Busy day

      

You know those days when you have a list—either on paper or in your head—and you check the items off one at a time? I had such a day today, and it made me feel great to go through that list. Phone calls, files sent, files studied. I sent my picture files for the Alamo book off to the editor—I know, deep in my heart, there will be problems matching pictures to captions, locating pictures I had, pictures she has, and merging all together. But I figured sending them off was a good start. And now I can stop worrying about that in the back of my mind.

Then I spent a long time on the phone with the TCU Help Desk, figuring out some computer problems. Lucked into such a nice tech person. First, we talked about why I couldn’t access online books from the library—I could get the book title on my Favorites but couldn’t open. She quickly found it was a browser problem—changed browsers and voila! There was the book. As I suspected, it had little of value for me—probably one footnotes to add. But once again, my conscience was cleared, and I could quit worrying about that book.

Then we turned to Word and the reason it told me upload was blocked and it couldn’t save my files. That took a lot longer, but she consulted others and found that TCU doesn’t license Microsoft Office for retirees, only active faculty and staff. So I had to license it for a year. I think we’ve got that solved too. I told the young woman it was a delight to spend the morning with her. And I have to say such technical support is one of the big benefits of being retired from TCU.

For a couple of weeks I’ve been an author in search of a project, and I don’t do well when at loose ends like that. Yes, I read—among other things Saving Ferris, in which a young widow’s murder trial hinges on whether a dog is family or property. If you read this blog, you know where I come down on that. The novel had all the elements of a sentimental story, but it managed to sidestep them nicely, and the story was told in a straightforward, sometime humorous manner. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

But reading someone else’s accomplishment was not like having a project of my own. I prowled and played with ideas and suddenly had an inspiration—or at least a semi-inspiration. I am going to do some research and brushing up on old files to see if I can re-shape a project of thirty years ago into a book for today. I’m not ready to talk about it, except to say that it’s Texas history—and that’s where I belong. So life looks good to me tonight.

Tonight was the first spring night we sat on the patio with wine. Jordan and I made a list of plants I want—well, let’s say plants she wants for me with some input for me. The backyard is apparently my kingdom, but that’s okay. I’m envisioning some gaillardia or coreopsis and plumbago in a pot, and she insists on geraniums. I want some herbs and have a planter I think will work. A plant store trip is in our near future.

It’s nearly nine o’clock, and I still have the patio doors open. May have to turn on the a/c to sleep tonight. It’s the best time of year in North Texas.