I'm back from my book events in south Florida and I'm going to pause on sharing that for now.  I have to say that I had quite the bittersweet year.....with major medical situations with both Ray and my son, Shawn.  Ray's situation is resolved.  Shawn's diagnosis of lung cancer is continuing.....but he's been seen at Shand's by a surgeon, had another CAT scan done and we're waiting on results from that.

But despite the difficult times, I also was very blessed during this year.  Especially with all of the excitement and support leading up to and the release of SPINNING FORWARD on October 27.  So I have a tremendous amount to be thankful for.  Although the reason wasn't the best, it also brought Shawn to Cedar Key and we were able to spend our first Thanksgiving together in quite awhile.  My son, Brian, came to the island on Monday with Veronique and three of my grandchildren for four days and I got to play Nana again.

No visit to the island is complete without a visit downtown to Kona Joe's Coffee Shop.

Me with Forrest (age 15) Sebastian (age 8) and Emma (age 6)  Julien, Brian's oldest and now 18, wasn't able to come as he's working part-time after school.

And here's Brian and Veronique with the kids.

Uncle Shawn joined us at Kona Joe's too.

Along with his very sweet dog, Smokey.

And for Thanksgiving dinner there were ten of us........Shawn, Brian, Veronique, the kids and our very good friends, Edie and Joe, owners of Kona Joe's. 

We were having some nippy weather, so we had dinner inside rather than on the lanai.

And Chef DuLong did a superb job with the turkey and all the fixings.  My contribution was a pumpkin pie and Edie brought a delicious pumpkin praline pie.

And following dinner, it was time for chatting, visiting and being thankful for family and good friends.  Somehow I missed getting a shot of Edie and Joe though.......but I'll have one for you next time, taken the next night at the City Park for the Tree Lighting ceremony.

I hope you also enjoyed a great Thanksgiving and you have a lot in your life to be thankful for.

Join me here next time and I'll share our first annual Cedar Key tree lighting ceremony with you.  See you then..................