Right now, mentally, I’m skipping through a field of flowers and singing, “I’m going to UtopYA. I’m going to UtopYA.”

I’m so excited to see my Facebook and Twitter friends. Although it’s always tricky to recognize people from their online photos. I have different glasses now, and my hair is not quite the same color as it was in my author photo. Other people never use their photos, they just use their book covers or pictures of their pets which makes recognizing them a challenge.

Speaking of pets. The hardest part of traveling is leaving Pete the Shitzu. I haven’t packed yet because as soon as I get the suitcase down from the top of the closet Pete will freak out and try to climb up my leg. Whenever I head toward the door which leads to the garage, he flattens himself against the door to try and keep me from leaving. My husband tells me that once I leave, Pete lays in the laundry room of despair. Oh, the guilt.

Skype has made traveling so much easier. I can talk face to face with my husband so he doesn’t seem so far away. Now if I just had Hermione Granger’s bottomless-bag, packing would be a breeze.

If you’re going to #UtoYA2015 and you spot me please come say hello. And if your online photo is your dog or your book cover, it may look like I’m staring at your chest, but I’m really trying to read your name badge.