Mystery writing involving herbs

I love reading mysteries, and found a fun series combining mystery and garden lore. Yes, Susan Wittig Albert’s cozy mysteries about China Bayles, owner of an herb store in Pecan Grove, Texas.
I bought two of the books, and learned that there are now 16 in this series, and that the author is on a book blog tour, where you can visit and leave a comment, and have a chance to win a copy of her newest book Nightshade.
The calendar for the blogs to visit is at http://www.abouthyme.com/ and the tour runs till April 11, 2008.
Do you enjoy growing herbs? I have lots of them, basil, chocolate mint, dill, culinary sage, chamomile, orange mint, lemon verbena, fever few, cilantro, peppermint, rosemary, apple mint, and more. Technically some of these are not herbs, but you know what I mean, I hope.
What are your favorite herbs to grow and use?

Writing and the art of patience

I am a freelance magazine writer, and need to use and perfect the virtue of patience.
Most people I know are, like me, rather impatient. We want quick results.
Impatience is enhanced by the lovely instant results of email and Internet searching.
Often when I send a query to a magazine these days, it reaches them within the same minute that I send it to them, via email.
So yesterday I sent the third part of an article and jpg photos to an editor, on spec.
On spec means they want me to write it and send it, but aren't promising to publish it.
So, now the wait for an answer commences.
Hint: the article topic is how to grow herbs for tea, and use them in tea.
I'll let you know what they tell me, when I hear from them.
Patience is a virtue, so we are told.