The wind has eased and we are getting ready to take off from our anchorage here off the legendary homes of Palm Beach. First thing this morning, we'll head for the fuel dock and let our intrepid seadog Chip (as pictured here in his nautical harness) get off the boat and use the grass for the last time for a couple of days.

Yesterday as Bruce navigated all the bridges on this part of the ICW, I was mostly down in the cabin working on the program book for ThrillerFest, proofing the text and making phone calls to the hotel and book people. It's a big job deciding what rooms all the sessions and receptions and programs will be located in and it was pretty funny shouting into my cell phone to be heard over the engine, balancing my notebooks and computer and hanging on when some sportfish wake sent all the lot of it flying.

Last night, after a dinner of beef bourguignon and asparagus with a nice Merlot - we eat well on this boat - I was proofreading the program again and I came across the bio for one of the authors at ThrillerFest, R.J. Hillhouse. It sounded so interesting, I was prompted to go look at her blog. www.TheSpyWhoBilledMe.com. In reading her words, I realized something important about the book I am currently writing and mentally revised a yet unwritten chapter. The working title is SEA OF BONES, but that will probably wind up changing. The point is, writers are always working on their books whether they are proofreading or sailing or talking on the phone. It all goes into the mix. I hope to meet R.J. Hillhouse in New York City, because she would be a great resource for me - and it looks like she has some great stories to tell.

The captain is pacing. I think it's time to get the anchor up and get underway. I won't be able to post for a couple of days. To you and to us I wish

Fair winds!