I was just about to write a blog entry when I realized I missed a month. Again. Summer seems to do that to me, even at this age. I haven’t dealt with ‘summer vacation’ for a very long time, but I seem to still take the middle months of the year ‘off’. Not from writing, but from other routines. For instance:

I went back to work
I had a special need for extra cash, so I took a job, worked a month and now, with the money in the bank, I’m again retired. I learned as well as earned. First, I learned that I can still work, at ‘this age’. It’s been several years since I gave forty hours in exchange for a paycheck, but the spending/saving is nice. The lack of time is not. Nothing really new there, but a good reminder. Second, I can save while I work. I didn’t save every penny of my extra income, but I did save most of it. I will spend it all in one week, but that was the purpose for earning/saving it. So, mission accomplished.

I began a new Work
What was supposed to be a flashback in the middle of the UpStairs novel, has become a serious historical novel itself. My mafia character was supposed to give rise to the golden still in the wall, and a grand shootout at the end of the book. Instead, he has become the protagonist in a well-researched, completely serious work of his own. I’m not sure I can town down this guy to fit into a much lighter work like Upstairs. Time will tell.

I’m traveling to New York State
This August my oldest is marrying the love of his life. I am traveling there to be part of the experience as well as participate in a small way. (hence the need for extra money!) It will be chance to reconnect with family from all over, as well as make a stop to see my co-author Abby Cortez. (@missabby4653 on instagram) Sadly, my time will be limited, but I will be planning to make the most of it.

That’s all for now. I will update before the end of the month with more news and pictures.