Haven’t even been able to see it myself since I’m still out here in Arkansas miles from a Rite-Aid or a Border’s where a magazine stand might be found…but I hear tell from my dear husband holding the fort back home that my essay, “My Clutter Calendar” appears in the August issue of Good Houskeeping magazine. Page 189. I had titled it “Summer Cleaning” but hey, they publish me, they can pick the title.

And what is summer cleaning you ask as opposed to spring cleaning? Read the article.  No….I”ll give you a hint.

Spring cleaning throws open the windows and clears out dust and the wan and tired things you’ve held on to. You’re brimming with sap and energy as you sweep and brush and scour.  But summer cleaning is quieter, more reflective; you retreat to the basement where it’s cool, going through old boxes remembering and culling.  Spring cleaning lets go; summer cleaning holds on. 

Back in November I was in NYC and went up to GH’s wonderful offices in the Hearst Building.  I got a tour of the famed test kitchens and met with two really cool recent college grads: one a bio major, one a chem major. They now work for GH, testing all kinds of gizmos and products. The day  I was there they were brushing great swaths of crimson, carmine, rose, fuchsia and puce (do we get the color scheme?) on a board to test for colorfastness.  Who knew you could get such a job?

GH stands behind any product with their seal.  They’ve been doing this for 125 years.  There’s something really comforting to that kind of integrity in a world where “flip-flop” refers to the perennial speech of our politicians and elected officials, not just summer footwear.

I’m home Sunday.  It’s been a great stay. Met and made new friends, ate well, walked and walked these beautiful green hills. Am coming home with two new children’s stories; two essays (one may appear on AOL) but I’m not counting those eggs, or readers yet. And most satisfying, and natch the longest shot to seeing light of day, about 20,000 words on a second novel. 

So, nu?  What are you waiting for? You’re closer to a Rite-Aid than I am. Go get your copy of the August Good Housekeeping. On your newsstands today!  Enjoy.
 there you have it. Now, go get that Good Housekeeping!