson, on the far left. She won the RITA last night for Best Contemporary series. SNOWBOUND. I’m headed to eHarlequin eHQ next to see if I can order it. I might have to break down and learn how to do ebooks. Sigh. (Just one of the many new tricks this old dog is going to have to learn to stay abreast of what’s happening in this business, I fear. More about that later.) Mega congrats to Janice. And the other Superromance authors you see are: Janice, Ginger Chambers, Roz Denny Fox and Kathy Shay.

Must add that although I don’t have a photo of her, Helen Brenna, also took home a Rita for her Superromance, TREASURE. Another book I need to buy. Yeah, Helen!!!

My camera needs to retire. It wasn’t cooperating most of the time–even with fresh batteries, so I don’t have a lot of photos to share but I do have another from this breakfast. And for those of us who walked past Lori Handleland without recognizing her at first, this is why: a new do. Very becoming, don’t you think? But she’s gorgeous no matter what. Squeezed between Kathy Shay and Lori is my Houston pal, Linda Barrett.

And the Friday night Harlequin Party was a blast. The music was way too loud and the dance floor was way too small, but somehow we all managed to have a fabulous time!!! Even when a paper mache tree toppled over on a couple of tables. Here’s a philosophy question you’ve never heard: If a tree falls in the middle of a Harlequin party and nobody stops dancing, did it make a sound? Watching the muscular waiters carry the tree limbs out was a bonus.

But BEFORE the party, my hubby and I were guests of my wonderful editor at a most elegant dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel. I had Snake River American Kobe beef. I was told these animals are had fed beer and massaged daily before they become dinner. Whatever the method, they meat was the most tender and delicious I’ve ever tasted. I had to try this–even though I now have to tell people I’m a non-practising vegetarian. But I’m going back to my vegetarian roots soon…to help lose the weight I put on in San Francisco. Sigh.

Here’s a photo of our group. Wanda, my editor, is in the middle with the black jacket. Linda Barrett and I both brought our husbands. Seated, from the left: Kay Stockham (who organized our Superromance Readers party, which was a tremendous success), Kathleen O’Brien, Wanda, Katherine Shay).

BTW, I know you want to see my gorgeous dress, right? Fushia satin. I love this dress. Would you believe, my batteries failed before we got to the party? I’m assured my pal Susan Gable has a shot to share, so will post it soon. Sigh.

More later. I’m still unpacking.

The fresh air alone would have been worth the trip, but I also have sooo many wonderful memories. I promise not to complain too much next year when I have to go to Washington, DC, for the conference.
Deb