As I write this note, the entire sky outside looks fat and white. You almost can see the snow trapped back there waiting to start falling onto us. My younger son is running from window to window waiting for the first flake. I tried the "watched pot never boils" line on him, but it went right over his head. He has new snow boots and new snow pants, and he is eager to wear them both. For me a snow day means that the phone rings at 5:30, and since Fridays I write and work from home, today will be all about interruptions. As if this season already did not have enough of those!

The election thankfully is behind us --- I was quite tired of bickering --- and we all can get back to reading for pleasure. As I write this note I keep hopping up to pack for the Miami Book Fair that I am going to be attending this weekend. It's funny how typing a word can spark an idea of something that I forgot to toss into my bag, okay, bags. I am quite eager to see Nancy Horan, author of Loving Frank, as well as Kristy Kiernan, author of Matters of Faith. I still am going through the four pages of events scheduled for Saturday and Sunday trying to map out a schedule. The offerings, including the panels for a new track of programming for the Fair this year --- graphic novels --- have me making more choices than I would want to have to do since there are so many great events running simultaneously.

Greetings from Baltimore, where I am in town for the Bouchercon (pronounced bowshercon) Mystery Convention. It's an annual event where I get to see many of my favorite mystery and thriller authors, as well as publishing friends. Last year it was in Anchorage and I was not able to make the trip, thus it's going to be an even more special catch-up time!