Parcels, success and try to remember

- This is the only time I order new books, when friend Karin Slaughter's latest book is out. It is such fun to receive a parcel in the mail though and I had almost forgotten about the pre-order.

- Karin used to manage a small sign shop around the corner from my office and I was always interested in what she was reading, so we would do business and then have book chat. I remember the day she told me that she was moving on because she had gotten a three book deal with William Morrow publishing house. Her first book signing in 2001 at Barnes & Noble was attended by me, her father, a couple of other relatives and three sign shop employees. It's been exciting to see her success. The one tomorrow evening will be me and a hundred or more people in an auditorium.

- Another book I had almost forgotten about came on the same day. I won a book just for commenting on Jewel's "Pink Ink" blog, Iris Gomez's book "Try to Remember." Jewel is a journalist who also writes fiction. Thanks Jewel - my summer reading is set!

Blue building, one more day and Cash Cab

- This building on Defoor Avenue in Atlanta, part of my daily commute. I've always been intrigued by its artful details - the silver painted door, the different colored chairs in front, the bronze painted urn, etc. and wondered if it was a business or residence.

- Walking into work on a Monday morning and finding that a co-worker has brought in Krispy Kreme donuts and deciding that my vow to eat less sugar can wait one more day.

- Hearing that my favorite game show, "Cash Cab", won a daytime Emmy award. A bit of an anomaly on the Discovery Channel, the premise is that unassuming people enter the "Cash Cab" in New York City as simple passengers taking a normal taxi ride, only to be shocked when they discover that they’re instant contestants on a game show. It is great fun, I think.

Moving with the sun, glistening and good recipe

- Sophie starts out with a kitchen floor full of sun around 10am and moves with the sunshine toward the window until it moves out around lunchtime. A rare morning at home for me. I admire how she can sleep so deeply.

- A late afternoon thunderstorm that leaves plants glistening when it is over.

- Making Miso-orange marmalade salmon. For two pieces of salmon, mix together 1/4 cup of Miso, 1/4 cup of orange marmalade (preferably English) and 1/8 cup of lemon juice. Slather it on the salmon fillets and pop them in the oven (or toaster oven) to broil 10-12 minutes, or until you see a little char. So good!

Profusion, background music and neighborly

- This tree in front of my condominium building that shed tiny yellow blossoms all over neighbor Marion's car all spring and then exploded with a happy profusion of off-white heart shaped pods. I like to look at it, but have no idea what it is.

- Marion is another great source for background music, with his nocturnal piano playing. He worries sometimes that he disturbs everyone, but I only hear it as I walk from my car to my door. Play away, my friend.

- He and neighbor Bonnie stick their heads out of her door one hot afternoon this week and ask if I have a key to Marion's condo. No, I say, but Rhonda does. He locked himself out and Rhonda doesn't get home until 8pm or so. Bonnie came home after work to find Marion propped up against his front door reading the newspaper in 95 degree heat. She took him in, gave him a cold drink and put his name in the pot for dinner. A wonderful neighborly gesture and the least she can do for one who provides neighborhood background music.

Happy weekend friends - I hope it is filled with music, love and laughter!

Her Majesty, so good and free concert

- Tickled pink with my newly framed magazine advertisement, c. 1931, for a 1847 Rogers Bros. silverware pattern called "Her Majesty" - now hanging in my kitchen. This was my grandmother's silverware and I inherited it. No one knew what the pattern was, so I identified it by scrolling through countless photos of Rogers Bros. silver online. It still amazes me that my no-nonsense grandma would have chosen a silver pattern called "Her Majesty."

- Hankook Taqueria again. This time a Korean Cuban sandwich: Korean bacon, Black Forest ham, deli mustard, cucumber kimchee. SO good! I tell Tomas Lee, the chef/owner, that I enjoy his posts on facebook that totally lured me there this day.

- Standing in a building waiting for a meeting to begin and enjoying the chamber music playing softly in the background. Turns out it is live musicians rehearsing for a concert later.

Something to talk about, driving and curling

- Mr C's nod to the current extra warm temperatures. It's in the mid-90s all week - not the worst temps there are, but it gives us lots to talk about.

- I walk out of my office door intending to walk up the street to the framing place. But after seeing the hot steam rising from the asphalt, I laugh at myself and drive my car there.

- Not having time to wash my hair, but finding that stepping out into the early morning humidity is enough to make it curl right back up.

The bell, the scenery and the nice people

- Another trip to Milledgeville, Georgia for settling of the estate business. This bell, made in Philadelphia in 1886, used to grace the bell tower of the original courthouse that still stands across the street. I like the continuity of the bell gracing the new courthouse, but wish it was in a tower so it could ring.

- On these final trips from Atlanta to Milledgeville, down Highway 441 south, I do not take the scenery for granted anymore. I love passing the farms with the old silos, and the miles and miles of fields with cows and horses grazing. This is the scenery unique to many journeys to my adopted home town and I will miss it.

- The young lady in the tax commissioner's office, who has been so helpful, calls out "I hope we get to see you again sometime!" as I leave. I hope so, too. Small town life - there is nothing like it.