I have a to-do list. I was with some folks the other night--don't even remember where--and someone mentioned a bucket list. I started thinking . . . I don't really have one. There are things I might like to do (like spend a week on a dude ranch or visit Rome), but I'm not dying to do those things. So I wouldn't say they're on a bucket list. Instead I have a to-do list, things I'd like to do … [Read more...]

If you like to bake like I do, the thought of baking in June isn't exactly appealing--it's hot enough outside without turning on the oven. But while watching Youtube the other day, I discovered a cake recipe that doesn't require baking . . . so if you can make pancakes, you can make this. And to give proper credit, here's a link to the video. Here's my translation of the recipe: … [Read more...]

Have you stayed at an Airbnb? I'd love to hear about your experience, because I'm on the other end of the situation. My husband and I moved into an interesting house in 2017. It consists of several detached buildings--a caboose, a workshop, a two-bedroom house, and a building that once housed an artist's office, studio, and a place to stretch his canvases. We bought it because it was artsy … [Read more...]

If it's Monday, May first, I am preparing to send another book to my publisher. I'd tell you which number book it was for me, but honestly, I have no idea. I've been doing this so long I lost count--and then I don't really know how to count my books. Do I count the collaborations? The few books I ghost-wrote (before I became convinced that they were false advertising)? The books that were two … [Read more...]

In 1992, we moved into a house in a small development--only 44 houses total, if memory serves. I wanted to invest in my neighbor's lives, so I made up some flyers and walked around the neighborhood, leaving one on each neighbor's porch. "Come join the book club," it said. "We'll read SNOW IN AUGUST." (A wonderful book I doubted anyone else had read.) That night, I made some cookies and coffee … [Read more...]