It’s been a little quiet here since the travelogue finished. I mean, how can you match Nora relaxing with family in Cozumel?
So I’ll start from the end of the trip.
Nora arrived home and immediately dove into prep for the first family barbequue since 2019. She had a few days of her at-home routine before the annual trip to Greenbrier followed by the family spa trip – which she keeps private. (She can’t share everything.)
In the meantime, I visited my surgeon and decided to go for a right knee replacement the last week of August (to match my new hip from January 2022). That meant three trips in quick order to clear the deck for recovering in September.
In short, we each had much to occupy our time outside of work.
Nora finished the In Death she worked on while in Cozumel. Title and more info to come. Now she’s begun the first draft of the second book in The Lost Bride Trilogy. We’ll have to wait a lot longer for that update.
I dealt with the pre-op checklist those moments I was home.
Then suddenly it was time to depart for the girls + Griffin trip to Greenbrier. We had a fairly easy trip down. I caravaned with Nora, Kayla and JoAnne since I had to leave a day early for family events up in NY and NJ. Traffic flowed pretty well, except for a five mile slow down. We all kept a sedate pace, then suddenly cars ahead of us slammed on the brakes.
I braked so as not to hit Nora then looked in the rearview mirror and the semi behind me was still coming. I swerved onto the shoulder, pausing for a nanosecond to not clip Nora, and somehow we all survived. (The car behind the semi also swerved to the shoulder). The margin for error was small since there was a hill down from the shoulder.
Talk about adrenaline! Nora said later she thought I’d be rear-ended. I saw it more as pancaked. Fortunately, it was the most adrenaline-fueled portion of the trip.
The first order of business was to toast our arrival, then continue with the tradition of a huge hydrangia bloom in the used bottle for the outdoor decor.
One of the nicest things about our stays Greenbrier is that everyone spends the day as they please: Nora and JoAnne worked out each morning before Nora worked a bit more on that In Death. Sarah and I compared notes about books then went back to reading. Kat and Griffin headed to the pool or adventures in the arcade with Kayla.
We all met up again for dinner out on the patio followed by puzzle time and the occasional game of hearts. (Yes, I played Hearts.)
Overall, a relaxing week with one day of media work along with the annual Facebook Live — which you can watch here: https://fb.watch/mrj_tZ94qu/
As mentioned in the video — and in Nora’s letter about the Lost Bride Trilogy — we usually have a full complement of spirits on this trip. Most are happy and entertained to have the rooms full. But we decided before arriving this year to keep one door in the suite closed as the spirit in that room was rather unfriendly in 2022.
But that spirit may have been a little annoyed by the exclusion.
It happened the second evening as we headed up to bed. Now, full disclaimer, there may have been some champagne consumed but we have this on record.
My room is at the top of the stairs, then there’s a hallway and a left turn to another hallway. Nora and JoAnne slept in rooms off that second hall. Oh, and the locked door is down the hall too.
JoAnne and I were talking when we heard Nora say, “Why is there a table in the middle of the hallway? And why is there one spent match on it?”
This is exactly how she found it, blocking off the way into her room and beyond to JoAnne’s on the left and the locked door on the right. (Jo took this photo as evidence.) Much discussion ensued, until finally I moved it to the wall and walked JoAnne to her room.
The next morning we asked the concierge and housekeeping, who all reported no staff had been in the suite on Saturday evening. Kayla didn’t see it when she went to bed earlier than the rest of us — her room faces that hall and she’d have noticed. We also learned that room service no longer uses that type of table. The mystery remained unsolved. Especially the spent match part of it all.
But after that, it was quiet.
Not a mystery is how much we continue to love the glass blowing classes at Greenbrier. We spent a very satisfying Monday afternoon creating with Mike the new owner of the studio.
And since it’s a time to explore creative stuff, I chose to paint some watercolors in the afternoons.
Just before we headed home, it was time to celebrate Kayla’s 21st birthday a few days early.
I left a day early to start the my next trip (up to NY/NJ) which included throwing a baby shower for my son and DIL who are due in October. Here’s the amazing cake we found for our little girl.
Nora and family had an action-packed week at the spa which included the annual paint night. I love seeing how everyone interprets the subject.
And that’s pretty much the update from here.
What’s next? I’ll do the In Death teasers for Payback in Death a little earlier than usual before my surgery, so look for them — in bulk — this weekend. Then I’ll open the discussion thread on September 5.
Then we’ll see what comes next.
Laura
Hi Laura
Glad to hear your op is imminent, so good luck with that and please keep us op dated about that. And I hope that everything is going to go well, and you’ll be out of pain once it’s done.
It’s always wonderful to hear about Nora adventures with friends and family, it’s very kind of her to share this with us, all her reading family.
And congratulations to Kayla for her special Birthday, she a wonderful young lady.
Thanks Laura for the update, keep well.
Gina
Great update. Wishing you luck with your TKA
I had both knees replaced last year, at different times. Recovery was hard work, but worth the process. Hope you have an easy time of it.
Don’t sweat the knee replacement. Best thing I ever did. Just do your rehab! No cheating on that and you will be like new. Best of luck and a speedy recovery.
Totally agree with Edith! I should never have dragged my feet for so long about getting my total knee done. Stick with the PT like it’s a religion and you will be in great shape probably sooner than friends and friends of friends say it took them to heal! Thanks also for the updates from you and Nora. Love the books!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Best of luck with the knee replacement! Highly, highly recommend the spinal!!!
My mother had both knees replaced. I feel for you. But the end result is worth it. Congrats on avoiding a massive pile-up. Good reflexes and quick reaction! Thank you and Nora both for the time you spend updating your fan base. It amazes me that either off you have time for it with the work you do and the private life both of you are entitled to.
Good luck with your surgery. I have had knee replacement. I won’t share my experience, except to say I hope you have a better one. Thanks as always for sharing with us.
Happy 21st Birthday to Kayla. Wishing you the best on your joint replacement Laura
Did you run into the Cleveland Browns while you were there? They were there to practice and team bonding. Good luck with your knee. I had both done about 10 years ago.
We saw them from afar as it was hush-hush on the property. Their wing of the hotel and practices was off limits to the other guests. ~Laura
Love the Pic ‘s glad you enjoyed the trip looks like a beautiful place .Had my knees done in 2007 best thing I ever did therapy was a little rough at first but smoothed out take it easy you will be fine God speed
Hope your knee surgery goes well, my son had his replaced several years ago and loves it. It’s always fun to read about all the adventures you guys have, and kudos to Kayla for turning 21!
Nice also to see the family picture. I’ll look forward to the next *fallintothestory*.
Always fun to see what you all do when together. Prayers for an easy surgery and recovery.
I had both knees done at the same time about four years ago. Physically it was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. Wish I’d done it years ago. Stay on top of the PT!
What a lovely girls trip! Happy birthday to Kayla and prayers to you on your knee surgery, which I’m certain will go very well!
Love your watercolor Laura. The baby cake is gorgeous. There is nothing better than grandchildren when our children are adults. You and Nora are always so gracious with your time. Wishing you an easy surgery and recovery!
Thank you for sharing. I love the first sunset picture. Of course, I love all the pictures, but the sunset was my favorite. Happy 21st to Kayla. I remember on my 21st, I went to at least three establishments that were known for carding, and none of them carded me. I was so disappointed.
Nora has a great family and I liked their paintings. Look forward to more about the upcoming In Death and her next Bride book.
I always appreciate that you share in the adventures you all have. I wish you healing so that you feel better. Thank you again for sharing your lives with us. 😊🍷🍹🍸
Thanks for sharing. I’m glad that nobody got smooshed in the semi incident.
The blown glass pieces are great. I especially like the scraps that you all created for Nora. It is really neat.
I hope that the knee replacement goes well.
Thanks for great review again. Loved the glass blowing. Congrats Nora on IDENTITY being named BEST BOOK OF 2023. You deserve it. A great book for sure. Glad you’re good drivers. Wow. Keep up informing your fans of trips, events as we love them. Greet pictures.
Laura, thank you for the update! Always enjoy them! Glad you had a great trip! Sounded like fun! Love the glass blowing and watercolors! I can’t paint for the life of me so appreciate others who do! Good luck with your surgery and recovery! I am sure it will go well! BTW, great reflexes on the semi incident! Glad no one was hurt!
Thank you for the update. I’m having my right knee replaced September 5th. I’m praying for a rapid recovery for both of us. Just finished my pre op appointments also. 🙏🙏💐💐
Excellent driving skills, could have been bad without your observations.
I’ve read all of Nora’s books and can’t think of a favorite. They are all very much enjoyed.
Hi from Cincinnati, Ohio!
I will be venturing up to Baltimore the last weekend in September for my granddaughter’s wedding. I’m using that as an excuse to visit Turn the Page! Any special happenings that weekend?
You should visit the stores website to see. Nora won’t be in town but Gifts Inn Boonsboro as well as TTP always have something up their sleeves. ~Laura
I was just watching the news. Did they BAN Nora’s books in Texas libraries? What???
Megan, I’ve not seen anything about Texas libraries (altho’ the way they’re going, probably any day now–if they have any left!) but 8 titles were removed from a school library in Florida because 1 person complained about them. I know Nora did a video about it; said the woman was claiming pornography, etc. Fine, woman, don’t let your kids read them but no fair dictating what other folks’ kids can read!