On Thursday, we met my husband’s relatives at Montgomery Mall and strolled around for a bit. It was a quieter day, which was fine with us. Dinner at Lee’s Chinese restaurant capped the evening. Friday saw us driving to Georgetown, where we parked near the indoor mall. We ate lunch at Martin’s Tavern, a landmark restaurant in business over 75 years. I heartily recommend the shepherd’s pie. As a special treat, I was delighted to have my mystery pal, Ellen Byerrum, and her husband Bob join us. Ellen gave us the scoop on her made-for-TV movies. Two of her books have been turned into films by Lifetime Movie Network. Watch for Killer Hair and Hostile Makeover. I watched the former film last night. It was a fun whodunit with snappy dialogue intermingled with fashion tips, like Legally Blond meets Nancy Drew. The actors did a good job, and I’m looking forward to catching the second movie and maybe more to come. Ellen did a walk by in Killer Hair. You can’t miss her flaming red hair as she strolls by the White House in one shot. I admire her gutsy attitude and fashion sense, but then again, she’d been a reporter on the Washington scene where you have to dress for success.

For more information on Ellen’s Crime of Fashion series, go to http://www.ellenbyerrum.com. You may remember us as the Mystery Chicks: Me, Ellen, Susan McBride, Laura Durham, and Alesia Holliday.. Now it’s just myself, Susan, Ellen, and Laura at http://www.thebookbelles.com.

After saying goodbye to Ellen and Bob, we moseyed to the waterfront and then along up one of the hills to wind in and out of the quaint shopping streets. It was very hot and sunny, like around 90̊. Eager for air-conditioning, we piled back into our car and headed toward Rockville. That evening, we had a pleasant dinner at The Olney Grille.

Unfortunately, our trip ended the next day. We made good time on I-95 south, so we drove into Savannah to eat dinner at the River House overlooking the harbor. My pecan encrusted tilapia with delicious. It made me buy some crushed pecans the next day along with a basket of fresh Georgia peaches. Wishing we had more time to explore this historic city with its charming streets, old buildings, ghosts, and eateries, we left for home.

We’re finally back in Fort Lauderdale where the weather is hot and rainy. Our dog survived her vacation in the kennel and actually seems livelier. Maybe barking at all those other pooches perked her up. I’m back to paying bills, catching up on mail, running errands, doing laundry. Oh, joy. The vacation is over. I’ll give myself a week to get things in order, and then I’ll start the final read-through of my mystery manuscript.

I hope you enjoyed these posts on my journey. I used to take notes during my travels, keeping extensive diaries from the faraway places I’d visited. Now this blog serves the same purpose, only you get to share in my experiences. You’ll also be able to share my photos, as soon as I upload and resize them. Have a bouffant day!

I grew up near Montgomery Mall and remember when it was built. It was our "home" mall, and it has undergone many additions and transformations. When it opened, it was little more than a Sears, a Hecht's, a Woolworth's and a store selling organs. Man, you could hear that stupid organ music all over the mall!

Nancy, I watched and enjoyed both movies. All along I was thinking, just how well, all your books, would translate as well to the small screen....now, who can I write to to tell them that:)

Linda, from your mouth to the producer's ears. I fully agree with you. Why don't you write to the producers of LMN? I could see my stories as an ongoing series. Wish someone in Hollywood would take note.

Ok,all done, I am your new agent;):)