Other guests. . .

My grandson, Nicholas, for whom I began writing annual poems when he was seven (and the first became the collection's title poem) came by to wish me well. So did his beautiful mom, my daughter, Teresa. My dear son Stephen slipped in and out so quickly that we didn't catch him on camera. Nor did we get Tommy who was holding court over coffee in the Crape Myrtle.

Here's a few more of Paul who was going to surprise his wife (and I hope she's not reading this) and Jimmy Carl Harris, fellow writer and board member of Alabama Writers'Conclave.

John Hornsby came by after seeing my sister-in-law Wanda and her hubby, Dr. George Smith, in the cafe!

Other beautiful Thompson women who showed up were Kathy, another sis-in-law, and her daughter, Rachel. Such family support! I am one lucky mug!

Too bad we didn't get a shot of our two photogs, Harry and Brian, and mom Lucy! They deserve the credit for adding another dimension to this description.

And I must add one more shot of Carolyn with that gorgeous sweater. It has a story. It stayed lost for twelve years, and the day Carolyn found it, she was so happy she wore it, dust, mothballs, and all! I think she's writing her own story about that.

Brian Bellenger was good support from the the church! Thanks to all the readers and cheerleaders!