WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, MORNING SOMETIME

No, that is not I in the photo; that is James Clark. And that is a gin and tonic in the red cup, because glass is not allowed around the pool. And I am taking this photo, so what does that tell you? (You can take a photo with the camera in one hand and a gin and tonic in the other.)

I greatly fear that those of you who are following me on my journey to/from Texas do not believe that it is actually I who am writing it, because it seems so devoid of whines and complaints.

"That is just not like Wanda," you are saying. She sounds too relaxed, too happy, too optimistic. Someone else is writing these entries as she lies by the pool and/or takes naps."

Well, to prove that I am, indeed, the writer, here is a list of complaints about being here in Austin with Amity and James and Ruby (my granddog) and Holden (my grandcat). Take heed:

1) There are too many fruits to choose from in the grocery store here -- and some really strange ones that I didn't recognize. Exotic fruits. Colorful fruits. Just give me some of those delicious green grapes, some of those plump, red cherries, some of those limes (for gin and tonics), and let it go at that.

2) The pool water is just too warm here. I mean, when one goes to the swimming pool near my house in Canton, the water is cold and refreshing. (I guess. I mean, it looks cold as I drive by on my way to the salt mines every morning. At this apartment complex where Amity and James live, the water in the pool (which has a sort of fountain attached) is just too warm. What do I want? A warm bath, for god's sake?!?

3) Yesterday at the grocery I bought diet tonic water for the gin, and it wasn't quite as tasty as the other. Someone should have told me.

4) We haven't been to visit a cupcake stand yet. The last time I visited here Amity took me to a cupcake stand -- one of many such stands that dot the landscape. These stands are sometimes little shed-like buildings (like a hotdog stand at the fair), and sometimes they are a Silverstream trailer. But almost all of them have a big fabricated cupcake on the top, and all of them sell dozens of -- styles? -- of cupcakes: chocolate and chocolate chip; red velvet; carrot cake with cream frosting; vanilla (with vanilla frosting or chocolate, pick your choice); orange with orange frosting; strawberry; blueberry -- and some probably made with those strange fruits I mentioned before. I WANT A CUPCAKE!!!!!!!!!!

Now. NOW do you believe that it is Wanda writing, and not some stand-in?

Other than the other extremely annoying points above, I am pretty much in heaven here. Oh, an occasional thought rips through my mind ( 'In twelve more days you must return to work!') -- but I can usually brush those thoughts aside with a good book, something to eat, a rest at the pool (warm water be damned!), another gin and tonic. I do get by.

Yoga. I forgot to whine about yoga. I went to another class yesterday (Tuesday). On Monday it was the Restorative Yoga class; yesterday it was "Gentle Yoga." (I had previously thought all yoga was gentle, in a bizarre sort of way, until I saw photos of my daughter's body, twisted into positions that remind me of the cords under my computer table.) The class yesterday was more strenuous than the one on Monday. I mean, instead of lying on the floor relaxing and listening to gongs, I actually had to move in this Tuesday class. Like, I had to raise my arms above my head and stuff like that. It was exhausting, but I did rather enjoy it.

Yesterday Amity and I took Ruby to the dog park here in the apartment complex. (That's Ruby in the photo above, with her pal Pup. Ruby is the solid-colored one. They are looking through the fence toward another dog coming. "Oh, BOY!! Here comes another one of our species!") I had great fun watching Ruby play with her dog friends -- Pup, Mocha, and Addison -- while Amity and I sat and talked with their owners.

(I am extremely tempted to complain about the heat at this point -- you'll notice I didn't list that in my complaints above. It is as hot as hell here, but no humidity, which really makes all the difference. (I hope that, if I do end up in hell, it will be dry heat.) I have not whined and complained to Amity about how I can't breathe, I need a shower, my clothes are drippy, I'm dying here! -- and I think it worries her some.

Amity is going to be in her friend Rebecca's wedding in September, and we have gone to a fancy bridal shop Monday and Tuesday to choose her dress. That was fun, except that they had mirrors all over, and I couldn't help but see myself in them. (See "I want my cupcakes," above. Life is full of bitter irony.)

I am already planning my trip back -- don't know yet whether Amity will accompany me. I am currently reading The Eyes of Willie McGee -- but it's too late and too southeast to visit Laurel, Mississippi. However, I do plan to go through Money, Mississippi on my drive home. Minnie Watson (at the Medgar Evers home) told me that there is a small museum in Money (where the Emmett Till murder took place). I definitely want to travel through that section of the state.

You choose your ideal vacation, and I'll choose mine.

More soon.