You go, Susan! How unfair and illogical to blame you for what's going on. Of course you want your books available in as many places as possible and in as many formats. This is business! I appreciate the stand you did take and will be hoping with you that these issues are solved ASAP. Firmly in your corner, sid

Do you use the stevia a lot? Most non-sugar sweeteners have a bitter aftertaste. What's your experience with this? Is it difficult to grow? Looking ahead to my spring garden plans. :-) sid

That is one gorgeous baby boy! How wonderful that he is welcomed with so much love. Hope you get to cuddle with him soon. hugs, sid

Beautiful salvias! Becca & I were wishing you were along this afternoon as we were driving near Brenham, so you could tell us what flowers we were seeing. Went to a farm market--fresh cheeses, eggs, breads, local honey--yum!

I am so enjoying the articles and learning about the history of Cottage Tales. The amount of research you did and the attention to detail is amazing. Thank you for putting all this together!

Susan, I just read an article about a woman who "found herself" only after gifting herself with two days of silence every month. That sounds like heaven to me. It seems there is so much talk these days about finding oneself or connecting with one's inner being that some might well ask if we're not overplaying its importance. My answer is that we're asking and seeking precisely because we do need that inward journey of discovery. Many of us live, I live, in a pretty superficial world where all the attention in on doing and achieving and living up to a schedule. There's little emphasis on self. In the normal workaday world, self is merged into the whole of the workplace team. Too much individuality upsets the flow of things. It's difficult to wind down from this constant subrogation of self and keep a good sense of who the inner being is. Now that's me, and perhaps it isn't that difficult for others to change gears. I desperately need time alone and don't get nearly enough of it. At times, when I'm home, I seem to be still partly away from myself, and then too is the family me with duties and pleasures of the family as a whole--still not the inner essential me. I know I am a sum of all the parts of my life, but I never seem to be able to gather all of me together in a single silent spot. Does that make sense? I feel unsettled. Blessings and good fortune on your book tour. Susan I.

Janet, I love the way you break this down in easy to understand examples. Lately, my muse and I have not been connecting, but I haven't practiced the diligence, devotion, discipline, and deliberate planning you talk about. Personal problems are crowding out the creative impulses. I have a feeling if I could get past the gloomies and the daily-ness of the crisis and actually write, I would feel better and be more productive in all areas of my life.

This is a favorite story of mine. Likening the feast to art is wonderful, whether taken literally or figureatively. I love to cook and I'd like to think some of what I create is art that I share with my family and friends. When we share our passions, we create art.

What a treasure your mother handed down to you. I know next to nothing about my parents' families. They didn't talk about the past and no one wrote anything dow. My mother viewed questions about the past as prying, along with comments about "airing dirty laundry in public", Now all of the elders are gone and my questions will never be answered. I do love your prompts! I wish I had time for a retreat just so I could catch up on my journalling. The ideas generated by this blog could keep me busy for a long time. Thank you, Lee.

Right now, going through a tough stretch, it's hard for me to even remember past achievements-- when I felt good about myself, competent and having some control over my life. I think an exercise of deliberate recall of those times might be just what I need. I don't know about the term "glories", though it does have a positive spin. I have some journalling to do! Susan A adds: But also celebrate today's glories, Sid. Your achievements with our book review team, your blogging here--just two things, and I know there's more. Please be sure to include in your journal list one of your current glories!

Lee, you're so understanding about my "fetish." :-) I can look at books anywhere, any time. Online is great when I need a hit late at night! I'm in awe of authors, truly I am. The imagination, talent and effort is awesome. Even with some of the "cozies" I read, I think I always come away having learned at least some small fact.

Linda H., I always have more than one book started--one for the car, one by my bed, and several just for different moods. It seems there are still many more calling my name! :-)

Thanks for your kind words, Duffie. I am so looking forward to that "delicious" leisure time to read. I think as we age, we need to keep our minds active and learning. What better way than books?

Oh Penny, you're right! We're bombarded on all sides with new book information. I'll try a new author that's been recommended and then want to read more from that author. Or, I'll read an SCN post and a title will catch my eye, and then, there are emails from Amazon and trips to the library. Good grief, it's a wonder I get anything else done! But then, all reading is a learning experience...

Linda, I know it must have been difficult for you to let go of all those wonderful books too. Quite an exercise in self-control, right?