4/10/25 – On the road again… the pull to see my California grandson is strong!

Hey there happy reader!

Talk about a crazy idea! I’m out in Los Angeles for a few days because I couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing my west coast grandbaby until our family vacation in June. He’s getting bigger and more verbal every day, and when he tells me that I’m in New York and he’s in California, well… I just have to remedy that, if only for a few days.

But here’s where the crazy part comes in… 

I’m having a Passover Seder in LA on Saturday night, hopping on the red eye and sharing the second Seder with my New York based grandson at our house!

I thought I had it all figured out, too. 

I cooked an entire meal and put it in our downstairs freezer. My husband is really the only one to use the basement – he has a gym down there, as well as his video games (!) and virtual reality headset. (Yes, he’s a grown-up. Don’t ask!)

Anyway, he must have grabbed a water bottle out of the refrigerator, slammed the door and popped open the freezer without realizing it. I went to grab a container of milk – what must have been days later – only to find a defrosted mess! Melted ice cream, defrosted chicken, soup, and a variety of other cooked dishes all ruined!

Luckily, I had time to recreate the dinner. Suffice it to say, my husband is banned from opening that refrigerator until after the holiday. Whew!!

In other news…lol… 

I’ve been reflecting on my time in Guatemala and thinking about the lessons I’ve taken home with me. Joyce Maynard is a master teacher and the one thing she said that resonates most with me is the use of your most honest voice.

She stressed bringing a piece of yourself into your characters. That means your struggles, your fears, your insecurities belong on the page because those truths will make the people you write about all the more authentic.

So, this is what I brought home. 

The feeling I got when standing in front of this volcano. There is a pull – it’s almost magnetic – and you sense when in the shadow of this massive life force. The idea that the earth and the moon guide us, that we are all connected as inhabitants of this planet was driven home while I was in Guatemala.

I’m writing about a woman (Maya) who is truly in touch with the earth, the elements, the stars in the sky… she may live in a primitive world, one we truly don’t know the details about, but she was greatly connected to the ground beneath her feet and the constellations above her head. It’s remarkable how that works out, right? I’m taking a moment to rethink the opening of my Stonehenge book. I’ll get back to you with more information soon.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something to stream, can I offer a suggestion? “Love on the Spectrum” is back with its third season. Your heart will explode with affection for these hopeful romantics. They’ve surely captured mine.

And if you need something to read, don’t miss “Broken Country” by Clare Leslie Hall. It’s a gripping story that kept me up way too late turning the pages.

Spring is definitely here. It’s time to get up, get out and smell the pretty blooming flowers. A walk around the block is in order. You deserve it!