I’m cheating! The office is closed on July 4^th, but open the next day so I’m taking July 5^th as a vacation day. I know, not a big deal, but I feel so wanton about it. I have the time, I’ll probably never be able to use all the vacation time I have stored, but that dang work ethic Daddy drilled me in as a kid still kicks in. I’m fighting it this time and will sleep late and not go in.

This time Hubby has both days off as well, so we’re going to have a long weekend together, just the two of us. Saw the kids that week of vacation, so they’re back at work and too far away for a weekend. They’re both in cities, so there will be lots for them to choose from. Out here in nowhere, not as much–a good reason for living here.

I don’t know if we’ll do anything, go anywhere and I don’t really care. I’d be happy sitting on the back porch writing all day, then grilling out for dinner. We lead such exciting lives, and it’s perfect for us. After all these years we’re pretty much in synch most of the time.

It’s no wonder I can write about women growing into their strength and finding Mr. Right. I did it!

What are your big plans for the 4^th? Fireworks? A big party? Settling off by yourself somewhere to read on a free day off? All of the above? Whatever it is, enjoy and stay safe!

P.S. Red Shoes is coming out August 17!

Yep, I was away. Have a lot of catching up to do. Vacation at the beach and we did have a wonderful time, and some extremely high tides as you can see. Got to relax, my son came down with his girlfriend, then my daughter came – they saw each other for one meal. Saw Star Trek again and Superman, loved both of them. Didn’t get burned. That was partly because the weather turned cloudy for most of the week and partly because when I do go out in the sun I wear 50+ SPF because I blister in the shade. 

All in all a good week, except . . . My laptop froze up!! The keyboard was okay but the pad died and I had no mouse with me. For vacation that might be a good thing for a lot of people, but I had plans to write and edit and that didn’t happen.  I could use my phone to check emails, but I couldn’t answer them very well.  And just then my finger went to the pad and tried to move around before I remembered I have to use the mouse. I am a creature of habit.

Did have a moment of panic when I realized I hadn’t sent what little I had accomplished to my email. I had saved it, but it was trapped in a frozen computer.  La Daughter was able to get to it and emailed it to both of us, so nothing was lost except time.  It’s not like this is a new computer, as you can see, but it’s the one that has housed and loved all of the books I’ve published and holds several stories under construction. It’s my buddy, and it understands me.

I guess I need suggestions – what laptop would you suggest I get to replace, no, make that to succeed my buddy.

How can it already be June? I was going to finish up at least two of the books in my “under construction” file by now. (I did finish one of them!) I was going to lose twenty pounds before the beach. I was . . . well, you get the idea. (I have lost seven!)

I’m beginning to believe it’s the theory of relativity. I older I am, the faster time passes. Remember when Christmas took decades to come around again? Now I barely get all the bills paid before it’s that time again.

I admit summer isn’t my favorite season. I’m not one who enjoys heat–it exacerbates my EB which makes me even less able to exercise and get outside. And of course I can never wear little enough to keep cool in the office. When we go to the beach, I’m up and out by 8 a.m. and back inside for the day by 11:30, and that’s with 50 SPF sunscreen. (My uncle was a lifer in the Navy and was never able to go bare chested on deck, so I get it honest.)

But it doesn’t keep us away from the beach. I do love the breeze, the sound of the surf and the getting to sleep late–yes for me 8 is very late! I can laze around, watch movies late at night and of course cuddle up with the laptop while everyone else is out getting burnt and write in peace!

What big plans do you have now that it’s summer and “school’s out” as it were? The beach, the “shore”, the mountains. What rings your chimes for time off to relax?

Welcome  Home

Many Americans have forgotten the meaning of Memorial Day  but it is so important to honor our fallen heroes. I remember getting the red poppy at school when I was a child, handed out by the older veterans, a reminder that brave men and woman forfeited their lives to keep our homeland safe.

When the veterans come home today we have videos of surprised and delighted wives and children. That didn’t happen with Vietnam and I’m glad we at least learned that much.

When Bobby returns changed to a very changed world, can Katie help make him whole again?