Life has been quite grand. In fact it's been very grand, despite the introspective journal entries of the past few days with dismal observations of my reactions to commercialism.

Before I assault you with updates, a new book has been percolating in my head. This morning its working title bloomed.

I've decided to use: Half Past a Freckle.

Many of you will smile when you read that. Others will probably, once again, be twirling a finger at the side of their head... something I clearly relish.

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Yesterday I lunched with my dear friend, Linda Leaming, brilliant author of Married to Bhutan. We had a trillion-bazillion things to talk about. Among all the minutia of extremely great importance, I pitched my book idea. She concurred that I am a clever girl. Heh.

The thing is, I need a project now that my time in Nashville is winding down. I've got several exquisite custom needlepoint canvases I could resume, but for reasons that have nothing to do with medicine, I don't like needles. I often need a tourniquet when trying to thread even the dull needles used with needlepoint.

Besides, I think I do a better job at sewing words together.

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You are not going to believe ever, ever my next tidbit of update. I have a dear friend flying from Los Angeles to be with me for 2 weeks this summer. Her nickname is Shen. I think I'm old enough to be her mother and that she's young enough to be my daughter, but somewhere along the timeline of our acquaintance, we became good friends. Shen is an attorney, but I don't believe she's practicing at this time. I also know that several years ago she was struck down with a brain tumor, which she bravely survived with surgeries and all kinds of scary stuff. She's bright and beautiful.

Okay, I know you're waiting for the punch line, so here it is. Though Shen and I have known each other for 6 years, we've never met. The only photos I've seen of her were when she was recovering from surgery and she was wrapped up like a mummy.

A few weeks ago, I posted about a Shakerag workshop I'm taking in June. When I posted, I tossed out an open invitation for anyone who would like to join me. And that is why Shen is coming to the mountain.

As she would say, "SQUEEEEE!"

I'm very excited. I'm also always a bit dumbstruck with my incredible good fortune to meet the most remarkable people at timely intersections of my life.

Shen was one of the first of many people to offer to be one of my caregivers when I have my double-lung transplant.

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I thought about my beloved Allison this past Maundy Thursday. When I started renting my apartments, she was my first tenant. Allison lives in Galax, VA so we don't see each other very often, but we keep tightly connected.

She left a voice message for me the other day. She talked about the night our friendship was hermetically sealed. It was a Maundy Thursday service. The Pastor included the washing of feet in the service and I was the one to wash Allison's. The moment was powerful. Allison now washes my days with such great generosity of love. I often marvel the unexpected of my itinerary.

Allison was one of the first of many people to offer to be one of my caregivers when I have my double-lung transplant.

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This summer or fall I'd also like to lead Comfort Doll Workshops. It's a primitive craft I learned a few years back. I have oodles of materials in addition to the materials I'd planned to lug to Nepal. I've offered my workshops, but have had no takers. I guess no one needs comfort these days? Perhaps people think the workshops are sad? They're not. My next post, I'll include some photos and a better explanation.

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Lastly, though I have much more to report on but I have to continue organizing myself for my drive to the mountain this afternoon...

I want to thank my children for being the wonderful people they are. I've been shot with luck so often in my life, but my children are simply the best. I now include Olivia with thanksgiving. I am one lucky woman.

Hoppy Easter!