It's hot in Texas...

...but not bad at all at Mt. Hood in Oregon. We arrived at Timberline Lodge (from which my husband took this shot) to find forty-degree temps and seven-foot snow drifts that will have to see lots more warm weather before disappearing. The same denim jacket that made Dallas nearly unbearable left me shivering in the Cascades. How great to feel cold!

Chrissy S., a DTS friend, and her two kiddos dined with us before heading south to their summer residence in Bend, OR. Chrissy's hubby has been in Iraq for a long time with more months ahead. None of us sat around mourning the death of a certain high-ranking al-Queda member. Those commands to love one's enemy are much easier read than followed, eh?

Last night Gary and I had a lovely dinner with David and Renee Sanford of the Sanford Literary Agency right on the Willamette River at Newport Bay restaurant in Portland. Where else can you find Columbia River salmon and bread with huckleberry jam on the menu? Add to that huckleberry cobbler for dessert. Or maybe it was boysenberry. Whatever. Yum! Meanwhile, my sister, Carrie, and her family took Alexandra to see the Oregon Children's Theater production of "Tall Tales."

Yesterday and today the folks at Heaven Scent Christian Books and Cody's Coffee sponsored me for a book signing benefiting the local pregnancy resource center. My Coffee Cup Bible series is a perfect blend with their Christian-books-and-coffee-shop combo. And I met some wonderful people and enjoyed the presence of my parents and my sis, Mary, and her two girls, who surprised me by showing up.

Tonight my niece, Heather Grafe, marries Chris Heck. Heather Heck has a nice ring, doesn't it? Her arrival into the world was my best sweet-sixteenth birthday present. Hard to believe she is all grown up.

The sky has been overcast all day, but now I see the sun peeking out. It may be downright lovely at the outdoor ceremony this evening. I just need to remember to take my coat. Oops. Wait. I didn't pack one of those.