This is my to-do list as I complete one leg of the book tour for THE LANGUAGE OF TREES (Avon) and begin another. Soon, it’s onto Los Angeles, my old stomping ground, on October 29th at the B&N Grove, but first, 3 events this month. Go, go, go…I’ve been chosen to read at the Reading Group Month event in Boston, donating books at fundraiser for Ethiopia, and appearing at Natick Open Studios, where I’ll be selling and signing books. In the meantime,…. Checklist for LA: CHECK–find a hotel nearby that will house myself, and my two girls, ages 10 and 3. Think: will not bring carseat on plane, will not bring carseat at all=find hotel very near B&N so car is not necessary, ie. no driving. CHECK–actually make reservations for this unnamed hotel CHECK–hotel must have a suite or two affordable rooms as 3-year old wakes up at 5am and insists on waking everyone else up. Need to put her in other room with 10-year old so mamma can get sleep. “It’s war on the road and the battle for sleep is fierce.”–Ilie Ruby CHECK–found great babysitter in Suzie, my old roommate from Long Beach (where I was a 5th grade teacher—did you know that?—and then an MFA grad student at USC). Suzie will play auntie before, during, and after reading so mamma can go out and dance. Well, not dance, but have a glass of wine with former favorite editor and general angel in my life. –pray that insomnia does not strike –coordinate schedule so I can see 3 of my former 5 grade students in 2 days, 1 in LA, 1 in Las Vegas, and 1 in Alaska–all coming to LA, all 26 years old now, the same age I was when I taught them! Can’t wait to share with them the truth behind the magic of their former American idol, Ms. Ruby, who at 26 made it look “fun” (and was secretly planning her escape, counting down the days, dare I burst their bubble?) –revel in upcoming CNN.com article and about being chosen as NEXT Magazine’s Editor’s Pick –decide what I will write in the note explaining to my daughter’s 4th grade teacher about her upcoming absence and the necessity of having her at literary readings –escape from under the pile of paper I have accumulated writing book 2, which I will be showing to old editor in LA for the very first time –exercise. I have learned the lesson once again (how many times now) that writing does not burn calories –let the praise of the latest fan letter seep into my consciousness and inspire me, keep it close to my heart and let it flow from my fingers as I work on Book 2, what a sweet man and what wonderful and beautiful things he had to say about THE LANGUAGE OF TREES (AVON HarperCollins August 2010) –try to keep mouth shut about amazing news for THE LANGUAGE OF TREES until CHRISTMAS! How in God’s name I’ll accomplish that, I don’t know, but I promised I would and I keep my promises