Today's To Do

• Go through my manuscript and highlight the name of every person except my own, my mother or my father.


• Go through my manuscript and highlight or circle passages with the word, "Dad," in them... then "Mom,"... then "God."

I know I could do all this left-brain fadoodling on the computer, but all the ink, and I like handling each page for the hundredth time.

Actually, I will be very glad when all the work on my book is complete and every last instance of every last person has been okayed by that person.

Note to self: Next time, FICTION!

What This Girl Wants for Valentine's

• kisses
• hugs
• smiles
• laughter
• one red rose from the grocery
• room service
• massage from hubby
• grandbaby valentines
• e-mail valentines from friends and my kids

What do you want for Valentine's Day? What do you give? E-mail me and I'll put your list on "gems". Then you can give your sweetie the web address and voila, get your wishes come true. Have a great night. I must sign off and write on!

Back From Mexico

Just back from a week the relaxing, sunny climate of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Everyone needs to get away and rejuvenate periodically. Travel, with mind open toward a broader perspective, has a way of cleansing the mind of clutter and the body of the tensions of everyday stress. I finished Frank McCourt's wonderful memoir, "Angela's Ashes," just before going, and "The Glass Castle," by Jeannette Walls, while on the trip. Began Joan Didion's "My Year of Magical Thinking," and had to leave it, since it belonged to the resort. I suppose I could have traded another book for that one, but find it extremly difficult to ever part with a book that I've read, so now I have to go and buy it tomorrow. Now I am into a new novel by Paulo Coelho, of "The Alchemist," fame. This one is entitled "The Zahir," and I am thoroughly loving it. My suggestion to all of you is to be good to yourself and feed your mind with knowledge. Knowledge for the mind. Sunshine for the body. Good stuff. Better than ice cream! Happy reading and writing. Happy night.