In the Merry, Merry Month of May . . .

Maybe I should amend that title to, "In the Busy, Busy Month of May!" My only consolation is that it's almost over, or, rather, just beginning. The evaluation kits for the year-long course are very nearly done -- it's difficult to accurately fill orders when you've no idea how many orders there are! The Academy has allowed a few additional people who'd shown interest in the course very early on to get back on board after having "uncommitted". So. That means a few extra kits, a few extra workbooks, and a lot more work for me. I'm not complaining. Just getting a little cross-eyed with the dainty-work. This may be just a tiny bit more stress than I'm prepared to handle. I know it is when I dream about the work, then wake up almost as tired as I went to bed, only to start over again in reality. I can't believe I'm actually going to do all this again in September. But! As much as I'm whining, I wouldn't want to have it any other way. Thanks to Trish's lovely review of my perfumes, I've been dealing with the creative end of the business as well. A welcome respite from the grind. And, of course, encouraged to finish up with the perfumes waiting their turn on the runway. Last evening one of my sons stopped by for a short visit and was drawn into the studio by the aromatic wonders that live there. I sprayed him with a large bottle of eau fraiche I'd made for myself, a combination of that gorgeous new tuberose, a bit of patchouli and a drop of vanilla absolute. I don't think I've ever seen the boy quite so blissful. He literally walked around the house for the rest of the night with his spritzed arm up to his nose. He was also quite intrigued by the new perfume workbooks stacked neatly on the cabinet. Some of my children show some appreciation for their mother's talents, having a few talents of their own, they understand the importance of recognition. And some of my children behave, well, differently.

"You wrote that book, mom?"

"Yes," I answered, thrilled that she would even comment on it.

"Oh. Hm. Well, okay. Can I have a couple bucks for a bag of hot Cheetos?"

Photo by Sarah Ballance, photographer. Subject: The Blissful Son showing off his talents.