Inn-credible!

I've been waiting to post about last Wednesday's book launch party until the photos came in - I can't wait to see the ones of me and Harriet Kassman, the 90-million year old grand dame who owns the store where I bought my wedding dress. She comes up to my belly button and has the quickest wit. When I asked her if she was a virgin when she got married, she grinned and said,"But at least we came home at night."

As soon as I get the pictures, I'll do something more splashy. Terry Gerace, who owns, operates, and provided Artists Inn Residence as the party venue really outdid himself. He had these huge wooden artists models sitting in Baroque chairs all with my book in their lap. The 100 or so guests wandered around all 4 floors, peering into rooms dedicated to different artists from Shakespeare to Ellington. The Dali room, with it's huge bronze clock melting over the bedpost and bathtub that fills from the ceiling was a big hit with the crowd.

The night was a huge celebration for me - I lost count of how many books I signed. And it just kept getting better. After a late-night supper, Karl and I went back to our room at the inn (the Hepburn) and as I washed up, Karl hid presents under my pillow, in my overnight bag, and in the nightstand - all from Tiffany. I was so surprised, when I found the first one under my pillow, I actually thought Terry, the most thoughtful and generous host, put it there. Karl got me a sterling bookmark, "for the books I am reading," a pink enamel pen, "for the books I will be writing," and a diamond necklace, "for the celebrations to come." When I told my friend Bonita she said, "Karl should be nominated to be a National Treasure."

But now I must leave Karl and whoever is reading this for a few days. I'm off to conquer Kentucky!