My youngest daughter just finished two weekends of nine performances of an original full length musical, "Camp Hawyah." You can read more about the show in the review I got to write for the Annapolis paper. It was great fun, very entertaining, and I'm glad it is over.

















My small attempt at a garden is doing well, but I need your help. I purchased some flowers for a fund raiser and they are all thriving. The problem is that my friend accidentally gave me someone else's order too. I didn't remember what I ordered and just planted everything. My Four O'clocks look great, but what is this little red flower?

And now for something completely different...

I was doing some background research today for a business highlight magazine assignment for a spa who offers eyebrow threading.
Whuh? (spoken in a Scooby Doo voice)

Am I alone in my ignorance here? Even though the spa owner, who described herself as an "eyebrow artist" gave a quick description, I could not understand it.

I came across this video clip, which I'm hoping was an attempt at humorously informative. I really wish that my friend John the Trucker could replace the voice-over on this 5 minute clip and you would cry with laughter.

Anyway, if you have five minutes to spare considering ancient Persian eyebrow treatments, enjoy.

On Thursday, I have to give a 10 minute presentation on myself to the business networking group that I joined at my sister's invitation. Next week, I'll have the same time slot to talk about the magazine. That will be easy.

Giving a 10 minute presentation on yourself is kind of a weird thing to do when you think about it. Especially since we're on the second round - and it isn't church or therapy. The first time, my sister & I went together. We invited our mom. Between my sister and my mom, I didn't have to say much, which was kind of cheating. So this time, I have to say more.

The guy who went last week did his automotive history, describing the various cars he's owned throughout his life up 'til now. It was a fun idea and got everyone reminiscing. So I was thinking of using the same approach: the history of my life through....what?
Schools I've attended?
Jobs I've had?
Bands I like?

What?

I'm working on balance.

This freelance work puts me in charge of my own schedule, which ultimately is a great thing. The problem is limiting the time that my mind in "on-duty" for work. Because I often can do personal errands during "office hours", and because so many events I am required to attend are very early or evening, I feel like I need to be "on call" from like 7am until 9pm. Those are extreme hours and not always required, but it still doesn't seem to be enough.

I have to actively focus on not worrying about an unfinished article or open ad deal. After 9pm, I just can't check my e-mail anymore. It stresses me out. Then I can't fall asleep worrying about who I need to call tomorrow. Of course, it's not just work: Girl Scouts, youth group, lacrosse, family & friends.

E-mail takes so much time to manage. I do like e-mail as a means of communication. It is less insistent than a phone call.

I have a new phone that I am still learning. When I get a call I have the options to "silence" or "ignore." Good reminders. One of my pet peeves is when someone answers only to say they can't talk and will call me back. Why not let it just go to voicemail? Isn't that its purpose?


Would this be easier to compartmentalize if I went to an office? Probably not. Everyone is stressed out. I need to go to yoga.

What a fascinating place my job took me this week!
I was invited to cover an event at a nearby middle school: an author visit from Priscilla Cummings. She has been living and writing in Maryland for over twenty years, starting with "Chadwick the Crab" and most recently, "Red Kayak."

She was absolutely inspiring. The kids were on the edges of their seats, as were the adults leaning in. I enjoyed the serendipity of interviewing her after her last fans departed. She gave me her contact information to follow up with her regarding the article, essentially inviting me to further conversation.

How delightful! But now I'm nervous too. An award winning writer will be reading this article - yikes! I better give that one an extra round of proofing and editing before submitting it.

Anyway, in researching for that article, I visited the American Library Association's website. What a delicious menu of reading information. If you've never really checked it out, you will want to run out to the library after you look through it.
American Library Association