With a SPRING in my Step!

Yesterday my doctor at Campbell Clinic said, after looking at an x-ray of my big toe that he operated on in January, "go forth and buy new shoes... with heels up to two inches high!" Well, he didn't actually tell me to go buy new shoes... but gave permission to wear them. And to exercise! I know I'm never excited about exercising, but after four months as a total slob, I'm ready!

So this morning, it was off to Curves for me. I'd been driving past this sign several times a week for over three months, but today, I pulled into the parking lot, got an old exercise buddy to snap this pix of me going in... and then this pix of me actually working out. (Thanks, Debbie.)

I know I'll probably be sore tomorrow, but it'll be a good kinda' pain, you know?

It's an all-around beautiful day in the neighborhood... with tulips blooming,

and these tiny peony buds from two weeks ago (right)

are now HUGE (below) .... and I'm hoping they'll bloom by Sunday for Pascha. Just hoping.

I'm off to Jackson to visit my mother today.... hence the quick post. Check back in on Thursday for something meatier. Or not.

Oh, and did I mention I got my mom's income tax stuff done on time for the first time in five years? Yep, it's a beautiful day. (But if you're late or last minute, there are some helpful tips here.)

Oh, I almost forgot, I'm reading The Liar's Club by Mary Karr. Somehow I missed this one, back when it came out in 1995. It's a gritty memoir about her childhood in South Texas... similar era to my childhood in Mississippi. Read a great interview with Karr on Salon here. I've already got the sequel, Cherry, to read next. Great stuff. Got 'em both on PaperBackSwap.com. (check it out!) Watch for book reviews soon.

After watching these great interviews with Joshilyn Jackson about her new book, The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, here, I'm doubly inspired to write about real stuff without pulling punches. Without, as Josh says, "chickening out." So.... I'll be taking my laptop to Jackson this afternoon.... getting close to finishing that book proposal and getting another chapter done. But for now, a beautiful drive down south.... with a spring in my step!