My idea of a perfect day would include waking up in the morning in a leisurely way, oh about 7:30, drinking a hot cup of freshly ground coffee with just the right amount of cream while reading the paper, and then solving the daily crossword puzzle, which is neither too easy nor too hard.
Next I’d eat Kashi Extra Lean Crunch cereal sprinkled with slivered almonds. I'd enjoy visiting with Mike over breakfast with NPR’s “Morning Edition” on the radio in the background.
When finished I’d take time for a quick shower, then settle down to check my email. I’d hear from at least one of my siblings and from a friend or two, and then spend some time replying to them.
With my email done, I’d stretch a bit, put on a cd and I’d check out what’s new in children’s books at amazon.com, longing for something as good as my favorites like Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain series; The World of Pooh (or A.A. Milne’s one adult mystery, The Red House Mystery which is every bit as delightful as Pooh!); Holes by Louis Sachar; Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare which is probably the children’s book I’ve read more than any other unless The Cay by Theodore Taylor holds that honor; then there is Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls which I haven’t read forever, so maybe it’s time to reread it; and of course, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
Before long I’d switch to exploring mysteries, checking out my favorite authors to see if their latest hardback has come out in paperback. I’d have to check out Nevada Barr, Lawrence Block (the gentleman burglar character only), P.F. Chisholm (the Sir Robert Carey series, setting late 1500s) – a recent discovery, Janet Evanovich, Dick Francis, Anne George, Tony Hillerman, Sharyn McCrumb, Michael McGarritity, Robert B. Parker, John Sandford, and Dana Stabenow. I’d listen to a Lucia Unrau cd and explore new authors and follow links wherever they may lead me for a pleasant interlude of surfing through books. I may even surprise myself and leave the mystery genre to see what’s out there with the authors of my favorite non-mystery books: Anita Diamont’s The Red Tent, John Dunning’s Booked to Die, Barbara Kingsolver: Animal Dreams, The Bean Trees and The Poisonwood Bible, Billie Lettes: The Honk and Hollar Opening Soon and Where the Heart Is and of course Larry McMurtry - all the books set in the late 1800’s as well as Cadillac Jack.
When I’d had enough it would be time to catch up on my magazines. I’d head downstairs, find something sweet to snack on, make myself comfortable on the couch under a warm comforter, and catch up on my magazines. I’d read the latest “People” (even though it’s embarrassing to admit I do.) Two magazines that would come next would be “Women’s Day” and "Real Simple" because I do like to pretend I’m domestic even if I’m not. Then I’d read “The Mennonite”, the letters for sure and an article or two that caught my interest. And finally I’d try to track down the latest issue of “Time” and at least skim through it. I’d feel very virtuous about including my church magazine and current events in my reading, so it would be time for another cookie or a brownie reward my virtuosity.
At this point, some perfect days would include a lunch out with friends, maybe take in a matinee. Other perfect days I’d love a bowl of homemade soup and homemade bread (both made by Mike, of course), and be happy to settle in at home and do a bit of sewing or collapse on the couch and read a mystery for the afternoon. I’d probably read and snooze a bit, then read some more and thoroughly enjoy my not having the phone ring even once. Mike would be doing something at his computer, Jess would be playing guitar in her room, David would be working hard in Cincinnati, and I would be reading my mystery. And it would be a perfect day.