Julia, one thing I’ll say about you, is you are the most loyal supportive friend an author could ever hope to have! The  truth is that LOTS of Reed’s writer friends are wonderful, entertaining, brainy (one might even refer to their work as genius) and she never fails to cite one or two of them in her own witty articles, columns or books. Last year, her hilarious novel The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story was released about the rebuilding of New Orleans.  Now is the perfect time to pick up a copy or or 2 (in case one "disappears") of BOTH House on First Street and her last witty collection of comments on odd Southern customs as can only be seen through Julia’s deep-Mississippi roots, Queen of the Turtle Derby (again, I suggest you get 2, because of the likelihood of one becoming "lost.")

These are the perfect beach, travel, cheer-up gifts I can think of. The chapters are short so you don’t have to ache your brain trying to remember who everyone was before you fell asleep (passed out). They’re small; so they’re not too heavy to lug around.

Julia Reed and I met about 20 years ago when she was the Maid of Honor and I, the Matron of Honor, (God, that’s such a dreadful form of bridal custom—it should be outlawed by the Etiquette Police.) We wore very elegant, almost bottle-green colored sheaths, made from the most exquisite velvet that I had ever seen or touched with a necklace collar. The sophisticated features  were perfectly shaped and fitted shoulder pads and a modest yet sexy thigh-high slit. It was the only bridesmaid gown I ever wore again. Julia’s friends out in California did the design and execution.

Being the wonderful, engaging woman that she is: Julia and my husband, Fernando had many discussions about books and reading for hours.  He wisely took her suggestions and has followed those authors for years. So, thank you, Julia! When I don’t know what to buy to get "Free Shipping"on any of the  booksites websites I use, I buy one of those authors to feel less guilty about all I’ve just ordered. I also buy him those to cheer him him (had to do alot of before Christmas)

He specializes in decorative painting ("Dragging""Colorwash" etc.—but he does exterior, interior and restoration work)  The Palm Beach market is improving. 80% of his business is through interior designers. He’s working in East Hampton this week.

He laughed his a** off at the descriptions of the construction on 1st Street. (I do apologize for him, he didn’t mean it in a nasty way—it’s just that it was obvious to him how wrong things were going even from the plans, he know why things weren’t going to work). He worked in Miami after Hurricane Andrew, cleaning up and painting for almost 2 years.  6 hour commutes.  It’s really an hour. And do tell your friends, he travels. East coast, all South, Aspen, Caribbean and Europe.

P.S. Julia, sorry I missed you at The Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach this Spring. I already had a book.  Now I have a another signed First Edition too! A friend of mine who does PR there asked you to sign a book for me because I couldn’t make it. I was always so happy to hear you married. To think you met him at CC’s wedding

If I could make a fun beach read of my own, it would be the Florida-based writer, Carl Hiaasen

Most of his stories take place in Florida too! .