After spending a month in the warm, humid climate of Kauai, I’m now here in Montana. It’s fifty degrees (F) and let me follow that by saying that’s the daytime temp. I don’t even want to know what it goes down to at night. Brrr.

At first, I was stoked to get to wear my fuzzy-lined Nine West boots that were dusty from several years of neglect in my California closet. Did I mention they have heels? I was only doing errands, but I looked so tall and stylish strutting around Costco. Look out Project Runway.

A few hours later my feet were not so happy. That’s right, blisters. It was so bad that I took off my boots and wandered around Target barefoot, totally stressed that a salesperson would catch me and kick me out of the store for shopping without footwear. Imagine the small town scandal. Not the first impression I want to make here. Luckily, I didn’t get caught and for the next few days, I had to put my poor, blistered feet into flip flops.

Now, it’s Sunday night. Probably less than fifty degrees (I’m not checking, I don’t want to know) and my feet have healed. Yet I’m still wearing flip flops. My pink Tevas, actually. Why, you ask? Call me crazy, but I think going from swimsuits and sarongs, to sweaters and boots was too much for this California girl to take and that’s why my feet rebelled. So, I’m going to ease into the change. I will wear sweaters and I will wear jeans, since I don’t want to freeze but I’m not quite ready to convert to cold weather feet coverings. Maybe I’m odd. Maybe I’ll start a new trend. But for the time being, it’s fifty degrees and flip flops.

Which do you prefer: Tanks, shorts, and warm weather? Or turtlenecks, boots, and a crisp, chilly breeze?

For years I-80 East meant heading toward Reno. This weekend it meant something a tad bit further. Yes, the rumors are true. This California girl has moved to Montana. And let me tell you, the drive out was an experience.

Never mind the the 19+ hours, highway construction, and slow-moving semis. . . I’m here to tell you about Lovelock, Nevada. The name of the town alone has my fingers itching to start a new book–but I won’t. I am totally focused on my current wip. Plus, my writing buddies would totally freak out.

Anyway, back to I-80 East . . . my hubby and I have this rule on road trips that once our eyes go all fuzzy it’s time to stop driving. It’s a good rule, I think. Feel free to adopt it if you want. So, between stretches of tumbleweed strewn desert, we spotted a hotel–make that a motel–that was willing to take our two little yipping dogs. And that motel was where everyone? You guessed it, Lovelock.

The room was neat, clean, and totally adequate. But what tripped me out was a little sign on the countertop in the hallway. It was one I’d never seen before and it went like this:

We love our linens and some of our guests do too. If there is anything you wish to take with you we will be happy to bill your account. Pricelist:

• Bath towel $15.00
• Hand towel $ 8.00
• Wash cloth $ 5.00
• Pillow $20.00
• Blanket $40.00
• Bedspread $90.00
• Pillowcase $10.00
• Sheet $15.00
• Ashtray $ 4.00 (total false advertising since I was in a non-smoking room and there was no ashtray)
• Ice Bucket $ 5.00

I have to tell you, I think these items are overpriced. I mean you can get a real deal on thick Ralph Lauren towels at Costco and while the motel’s towels were clean and white, they were also thin and scratchy. Like they’d been air-dried for a month. So fifteen bucks a pop? I think not.

Also, I’m of the opinion that the motel is losing business by not offering up the Sunbeam coffee pot. It was a cute little thing and they might actually get some takers on those. And that phone with the red light that flashes when you have a message? Very cool. Lastly, it was totally wrong of them not to list a price for the wall-attached hair dryer. I mean, my hubby had a power drill in the car and I might’ve forked out some cash for that. It dried my hair in three minutes flat–a major record. Oh, well. I’ll have to live with the disappointment.

Okay, okay, I’m sure the motel isn’t really taking a shot at the retail business. But couldn’t they just put a sign up saying “You steal it, we’ll bill you for it and charge you a killing to make it worth our while”? It would be so much simpler that way. Although, not nearly as entertaining.

Ever seen or used something in a hotel room that you wished you could buy? You know there is. Tell me–or I’ll stay awake at night wondering if there’s some lodging enjoyment I’m missing out on.

Between you and me, I sniff books. Odd habit? Possibly. But it’s not like I sniff all books. Just the new ones. That makes it ok, right? (This is where you nod your head.)

Before you judge, head to the bookstore. Browse the bindings. Run your fingers over the titles as your heart goes pitty pat at all the pretty covers calling “Pick me! Pick me!” Found a particularly engaging one yet? Good. Pick it up. Hold it in your hand. Admire it as your imagination runs wild at the possibilities inside.

Now, take the pad of your thumb and shuffle the pages. Hear it? The engaging shuffle? Now, look left. Look right. If nobody’s watching, bring the pages to your nose, shuffle once again, and take a long whiff. Ahhhh. There it is. That’s the ticket. Crave it as much as I do now?

If so, don’t worry. Just repeat as necessary, then head to the check-out with your new fragrances. The “new” smell should last you 1-2 months. Not as long as a “new car” smell, but at least it’s not costing us five figures.

I’m also a sucker for coconut, vanilla, and pumpkin scents. Which ones get to you?