Flora

Tim and I love it when our artichoke plant blooms. Our neighbor says people had been threatening to steal the artichokes again (as in the last couple years), but she told them, "No, no, they want them to turn into flowers."

The other day I heard a woman oohing and aahing in our front yard. I went out to say hello, and she just was amazed at the flower -- and I think perhaps people will finally understand. What a bizarre, wondrous plant is an artichoke. Whoever thought of eating it, first of all? And how can such an ugly plant turn into such a gorgeous flower?

Hey, is that Rover?

Leila sent this picture from Down Under. She says that's a dingo, but the coloring is just like that of Rover, treasured family dog of yore. Rumor has it she's back home in Mexico for a few weeks, then on the road again. Wonder if her cats recognize her? More importantly, do they smell the dingo?

Linda

Sarah's 1st Birthday

It's hard to believe a year has gone by since Sarah arrived in our lives.  She turned one on May 1st and had a great time eating cake, opening presents and playing with her grandparents.  One of her favorite presents was a rocking chair from her Grandma and Grandpa Fields.  Climbing in and out of the chair is tons of fun!

She enjoyed her birthday cake and ate it like a pro!

This has been a busy time for us.  Sarah has hit a few milestones -- she cut her first tooth a few weeks ago.  It happened the same night that the earthquake in Eastern Illinois shook us up.  We were up with the tooth and then a few hours later were awakened by an earthquake.  That was some tooth!

Sarah also started walking and that is keeping us busy creating barriers and moving our "baby proofing" up a notch.

Martin is wrapping up the school year with the Webster Baseball team winning the conference and headed off to the regional tournament.  My job continues to go well and I received a promotion a few months ago to lead a team of seven recruiters.

-- Amy

Underpaid, maybe, but overwhelmed

I'm pretty sure Dad thinks that my devotion to The Mystery Bookstore is another one of those "windmills" that I've tilted at in the past. But there are perks that help compensate for the low salary and long hours: I've become friends with some of my favorite authors. This picture was taken last week at our pre-Festival of the Books party -- that's Cara Black I'm hugging, who writes a great series set in Paris, featuring a private investigator named Aimee Leduc.

And, get this: just got an uncorrected proof of the next Robert Crais book featuring L.A. P.I., Elvis Cole -- and both Bobby (the bookstore manager) and I are cast in it as cops! What a hoot!

I think that now makes 3 books I've appeared in -- a Mr. Monk book in which I'm tattooed and pierced and fiercely protective of independent bookstores; and another book in which I'm an assassin nicknamed The Surgeon. Hmm...

Linda