Summer is in full swing, and it has certainly been an eventful one so far. These past few weeks I have been traveling to various book conferences and conventions throughout the country. As much as I enjoy these events (busy as they are), I confess that I do look forward to the quiet moments I can spend in my backyard reading!

The other night, right before I left for Orlando, I learned that I had achieved “Silver Elite” frequent flyer status on Continental, which, given my non-stop travel this year, should come as no surprise. Yes, I danced a happy dance over that one, and then a true nirvana moment of any frequent traveler came through in email --- the complimentary upgrade to First Class. Hmmmm I wonder if they had read last week’s newsletter about my fear of Mickey ears and Shamu the whale in coach. I think I was out of the airport and into a taxi before the last row got off the plane. It is the little things that make me happy!

As readers of this newsletter know, I love to swim. Last Sunday night, as I was watching Dara Torres, the 41-year-old swimmer, set a record in the women's 50M freestyle, I wanted to hit the water and do laps with even more enthusiasm than usual. There have been stories in the press all week about Torres giving those of "her generation" someone to cheer for with a spirited reminder that age can be just a number.