December, 2001

Dear Friends,

This year I'm doing something different: my newsletter has gone "cyber". This allows me to be more creative and it doesn't take a week (or more) to arrive at its destination.

Speaking of cyber stuff, last spring my husband and I discovered some of the risks---and rewards---of using the Web to plan a weekend away. For years I'd wanted to fall asleep to the sound of waves breaking on the beach, but circumstances and busy schedules kept us too . . . well, busy. In April, my beloved surprised me with the news that he had gone on the Web, found a hotel on the water in Lido Beach, Florida, and made arrangements for us. There was even a photo of the room on the hotel's Web site. So I went on the Internet and came up with a restaurant in Long Boat Key, not distant from our hotel, where I reserved a table.

It's amazing how large a room can be made to appear by a creative photographer. When we arrived at our room, we discovered the photographer who had snapped the Web shot of our room must have been a creative genius. And the hotel was not on the beach; a well-traveled street stood between our balcony and the water. No surf could be heard.

Determined to make the most of our rare holiday, we walked over to lovely St. Armand's Circle. The weather was glorious. The orchid trees were in bloom. The world-class shops offered intriguing wares. It was good to be alive.

After we watched the setting sun fire the sky over the ocean, we trekked off to the picturesque restaurant, where we were shown to a table so tiny it proved a challenge to find room for a bread plate. When I looked around, I discovered all the tables for two were just as miniscule as ours and some were not as well situated. Clearly, one would fare better at this establishment if one were part of a larger group. Not very romantic. Still, as the evening unfolded, the server was charming and the food was exquisite. After our meal, we drifted upstairs to a loft listen to the jazz pianist. There my beloved and I enjoyed the music and intimate, candle-lit ambience, along with what turned out to be some of the best apple crumb pie and cappuccino I have ever tasted.

All-in-all, the weekend turned out to be a success, reminding me of a saying commonly spoken by stock brokers: No risk, no reward.

Some of you have asked if I'm still writing. The answer is yes! A health issue, which I hope is finally resolved, put me behind schedule. I'm working steadily on Deception. Chances are, though, in the fullness of time, when the book is released, it will bear a different title. I'll keep you posted.

I've included in this newsletter a recipe used by my family for Christmas mornings. It's also good for New Year's Day brunch! If you're interested, click on the button below.

Did you know there is such an upsurge in knitting and crocheting that yarn mills around the globe are having trouble keeping up with demand?

In the past year, I've discovered the joy of knitting. There's always something new to learn. Knitting possesses a Zen-like quality that calms the mind. It is completely portable. I've knitted while in hospitals, doctors' offices, standing in line at the post office, sitting in line at the bank. I have a medium-sized knitting bag, complete with tassels, which doubles as a purse. This insures that if I am forced to wait somewhere, I won't become bored. As a bonus, I gain unique, comfortable garments. Okay, sometimes I wind up with something that's a little too unique. I'm still a novice! But I'm learning.

As I sit writing this, long afternoon shadows have overtaken the bird feeder and bird bath where gray squirrels, mourning doves, blue jays, and cardinals peck and flit. Earlier, a raccoon stopped by for a drink of water. The fragrance of chocolate cakes cooling in the kitchen drifts through my office. Soon I will be icing those cakes and taking them to a family gathering. I have learned to live in the moment, savoring each detail. One of my teachers was September 11. My family and friends have drawn closer, and I am thankful for this and my many other blessings.

May your New Year be filled with love, joy, good health, and prosperity.