The longest day is a favorite day for me, especially when it falls on the weekend and I can enjoy every minute of it. A walk through the garden, everything weeded and deadheaded and looking happy. Time to clean the birdbath fountain so the birds and I are happy. They really use it, and I love watching them.
BW’s out mowing the grass, which he enjoys much more than I would.
We’re both pretty much packed for departure tomorrow. It’s our family week at the spa, and we’re quite a group. All grandkids, but Griffin, are taking a boy/girlfriend this year. Add in our friends the Orrs, and we’re a group of 16.
But before I go, and because Italy’s coming right up, I want the house and gardens in the best possible shape for our house/dog sitter.
So fill the bird feeders, feed the sour dough, tidy what’s not tidy.
Then she’ll tend to the dogs and my pots.
The gardens look good, so I thought I’d take some updated pictures to share.
The deer have been ridiculous this year. No matter what we do. We spray relentlessly, and we’ve tried these sonar deals that are supposed to keep them out. Hah!
Last Sunday I took a morning walk and was so pleased to see the lilies out front flowering and budding. Figured our dedication was working. That afternoon, another walk. Every bud and flower consumed.
And they’re fearless. I flushed one out during a weekday walk, and it ran about ten feet, stopped, looked back at me like: What? I yelled, waved my arms, marched toward it. She didn’t budge an inch until I was about six feet away and wondering WTF I’d do if she just stuck.
Scold her? Have a serious conversation?
They even got half of my New Guinea impatiens in the whiskey barrel by the garden shed, which means they walked right up the driveway. Then just a couple days ago, I caught one grazing right in the front yard. Jeez.
The struggle is real, but despite them, things are doing pretty well.
We moved those fucking wings to the little area where we put in a Crepe Myrtle, and added a couple friends. I enjoy the theme.
I planted a whole bunch of nasturtium seeds, adding some to the terrace beds along the lane. They’re starting to bloom, though the deer again got some where I’d climbed up to put some in the upper terrace. Still, I think they’ll put on a nice show.
Hope you can take advantage of this lovely long day, or those in the Southern Hemisphere, this long night.
Nora has three weeks of recaps ahead of her in July, so I offered to write one about the nearly back-to-back girl trips we shared.
As long-time readers of this blog know, the spring trip to Nemacolin is filled with a weird duality: relaxing days, competitive evenings. Or, as I tenderly put it, Stupid Games. We’ll get to them in a bit.
Sarah and I joined Nora and Kayla in the party(ish) bus out. Why not let someone else do the work while we caught up (and sipped some Veuve)? On the way, BW texted me that we’d left the Switch (and all the games) at the house. I would have been fine shrugging that off as an “Oh, well!” but I realized Nicole didn’t plan to leave until noon. I heroically asked if she’d mind stopping by Nora’s to get the Switch. She said yes.
Darn it all.
After a smooth ride, we arrived by 1:30 pm to a happy welcome from the butlers and the door staff. Rooms were ready and so we all settled in, then took a walk over to the shops to stretch our legs.
Nicole and Kat arrived later in the afternoon, the former with the dread gaming console, the latter with bags of clothes for the annual spa clothing swap. We were so curious to see what Nora no longer needed, that the swap happened on night one, instead of games. A reprieve!
The weather in the first part of the week was lovely, and the sunsets were glorious. We came home to that miserably wet Memorial Day weekend, so every day spent outside was a gift.
On Saturday, Kayla, Nicole, Sarah and I went to High Tea in the “secret” room that opened in The Chateau in 2025. (Nora opted to stay back to take a walk, then dive into John Sandford’s Revenge Prey.) We’d gone there last year on Mother’s Day and it was too good to not go again. The room is a soothing blue and white, with tables placed neatly through the space so every guest had breathing room. We had the center table again and photos were mandatory.
Tea for four, please.
Place setting.
All the treats.
Once we reached the peak fullness on the treats, our hostess boxed up the leftover sweets. A walk sounded like the proper way process all that sugar. A sudden thunderstorm was blowing outside so we wandered from the Chateau through the Grand Lodge and over to the Art Studio. We were already scheduled for a group paint session with Claire Hardy on Sunday, but the team at the studio has added other activities.
As a post-High Tea activity, Nicole, Sarah and I made candles. Later in the week, the three of us plus Nora and Kat tried glass fusion. As always, it’s fun to chat while we debated colors, scents and textures then created to our hearts’ content.
That night, we started the games. First round of Scrabble for Kat, Nicole and Nora, while I bowled with Sarah and Kayla. I won that first round of bowling (!) while Nora took the first round of Scrabble – she opened the game with a seven-letter word! It was such a lovely evening with the sunset streaming through the windows and door open to the patio, and everyone was relaxed so we flowed through the next few rounds of bowling and finished the evening with Nicole as the first winner of a final.
Sunday was oil painting with Claire. Nora had chosen a floral picture that most of us used as the launching point. Kayla and Kat went off in their own directions. Nora now paints with Claire four times a year — 3x in oil, 1x in acrylic – and she has honed her technique in a lovely and relaxed way. (Someone’s got to give Nora the shout out she deserves.) Pizza dinner always follows painting – as did some more games, of course.
The image Nora suggested,
Our interpretations.
The weekend set the flow for the rest of the visit. Treatments, reading, movement, room service, then games. Kayla and Sarah had their usual one-on-one final in Just Dance. I happened to take the Trivia game and the Scrabble final. Kayla, who also took Reverse Charades and the Wild Card categories was named the Biggest Winner.
I won, despite these letters.
The Big Winner.
Final tally.
And just like that, it was time to go home. For four days.
On the fifth day we headed to Tyson’s Corner for Kat’s birthday shopping trip. I joined the group late on the first day due to a doctor’s appointment related to my upcoming hip replacement, but all reports were that everyone found wandered the mall and found items to their liking.
Nora’s personal shopper, Azita, has been with Saks forever. With the closing of all the Saks stores in the DC area, she and her team shifted to Neiman Marcus at Tysons.
Nora and the team.
We had loads of fun in the new location with familiar faces and new friends. And the lunch menu was based on Nora’s books. Absolutely delicious.
We had so much fun that the dates for this December and next spring are already set!
The very clever menu.
Nora and family head back to Nemacolin next week for their summer stay, then it’s off to Italy in early July. My hip replacement was supposed to be today, but was pushed back to July 16 – the middle of the Italy trip. I’ll do everything possible to keep the travelogues flowing!
Today’s the day: The Final Target hits the shelves.
This is the place to discuss all the elements of the book, and spoilers are very much allowed. (If you haven’t read it, maybe skip the comments until you do.)
What did you think of The Final Target? For me, it fits all the specs for a great summer/cozy winter read – depending on your hemisphere.
We so look forward to the first Saturday in May, and the fun in Louisville in the couple days before. And this year, no rain in the forecast!!
We took Kayla and JR to their first Derby. Not only are they terrific traveling companions, but they really got into the spirit. We landed Thursday afternoon after a very smooth flight. I so appreciate a very smooth flight! Anne and Scoot scooped us all right up. So good to see them both again. And it’s off to lunch at Doc Crow’s.
I’m not sure what JR’s sandwich was called, but I know it had a burger, pulled pork and something else towering inside a burger bun. I also don’t know how he managed it, but manage he did. That’s a young man with a good appetite.
Then it’s off to the hotel to unpack, chill out before the night’s festivities. Since I was coming off either a nasty cold or seasonal allergies, I took a nap. Then roused to change for Club Night, hosted by the perennially fabulous York Sisters, Tonya and Tammie, who founded and run Unbridled.
Great venue, big bar, comfy seating, music. And best of all, familiar faces. One of the best things about this weekend is reconnecting with what’s become our Derby family. We have a table upstairs, and there’s a buffet, another bar, and a dance floor. Eat a little, drink a little, and it doesn’t take long before that dance floor’s put to use. All girls at this point, and I join in that fun.
Back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep as Friday is a big day for all.
Anne picks up Kayla and me at ten, and Scott will gather our men shortly for their Oaks Day at Churchill Downs. BW has my bet on the Oaks race—Lilies for the Fillies. Spoiler alert—my losing streak on this race held once again.
The rest of us are off for mani pedis, at the lovely Bourbon and Blush. Fun place, happy energy, and we leave with pretty fingers and toes.
Lunch is at Guacamole, so that calls for a margarita. They have a whole menu of them. I planned to go for a traditional, but our server insists I try one of the fancier ones. I’m glad I listened! Relaxed and fueled up we head to Rhodes for a little shopping. It’s always nice to see Beth, whom I’ve worked with there for years.
I score what will be one of my favorite easy summer dresses—with pockets!—a scarf that’ll work very well as a wrap for my gala dress, and a bit more.
Back to the hotel where Anne tells me the owners of Bridleberry Leather Tack want to gift me one of their fabulous bags. Who am I to say no to that? Their selection is simply gorgeous. No way to go wrong here. Now I have what will surely be my plane bag when we go to Italy this summer. And on many other trips in years to come, as the quality of the craftsmanship is as gorgeous as the style. These bags are beautifully made.
I will absolutely treasure this gift, and put it to excellent use.
Up to the room to take a few breaths. JR texts Kayla some pictures, and our men look sharp!
Time to fiddle with makeup, hair. Then men arrive. Won some, lost some, and had fun doing it. BW reports that JR caught onto the betting protocol quickly. I’d expect no less.
We all glam up. Kayla looks just lovely in her pink gown (with jewelry borrowed from Nana’s Treasure Box). JR’s pink tie is a perfect match.
Anne’s arrives, also glam, and it’s time for some photos before we go down, meet up with Scott and make our way to the ballroom. Red Carpet first. Kayla and JR have that first experience, and handle it with style.
People to greet, people to hug, and doesn’t everyone look fabulous! As always, I have to check out the silent auction items. Lots and lots, and it’s all for charity. Blessings in a Backpack is one of the main organizations, and one I’m always happy to contribute to.
Get a drink, get our table. As the powers that be decided to change the hours on Oaks Day, with the big race late in the evening, the clever York sisters have a big screen where the race will stream, and a loaded buffet as a plated meal just won’t work as well.
We’re seated with the lovely and talented Danica McKellar and her husband. BW was a huge fan of her Winnie in The Wonder years. She’s entertained me many times with holiday movies during my wrapping marathons.
The always incredible Crashers get the music going. It’s a wonder to me they’re also able to back the variety of music stars—country, pop, rock—who headline the night.
Meanwhile, I’m watching my bids—don’t want to leave empty handed. We walk down to the Photo Booth for some silly fun. On the way a we see the other activities provided. Karaoke—and the obviously well lubricated duo singing are flat on every single note. Just makes it more fun! And Silent Disco. So you see people with headphones bopping, boogying in silence.
I win my auction item—what it is, I’ll keep to myself for now as it’s a gift.
Definitely time for bed. The Big Day is only hours away.
Up and at ‘em. Time to get pretty. I’ve gone with a fascinator this year, and discovered it doesn’t want to stay in place. So I make use of one of the pretty hat pins the clever Kat made me. Works like a charm!
Kayla went pink again, and with her straw hat and trailing ribbon is pretty as a cupcake. The men look handsome and ready. My dress is so, so comfortable, shoes, too, which is a kind of miracle. Since the forecast warned of a very cool day, I’ve brought a topper. And I need it.
And here’s Scott to drive us. It’s always a smooth ride with Scott at the wheel. There’s already a good crowd and we wind our way through, then up to our floor. Happy to see Kim, our long time server. Sorry Amy, another long time server, had a conflict. As always, I have to go out on the terrace and just look. It’s such a beautiful track. I’m so happy to be here again, and to be able to share it with my girl and her boy.
Place my first bet, settle in. I’ve already decided on my Derby horses. I pick one for each family member as well as for me. We bet, take pictures, bet some more. I start out in the hole, but that’s going to change. And it does.
Lots of people to see, take pics with. Danica and her husband are at our table today, too. Lots to talk about. She’s just delightful.
Nora and her table mates.
And love to see all the finery, the clever or gorgeous hats. And best, to watch those magnificent horses run. Especially when one of mine comes in!!
The day whizzes by, and it’s time to bet the big one. I bet on a gray, of course, but on a number of others. Including for Jason and me, Golden Tempo, as his trainer would be the first female trainer to win the Derby.
Pano by BW.
Logan’s horse scratched, so I pick another for him and me. Great White suits him.
The energy rises, it just buzzes. We all crowd out onto the terrace. Time for My Old Kentucky Home. Almost before you can blink, they’re loading the horses in the gate. And just before he was loaded, Great White spooks, throws his jockey and flips. Fortunately, neither horse nor rider were injured. But again, Logan’s scratched, and no time to pick another for him.
And they’re off. I always forget who I bet on, what number to watch because, God, they’re just magnificent. And the sound, a wall of sound from the thunder of hooves to the roar of the crowd.
But I do see the horse, back of the pack, weaving its way up, and up, and up. Honestly I started rooting for him before I realized—#19, Golden Tempo! He weaves, weaves, passing horse after horse, and comes neck-and-neck with the favorite who has the lead. The riders of these two horses happen to be brothers. And at the finish line, #19, by a neck!!
Cheers, applause. A hell of a race. Seriously breathtaking.
And when I check, I see I bet, across the board, at 23 to 1. A very nice payoff for Jason and me! And as I’d also put a bet on the favorite, across the board. A little something for me and Logan’s Lauren.
We stay till the last race, saying goodbye to Derby family, and home we go. Anne delivers pizza, which is perfect!
Sleep like the dead. Wake up, pack, organize, dress, and off to the airport. More goodbyes to Scott and Anne, and hope to see them both next year.
A smooth ride home, unpack, and pretty much crash.
A pretty much perfect derby weekend—though Louisville? Maybe a little warmer next year.
I had my second shingles shot scheduled for Monday afternoon. And unlike the first, which was nothing, this one put me in a coma for two days! LOL. Slept, slept, slept.
Then, speaking of hats, it was Girls Night Out in Boonsboro. So much fun, and this year the theme was hats, with a contest Kayla and I judged. Such creativity and cleverness. We just couldn’t pick one, so Natoma at Gifts, who set this up, let us award smaller prizes for second, third and honorable mention.
All the entries.
Nora and Kayla with the winners.
A closer look at the first place hat.
I wish we could have awarded everyone, as they all deserved it.
Now I have some time for regular routine. Then!! It’s Girl Spa Week.
Nora
Nora also sent some photos to give an update on the garden:
Yes, it’s the first book of 2027, but it’s never too early to plan ahead is it?
And what’s it about you ask?
In 2061 New York City, Lt. Eve Dallas confronts the thin line between advanced technology and primal terror as the #1 New York Times-bestselling crime thriller series continues.
Donald Quinland was a husband and father, a teacher and writer. Now, on a dark cobblestoned street where his naked, beheaded body has been discarded like trash, Lt. Eve Dallas wonders what happened during the nineteen hours since he went missing. Forensic evidence indicates that the killer had medical knowledge—could this be the result of illegal organ harvesting, or some sick experiment? Or does the atrocity of the crime suggest a personal vendetta?
After speaking with the grieving family, Eve and her partner visit Columbia and Barnard, where the late professor taught. In these Ivy League halls filled with sharp and occasionally devious minds, it isn’t so easy to get at the truth—and among Manhattan’s elite doctors and scientists, God complexes are an occupational hazard.
I’ll be honest guys: I know I said Fury in Death (Sept release) is a top fave, but Perfect is up there too. Can’t wait to discuss them both.
Can’t quote The Beatles because it wasn’t lonely, but it’s been a long, cold winter. I’m very happy it’s over.
Right before we planted, and after a week of 90s, the temps dropped—collapsed for a night where it fell to the mid-20s. My poor yellow bells came up too fast and felt the brunt. I have to get out there and prune off the damage.
Otherwise, we made it.
As usual, BW and I hit Sunny Meadows hard. Their wide selection is always so lovely, so well maintained. We filled the bed of the truck, stuck more in the tub BW keeps in the bed, had a flat on the floor at my feet, and another on the seat between us.
Whew! (Then BW stopped in Boonsboro for another flat and a half an impatiens, a few more begonias and some rosemary at the excellent Cronise Market.)
No foxglove for me this year. They got swamped during that 90s week and just ran out. So I substituted, and this year I’m trying some different things in different places.
The best? Spending two entire days digging in the dirt, placing plants, shifting, deciding, arranging. Beds first, and that was a full day. And so worth it.
I’d already soaked and planted nasturtium seeds, and this year some sweet peas. Fun to see those starting to pop while I planted our truckload.
The second day, finish a few spots in the beds, then focus on pots. If my count’s right, that’s over 30 pots! BW’s clever idea was to half bury a broken one, then plant something at the mouth of it. I like it!
I have one more to do yet—some dianthus in a pot BW can see out his office window. But currently our front is dug up as the crew hunts for what’s probably a broken pipe in our septic tank. Finding it’s been an ordeal. And I’m trying not to think about it! And remind myself, the rest looks just great.
I’ve already enjoyed some walk-abouts, and get my smiles seeing how those seedlings grow, how the bedding and pot plants soak up the sun.
Cooler and some rain today, but I have inside activities. Sunday family dinner tomorrow to celebrate Logan’s 22nd birthday. He requested his Grandda’s flank steak and his Nana’s roasted potatoes, roasted carrots. Since Kat and Kayla can’t eat the steak, I’m trying my hand at risotto. Going to make that today, to be sure it doesn’t suck, and tomorrow, since Logan’s not fond of cake, I’m going to make his fave chocolate chip cookies to go with the ice cream cake for everyone else.
Then, on Thursday, we head to Louisville for Derby! We’re taking Kayla and J.R.—their first time—so lots of fun for a long weekend.
Then it’s back to work and gardening, along with Girls Night Out in Boonsboro, our Girl spa week, a shopping spree for Kat’s birthday (doing it early this year), a family week at Nemocolin. Then . . .
Our big summer trip. Ten of us are heading to Italy! A few days in Milan, then two weeks in Lake Como. I’d say I can’t wait, but I really do just love springtime in the gardens. And I have a book to write! So I’ll enjoy it all as it comes.
Hope your spring (or fall for those in the Southern Hemisphere) brings you a lot to enjoy as it comes.
Nora’s next trilogy — A Coven of Three — starts this November with Birth of the Witch
Here’s the official description:
Niamh McShane was born a witch and died a witch in the same moment, at the tender age of thirteen. A victim of the madness that spread from Salem Town to her home on Piety Island, her only comfort in her last hours came from the weavers imprisoned with her, who saw within her light and power and gave her some of their own.
Over three hundred years later, on the same island, Neve McShane wakes with excitement on her thirteenth birthday and unwraps gifts from her aunts: sneakers, an iPhone, and a stunning antique pendant. Then she receives something else: a revelation that will change her life.
Astonished, Neve learns that her aunts’ abilities go beyond simple kitchen magic and the potions they sell in their shop. Their tales of past lives aren’t just whimsical fantasies. They are witches, and so is she. Their lives–past and present–are bound together by that pivotal day centuries ago. Now Neve has been tasked with stopping a growing darkness. To prepare for the dangerous enemy that awaits, Neve hones her skills and searches for clues to aid in her quest. And at night, she dreams of a young man from Ireland whose eyes met with hers for a fateful moment, centuries ago…
Two posts in a row? We’re busy this week. OK, Nora’s writing another In Death at the moment (64 or 65, not quite sure) so I’m sharing the cover for #63: Fury in Death — out September 8.
What’s it all about?
Lt. Eve Dallas never knows what to expect when she gets word of a body. It could be an elderly man who made the mistake of climbing a ladder in slippery footwear. And the next call could be a wealthy biotech executive beaten to death in his home office—but what was Larry Chu’s mistake?
The victim’s corpse is so mangled and damaged it’s hard to believe a lone, unarmed assailant could have managed it. The killer was clearly unnaturally strong—and smart enough to find a way into Chu’s highly secure building. Most of all, whoever did this was very, very angry.
The excessive violence leads Dallas to conclude that this was a deeply personal act, born of a rage that she can’t excuse but can understand thanks to her own traumatic past. And though the motive seems rooted in heated emotion rather than cold hard cash, she can’t ignore the suspicious bank account in the Cayman Islands, or the shadowy, profit-hungry company Chu worked for. The mystery only grows when it turns out Chu isn’t the only victim—and Dallas will need to tear through one layer of secrecy after another to reveal what lies behind this explosion of fury…
We’re just under 100 days from the release of The Final Target on May 26, so I thought it time to share the excerpt.
LBUK cover
First, here’s the official description:
He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.
Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…
An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude—but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.
Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden’s purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?
I had a chance to read The Final Target a while back and I think it’s going to be the perfect entry to summer reading (or a cozy winter read if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere.
And here we go: Stolen in Death is on shelves/ereaders today! Yes, it’s been a wait, but I think this story is worth it.
Plus, there’s a huge surprise (IMO).
Here’s the official description:
A blow to the head with a block of amethyst has left multibillionaire Nathan Barrister dead—while nearby, a vault, its door ajar, sits filled with priceless paintings, jewelry, and other treasures. Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband, Roarke—who misspent his youth in Ireland as a scrappy thief—recognizes at least two stolen pieces among the hoard. The crime scene suggests a burglar caught in the act. But only one item seems to be missing.
Then it’s revealed that the vault had actually belonged to the victim’s late father—and no one in the household knew it was there until a recent remodeling project exposed it. To protect the family name and business, they explain to Eve, they’d been looking for a way to return the ill-gotten gains anonymously and avoid the police. But now the police are all over their elegant house, and have a bigger, bloodier mystery to solve.
By all accounts, Nathan Barrister was a good man, a generous employer, a devoted husband and father. As for his father—he clearly had secrets. Now it’s up to Eve and her team to find out if those secrets got Nathan killed—and if it was a crime of passion or revenge.
This is the space to discuss all things Stolen in Death. (How did you react to the surprise?)
Please share in the comments — and beware that spoilers are allowed here.
