Hi, back from New York,

I lived through the New York trip, the book signing at the New York Police Museum that I thought would give me a heart attack--it didn't of course and I'm grateful and so very, very glad its over and with and only five people showing, four were employees of the museum, though a guy (a visitor to the museum) did sit and listen for a minute, regardless, I really enjoyed it to my surprise.

I enjoyed it for a list of reasons I'm going to list, a good one too: first, I met up with my close friend GiGi for the first time in four years, she looks wonderful and absolutely made the trip for me; she was so professional, had everything prepared, she even wrote an invoice for me to leave with the museum for the books, I couldn't have made the trip without her. Next, the museum's staff, specifically Iris Stephen, the coordinator, were phenomenal; they were so kind and generous you would have to have lived it to believe it, New Yorkers are terrific no matter what others say, the museum's staff are the best people. Next, the museum itself, beautiful; three floors of the most interesting information on one of our country's largest and diverse police departments, you could spend all your time just looking at all the displays specifically the homage to 911, its terrific, sobering and heartfelt. Next, New York itself, I love New York, it's a town like no other. The museum is located on the Hudson River, across from the Staten Island Ferry, a block from Wall Street and as I stood on the second floor after the reading staring out the window I watched the ships going down the river, the people passing by going into the South Street Seaport, it made me want to stay forever. Last, spending time with old friends I hadn't seen in twenty years over a nice meal at the end of the reading.

I'm glad I made it through the signing and the reading--which I did okay on-- the few folks seemed to pay attention, I'm glad to be home and have it behind me but I will miss New York. Ms. Stephen's, the museums coordinator, invited me back to read the next book in the Owen Story trilogy, I of course gave her a definite; Yes (God willing of course) and believe it or not, I can't wait.

Write what you love, let the rest take care of itself.

If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail me at my new address: shabazzl@adasbcc.org.

Until next time, God willing,

Lori