Today is our last full day, and although we’re all still working hard, we’re ready to go home to our families. It’s been a very productive week, although we all agree we ate entirely too much–particularly too many M&M peanuts (and in Margaret’s case, Cheetos). I don’t dare say how many bags of both we’ve gone through. I will most miss the evenings filled with camaraderie and games and Sarah’s contagious laughter during Taboo and Balderdash.

Last night, we went out to dinner at an English pub (in North Carolina–go figure) with thriller author JD Rhoades, who lives nearby. (That’s chicken “pub pie” in front of me. It was delicious, but nothing compared to the warm gingerbread that followed…) From left to right: Brenda Witchger, me, Margaret Maron, JD aka Dusty, Katy Munger and Sarah Shaber.

My goal for today is 3000 words. My goal for tomorrow is to drive home, give prolonged hugs to John and the pups, and CHILL!