a thank you vlog

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Thanking my Lucky Stars

Clearly, I've already said much too much today.

Except there's this: I have two extraordinary women and bloggers to thank for noticing the work that I seek to do here, the stories I try to tell with images and words.

First, might I thank Barbara, whose beautiful, thought-provoking blog was the subject of last Sunday's New York Times article on "slow blogging." I was moved by Barbara's comments in the story, logged onto her blog, discovered the value of her mind, and said something. She took the time to visit me here, and to mention my work on her site. I thank her.

Then, last night or this morning (I didn't sleep; this day has blurred), I discovered somehow (I really don't know how) that a clearly generous, quite popular, and talented blogger soul named Amy had mentioned my blog on her site.

Well, what can you do, when the heavens open up and sweetness rains down?

One thanks one's lucky stars. And the stars themselves.

Speaking of stars—this photo montage was created by my artist husband/business partner years ago, when I was working on a novel that takes place in southern Spain. Something Lenore posted a while ago has me thinking about that novel again. I have something I'd like to write into it. And I just might.

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Incredibly So

Have I mentioned that it's been raining here, and that I got called for jury duty, and that I'm really aching to see my kid again? These things are true. But also true, incredibly so, is that last night, returning in the dark to our abode here in the Philadelphia suburbs, I discovered (nearly tripped across) a bag full of incredibly beautiful blossoms. At no time in recent history have I seen such a gorgeous arrangement. But more than that, I've never been quite so surprised, except for that one time, when I turned sixteen, and my mother somehow managed to persuade high school super star Jim Clancey to come to our house for a party.

(He came to MY house for a party!!!!!!!!!)

(I always wished that I knew how my mother managed that.)

But that isn't all. Because just now, having been out and watching the stock market bounce all around down on someone's TV and thinking oh, what a mire we're in, when again might we feel somewhat deliciously carefree, a box arrived bearing a matching, gorgeous, cashmere-soft scarf and long gloves—gloves and scarf the HOUSE OF DANCE shoe color, if you know what I mean.

Both of these gifts being from the same one person, for some small thing that I had done. I don't ever remember being thanked so elaborately, so exuberantly, so lavishly, not for anything. I am rather in a stammer, and, basically, I'll be inarticulate and inadequate with glee the remainder of this afternoon.

So may I, Anna Lefler, send you the biggest (((((((())))))))) hug. For being who I guessed you would be, and even so much more sweller than that.

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