I don’t know if I’m the only one noticing, but it is hot! Oklahoma has had lower temperatures this summer and more rain than normal, but that is beginning to change. I know west of here in Arizona and other places, it has been a hotter than normal summer, so I guess it is our turn. But it is awful outside.
My herb garden is thriving in the heat and humidity and things are blooming. I don’t know if oregano is supposed to bloom, but it is and there are little bees and butterflies on the lavender blossoms. The dill and parsley have “bolted” (a strange term that gardeners use) into blossoms too and last month so did the chives. The garlic died down and I need to dig it, I guess. I don’t know what to do with garlic other than dig some up and use it now and then.
And then there is the basil. If you love pesto, have I got basil for you! My garden is small on the north side of the house and every year most of these herbs come back. There is limited space, and the basil takes up more than its share. I keep digging out the irises that originally inhabited that area and moving them to make more room for the herbs, but irises multiply with abandon too.
It seems the biggest reason I have an herb garden is to water it. I don’t use a lot of it, and it takes over spreading like wildfires. But it does smell nice.
If you need some fresh herbs, come on over. I’ve got them for some reason. My sister-in-law took some dill to make pickles and she may take more. I can make and freeze pesto, but I only use so much of it.
Help, I’m being overrun with basil and oregano! Did someone say spaghetti sauce?
Erin grew up in a loving home – just her and her mom after the death of her father. They had little money, but they were happy. She had friends, family and a plan to go to college to become a lawyer. 
I had a great book signing at Putnam Six Bookstore in Enid yesterday. Friends from all around came in to see me and I sold several books. In fact, I had to come home and order more books for the upcoming ComiCon in Enid. Putnam Six is a great bookstore, and Chloe is always welcoming. People come and go, often picking up what they ordered or just browsing. The music is soft, and the atmosphere is quiet but yet there is a bustle in the background. 
Yesterday was the Oklahoma Author Panel presented by the Enid Public Library and I was proud to be a part of it. Seven authors from around Enid presented their works to a small audience at the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County. We even made the front page of the Enid paper this morning! It was great to get together with people of like minds and promote our craft. I met people from around the town with aspirations for writing and talked to authors I’ve known for a while as I listened to them describe their work. We all have different reasons for writing, but all had the fire within them that prevents them from not writing. If you write—or if you are an artist of any sort—you will understand. It’s a passion that cannot be ignored.
It’s the Fourth of July, Independence Day. A day we set aside to celebrate America’s independence from England. Many people celebrate it with fireworks and hotdogs, I am just enjoying the beautiful morning weather. We’ve had cooler temperatures this summer—so far—and my morning coffee on the patio was fabulous! 
It seems like a magical week. Even though part of the country is burning up with record heat, here in Oklahoma we’re having a reprieve from the high temperatures. The cooler temps and rain could not have been more welcome. 
It’s Father’s Day! A day set aside to remember and honor fathers. Mine is gone but the father of my children is by my side. 
I had a great time at my first book signing in a year yesterday! The Railroad Museum in Enid had an open house and invited me to come and join the festivities. There were hot dogs and doughnuts, tee shirts were tie dyed, board games were set up in the dining car, and I had the children’s caboose all to myself for the book signing. Outside it was hot so a water balloon fight ensued. Drippy feet came and went through the caboose as I sat under the air conditioner and read parts of Ian’s Magic to all who would listen. 
It was a trip down memory lane even if you never worked on the railroad. The romance of the time and place showed in pictures, clothing, and dinnerware that had once been used in the cars. 
The Pandemic is slacking off and I got my vaccinations. The world seems to be getting back to normal–whatever that is. But it is summer (almost) and time for book signings. I have a few lined up in my hometown. 
The cousins came up from Texas for a visit this weekend and we showed them Tulsa. We got an Airbnb in downtown Tulsa within walking distance of lots of shopping and restaurants. This would be perfect. We could park and walk anywhere we wanted to go. We soon realized many of the shops and places to eat were closed, probably due to Covid. We did some sight-seeing and walked around the block to a Hurts Doughnut shop, but many places weren’t open. 
Shopping!
