The Monday Before Liftoff

Oh no! Jaci Burton's father-in-law has fallen quite ill, so she and her husband headed back home. Send them your good thoughts, prayers, and maybe a souvenir from the conference.

Romance Worth Killing For
Elisabeth reports that Atlanta is ten degrees COOLER than Hometown Oregon.

Katy Cooper
The best thing about National is catching up with all those too-far-away friends.

Literary Chicks
Soho Twins Do Atlanta.

Being Bonnie Vanak
The dangers of a fondness for dancing chipmunks.

The Muse & Monica Burns
Last seen headed toward North Carolina enroute to Atlanta.

Ember Case
A scary photo of a fully-packed car BEFORE the luggage and The Nightmare Before National.

Blogging With Lucy Monroe
Lucy kicks off her NANTY (Not At Nationals This Year) blog party with the top twelve reasons to be glad you are not going to Atlanta and Monday's prize list.

He Wrote, She Wrote
Jenny writes about packing and gender unfairness.

CJ Barry & Samantha Graves Blog
Twelve outfits in five days.

Katy Cooper
Katy wrestles with the age-old question: What do I cram into my carry-on?

Bebe Thomas
Bebe's husband gives her an "I'll miss you while you're gone" gift.

Laura Marie Altom's Book Blog
Laura is sporting an edgy asymmetrical cut for National.

Patti O'Shea
Patti decides to skip bringing her laptop, so any updates during National will be done via WebTV.

Shanna's Journal
Shanna packs light this year and asks her readers what you'd like to hear back about National.

The Writing Playground
Packing routines and a vote on an outfit.

Serendipity Links
Why the sky is violet, not blue
Hollow earth theories
and
because you can never get enough Latigo Flint:

If otters give each other names, they are surely unpronounceable on the lips of Man. Who knows what name the other otters had for the big gray one with black fur across its eyes--but the Rivermen called it Fury, and crossed themselves as they did.

(Mercy, that's a good opening!!! It makes me all tingly to know that I'm the one who wrote it.)