When a book lover visits San Francisco a visit to City Lights Bookstore is a must, so on Saturday I stole a little time away from the RWA Conference with good friends Debbie Pfeiffer and Nancy Robards Thompson to stroll through Chinatown with the landmark bookstore as our destination.

Strolling down Kerouac Alley, we stopped to read the quotes inset in the bricks, appreciating the insight and wisdom of some of our most famous authors and spokesmen for a generation.

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From the first stage plans for my trip to San Francisco, I knew a few things would make it complete. First, I wanted to happen upon a Huey Lewis and the News concert in a small venue. No luck with that one.

The second thing on my list was an old fashioned souvenir pillow complete with the Golden Gate Bridge embroidered in glittery red and gold thread on creamy satin and trimmed with flashy gold fringe. I think I remember my grandmother having something like that on her sofa, and I just adored it. It was about the most beautiful thing my child’s eyes beheld.

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And man, oh man, did we have some fun at the annual Harlequin party during the RWA National Conference in San Francisco! There’s just nothing like gettin’ on your groove with a bunch of smart, talented and light-footed women while the DJ spins hits from “Sweet Home Alabama” to “Sexy Back” with all the good stuff in between. These photos of girls in action were taken with my iPhone in the midst of the dance frenzy. From left to right we’ve got Cindy Rutledge, Nancy Robards Thompson, Mary Louise Wells, Me, Katherine Garbera, Debbie Pfeiffer and Nancy again.

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While our famous published author friends had their noses to grindstone attending publisher’s cocktail parties and schmoozing with editors at the RWA conference, “The Free Three” (Debbie Pfieffer, Mary Louise Wells, and me) slipped off for a snack, a drink, and a fabulous view of San Francisco from The Top of the Mark at the top of Nob Hill. What a place! Incredible 360-view with glimpses of the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate, Alcatraz and the skyline.

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