| Soooo. On to Mud’s visit. She kept a diary. (Honest to God, she did, and I have no idea what is in it. She may do a separate newsletter sharing her thoughts, if you ask nicely! She has the deets.) My highlights are these: We had tea every morning: either a Thai chai with peri-peri peppers, or my own mixture with peri-peri. We ate when we wanted, and I told her my kitchen was hers. We repotted (and separated in some cases) at least ten of my indoor plants, and she shared her methods and soil types for each plant. The plants are SO HAPPY! Nothing has died from the transplant process, which she worried about. It was too hot (and horribly muggy) to play in my garden, but she did affirm that one of my Japanese Maples has canker. I knew it was unwell. I’m waiting for it to pass on and I’ll put some lilies there instead of a tree. Due to the heat, we didn’t harvest my wild basil or make pesto. I’ll do that next week, maybe. The heat steals my energy unless I’m on the water, where I can recharge from the water’s energy. We also had fun at the two events. The crowd at Park Road Books was small and Mud’s pranks were enlivening! The crowd at Liberty Book Company was overflowing and standing room only. We got loud, we laughed, the Q&A was tentative because everyone was careful to not give away spoilers—which I REALLY appreciated! I have the best fans! When we got home, I gorged on pizza. Mind you I have not had pizza since the Superbowl during Covid. I was sick as a dog the next day, all day from the crust (which contains yeast.). TERRIBLY SICK, TERRIBLE host. Mud’s flight home day was HORRIBLE, but that is her story to tell. Please tell your friends about Unpredictable Magic. It still has some momentum going and only fans will give me the opportunity to write more. |
| Mud’s Corner (Diary countdown)Day minus 14 – Prepare for practical jokes. Order parts.Day minus 7 – Discover kayak came squashed. Test it on floor. It doesn’t work. Panic. Must come up with ALTERNATE joke.Day 5- Hubby discovers kayak works just fine. In water. Amend practical joke to be done in Faith’s home. Put together new practical joke. Order transfer material and stickers. Day 1 – Flight. TSA decides my pain patch might be used to take down airplane. Let’s just say it was a painful encounter. Fortunately, the rest of the trip was uneventful. Faith and her hubby found me and picked me up. Had a quick tour of the house, we ate brie encroute and WASA crackers. Turned in. I think. I don’t actually remember anything until I woke up, used the bathroom (IT WAS BRAND NEW! JUST FOR ME!). Got lost trying to find room. Flashed light in open rooms, including Faith and her Hubby’s. Found room. Only one closed, and just outside bathroom door. Day 2 – HORRIBLE DAY! I agreed with Faith to have a spa day. Spa day started with a facial. Very soothing, my face and neck felt new and smooth. BUT! Melissa, the aesthetician made me GET UP AND GO TO ANOTHER ROOM! RUDE. I was melted. I had no interest in moving. I was given water and escorted to my massage.The massage I was given by Cat was cruel. Muscles were pulled like taffy, pounded like nails, and parts of me that hadn’t relaxed in years puddled like melted butter. When I was finished with Cat I started to cry. I have a stupid disease, called Complex Regional Syndrome, it’s not common, thank goodness, but it’s very much a part of my life. In addition to the deep, burning pain, I also have allodynia, pain induced by soft touch, air, water, dog tails brushing against me, and clothing. For the first time in at least 15 years, a sheet didn’t send me into orbit. I could tolerate my clothes. The relief was incredible and I am so grateful it lasted for as long as it did, well into the next day. Maybe the best thing that has happened since I discovered what was wrong with me. Sadly, there are no Cats in Milwaukee. And Faith paid for the day. Another case of crying. Mainly because I didn’t think it was fair, but then, it would be ungrateful, so I didn’t throw a fit. Yay me! Day 3- for next newsletter. See the pretty top on Faith in the picture above? I bought that for me at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. I am a tee shirt and jean kind of person, and my mom has insisted I dress like an adult. So, I got it, took a pic of it in my closet, showed it to her, then gave it to Faith. Hehehe. Faith and I have a similar color palette.Enjoy the Instagram of my first prank. |