This has been a week of pomp and ceremony. I feel like I am on news overload with every tradition completely wrung through and out. Those of you who know my rather low opinion of cable news reporting can imagine what a field day I had with this subject this week. I now completely understand the definition of the word "cloying." I am not being irreverent here. There are just times I want to watch and not have things explained and over explained.

Weather this week on the Outer Banks was less than stellar. The ocean water has not warmed up yet, thus land temperatures are not where they should be for this time of year. Oh growl.

We had summer-like weather in the New York area this weekend, which was fabulous. It made me realize that the sun and warm weather truly invigorate me. As much as I enjoy reading indoors, I love reading outdoors even more.

As we enter the most solemn of days in the liturgical calendar, we bring you our annual roundup of Easter titles. Some of these books directly refer to the observance and celebration of the season; others will provide some nice escape reading over this next week.

I always love Spring Break. It's the prelude to the BEST vaca of the year --- Summer Vacation. It gives you time to practice just having fun for a change. Many of you will be on Spring Break next week...some are on a break this week...others have it to look forward to later in April.