I know, I know, I’ve been neglecting you! I’m sorry. It’s hard to remember what day it is, one trickling into the next. Wednesday seems the only day I can keep track of because that’s the day I meet with my Mindful Writers group. And the trash goes out on that day, something I surely don’t want to forget.
At the beginning of February I had another short story published in the third installment of the Mindful Writers Retreat Series. This anthology includes twenty-seven stories from a selection of our members.
My story, Love on the Edge, focuses on a young widow named Tilly and her neighbors’ reaction to her budding romance with a man she met in a coffee shop. I had great fun writing it and have a few ideas for future stories involving these characters and their lives in a Baltimore cul-de-sac.
As much as I enjoy visiting coffee shops, especially Red Canoe and Zeke’s, it was a photo of a red Austen Allegro that inspired me to write this story. I spied a photo online and was drawn to it. Who would drive a car like that? With that question barely crossing my mind, the image of a tall, lanky, dark-haired British man came to me and the character of Daniel was born.
The words formed quicker than I could type them out. I could see clearly the post-war houses around the cul-de-sac where the neighbors knew more of what was happening next door than the goings-on in their own kitchen, where voyeurism was a hobby, and advice was freely given out whether wanted or not.
Though I didn’t grow up on a cul-de-sac, I was familiar enough with neighborhood politics. My grandmother, Nana, and her friend Miss Ag were basically the block captains of our neighborhood. In other words, they were up to date with the ins and outs of everyone who lived around us. What they didn’t see with their own eyes they heard about on Saturday mornings at Miss Helen’s beauty parlor. These were the images I conjured up for my story.
This winter has been a hard one with more snow than we’ve seen in a few years. I can’t tell you how many books I’ve read while curled up trying to keep warm. There’s only so many Netflix series a girl can watch! Treat yourself to this latest anthology. You can purchase a copy on Amazon (this week it’s free on Kindle!) and, as always, all proceeds go to charity. For this anthology our charity is Allegheny Children’s Initiative – Partners For Quality, Inc.
Spring has always given me a sense of hope, new beginnings, being on the cusp of freedom. Summer meant freedom, freedom from school and, in later years, work. Spring smelled fresh. The beautiful flowers in my grandmother’s garden bloomed and the weather now permitted laundry to hang outside where it soaked in the warmth of the day and the fragrance of sunshine. The house was given a good airing out and all the heavy drapes and carpets of winter were stored away and replaced with lighter materials.
Yesterday’s brunch was much more laid back. We came without a reservation, but that wasn’t a problem. The back of the bistro was full, but we were given my favorite table near the window in front. I ordered a cocktail [I wasn’t driving] and we chose the steamed mussels in white wine for our appetizer. My drink arrived first. It was called a Twinkle Pink and was a mix of gin and grapefruit juice served in a chilled glass. It was definitely a good start. 
These book club has read really wonderful books, and really, really forgettable ones as well.There have even been a couple of occasions where no one has read the book, but that didn’t stop us from meeting. We learned the kind of wine we liked best and what foods to serve. More importantly, we’ve learned about each other and some very strong friendships have developed.
But long ago in a kingdom called South Baltimore I was given a small heart of chocolates every year on Valentine’s Day. Dad would go to the Rheb’s stand in Lexington Market, where he did all his shopping, and buy hearts for his favorite girls. Mom would receive the largest heart, the top of the satin box covered in ruffles and bows. To his own mother, my Nana, he would give a more conservative box, deep red and no frills. My box was small and held four pieces of chocolate. The heart box was red trimmed in gold and the words Be Mine or Valentine was usually printed across the top.
Scenes From A Baltimore Kitchen 