I've reached a point at which i need to stop and take several deep breaths.  I'll bet you do, too, so you'll be relieved to know I'm not going to berate you today about turning yourself into a better writer.  I've had a busy week. My new book has flown its way into the hands of my editor. Now I can think about other things for a while, while she works through all those pages. I've finished evaluating four of the six books I'm judging for a book contest. And I've created the contract that will govern my relationship with the author whose book I will be helping to publish.

Now I can take the weekend off to work on one of my other passions -- a fundraiser for The Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service.  This is an amazing organization that provides eye care and hearing services for that segment of our population who have no insurance, little income, and no resources with which to face an emergency.  We serve the homeless, the unemployed, young families just starting out, the elderly who can no longer see or hear their grandchildren, the parents worried about a baby who may be blind or deaf, those who can no longer work because of failing eyesight.  Members of Lions Clubs in a four-state area contribute funds and refer patients. And one of the ways we raise the money to do all this is by holding an annual dinner and auction here in Memphis.  That's where I will be for most of the weekend.

I'm also a believer in doing some things just for the fun of it.  Here's a glimpse of my latest project. Did you know you can grow vegetables on your kitchen table?   I didn't believe it either until I tried it. Last Friday, I bought a head of romaine lettuce.  I cut off the bottom three inches or so, chopped the rest for a salad, and put that pathetic looking stump in a coffee mug with some water. It's been sitting in my kitchen for a week now, and here's what it looks like.

Next I tried the same thing with a stalk of celery.  It has been a lot slower to get started, but by this morning, it, too, is showing signs of making a sincere effort to duplicate itself.  The article that gave me the idea also suggested trying this with the white part of green onions or scallions, or leeks.  That's next on my list

Will these little guys feed me in case of famine? Probably not. But they make me smile, and that's an important contribution.