When my publisher called to ask me about going on a book signing tour, I was hesitant to accept the offer. Since it also included several live radio appearances, I was even more skeptical. The book signing appearances paid very little, although travel and accommodation expenses were covered.

I wasn’t sure if I could handle being interviewed on live radio. I was certain I’d be at a loss for words or say something wrong or off-color. Sounding like a dumb-ass or getting embarrassed on the air were my worst nightmares. With the publisher tacking on more money for the radio appearances, I found it impossible to turn down his offer.

After discussing the situation with my grandfather and Cody, we came to agreement on my accepting the publisher’s offer. I could still manage the ranch by daily telephone conferences. I would schedule a nightly call for 8pm with J.D. and Cody. They would update me on everything that was happening at the Double D. Since I would only be gone for two weeks at a time, I could still keep up on the accounting and bills.

The tours went very smooth, at least enough to suit me. The daily book signings gave me a lot of chair time and allowed me to meet many of my fans. I made it through the radio talk shows without slipping up or making an ass out of myself. Often the interviews reached their limits of what the FCC would permit transmitted over the airwaves. Openly discussing sex over the air didn’t seem to bother me the least bit. All interviewers were cautioned against asking me about my personal sex life though. I was having a good time despite trouble sleeping and not eating properly.

A week back at the ranch in New Mexico helped my physical well-being tremendously. Juanita was preparing foods especially for me. I couldn’t thank her enough for all her efforts. The Double D was running smoothly without my physical presence all the time.

During October, I’d spent time in Los Angles, San Francisco, New York and Miami. November had me in Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Tampa and New Orleans. I turned down Chicago and Dallas for obvious reasons.

With just two more cities to cover in December, I was glad the book signings and talk radio gigs were ending. With Seattle being the first of the two cities, I’d end the tour in Las Vegas. I’d be safely back at the ranch no later than December tenth.

With Seattle and its almost daily rains behind me, I caught a flight to Las Vegas. I was extremely tired from the rigorous schedule so I slept during most of the trip. It was December eighth, the first of two days in the gambling capital. I had three book signings scheduled, one right after the other. It took me most of the day to make it through the schedule. Returning to my room at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, I grabbed a quick nap before calling home.