Sometimes we are lucky, fall into, strive for, or are handed a job, work that is utterly satisfying, that you love, love, love! Years ago -- 1967-1972 -- I was fortunate to be the Director of the Division of Beautification for the Virgin Islands. I embraced the opportunity to be creative, to learn about tropical horticulture, to build a plant nursery in which we grew native trees (like Lignum Vitea) from seed and distributed the small plants around the islands. Working with a wonderful staff, it was rewarding to transform areas from bare dirt, often trash strewn, into beautiful garden spots. It was a glorious time of my life, for which I will always be grateful.

Have you ever thought about what you would do if you could no longer do what you enjoy doing? I have a friend who was an avid tennis player. Due to health problems she can no longer run around a tennis court. She has become a classic film and theater buff and serves as a volunteer tutor at a high school. Another woman I know loved to dance and did so several times a week. When her knees created problems and she could no longer do this, she took up water aerobics (a gentle class).

What would you do, if you could no longer quilt or golf, or paint, or garden or go dancing? What if I could not write any more, what would I do? I'd volunteer at high schools and talk to English classes about writing. I'd buy a digital camera and learn how to use Print Shop. I'd take classes via the computer in Ancient Civilization and in Geography, which I've always been interested in.

I don't believe in waiting until something happens to start trying to figure out what to do. I feel more comfortable having a plan and also being flexible about that plan, for in life you never know, do you?

I have an issue right now. It's spring, time to plant, and my right hand is in a cast because I have a torn ligament. It's healing the Doctor says, but slowly, and I must wear this half cast 50% of the time and certainly not poke in the earth with a trowel. I used to think, if I were ever in a wheelchair, I'd garden in containers or at a tabletop. I never figured on my hands not being usable (I hope temporarily) It's very frustrating. I look at two hibiscus plants I bought. They are root-bound in pots and I can't get them from the store bought containers to transplant them to larger pots alone but must ask someone to help me, which I have.

The publishing industry has divided the country into areas: the South, New England, the Southwest, the West Coast to name a few. I'm labeled a Southern writer although my books, as you know, are read all over this country, in Canada, England, and Australia. I have access to the names of independent bookstores in the Southern states as far north as Virginia and west to Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, and Louisiana.

If you live west of the Mississippi or north of Virginia and there is an independent bookstore near you (not a big chain like Barnes and Noble), I would be grateful if you would drop me an e-mail ASAP ( Jmedlicott@mindspring.com) with the name of the store and its address and zip code. I'm sending out postcards letting booksellers know about the article on the Ladies of Covington series and myself in AARP's The Magazine that will arrive in your mailbox in June. Thank you very much.

email: jmedlicott@mindspring.com

web: http://www.joanmedlicott.com