Dear Valerie... Thank you for your email. However, I was disturbed and saddened to find that my sister's house near Atlantic City did not make the cut. Ashamedly, I must admit I went to SAM'S CLUB to prepare just yesterday as I was certain her house would be "Top o' the List". I returned a case of "Beefaroni" to ACME that I had gotten at the "CAN CAN" sale at SHOPRIGHT (an undertaking in iself) in order to pay for the supplies at SAM'S. I got lots of toilet paper and even graham crackers (in case we wanted to make s'mores and sing Kumbaya late in the evening since we might want that after smoking the cr**k everyone else would gladly mule along with them due to my hospitality. Nevertheless, and despite my great efforts to make my home (OK...f**k it...my sister's home) open to you [and your] 500 friends, with whom I am so close and have given so much (DENY IT! JUST ONE OF YOU! I DARE YOU!!) you scoffed at the thought of putting these open doors on the list. I offered you all three (COUNT 'EM! 1-2-3!!!!!!) bedrooms. I did not even want to mention that I already got Ramen noodle packets for breakfast cause that is a low blow (chicken flavor). In closing I want to say that you are all a bunch of ingrates, and I am not coming.

P.S. New Orleans would be good!

Dear Val: (Sis)

I’m so excited about this! I would like to go to Greece, of course. (HA) I know, it’s out of the question. Just tell me where it’s gonna be and I’ll see if I can manage to get there, k?

Hugs and smiles,
Marion

Valerie,

…Charleston, South Carolina!! It has everything on your list except fall foliage. There are some spectacular gardens to tour, but our big tree around here are lots of stinkin’ pine trees.

As far as everything else, Charleston has it all but gambling. If a writer can’t get inspired walking the streets of the best-preserved antebellum city in the world, they might as well get a job as a plumber. Besides, I think a lot of the bigots and big mouths in the Lounge should spend at least one day in the home of the Confederacy and maybe taking a boat cruise out to tour Fort Sumter.

Other than that, I’m cool with anything. But, I am a South Carolina Gamecock football fan with season tickets. No telling where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing on the weekends in the fall.

Thanks for the heads up…

Wesley Tucker

Valerie – the minute you said foliage I thought – Boston!

All the best,

Maureen

Ok,

A bit late but here goes. I like several cities. L.A. or SoCal would be fine if only because it’s where I live and I wouldn’t have to spend much on travel and accommodations. San Francisco would be another choice since it’s close and meets all or most of the criteria. Chicago would be another choice since there’s so much to do there (and I grew up there!). New York would be my last choice. Why? What the heck, it’s New York! Need I say more? Thanks,

Ron

Valerie, I would love to come to a party like this. I’m pretty much open, and I’m willing to see what others say. Please keep me informed.

NO BRAINER!
AUSTIN, TEXAS!

Valerie? Austin is perfect! The “Texas Book Festival” started by the First Lady years ago is the biggest event of it’s kind in the US. Which attracts famous authors from all over the world. It happens in August next to the State Capital (it was at this festival a few years back that I found my publisher for “YOUR MOVE” by me … now available in all Brns& Nbles Amazon etc.. )

YES! Austin Texas has it all >> like new Orleans without the filth with clean lakes and a population that could fit in Berkely California! << And odd eclectic very clean eco friendly goofy town Austin is.. Live music capital of the world..

There is too much to list.. The oasis in Texas..

Hope this helps Val~ Thanks ~

Craig C Budreau
Austin, Texas
CcBudreau
ccbudreau.com