I Love Libraries!

One of the things I have rediscovered since becoming a published author, is a real passion for libraries. Despite the Internet, e-books, Amazon—you name it—libraries are still very much going strong. Some of my most memorable and fun book events have been in libraries. Only last night I joined the wonderful Harley Jane Kozak and Ashley Ream  at the beautiful Redondo Beach Library- the topic - Comedy That Kills! 

Even though most authors hold down day jobs, writing is a lonely labor of love. When readers make an effort to spend an evening with us, you have no idea how happy we are! 

Support your local libraries, folks! You'd be amazed at what other delights are in store that have nothing to do with books. My local library—the Los Angeles Library Memorial Branch has free Yoga open to all every Saturday, a knitting circle and a film club. To find YOUR local library check out the American Library Association or better still, become A Friend!

A Happy Discovery - Chocolove!

I don't deny it. I'm a choco-holic. Always have been, always will. I used to love Cadbury (still stunned at Cadbury's selling out to Kraft - life will never be the same) - in fact, the very first writing competition I entered was for Bournville. I was about eight years old and won a beautifully painted tin filled with delicious dark chocolate biscuits. Now, as I'm older, I've become a complete chocolate snob. I prefer dark chocolate and have a stash in a drawer that I keep topped up. It's a comforting sight to peer in there and see chocolate bars stacked according to their cocoa content. And so I made a happy discovery this morning as I was portioning out my daily allowance (yes, I really am this pathetic). Inside the wrapper of my new favorite - the Belgian "Chocolove" Raspberries 55% is a love poem. Hence - the name of the brand. Sigh. Sometimes I can be a little slow on the uptake. Today's poem called, "I love thee," was written by Eliza Acton (born 1799-1859 and who also wrote one of the first cookbooks aimed at the domestic reader. "I love thee, as I love the calm Of sweet, star-lighted hours." What a lovely way to start my day—though I am quite positive she was not talking about her passion for chocolate ...

Go Lakers!

Tonight the Lakers meet the Celtics in the finals of the NBA.

There are certain perks to working for an advertising agency in Los Angeles that I often forget about ... until the play-offs come around. Our company has a suite at the Staples Center and it's not unusual for me to suddenly become more popular than the Queen of England at this time of year. I had never watched a basketball game until I moved here. It was the first year the Lakers won the NBA and our high-rise office over-looked the victory parade making it the perfect location for Fox News to lurk with their cameras. To my acute embarrassment, I was interviewed "live" - not knowing a) any of the players or b) anything about the game. I managed to bluff my way through using grand words like "jubilation" and "frightfully exciting" (my British accent seemed to revert to Colonial English). They ran the interview too - which just goes to prove that you shouldn't believe anything you hear on television.

God for Harry, England and St. George!

I've only just recovered from yesterday's World Cup football match. My ears are still ringing with the sound of trumpets and foghorns having joined 400 people on the roof of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles to cheer on England against the USA. It was a disappointing draw with an excruciatingly embarrassing fumble by our goalie giving the USA the one goal they needed. I'm not a great follower of football; I don't understand our national game of cricket and much prefer the rough and tumble of rugby. Still, it was great to hang out with Ex-Pats with Brits in LA and wave the English flag. Not many people know that the true flag of England (not Great Britain) is the cross of St. George which is gradually regaining in popularity. The increasing cry is "The flag is for life! Not just for football." As the patron saint of England, St. George's Day is celebrated on April 23. His emblem was adopted by Richard the Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king's soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle.

Having living in California now for over 17 years, I still get the chills when I see that flag and sing our National Anthem.