Wonderful Weekend

I can’t believe the difference a month has made in Chicago. When I was here at the end of April, the tree out front barely had leaves and I could easily watch the groups of sparrows and gold finches sitting on the branches. The spring flowers had finally shown up and when I walked to the grocery store, the bright blooms of tulips and jonquils stood out in the yards.

Now the tree out front has shiny big leaves and I barely could see a sparrow swoop in for a stop. The spring flowers are gone. I totally missed the lilacs in bloom. They must have come out while I was gone. When I passed the bushes, there was only a hint where the fragrant flowers once were.

The weather still doesn’t say summer. It barely got out of the 60s here near Lake Michigan. But the days are long. Longer here than in Southern California by about twenty minutes.

It’s Art Fair weekend in my old neighborhood. I think it is the oldest local art fair and also the one that kicks off the season of them in other parts of the city. For now everything is still quiet, but by tonight, there will be streets blocked off and signs put up. Rows of white tents will appear and Saturday morning it will open and the sidewalk will be crowded with a parade of people.

It’s a nice weekend for me to get together with some childhood friends. Some of them I’ve been friends with since I was two years old.

This same weekend, the Printer’s Row Lit Fest is in downtown Chicago. Once again I’m going to be signing books in the Mystery Writers of America booth (on Saturday from 1:-2:30 if you’re in the area). It’s always a question what the weather will be like. The first year, it started out sunny and hot, but by the end of my signing time tornado sirens were going off, it was pouring and we had to abandon our booth because there was metal on top that might have gotten struck by the abundant lightening. The next year I shivered from cold and had to rub my hands together to loosen them up enough to sign books. There was another couple of years that were just hot.

The weather forecast claims that the rain on either side of Chicago won’t get here. As if they can be so sure. I have learned my lesson. I’m taking an umbrella and maybe a jacket. No matter what the weather has been, one thing has been a constant. It is always a lot of fun.

And I’m making a side trip to the wonderful two story yarn store located right near the MWA booth. I am determined to be a careful shopper. But with their selection I’m sure to find the colors of mohair I need for the project for the next crochet book. That’s all I’m getting – really.

Then when the weekend is over and all the excitement has died down, it is back to work. The count down to the release of SILENCE OF THE LAMB’S WOOL has started (it comes out July 1). I have guest blogs due, bookmarks to order and a website to update. Not to mention the third book in the series to write. All good stuff!