Lenore gets close, then shakes off the water

  A lot of people have e-mailed me saying they wish me well in New York, better me than than them. I know what they mean. It’s too much for a lot of people just right for many.
New York City holds a lot of magic for me. My daughter lives there. I lived and worked there. I ended my corporate life there, and have always seen Manhattan as a fortress I could not ultimately conquer. And then didn’t want to. My agent, editors and publishers are all still there, so I am not done with New York. Time to stop hiding from it, or running from it, and take it on. I am learning that it’s the things you fear that you have to do. And do. And do.
   New York City is definitely a magnet, a pinnacle, a state of mind.
  Maria and I went there for a day last week, as I had to meet with my children’s book publisher Holt.
  and we were both a bit overwhelmed by the noise, edginess, density and roar and din of the place. Different than a farm.
 We have both had tough years, so we are determined to have a bit of a vacation. She works hard at her jobs, I work hard at mine. The novel “Rose In A Storm” was the toughest book I ever wrote, there were a lot of other things going on as well.
 I went online and got a great deal on a Tribecca Hotel and then researched plays. Found “Carnage Of God,” “39 Steps,” and a much praised version of “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder, a favorite writer of mine.  I got good tickets to all three.
  I also hope to see a movie or two, eat Dim Sum in Chinatown, and walk until my shoes fall off. Oh yes, Maria has about a dozen movies in mind, and I want to see some photographic museums and take a lot of photos.
  Plus I want to see my daughter Em, who is joining us for dinner, and I am  reconnecting with old friends from my former life, who I have not seen or spoken with since my divorce. And my old college roommate, who surfaced in my life last year when I most needed him. Life is strange.
  Healing, I think they call it. But I am overbooked. Got to leave time to relax. We’re leaving Thursday, returning right after the weekend. Got a great house and dog sitter for the farm. Frieda is going to a kennel this time, for her own safety. She’s not easy to handle. The other three are pretty much by the numbers.
  I love the farm, but the truth is, I love New York too, for all its chaos. I don’t want to run away from it, I want to make it a part of my life for all kinds of reasons. So I am connecting and reconnecting with it and important people in  my life. I’m having breakfast with my agent, a very cool thing to do in NY. I’m having lunch with my editor, who worked so closely with me on “Rose In A Storm.”
  And this is the first time I’ve gone to New York City for more than a few hours with Maria, and many people from my other life will get to meet her. So it’s an important trip. I can’t wait.