Full day. With snowy egrets. Even in South Mill Pond (where I've never seen them before) in the heart of the South End of Portsmouth on the way to the library for the meeting. The meeting was demanding...but in a good way.

Critiquing the other two selections was intense, both in laughter and in seriously (and not so seriously) discussing writing styles, word crafting and methodology. One person brought up the fact she'd like to share a piece with the group, but since it's intensely personal, she really doesn't want it to be critiqued, just accepted and another person told of a group where that's the general drill. So we're going to try it, at least for selected pieces like this one.

My draft of a draft of "You Can't Get To Heaven If You're Hit By a Tourist" (it's not even a draft, just me getting things on paper; submitted because one member really wanted to read it) was critiqued by the members of the group who missed the last meeting.

After the meeting I was going to go to the new Portsmouth Goodwill (where I hadn't yet been) and then go to a friend's, but she turned out to be teaching today, so didn't go there. When I got to Goodwill first I couldn't find my discount card (still have another place to look) but they looked me up, then I had a MAJOR disappointment. Found "King of Hearts" with Alan Bates in the DVD section for $2.95...checked inside (I've gotten burned before) and there was no DVD. Sigh. But that means it's out there and maybe I'll find it again at a yardsale, Goodwill, whatever. Then, on my way out, I discovered I'd locked my keys in the car. Not a problem. I have dupes in my billfold and also in one of those magnetic dealies hidden on the body of the car.

So instead of going to my friend's, I headed for the beach and the scenic route (or one of them) home. More snowys across from Odiorne and in the first salt marsh down at the beach in Rye. Even a Great Egret, which are not overly common around here, was in the marsh (and not in its usual marsh, either). Diverted up Washington Road to Rte. 1 and got a chocolate banana malt for lunch at Lagos Lone Oak, one of the few places in New England I can get a malt. Went back down to 1A, the beach road, and came inland and home via North Hampton.

Got home just before 3:00 and was too sleepy to read, so I took a nap. Right after I woke up and turned the phone back on, got a call from Nick Noble about the PMFF promo we're doing on his "Folk Revival" show in a couple weeks and then got a lovely call from my friend Jenny in Seattle. She used to be an antiquarian bookseller specializing in books of Asia so our phone calls also include great conversations about books and writing and editing.

Realized after the phone calls (7:30 pm) that I'm still not really hungry after the malt, so was satisfied with a very light snack instead of thickening yesterday's chicken stew as I'd planned. I also didn't have time to bake zucchini bread. Tomorrow...after my dentist appointment.

Very rich day. But no time to fill you in further of my adventures of the past couple weeks. Time to give Sabine some serious one-on-one and retire with a glass of wine and a book (and Rufus in the lap).

Linn