A few days ago, while we were on vacation skiing, I was griping about having to go on a business trip after vacation. Yes, we’re hosting a group at The Cloisters on Sea Island, located in one of the richest zip codes in the U.S.; yes, I get to stay in a $1,300 a night room for free; yes, there would be good food. But I had serious doubts that all this would offset missing Fred and having to be extra special nice to lots of people for three days.

But last night, after eating one of the most spectacular pieces of filet mignon I’ve ever had, and having my driver pull up in the Jaguar and shuttle me back to my room–which is as big as our house in Decatur–and curling up on my oceanfront balcony in the robe and slippers the maid had laid out, and speaking with room service about my morning coffee and breakfast delivery, I decided it wasn’t so bad after all. It’ll be really easy to be nice here.