Yes, we have no bananas

rainy, cool, temps 10

Classic autumn day...perfect for sweaters and tea and hot baths. Can't write long - the dogs need to be fed and since this is the highlight of their day I don't want to make them wait too long.

This was going to be the last quiet day before the storm that is a book launch and the swirl of promotion. But somehow, it got away from me. Michael and I had breakfast with Cotton in Knowlton, then met with Danny at the bookstore to discuss the events of the next two days.

The dropped Michael at home and headed in to Sutton. Picked up a printer at the loft and arranged for the last three things to be taken away...then to the post office to mail, among other things, the manuscript for book 5 to my agent in London. THE BRUTAL TELLING is now out of my hands.

Then to the grocery store for tonight's dinner of roast chicken.

Got home, walked the dogs, had a bath, then needed to start dinner...we cook it in a claypot. As I chopped the veg Michael came in and shyly asked about the chicken, and whether I'd seen it. I couldn't figure out what he meant. Then he told me. He'd unloaded the groceries and while I had a whole lot of things I hadn't intended to buy - what I didn't have was a chicken.

Back to the village and the grocery store.

In the meantime, I'd stripped the bed and done a couple loads of laundry. So have spent the past hour preparing the claypot, folding laundry and making the bed. And now it's the dog's dinner.

You know, one trick I've learned, and when I remember my life is calm and fun and peaceful and often joyous.

One day at a time. What wisdom. I can get stressed out if I think of all the things I need to do in the next 2 months. All the travel, the readings, the speeches, the signings.

But if I just take it one day, one event, at a time life is simple and lovely.

I just wish I could remember that...I also wish I'd remembered the chicken.

The big launch is tomorrow night at Brome Lake Books in Knowlton at 5pm - then High Tea at Hovey Manor Saturday at 2pm. It's sold out, which is great. 80 people booked early.

I'll let you know how it all goes. Such fun to have you along for the ride...most of you've been with me this whole year as I've written THE BRUTAL TELLING, and gone on tour, and lived out lives.

Now's the payoff. Hold on.

A do-nothing day

cloudy, showers, temps 20

Not a bad day, really, just some occasional showers.

This is a wonderfully lazy day! Still in my flannels. Walked the dogs a few times around the pond, made breakfast, watched TV - had mid-morning cereal and later a cappuccino. Watching The Great Escape on DVD.

Michael's working away on his book.

Lovely day. I have to chair a meeting tonight to need to put some work in on that, but this is really a wonderful, relaxing day.

I gave Robin Agnew, the owner of Aunt Agatha's mystery bookstoe in Ann Arbor an advance copy of book 4 - THE MURDER STONE (A RULE AGAINST MURDER when it comes out in the states in January). She wrote last night to say she loved it.

I never take those things for granted - so it's a huge delight to hear that, especially from someone as knowlegable and influential as Robin.

More reason to be loving this day. It feels very good, and oddly natural, to be doing nothing.

I'll speak to you tomorrow.