Every week before Easter, we buy a dozen small eggs. Then, on Good Friday, we spend time boiling them in the morning and coloring them in the afternoon.

This tradition has been in our family for many years. Our mom believed that between noon and 3 p.m. on Good Friday, children should be quiet and reflect on the time that Jesus spent on the cross.During those three hours, we were not allowed to play outside or inside. We couldn't play music or watch TV. We could read a book or color in a coloring book. That was about the extent of our allowed activity.So coloring the hard-boiled eggs became a cherished task. It took up much of the three hours. We actually looked forward to it.To this day, I still love coloring, whether it be eggs or in a coloring book.A few years ago, I discovered the Dover coloring book series. These books are amazing. They are definitely for the serious colorist. Children don't usually like the Dover books because they require a careful attitude. Most of the Dover books are theme-oriented and have gorgeous ink line drawings inside.My favorite Dover book is "Angels." Each page has a different angel. Each angel has a different outfit. Sure, the wings are fairly similar, but even they have differences that challenge the colorist.Most people might think that angels wear only white. Not my angels! They are resplendent in purples, blues and greens. They have colorful flowers wound through their hair, and their halos can be gold, silver or even emerald.Another Dover book is "Colonial Williamsburg." People who know me well also know that Williamsburg is one of my favorite places in the world. Taking time to color in all of the bricks in the Governor's Palace might seem boring to some, but that activity made me smile.The crayons I use are very similar in shape to colored pencils. They are easy to hold and to sharpen. I have a set of crayons that has about 75 different shades. That makes choosing which color to use a little harder, but the options are amazing.If you are interested in seeing some Dover coloring books, they can be found in any good bookstore in the activity section of the children's book area. Even though the books are much more suited to adults, they are still relegated to the kiddie area.What do we do with our colored Easter eggs? On Easter Sunday, I make devilled eggs with them and serve them for Easter dinner. Sometimes I will even make creamed eggs on toast, which is a favorite childhood dish from the 1940s.Not too many 73-year-olds still have coloring books and use them regularly. Even with my tremors, I find coloring a peaceful pastime. Sure, I may go out of the lines once in a while, but my angels didn't seem to care.If you would like to contact Dr. Smith, she can be reached at her email address: jsmith1313@cfl.rr.com or in care of this newspaper.