One Two, buckle a shoe, three four, shut that door! Five six, pick up after cats, seven eight -when can I lie down straight? Nine Ten, a big fat grin

( Texas at sunset on I-20)

Chicken soup. Jello. Pudding - and not the "instant pudding" but the kind you cook on the stove. Those are the things I cooked yesterday.

Because - ! First, Frank's heart stopped for 13 seconds yesterday. OMG! His poor heart started back on its own, but it scared us all greatly, as you can imagine. They are going to put in a pacemaker tomorrow. They said it is "minor surgery" - but in matters of the heart, well...if I can be so bold as to ask for more of those prayers, vibes, thoughts, energies .... you have all been so kind. Thank You. Frank just gave me a big grin the other day when I told him people from all over the world were rootin' for him...Mom and he both said, "Please thank them for me."

In the meanwhile, my brother Tommy had a "procedure" yesterday (some biopsies-which we expect to be clear), and it was found out he has a hernia. Said hernia has to be repaired immediately, so he's going in Thursday morning: the same time that Frank's having his surgery! Lawd! *laughing hysterically and wide-eyed and exhaustingly*

I will take care of Tommy, while Mom takes care of Frank.

Good news is they expect Frank to be home by this weekend. Good news for Tommy is the surgery is relatively minor and he should be fine.

So. Chicken soup. Jello. Pudding. Stir. Stir. cook cook. Put the old fruit cocktail in the jello like Mom used to do. Add a pinch of this and a pinch of that to the soup. stir, bubble, taste...hope it tastes almost as good as mom's does.

I have become such the nurse! Who knew? I'd forgotten how exhausting it is, but at the same time, it feels rewarding - there is a sense of purpose that is very simple and direct in "nursing" someone, or in taking care of someone's house and critters while they are nursing someone - seems I'm doing both - taking care of Mom's Place and her cats and critters and will be "nursing" Tommy after his surgery. But, the simple acts of patting a shoulder, or pushing back hair from a forehead, saying "I'm here- don't worry about a thing...," cleaning and laundering, and yes, making chicken soup, jello, and pudding will not be regretted.

I hope to be traveling back to my mountain cove at Killian Knob this weekend. Much as I am honored to be helping here in TexasLand, when I talked to Good Man Roger this morning whilst he was on the porch, I heard the chimes blowing in the wind, I heard the creek sounds, I heard my birds singing and suddenly the tears are burning in my eyes: I miss Home. I miss my critters. I miss my mountain. I miss my creek. I miss Good Man Roger. I miss fat old labrador Jake. I miss my leather chair where I write and edit. Yet, despite all that Missing, I do not regret being here - don't misinterpret my seeming "whining" for actual Whining and Complaining - because, as I also said, there is something direct and satisfying when you are caring and helping loved ones -- it takes one outside of YOU and opens one up. For a self-indulgent reclusive writer, it is a test of mettle and patience and humility and unselfish behaviors. I hope I have passed my test.

It's a rainy morning. For this moment, it is quiet. I am taking this quiet moment to catch up on visiting (I hope!) and posting this and breathing. Perhaps some yoga is in order this morning.

Oh! Tender Graces news: I am all a-giggle because I have sold at least three Tender Graces books! *laughing!* Three people have emailed me and said they have pre-ordered the book straight from BelleBooks Publishers. *haw!* So! Remember when I said I was afraid I'd sell only 4 books? Well, I've sold at least three and when I buy one (for I must! I must buy one!) that will already be four, before it's even released next month! *LAUGHING!* Ah, how I amuse myself....

Update Update! (laughing at myself) - someone just emailed me: I sold FOUR! I have reached my "fear goal" - so when I buy my copy, that will be Five: one more than my "fear goal" *laughing!* *whew* now I can relax and enjoy the process....gawd, I am too strange sometimes...teeheehee

I am sitting here just a-laughing: Five! five books sold. one two three four five ah ah ah ah (that's supposed to be The Count from sesame street counting...teeheehee.)

So, I wanted to step back in here quickly and say, "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU...a thousand thank you's!" Just think, as I write this, I may be up to Six! 1 2 3 4 5 6 - ah ah ah ah

Okay, I promise (well, maybe promise isn't a good word *laughing* ) that I won't come on here every time I sell a book and write, "ten! ten books sold... one two three four five six seven eight nine ten....ah ah ah ah ah." *snork*
Okay, back to what I was doing - which is laundry, and finishing up some pudding for Frank