Hummingbird on my toes

I just can't keep up with the swinging ups and downs of the thermometer this spring. Early in the week, we turned on the air conditioning for one night for the first time this year just so we could sleep without the oppressive humidity. Now today, after breezy refreshing overnight temps, my house is freezing! I've had to relocate to my deck with my laptop to get warm in the beautiful sunshine. I'm not complaining, really. I love days like today - low humidity, bright sunlight, and a gentle breeze.

The best part of working outside today has been my unexpected visitor.

I felt a tickle on my toes and flicked them, as I thought it was a pesky fly or one of the wasps that love to build nests under our deck. I was startled when I looked up and found a hummingbird hovering over my bright fuchsia toenails! Last year, I had a hummingbird touch the bright pink cover of the book I was reading on the deck.

These birds sure do love pink!

Spring Fling Has Flung

Chicago-North's RWA chapter lived up to all expectations and delivered another thoroughly satisfying Spring Fling conference. The workshops provided a great mix of craft, business, inspiration and entertainment. The author headliners (Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Simone Elkeles, and Dianne Love) were fantastic, and the opportunities to network with authors, editors and agents were plentiful.

One of the highlights of the weekend was meeting my idol, Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Susan writes amazing contemporary romances with richly detailed characters and lots of humor.

Equally thrilling was participating in my first book signing, and being completely surprised by a visit from a friend from high school that I hadn't seen in over 10 years.

Recipe for a great night: mix one part old friend, one part new friend and a New York Times bestselling author.
Another high school classmate met me at the hotel Saturday night to catchup on our lives. I'm so glad to see neither one of us has changed a single bit in the twenty-something years since high school! :)

Finally, the education and celebrations came to an end. On Sunday morning, it was time to pack up and drive home. But first, we had to get all our new books, gift baskets, luggage, laptops, totes, and purses to the car. Thank goodness for luggage carts!


The only thing that makes me sad about this conference is that it's held every other year. Now, I have to wait two whole years to go back. :(