It took me a while to find this, and I had to do some odd searches to finally find it! Anyway, I did want to respond... IdaClaire - yes, I am somewhat of a compulsive story-teller, and when I was in First Grade, I won first place in the UL story-telling contest. I had to look up David Sedaris, but he does sound inspirational. I've always wanted to write in the style of James Thurber, which I think is somewhat similar. Anyway, I have to thank for this comment because it has gotten me back on the short story collection I was working on. I had started to write my autobiography, not because I think my life is special, but several friends have asked me to do this, including Dolores Deluxe, who is an actress and also an author. I met her in San Francisco in 1974 when I was living in a theatrical commune where she was rehearsing a play that some of my roommates at the time were in. Our commune was in a storefront on Valencia street that had been a dance studio before, and so it had one cavernous room with 8' high mirrors and ballet bars. I recently saw Dolores again at one of her book signings, and then we had lunch near her bungalow in Venice on the beach. I have her autobiography and thought that I should try to write something similar, but that really didn't work for me, but when I read your post, I got the idea that all I need to do is get a collection of short anecdotes - something that would be much easier for me to do. I've decided that they do not need to be sequential, and I can try to make sense or order out of them after I've finished writing them. BTW, when I was at Rice, I took Larry McMurtry's creative writing class and got an A in it. I was told that some of my writings were Kafkaesque, which I did agree with, but those were especially the ones I wrote in high school and college. They tended to be a bit surreal. 3katz4me, you would have to fly your cats to Palm Springs, which is Cathedral City adjacent. I just had my pool resurfaced, and it has new equipment as well, and the heater works well, although I certainly don't need that in the summer. In September the water temperature was 85° without using the heater. I'm going there this week-end to do some more work on the house.

Lots of great suggestions but if we are going warm, we want "beach warm" and this trip, I must remain in the US (explained above). Charleston is definitely on my list but more for a girls trip, I think. I am sure SO would enjoy it but it has been on the short list for my sister and I. Sue, we will definitely go to NOLA but I think I prefer a spring trip-- before it is hot hot hot and after football season. Would love food recommendations! So regarding flights-- I have found some more reasonable and even very reasonable flights. I suspect the other night I was looking only on my "preferred" airline. Maybe. Or prices are fluctuating. That said, in talking to SO last night I picked up and confirmed that he'd rather not travel in the christmas-nye time frame. oops! He had been tentative regarding specific dates but I didnt realize he was tentative on travel. His reasons are valid. I have to appreciate that he too really enjoyed our lazy holiday last year and also that he would prefer a grander spring/summer trip. So I am back to looking for a cabin/fun weekend getaway closer to "home" and some fun winter activities in Minnesota. I still want to do the Nordic Village private dining hut on the roof of the 4Seasons. I didnt get reservations last year, but I am on it this year... and crossing fingers for snow! He wasn't too into it lol.. but if we arent going to travel, he will need to indulge me a little. (He will enjoy it- his point is that we could go to 3 great restaurants for the same price. Me? I am all about the experience.) Off to spend the day with family today -- celebrating mom's birthday, occupying my 3-yo great nephew so his mom can have a girl's day and also planning my sept road trip with sister! Not sure what we'll end up with. So far we have a session with a favorite jewelry designer booked in CT ... from there, who knows!? We'll have 4 days.

Thanks all for your replies. I still am behind. Nancy, I agree that Sugar Magnolia makes good crosses!! Kate, the white did surprise me [pleasantly!], but the next post will have the purple sibling Mantis, I agree that Elegant Candy is the best of the series. I had several others but they are long gone. Maryl, next post will be Paige's Pinata! I will always keep Amethyst Art--I don't mind the hose in hose form [what a stupid description that is] and I love the color. I agree on Glory to His Name! Debra, thanks for the feedback! Brad

@czarinalex "The exception was cape cod. I found a local site with just rentals for cape cod and the islands. The fees were much less than vrbo." Can you share the name of that local site? I'm looking for places there right now. I've been using VRBO for about 20 years, AirBnb for about 10. The fees are getting out of control. Unfortunately, there are fewer local companies doing this kind of thing because so many owners just use VRBO and AirBnB instead. Even some of the local estate companies post their listing on there too.