Dad’s birthday is this week, and he’ll be 77.  I think of that as I write because some ambitious sort is outside my office door pounding in fence posts at 8:00 a.m.  When we lived in Rockford, Illinois, Mom and Dad would drive out from Iowa for weekend visits.  Their visit meant getting a lot of stuff done. They wake up and go.  On a Saturday morning at 6:00, I would put Dad on a short leash until 8:00.; then I’d let him crank up the lawn mower.  Like an overly excited Labrador Retriever, he’d pace at the door until he could do something loud outside.  Meanwhile, Mom would have my china closet doors open and be moving glasses and plates to the sink for their annual only-when-Mom-visits bath. 

This morning, I resisted the urge to turn on the box.  I wandered around until 7:00, and then I quietly clattered the clean pans and utensils from the counter where they dried overnight to the cupboards and drawers.  I moved to the laundry room, folded all the clothes hanging on my big wooden drying rack, and folded that monster up to rest in the back corner until needed again.  It feels good to accomplish something first thing in the morning before the world comes to life.  I’m my mom and dad’s daughter.

Next, I went to the basement. To the above-mentioned office. The replacement for my quiet room at the library.  It’s Tuesday, and this is who I am on Tuesdays: the writer, Linda Malcolm.  I’m used to writing at a public table, not a private desk.  I gleaned the crop of my random crap from the tabletop and now have only the essentials.  A drink.  The computer.  A notebook in which to jot down interrupting thoughts. A pen.    

Back in early March, I was interviewed by Elizabeth Christopher, a writer who serves on the board of Follow Your Art Community Studios in Melrose, MA.  Elizabeth has written a series of blog posts on “The Many Paths to Publishing.”  We talked in depth about my writing and publishing process.  Today, I find sensible reminders in my voice via Elizabeth’s words. Here’s the link to the interview: “The Many Paths to Publishing, Part 2: A Conversation with Linda Malcolm.” 

I’m entering the reboot phase—for writing new essays and for reaching new readers who are waiting to read Cornfields to Codfish.