I live in a dry state–I think that’s the technical term.  I’m not sure.  But in Idaho, they don’t sell hard liquor at the grocery store.  Only beer and wine.  Do you know how annoying this is when I want to cook something that calls for Grand Mariner or brandy or I have an impulsive idea to serve martinis at a dinner party I’m throwing?  I have to plan ahead and make a special trip to the state owned liquor store.  And make sure you don’t need booze on Sunday or a holiday, they ain’t open.  In L.A. you could go into any market and buy whatever you wanted, 365 days a year.   

I don’t get the logic in holding back on the hard stuff?  I mean honestly, a person can get crocked on Boone’s Farm just as easily as they can on Jack D. 

So darling husband, if my creme brulee tonight doesn’t turn out, I didn’t have time to go to the liquor store for the 1 Tablespoon of Grand Mariner it called for.  Sigh.

My daughters and I saw TITANIC on opening night.  The 10:00pm showing.  We didn’t get out until 1:00am.  We were bawling like babies, and we still do every time we watch it.  So we were happy to see there’s a sequel.  Can’t get enough of Jack Dawson–here’s the upcoming sequel!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD4OnHCRd_4

Back in my day, it was a very special moment when you got old enough for your parents to buy you your first real wrist watch.  In the 1970s, watches were all metal and had spring-like bands that stretched to slide onto your wrist.  I recall many moments where a watch ripped out my arm hair.  Those were the days of slogans like “Timex, takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.”

Lady Buliva was like the end all of watches for ladies. 

I’m starting my early online browsing for Christmas ideas and I was looking at watches for my daughters.  They’re 19 and 21–never worn watches in their lives.  I once asked them why.  They said what for, the time is on our cell-phone face. 

So I guess that ritual of passage, where a young lady gets a nice watch is now history.  Sigh.  They probably wouldn’t like a Bobby Sherman album under the tree either.

So a while ago, I asked for title help for my work in progress.  It had to start with ALL to tie in with the three books based around the Boise project–The Grove Marketplace.  I submitted some of your favorite suggestions to my editor.  None were accepted.  I sent them to my agent, none were accepted.  I started over and came up with a FABULOUS title . . .

Slow Dancing At The Blue Note

(My heroine runs a bar called the Blue Note.)  Well, this title wasn’t accepted either.  My editor loved it, but the other powers that be had concerns it was too long, as well as too women’s fiction.  Me–I write for women so I loved it. 

My agent and I brainstormed song titles for Jazz songs as this book has a foundation in Jazz music.  We came up with All The Things You Are–just on a fluke that it started with ALL.  I grew fond of it quite quickly.  We submitted it.  It got turned down, but a counter suggestion was made:

ALL THAT YOU ARE

At this point, I said okay.  I don’t like it as well as the other two, but it will work.  And, it does start with ALL.

Thank you to everyone who offered your suggestions.  You are greatly appreciated!