Sunshine again—and a Stormy prediction

See that baby variegated plant being starved out by the taller ones

that have multiplied a lot

Make Fort Worth Great Again – doesn’t quite work as a slogan, but hey! According to local columnist Bud Kennedy, Stormy Daniels—yes, that one—will perform in Fort Worth tomorrow night at some place called Bucks Wild. Don’t you all beat down the doors demanding admission.

Storms aside, it’s been a pretty day in Fort Worth, with sunshine and temps in the seventies. I have the patio doors open and am enjoying the fresh air. And in a sign of spring, I fixed my first salad with lettuce from my garden. Wilted lettuce, to go with leftover leg of lamb and vegetables—for a friend who just escaped pasta. She professed to be much happier with lamb.

I actually got so wrapped up in my cookbook today that I let the day get away with me. Jean came for coffee and to pick up a honey jar and look at a plant that I want to split and share with her—the tall plants are crowding out the small one in a cute planter my daughter-in-law gave me almost a year ago. The original tiny plant died, and Jean found me a replacement. It’s holding its own but not thriving. Meantime my orchid is spectacular. I may just add a new picture tonight, even though I think it posted it before.

Anyway, Jean and I got to solving the problems of the world—we specialize in politics—and the problems of our own private worlds and forgot all about the honey jar and the planter. She left empty-handed. And I went right back to my work. Realized with a jolt that it was noon, and I hadn’t washed my hair nor done the dishes—in fact yesterday’s breakfast dish was still in the sink (I didn’t eat lunch or diner at home yesterday so no more dishes).

I did a lot of networking today, reaching out to friends, most in the publishing industry, for ideas on doing my cookbook economically. I don’t expect to make a fortune on it, but I’d like to avoid losing money.

I turned down an opportunity to return to my old life briefly this afternoon—colleague Melinda offered to come get me for an author talk and signing, the kind of event I’ve always relished. After I enthusiastically accepted, I had second thoughts. I knew that as the time to go approached, I’d be saying, “Why did you say you’d do that?” It wasn’t an author I know, though I think I’ve met him. Ditto the man who was going to emcee and introduce him. It would have been fun to see some folks I know. But what stopped me was our newly remodeled main library on campus—I haven’t been there since they moved the entrance and added impressive wide steep steps that I would have found a challenge in any circumstances. There is a handicap entrance at ground level, but I was concerned about having to park blocks away, and I didn't want to have to walk blocks. I can no longer run down the ramp to the loading dock, as I did when I worked there. So I reluctantly (and graciously I hope) declined.

And that’s when it hit me: that’s not the life I’m living these days. Books events of all kinds, from conventions to author readings, were the spice of my publishing life. But I’ve moved in a different direction these days. I’m less interested in those public events, more inclined to see dinner with friends or family as the spice of life. I recognize this without regret but, yes, with a great deal of nostalgia. It’s simply a different place in life. I do hope the reading went well, but I’m glad I stayed home and got ready to serve leftovers to a friend. We had a good visit.