The stack of to be read books on my nightstand continues building its way to the ceiling. And, no I'm not really turning green, but it's spring and I'm thinking about my grandparents a lot. They loved this time of year, out in the yard all the time, planting, tending and growing their garden. I miss them every day.

Adriana Trigiani's new book, "The Shoemaker's Wife," is a sweet, gentle read perfect for a lovely Saturday/Sunday afternoon. Trigiani's mastered the art of telling the American immigrant's story. As with "Brava, Valentine" and "Very Valentine," the author turns to her Italian roots to weave a spell-binding story of love, hard times and dreams realized through a lifetime of hard work.

I had the incredible luck to join my mother and her MOAA (Military Officers Association of American) friends for lunch today at Lago del Pino, a new 11,000 square foot restaurant set on a private lake, just off Highway 31 West near Tyler. The impressive operation opened for business last week.

Got my hands on NOTHING'S GOING TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU FEEL ABOUT NOW, a copy of Justin Townes Earle's new CD, set to drop on the 27th.

Interesting new books have been recently released and several more are coming out in the next couple of months ...

The Sulphur Springs News-Telegram is giving away two tickets to see Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band at the Gexa Energy Pavilion on Thursday, April 19.

Thanks to Luis Noble, I've found a new place to eat in the Bishop Arts District of Oak Cliff.

• Dallas percussionist Drew Lang will appear with Mark Miller, on violin, and Ute Miller, on viola, in the Hopkins County Courthouse, on Monday, Feb. 27, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  The three accomplished musicians will explore the world of electronic effects, as familiar sounds get a makeover.

I don't know about the rest of the Parrothead nation, but I'm really happy about today's annoucement from Jimmy Buffett re: A change in his Texas latitude.

Thanks to the generosity of Jaston Williams of "Greater Tuna" fame, the winners of the News-Telegram's Tuna and Tacos contest have been invited to a meet and greet with Williams. See the website's home page for a link to the contest, which includes two tickets to opening night at the Eisemann Center in Richardson and dinner at one of Dallas' hippest new restaurants, The Velvet Taco.