LEAP YEAR 2008

I only get this opportunity once every four years, so I'm taking advantage of it-that is to write something on February 29.
Linda and I just got back from a ten day Caribbean cruise on Feb. 24. It was really nice. We visited the Dominican Republic, Tortola, Antigua, Barbados, and St. Lucia. I think that St. Lucia was the most picturesque of the five ports, but they all had a different charm. Well, I'm not too sure about Samana, D.R. where poverty abounds. I love cruising but the jury is still out with regard to Freestyle Cruising, as far as I am concerned. There were ten restaurants on the ship but it was almost impossible to make a reservation for the times that we wanted to dine. Other than that, it was a great trip.
We met, and befriended some very nice people during the cruise. Jeff DeHart, actor, comedian, and impressionist, was the main act for one evening and we actually got to spend some time with him during the cruise. He is a talented, and very funny man. I encourage you to visit his web site at http://www.jeffdehart.com/ You will find it interesting.
We also became friends with author Gail Small and her husband Dave. Gail gave several seminars during the cruise on 'How to be creative.' She has published several children's books and self help books-many of which her husband has illustrated. Gail's has a web site at http://www.gailsmall.com/ and Dave has an online cartoon at http://wwwDave@SignGarden.com/ We have already been in touch by e-mail and Gail has told me that she has started reading my novel and "Really likes it" she added that it is "Good and engaging and fun."
I did sell, and sign, several copies of The Scam while on the cruise-I had to mix business with pleasure. A really nice couple from London, Patsy and John, purchased a book and were kind enough to invite Linda and I to stay with them if we ever visit the UK. You have just got to love the Brits.
When we arrived home on Sunday, my next door neighbor welcomed us home and gave me a couple of copies of the South Marion Citizen, which he had saved. While we were away, the Citizen had written a really nice front page article about me and my novel along with a very favorable book review of The Scam and my neighbor wanted to be sure that I had some copies of the local Ocala newspaper.
Unfortunately, I woke up Monday with the flu, so I have been spending the week trying to recover. It could have been worse though-I could have gotten sick while on the cruise. Oh...I did take a whole bunch of really nice pictures which I downloaded to my computer to show my friends.