On the Acela from New York City back to Providence after a whirlwind week on the west coast. Such amazing bookstores and such amazing people! Started in San Francisco, where I stayed out late every night sampling fun cocktails with names like Gone A-rye. Love that city! Had a great event at Book Passage in Corte Madera. I was so happy to see so many friends there. What a delight! And we managed to have a delicious dinner nearby at Il Fornaio. The only problem was how quick it all was. I didn't get to really visit the way I like to.

Off bright and early to fabulous Portland, Oregon where my buddy Hillary Day surprised me with one of her gorgeous raincoats that she designs and sells on her website, www.hillarydaycom. They are made right in Portland, and each one is as lovely as can be. I put mine on immediately and have not taken it off since (well, kind of...)! When I saw raindrops falling today I was delighted: raincoat weather! But actually, this pretty coat, with its lilac silk lining and gorgeous details is good for every day too. After reading at Powell's in Beaverton, and seeing more friends there, we ate at one of Portland's yummy restaurants. Seriously, everything in Portland is terrific--coffee, food, gardens, people! Speaking of gardens, I was able to visit the Lan Su Chinese Garden there at 239 Everett NW. The garden was showing varieties of peonies, which were just gorgeous. And they have a special dedicated space for mothers that made me think of THE RED THREAD, and how we are all connected to not only our children, but for Annabelle also to her birth mother. Very moving.

And then another early morning and a flight to Seattle, another favorite city of mine. A highlight: the porchetta sandwich at Salumeri, Mario Batali's father's shop. Bought mole salami to take home with me. Get ready for more food gushing: a fabulous book club took me for tapas at Tango where we had the chef's selections and ginger mojitos. Sigh. My reading at the new Eliot Bay, which is even better than the original. And drinks at Oddfellows next door.

You guessed it. Another early flight, back to NYC. Before boarding, they made an announcement that the TV wasn't working and people should hit the bookstore. Panic and complaining all around. Except from me, who was happy to curl up with THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS.

Last night I attended the Spring event for The Adoption Institute. THE RED THREAD was in everyone's goody bag and my other books were silent auction items. I got to sample wines from just about everywhere, artisanal cheeses, Jean Georges samosas, tacos from Zarela's, and Bobby Flay himself made crostini with chiles, microgreens and baby tomatoes!

This morning I taped an interview with Guideposts, signed books at The Strand and B and N and Posman's in Grand Central, then boarded this train home.

Tonight I will be happy to make my pasta with brie and heirloom tomatoes after sampling that mole salami in an antipasto. Then off to see Sam in a staged reading of Corpus Christi. Then maybe collapse?

If you've emailed and haven't heard back, my apologies. Will catch up this weekend. did manage to knit three dish rags!!