January 21, 2009- Finishing a short story this morning. Getting up earlier to write. Going to put up some more notecards series for Redux, where they are now on display and for sale online. Maria is having a show of her quilts at the Crandall Library in Glens Falls, N.Y. in February. There will be a reception, details to come. This is a big deal for her, as she has worked so hard on her quilts and potholders.

A friend and I were talking about my near breakdown a couple of years ago while on a book tour for “Izzy & Lenore.” The turning point came in Austin where I skipped a reception at the LBJ Presidential Library and went to a tattoo parlor to get a “Maria” tattoo on my right bicep. He asked me what had I learned from the experience. Simple, I said. Love is everything, really. Not the only thing, but everything. Back to work.