The first thing I see is lilac stripes painted on sky. It will be a lovely lovely May day. I think I am going to take a long ramble in springy woods and swoon in the greenliness, BUT, it’s bothering me, as I water the new plantings, that I have not mulched the blue hydrangeas. They are getting crisped in the sun and drying quickly. So, I get a wagon of mulch and do the job. Then, to the driveway, the new plantings, and mulch those and water. So, it’s a shorter walk after the yard work and everything watered. A stop at the morning brook, a pleasant shaded closure of trees and reflection. Then, off to Farm Pond Writers-in person! A large group, and we meet outdoors and I lead a flower prompt. After workshop we eat our bagged lunches and talk talk talk. In the afternoon I revise a poem for workshop tomorrow. I am reading Is Rape A Crime? A Memoir, An Investigation and a Manifesto because I am featuring Michelle Bowdler, the author, tomorrow in the IWWG Open Mic and her book is so well written, so painful and important and thoughtful and also her voice is so engaging. I can’t put it down. I met with her briefly last week and liked our conversation so much. She told me she put the word “rape” intentionally in the title. Interestingly, she told me that there was a bidding war on her ms. by publishers. Not surprised. Tonight I led the sixth and final webinar of one of my Aim for Astonishing cohorts, together since December. Wow, what a moving group it was. Excellent writing shared. And as we said goodbye, Laura said this about her experience in my workshops: “You make us feel as if our stories are worth telling.” Well, wow. That’s exactly how I feel. I’m so glad she felt that, and said that. I will sleep and dream on that validation.