It’s been a whirlwind week for me with a trip south to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, where I had events at the laudable Book Soup in West Hollywood and at Chaucer’s in the latter; dinner with producer Martin Ransohoff and his wife at Il Piccolino one night, and the next night with old friends, one a writer/editor for the new reality series Jersey Shore, already causing a stir. It’s no doubt a tough business. Santa Barbara was a delight–more comforting than anything– while again catching up with dear friends, pitching my book to the extravagant and lovely Upstairs at Pierre Lafond, and taking notes.

Back north over the weekend for a radio interview with Gene Burns Dining Around, broadcast nationally (you can listen to my segment here), a book signing that night at Books Inc in Palo Alto–a really fabulous and well stocked store–and on Sunday night, another radio appearance, this time on Mouthful, wine country’s most delicious hour with Michele Anna Jordan, who recently wrote a review of My Nepenthe for the Press Democrat. What fun that was! A podcast of the show will be rebroadcast at 4 tomorrow here on NPR.

And now I’m nursing a cold and can barely contain the sniffles and wrinkly nose at time of a sneeze. Laid low all yesterday in my pajamas. as it was so cold outdoors, and stocked the house with soup and homemade granola for the familia. Today, in spite of rain forecast, we have blue, blue skies, but it’s still icy cold and my daughter went off to school with barely a sweater on–how is that possible? I even brought my lemon tree inside to protect it from the chill, and by God I have almost 2 dozen baby sized lemons on my tree. Makes me happy, happy.

Despite low energy, I’m off to Big Sur to sign stock, so if you are looking for a signed copy of my book and want it shipped to your door (or someone else’s)–do link through to the Phoenix Shop and they will send out the next day. The Works in the seaside city of Pacific Grove hosts a reading and discussion about My Nepenthe Tuesday, December 8th at 6 pm–that would be tonight, friends; I imagine there will be lots of family and old timers making for a lively if not intimate discussion.

Friday night, Dec 11th at 6:30 pm, I’ll be in Mendocino, northern California’s coastal haven, at Gallery Bookshop. Do spread the word and come on over if you are in that neck of the woods. Next stop is Reader’s Books in Sonoma on December 13th at 4 pm. At this event we will be serving Pisoni wine along with treats from my book. Not to be missed.

As always, I welcome your comments, questions and thoughts, and thankful for your support.