Happy first day of August! I am enjoying this end of summer beautiful weather--80 degrees and no humidity! It inspired me to clean out my fridge and the kitchen cupboards; to wash the floor and put down a fresh rug by the door; to spruce up the guest bathroom with new ruffled tip towels; to pick the basil growing so abundantly in the garden and make pesto. Such simple delights.

My son Sam was fabulous in the Trinity Rep High School showcase last night. His scene is on YouTube, though I'm not sure how to direct you toward it. Let me know if you figure it out? And he had solos in three songs. And played the guitar. What a kid!

I had wonderful events this week at The Book Cove in Pawling, NY (followed by the picnic chicken at McKinney and Doyle next door and a dreamy stay at the Pawling B and B, where Barbara made my friend Tracey and me the two happiest girls around) and at The Book Stall in Marion, MA (where Linda and Maud embraced not only me, but both Sam and Annabelle).

Next week I will be in Frederick, MD at a conference for high schoolers, and then in Brewster, MA at the bookstore there.

But first there is this evening and The Newport Library's fundraiser from 6-8 where one of the silent auction items is lunch for two with me. How fun is that? If it is anything like the luncheon I had with six people and my buddy, the writer Anne LeClaire, last week it will be great! So please come tonight, if you can, and bid on a fun afternoon!

I am watching the Ric Burns PBS series on New York and loving it! Learning so much about my favorite city. Have you seen it? Also addicted to Top Chef again. And how happy am I that Mad Men has started up?

My dog Zuzu is looking at me right now...time to play with her a bit. Then finish up a grape colored dish rag...

Loving today!