Extraordinary!

“Ordinary days are the best,” Jane said. She was right. Those pleasant, everything- going- smoothly days are wonderful because the ones we love are near and we are not dealing with a crisis. But, looking back at them, they are extraordinary. They are bright and shining, like a glistening dewdrop on morning grass.

Yesterday’s cozy critique was a happy celebration of Nancy feeling able to be with us since her surgery, of Jane back in the fold after her trip to Philadelphia, of Peg feeling able to walk up the hill to my house even though her ankle is giving her problems, and of my being out of the hospital and perking.

Jane had such a wonderful time in Philadelphia with her son Mark, that she was brimming with news of that historic city, the art museums, the furniture, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, and the sense of being near to the beginnings of a great and daring experiment called The United States of America. Jane and Mark stayed at Penn Square. Jane is an artist and very knowledgeable about painting. She and Mark toured the Philadelphia Art Museum and Jane brought back pictures, many of which she had posted on her Facebook page, and a pretty tote back with a copy of The Dancers on it.

Not to leave out her writing, Jane read to us a poem she sent as a Christmas letter in 2009 and also another poem called, “Through a Child’s Eyes.”

The story Nancy shared with us of her recent hospital stay and her healing was praiseworthy. She is feeling blessed and so are we. Recently, one of her inspirational articles, “Praying the Prodigal Home” was picked up by Just Between Us. I can hardly wait for more stories and articles that offer insight and hope to many people who need to hear her words of encouragement.

Peg, the voracious reader, told us about several series she has been reading. “I think I’m going to have to stop reading cozies,” Peg said. “As soon as the culprit is introduced in a story, I know he is the bad guy.” Cozy mystery writers, did you hear that? Hide those hints! Cover those clues! Make it a little more challenging to pit wits against the author. Anyway, Peg is reading a series by Paige Shelton. These books include a cooking school and a family who can communicate with the spirits of the departed. If Catfish Had Nine Lives is one of those books. Another is If Onions Could Spring Leeks.

Peg also likes Leann Sweeney’s books. Her current one is The Cat, the Sneak, and the Secret. I don’t think she was talking about these books when she mentioned being able to detect the villain.

I shared with the group a picture of the book cover from my soon-to-be-released cozy, Moonlight Can Be Murder. They oohed and ahhhed and declared that it was just right. Then, I read to them the current chapter of the Darcy and Flora work-in-progress. They offered substantial suggestions. Once again, let me say that every author needs a critique group.

So, after the rain of yesterday morning, the sun came out and a fall-like coolness crisped the air. Coffee, cookies, and conversation warmed the wonderful, extraordinary day!