WHEW! A LOOK BACK ON THE WEEK

Daughter-in-law Allison with some of her female family members at the Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ Mother-Daughter Banquet in downtown Indy last Sunday afternoon.

The past week has been my May Blitz, so named for the cluster of author-related gigs scheduled  through tomorrow. I can't remember when I've had such a concentrated period of responsibilities but also, it's been great fun.

A week ago today I spoke at the Foster Grandparents banquet in New Castle and then scurried to Warm Glow to sign and sit with the Kids at Heart bookshop. Then Sunday came a trip to my daughter-in-law Allison's church for the annual Mother-Daughter Banquet. So many memories have been made in this elegant downtown Indy church, Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ.

Sam and Allison were married there, had a lovely family-and-friend shower there and there have been sweet annual Mother-Daughter banquets, often organized by Allison and her mother, Carla. This year I was honored to be the banquet speaker as I was four years ago. I am grateful to Carla, Allison, the committee and to everyone who laughed at my jokes and offered kind words afterward.

Pretty place setting at Allison's church. The Cronk boys, Brian, Sam and Ben even helped serve and clean up.

Monday I drove 130 miles north to Angola where I had another treat in this Blitz. Bestie Gay Kirkton invited me to give a program to her Psi Oates Chapter. Gay chose an interview format whereby she asked me a variety of questions about life, writing inspirations and books. It was so much fun!

I am grateful to her and to each of the friendly women who made me feel completely at home from the moment I got there. I thank them for being such an attentive audience and for buying so many books! And then if I asked if I might trouble them for a photo, they said yes, and let's go outside for a better shot! We got this ...

The Rho Chapter of Psi Iota Xi in Angola Monday night with their copies of my books. So much fun!

With my always-elegant friend Gay in front of her home Monday evening. What perfect lighting in front of the blooming tree. Thanks for the photo Rick.

So home late Monday, work Tuesday, and on Wednesday, it was off to give the Lunch & Learn program for Shelby Senior Services in Shelbyville. Director Kathy Nolting invited me, and I thank her. The delicious meal included chicken casserole and this green Jell-O with the carrots in it. Took me back to Methodist suppers of old that my mom's United Methodist Women used to prepare. Yum!

With Kathy Nolting in Shelbyville Wednesday.

Lunch & Learn Meal with the Shelby seniors.

I'm more grateful than you know to everyone I've met and all the invitations that took me on a whirlwind tour of Indiana this past week! Tomorrow I'm headed to Brookville for one more round. Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend, everyone.