It's later than you think

Mainly sunny, mild, temps plus 3

Amazing, spring day. Can smell it in the air, sweet and musky. Wet earth and grass, mud and other stuff that isn't mud. Snow not yet melted...with luck we'll keep some. Tomorrow's supposed to turn cold again. As you see, I quite like the winter. Actually, what I like is winter to be winter, and spring to come when it's time and not before. April is good. This morning awoke to thick fog, mist rising from the snow into the mild air.

Did you put your clocks forward an hour? It's now daylight saving time here...though I understand Arizona doesn't do it. Is that right? Don't really need to I suppose. Here it's great - lighter later.

Had a gas last night celebrating International Women's Day at a big dinner put on by the local Optomists Club. 120 people. Three local writers honoured - Sharon McCully, Laura Teasdale and Winona Matthews. Winona's 96 years old and was there - she's the Godmother of the writers movement in the Townships. A poem and writer of the history of the area. I was asked to give the keynote talk after dinner.

I give so many talks, but this felt different. Not only to celebrate these three amazing women, and remember women around the world whose voices aren't allowed to be heard...but for me personally to be among friends...people who know me. Who've seen me in my sweats in the produce section, not even bothering to hide the bag of jelly beans or cookies. Besides, my books are, for the most part, love letters to the people here...and I got to tell them last night how grateful I am.

And have fun too!

Our emails - personal - have all but crashed in the last day...some working, sporadically. Most frustrating. Nancy - God Bless Nancy - is riding to our rescue tomorrow morning.

Wrote more on book 6 today, did 20 minutes on the torture machine, wrote some letters. walked the dogs. Life is good.