Spring High and Low Points

April and May are always filled with activities, most pleasurable, a few, not so. Sometimes too much socializing can be hard on the body and soul. My face is stiff from smiling, my throat is sore from gabbing, and my emotions are ragged from being torn between happy and sad.

Martha Grimes

It began with Edgar Week, the MWA Symposium and the Agents & Editor’s Party. The high point of the Symposium was hearing Martha Grimes bravely admit she had no publisher, and meeting this gracious lady afterward. She has been so prolific, I felt ashamed of my own poor showing. And she is still going strong. At the party, later, it was fun to meet up with friends I hadn’t seen in awhile.

At Malice, again I saw people who I had missed and whose friendship I cherish. I joined in drinking a toast to the memory of Ruth Cavin, my former editor — a sad moment. But I enjoyed the banquet and cheering the latest Agatha winners.

The next event was pure joy. Seeing my eight-year-old grandson as Napoleon in his school play. He was perfect. Didn’t crack a smile, but caused a lot of laughter in the audience. I caught a glimpse of my 2½-year-old grandson and got to push him on a swing. Unfortunately, I missed my five-year-old granddaughter’s dance program because I had to be back in Philadelphia for my 60th High School Reunion! (That’s what I mean about spring being too full!)

The reunion was a mixed blessing. It was fun to see everyone who was there, but not much fun to listen to the list of those who had departed, followed by a moment of silence.

This week I’m staying home, getting rid of the dust that has gathered, giving my husband a break from his diet of Lean Cuisines, and attacking my current manuscript which has languished on my desk far too long.

Robin Hathaway

Hurray, She's Back!

The green sawdust has settled, the last drop of green beer has been drunk, but the spirit of St.Paddy’s Day has just begun. I’m writing this on Thursday, March 18th. It is a balmy 70 degrees and the streets are overflowing with people shedding their winter clothes—jackets, hats, gloves, scarves, buying bouquets of daffodils, and stopping at their favorite tavern for an early bird special.

Spring has sprung! Spring is here!

Although, by the time this blog is posted, bad weather may be with us again. The point is, we’ve had a taste, a whiff--of what’s to come, and we’ll hold on to it, like a hot water bottle, to keep us warm if the weather turns ugly again.

I have witnessed blizzards in March, and daffodils coated with snow in April. But I’ve never seen a year without spring. Sooner or later, she comes. You can count on it. But on this particular day, the first whiff of spring, I’m going to make the most of it. Walk until I drop, inhale the scents from the flower marts., waste an hour at an outdoor cafe watching people enjoying themselves. And make a toast. “To spring! Hurray, she’s back!”

--Robin Hathaway