Almost There

July 25 8am 61 degrees - beautiful Michigan summer day. Into the 80's this afternoon.

Well, we are almost to my youngest son's big day. The back yard has been transformed by a huge white tent, garage is clean, frig is full of food, now all we have left is last minute cleaning and setting everything up.

Expecting 125 people tomorrow, maybe some surprises, getting all geared up. Now, if the stress doesn't become so great, we lose it when some of the surprises happen.

Took yesterday off work to go golfing with my brothers. The four of us try to do this once a year while the two out of town brothers are here. Great fun, as always. At least I think it was, I didn't golf worth a hoot. Then last night, we gathered down the road for pizza at my oldest brother's place. Lots of fun talk, old stories, and fellowship.

I'll be on the road most of the day today delivering mats and I likely won't be back here until we enter the blessed aftermath....

July 21 9am 69 degrees - cloudy, looks like rain, nothing in forecast.

A long weekend of rainy weather, flowers look as good as they're going to get, have special day lilies blooming, grass is greening up with all the moisture.

Worked non-stop on house, last weekend available before the big party next Saturday. Going to be a busy week. Garage was cleaned, scrubbed, washed, polished, took forever to dry with the high humidity, but looking good. Knocked most of the items off my wife's TO-DO list. Tired out, but we got a lot done.

This week busy at my job, while finishing the little bits and pieces, and helping the wife get the baking, etc., done.

Feels as if our whole summer has been geared toward this one big event. Not sure what we're going to do when it's over. Relax, a lot.

Onward and Upward.

July 17 8am 72 degrees - looks like a real winner out there this morning.

Got really hot yesterday - 93 or so, then about 6, the storms started. Hail in town, we didn't get it here, but it rained, long and hard, computers off, lightning (some close), checked the rain gauge about 8 and had 1/2 inch under a large grape leaf, then another round rolled in.
My lawn really needed this rain. I've been trying to figure out a way to water the whole thing so it wasn't crunchy for our guests. It will be great for the party.

And, at 1 yesterday afternoon, I delivered placemats to the one restaurant without them. My new printer is working out fine so far. Stress levels are dropping quickly. Very good. Very good.

Spent an hour on the phone yesterday fighting with my local phone company. Just send us more money. Something highly suspect about that. Though my patient friendly manner did get me a $52 refund.....

AND... the roof patch worked!!! My wife just walked into my office and said, "I've been all over the house and there is not one drop of water anywhere. The guy who helped us gets the roof job. No question." I tend to agree.

Another hot one today. 95 or so. And the air still isn't fixed in my truck. Onward and Upward.

July 15 11am 74 degrees - another perfect Summer Day.

Didn't get much accomplished yesterday. Just not the right sort of day, I guess. Spent an hour getting the wife and youngest child cell phones - "I'm the only 18 year old in the world without a cell phone of my own!!!!"

Yeah, yeah, whatever. I had to break down and do it since he will need it at college.

Off in search of a printer this morning. My last one has bitten the dust, apparently. Not good, not good at all.

Onward and Upward.

July 14 11am 72 degrees - perfect Summer Day, decent temps, blue sky, sunshine

Weekend spent working on house and playing cards. We played cards Friday night while attempting to set up our annual wine tasting weekend - the house we had last year is questionable and it's hard to find a place that will sleep 10.

Saturday, after a long day of painting, cleaning, generally going crazy, we went back and played pinocle into the night. Yesterday was more painting and cleaning. I think the kitchen is ready to go, all I have to do is remove the masking tape. Garage cleaned - that's where the food will be set up - that was a big job but youngest helped.

Still don't have a printer for my placemats - but, apparently, I'm a big enough outfit that other printers want my business at a really good rate. So, I'm not worried too much about that except that I do have time lines I need to be concerned with.

Into the home stretch now for the open house. Two weeks. Brother from Tacoma and family are coming in this Saturday - they'll stay with Mother. Little brother coming in a week from Wednesday - they'll stay with my brother down the road. Busy, busy.

Now, to find some placemats.

Onward and Upward.

July 11 9am 69 degrees - trying to be muggy.

Yesterday was one of those days I absolutely detest. Nothing went right. Printer problems - not the kind that can be fixed by a quick trip to Office Max, but real printer problems as in my printer - the guy who produces placemats - is having personnel problems. Which means the 25000 mats I ordered are not being printed.

I really don't need this. I'm running too tight to the bone now.

Jeesh.

Move forward, keep moving forward.

Bunches of stuff to get done this weekend as the open house moves ever closer. Don't need these extraneous problems.

July 10 8am 58 degrees - cool morning, blue Michigan sky.

Seem to be getting phone calls every evening - long phone calls. Makes it hard to get any additional projects done for the upcoming open house. Not that I mind, I love talking to friends and relatives.

Storms came through early in the week, but we got no rain here at all. My flowers, neglected while other things have been happening, need water, so hoses have been stretched and I managed to get some of them fertilized.

While entering a comment on LitPark, I discovered I had no idea how to spell Quonset (as in Quonset hut). Surprised to note it is still a trademark after all these years - yet another reason the spell checker gave me problems. Must be capitalized. Took a few minutes in my giant American Heritage to track it down.
I remember, back when I was young, seeing many of these structures around Michigan State University. My Dad explained they were built in the late 40's to house soldiers taking advantage of the GI Bill, flooding the college after the war.
I have one in my back yard that is used as an extra garage, and storage.

Work on my other job at the top of the list this morning. Lots to get done, lots to accomplish.

Onward and Upward.

Send author a comment on this post

And Onward We Go

July 8 10am 71 degrees - warm, muggy, cloudy, yucky weather.

Well, a very productive weekend. Finished patching the ceiling in the kitchen (due to a malfunctioning roof to brick divider wall - designed in 1950's - didn't work well then, either - which is why you don't see this house style except on Frank Lloyd Wright houses - which also are notorious for leaks).
Painted entryway - some God-awful beige which my wife mixed from leftover paint from the kid's work.
Got mucho yard work done - youngest brought home huge loppers and weedwhips and just tore it up outside.
Late Friday night, the neighbors, having a huge Fourth get-together, started shooting off huge fireworks that shook the house and scared the cat.
Saturday, middle child appeared and offered to help, put him to work on the addition to the septic system. This was supposed to have been done in April by my friend (loosely termed at this point) Smurf who owes me for ads I've run over the past two years and was supposed to be traded for a new septic field. Alas, we dug twenty feet by hand and hopefully it will suffice through the open house and then with just wife and I here, through the winter.
Saturday night, out to the lake to watch fireworks and play cards.
Sunday we started on the roof with oldest son - all my boys pitched in this weekend and it was very helpful. Finished the roof last night - the leaks should be taken care of until I can get the whole roof redone next summer.
Lots of stuff done - still lots to go, but I can at least see the end now.

At least this explains why I haven't been at the computer very much....

July 4 10 am 64 degrees - many white poofs across a pretty Independence Day sky.

Didn't accomplish much yesterday. Pretty quiet with everyone thinking only of their cabins up north or brats on the grill.

Youngest wanted to go to movies last night so I bundled up Wife and we spent way too much money at Applebee's and then wasted two hours watching Will Smith act horribly in an absolutely horrific script. The movie HANCOCK is a total waste of time, not to mention a waste of the talents of Will Smith, Cherise Theron, and Justin Bateman. Started off good, but the premise sucked, and the explanation sucked even worse.

Anyway. Came home to a message from one of the wife's coworkers from ER where her 13 year old was awaiting multiple stitches. Which meant an early call this morning on a day she wasn't expecting to work.

And work, lots of things to get done this weekend. Only three more to go before the property is overrun by relatives, friends and others in celebration of youngest's graduation. Lots of stuff to get done. Did I mention I've got lots to do?

And to it, we go.

July 2 10am 74 degrees - a glorious perfect summer day.

Wonderful day yesterday. Got a big check at my first stop, wandered about town, got some paperwork done, a haircut, picked up a tv from the repair shop, paid some old bills, and came home to a mailbox stuffed with checks. What a concept!

Worked in my flowers last evening and when I finished, (well, not finished, stopped - one is never done, after all), I walked along my stretch of the river and sat on the rocks next to the gurgling water. A picture perfect spot, with bees and dragonflies flitting about, a bass jumping clear of the surface downstream, the sunlight disappearing into the vibrant green leaves.

And thoughts moved far away from the talking heads on tv, the vitriol of the internet bloggers, and high gas prices; away from the youthful desire to move this rock, fix up the old waterwheel, and create change for the sake of change; away to this wonderful place where the future hangs heavy on the branches just waiting to be plucked.

It is my peaceful place, where I find the soothing ripple of the water flowing past can erase the stress, calm the nerves and heal the soul.

As darkness fell, an almost wild cat from the neighbor's barn came down the riverbank to drink. He did not acknowledge me, going about his business as though I weren't there. Doing something necessary for his survival - the same as I.

When I count my riches, My family - all doing well and deep in the enjoyment of youth; My health - beating the odds for someone my age continuing bad habits despite the risks; My home - high on the bank with holes in the roof and needing paint; My future - sharing with the world the stories in my head, trying to convey the simple joy of sitting on a rock watching the world roll by in the ever present hope others will find value in my words.

July 1 9am 66 degrees blue sky with white streamers

Happy Canada Day! to all my friends across the border.

Great day yesterday - made a couple sales, delivered a lot of mats, everything going as it should. Rolling along into the second half of the year. Been busy so far, got youngest son's open house coming up on the 26th, my family will be in town, golf game with the four brothers - always a highlight of the summer.

Have so much going on. Eldest son is moving this weekend (within his complex, but he'll still need help) Daughter is moving into her new house on the 19th - not sure how much help we'll be there. Then, getting the other two boys ready for college should take up most of August.

Akkkk!

Yeah, and I'm supposed to be putting the finishing touches on two novels....

Okay, then.

Right now, need to make sales to get the month off to a great start. Last month was a record for June. Onward and Upward.

Send author a comment on this post

End of Month, End of Quarter

June 30 8am 57 degrees - cool and rainy this morning - radar doesn't show any rain, but eaves are dripping and it is chilly.

Friday was busy - gas prices jumped 28 cents as I was driving around trying to get the best deal.

Saturday got the border up in our bedroom - one room done. Still need to change the drapes with son's bedroom - the color goes better. Then, two open houses, hardware to buy paint for the kitchen, short nap, then off to wife's cousin's where we arrived to find hosts two sheets to the wind, but had a good time anyway.

Sunday I painted the kitchen - at least two coats worth - it needs another - school bus yellow is what my wife calls it - not sure how long after the open house this color will last. Then off to a 50th surprise birthday party for my wife's boss. It was a complete surprise - that doesn't happen very often, but it did this time. He's the one who got me started in the placemat business, still not sure whether I should be happy about that or not.

Didn't get any writing done - not sure any is going to happen before the open house at this point. Just way, way too much to do. The rainy weekends have allowed the yard and grounds to get totally out of control - that's going to take at least two of the three weekends I have left..............

Ah, but we are going to throw a party.

Now, off to the shower to try to get warmmmm.

June 27 8am 64 degrees - somewhat overcast and very humid - rain today

Had one of those odd days yesterday - drugged up, though less of a fog than Wednesday - made stops, made sales, got lots of money, all very strange. Was a very long day - not used to going like mad for 11 hours straight.
Realized when I arrived home that I hadn't eaten anything all day and very little the day before. Guess that's one way to get rid of the annoying paunch I seem to be developing.

More sales today and then back to hometown to pick up more placemats - seems like that's all I've been doing this week. Some 50,000 this week alone. Then again, this has been a record month, so I'm not complaining. Next week, being a holiday, I won't have to deliver any.

Maybe get some writing done. Live is good.

June 26 6am 64 degrees - sun coming up to partly cloudy skies, going to be a hot one today - 88 or so

Yesterday was a wash - I'm fighting some kind of weird sinus virus - drug myself up to keep my head from hurting and then everything is pretty much a fog. Not good.

Deadlines today - so up and at 'em early.

In the midst of the fog, however, while trying to nap my way to better health, the WIP is taking shape more and more. This is a very good thing. The whole book is laid out - at least in my head, now, the trick is to get it all down on paper.

Onward and Upward.

June 25 9am 70 degrees - blue sky with streaks of white

Monday, made two big sales early - yea! Money in bank.

Tuesday, made more sales even though I didn't leave the house until 2.

Last night, came home at 6 to discover farmer who lives across the road was chopping hay and caught the cable wire with the chopper pulling down the electric pole. Power came back on at 10, and wife and I enjoyed some time with youngest son, playing dice and cards on a card table on the garage apron. Very nice.

Next door neighbor came over to see what was happening. Don't see him often enough.

Amazing how much you depend on electricity. Even more amazing how lost you are without it. No tv, no computer, no music, just the sound of Edison trucks driving up and down the hayfield across the way. Kinda cool.

Bernita has some great imagery on her blog today.

Pat has a great post about book promotion - actually, it makes one feel somewhat sorry for her living on her boat in Hawaii - go figure.

Much to do today - up and at it.

June 23 11am 71 degrees - blue sky, puffy white clouds, very nice.

Had great time at open houses, and playing cards.

Yesterday, got up early and went to Daughter's new house (she closes today), got to tour it, help pick out paint colors, and generally have a great time. Two out of three sons joined us, so it was a family affair (a belated Father's Day get together), then out to lunch and a long drive home down back roads with eldest son - the only one of the crew to enjoy such outings with the same intensity as I do.

Much on tap today, heading off now to get 'er done.

June 21 9am 69 degrees - gorgeous morning.

Woke early on to the sound of thunder. Daylight brought dripping branches and glorious sunshine. Going to be hot today as well.

Last night, walked outside and looked up at the solstice sky, stars abounding and the magic of the Druids heavy in the evening air.

Had a great day yesterday - starting out with a big sale before 11 am. Life is good.

On tap today, Youngest son's girlfriend's open house and then a wedding reception for neighbor kid, maybe some cards as well.

Tomorrow morning, going to see daughter's new house. She doesn't close the deal until Monday, but we're getting a sneak peek. All excited.

Oh, yeah, and must get some work done on the house. Running out of weekends to get everything done before youngest's open house.

Aren't I supposed to be writing in here somewhere?......

June 20 8am 62 degrees - clear blue Michigan sky - great day to cut hay, watch the corn grow and otherwise enjoy summer.

Pretty much a lost day yesterday. Didn't get much accomplished.

Today will be better. Blogs are quiet, and, likely, business will be quiet as well.

Onward and Upward.

June 19 8am 51 degrees - had to kick the furnace on last night - good grief! A low pressure area over Quebec responsible for this dismal weather. Hopefully, moving off today.

Great day yesterday - though sales were a bit lacking. I got a lot accomplished. Much more to be done today. Busy weekend ahead.

Eldest son appeared with a huge gas powered hedge trimmer last night. The yew bushes look much much better. Would have taken me hours with my dull little hand clippers.

Watched Failure to Launch - very funny movie. If one could get over my youngest complaining about Sarah Jessica Parker being twenty years too old for the part - hey, he does have a point.

BookRoast looks like lots of fun - not to mention they are roasting Bernita to get started.

Onward and Upward.

June 18 10am 53 degrees - cool, quite cool for this time of year, rain showers off and on, just enough to keep the clouds around.

Highly productive week, so far. Things are moving quickly and I'm trying hard to keep up.

Finding it increasingly difficult to keep optimistic about the future here in Michigan. People don't like change - they find it uncomfortable and unknown - and things are changing, big time. The median age in my semi-rural county is rising - the younger ones are moving closer to the city, to where the jobs are - it's roughly 40 miles to the nearest 6 figure jobs. Anyone with any sense is moving closer. Our public schools have been losing students for 5 years and that trend is accelerating quickly, taking teaching jobs and leaving the district scrambling to maintain services.

The many builders I count as clients and friends are disappearing as well. Some have moved south, some are hanging on, doing odd jobs, all are hurting.

Toss in social changes and everyone is on edge. The county I live in is roughly 70% Republican. The idea of a black president is beyond comprehension. A friend's son, with a newly minted degree, begins a paid position on Obama's campaign next week. The young clearly still have hope. But, it's going to be hard on Mom and Dad explaining what son is up to.

Change is coming. Many of my clients are savvy, good, down-to-earth business people. But the change is causing a heavy psychic toll.

Makes my daily job just that much more interesting.

Send author a comment on this post

Second half of the month

June 16 7am 62 degrees - blue tinted clouds - cool weather in store this week

Friday evening, I picked up an old Agatha Christie mystery with Jane Marple. What fun! Read the whole book, not turning on the television, no computer, just sitting on my front step in the cool of the evening. Wife was reading as well, something different and highly enjoyable.

Saturday, I painted our bedroom - one of the many jobs left to do before youngest son's open house. Turned out very nice. Wife and I set our bed up in the middle of the living room to be away from the paint fumes. Sunday morning spent trying to rearrange our furniture in a different configuration - without success.

Heard from all four of my children on Father's Day. Wife and I helped with an open house, got home about 8:30 - long day.

Now, everyone is back to work this morning. Much to do, much to get done.

Congrats to Kris on getting her edits done and back to the agent.

Bernita and James have stories coming out in the same mag. Very cool.

Trying to catch up with myself - off to a fast start.

June 13 2pm 86 degrees - blue sky with flitty clouds - had some thunder this morning, more coming tonight I assume, what with the hot humid stuff we have right now. Probably be really nasty - we can only hope.

Can't seem to get going today - Mother came this morning for transport to a medical procedure, then we had to drive her back home and settle her in - no problems, she just wasn't allowed to drive for 24 hours.

Kids were off work due to the early morning rains - took one to drop off his car and bring him back home. All very busy.

Pat asked for suggestions of pictures while in London for the Orange Prize announcement. I asked for 221B Baker Street. And she put the pic up today. Way cool!

Everyone driving around like crazy out there today. Don't know what that's all about. Have seen a lot of cops, too. No clue what that is, either.

And, my mortgage company sent me a check. How messed up is that?

Life is good. Going to be a great weekend.

June 12 9am 68 degrees - cloudy, cool this morning after so many storms have blown through. More like Michigan in June.

Last few days have been highly productive - where my money producing job is involved, at least. Which is a good thing - I really need a couple of good weeks to buy time to finish that nagging plot snag in my latest WIP.

Somewhere along the line, I must have mentioned this website to someone who actually looked it up. My rankings on most visited have gone up (yeah, like I'm the only one who checks) - this morning, I was number 1. Very odd. Hard to imagine that folks want to read about my family - this thing serves as sort of a diary, with short bits concerning kids, weather and whatever.

Nothing earth shattering about the writing life - just trying to get back to it. My time has come.

Middle child is still without electricity at last word. Five days and he lives only a stone's throw from Oakland University. Youngest is there today for orientation. And the calendar moves on.

June 9 10am 79 degrees - another hot one, but the forecast has changed to cooler weather this week.

Had huge storms blow through just south of here last night leaving much of the northern suburbs of Detroit without power and trees down.

During the Graduation ceremony at the ice rink in Flint, sirens were heard - apparently they were blowing off the tornado sirens and, while we could hear them a little, no one broke stride and the ceremony went on. We are a happy delighted family.

Now, on to the hard work of getting ready for the open house coming next month. Much to do, much to try to do, and much that won't get done. Priorities.

Got to speak with my neighbor who has published two books with PublishAmerica - now, he realizes that was a huge mistake. Duh. I feel sorry for him, but there were a few of us who tried to warn him and it's not like there isn't a ton of stuff on the internet.

To work now, the devil at our heels.

Onward and Upward.

June 8 8am 70 degrees - broken clouds, very humid, rained like crazy overnight

Lapeer Celebrates Art - working its way into becoming a pretty cool event - but, we'll see. I read a couple old columns, chatted with some friends, but I only had 8 people listening, so it was just something to do, nothing that might amount to anything. Still, I suppose, nice to be included.

Then home to catch some tennis, then off to an open house for a boy who started pre-school with my son. Very nice.

Back home to take a nap. Very warm day yesterday.
Belmont Stakes - what a race. Of course, the sports commentators had a horrible time. They have no where to go when REAL LIFE takes center stage. $5.25 million bet on a horse that comes in last. That's why they call it gambling. There is no such thing as a sure bet.

Cards - and then home at midnight in the midst of a huge thunderstorm. All very cool.

Today, my family will gather to watch my youngest son graduate from high school. Another passage, another step in his journey towards tomorrow. Mom and I are justly proud of this one.

Onward to a day of fun, laughter, and maybe a tear or two.

June 7 8am 72 degrees - hot, humid, had some down home boomers last night, but we missed out on all the stormy stuff.

Started out yesterday with an annoying noise coming from truck tire (well, not really a truck, it's a Pontiac Aztek which is classified as a personal recreational vehicle or PRV) Not sure what that means, I bought it because it's different and I could get it in red. Anyway, after listening to the horrible clicking sound, I got it checked out - turns out it was a rust spot on the disc brakes. Then, I discovered the air conditioning doesn't work. Not something you want to find when the temp is 90 and you have to drive 60 miles. Was very hot.

Lunch with Mother as she turned 85 on Thursday. Feisty as ever.

More driving around in the heat. But work is done for the week.

Today, reading at the Lapeer Celebrates Art festival downtown, then back home to sweat until an open house this afternoon. Then, hopefully, a nap and cards tonight.

Tomorrow is graduation of my youngest. Great fun.

Onward and Upward.

June 6 8am 79 degrees - hot, humid, blue Michigan skies, VERY HOT - going to 93 today.

Going to be hot in Downtown Detroit celebrating the Red Wings.
I have to go to my hometown and mow Mom's lawn, get placemats, and other fun things.

Last night, did a practice for the Lapeer Celebrates Art Literary Artist presentation set for tomorrow morning. Interesting to get a chance to chat with and listen to others writers. Had a new woman I had not met before, holding tight to her newly published novel, just received from UPS a few hours before.
After she read an excerpt, maybe five pages, I asked her who published it (I could already tell from the prose) She said, proudly, "Publish America." Honestly, folks, can't those people hire editors? In one page, she had so many names and characters, I couldn't figure out who was who.
I bit my tongue; I can be a nice guy. And the lady was very nice, very proud of having accomplished something pretty cool before the oldest of her five children graduates on Sunday. But, if she has dreams of making big money off this book, whoever directed her to these publishers, did her a great disservice.

On the other hand, the more folks who publish with them are less competition for agents and editors.

We had a resident Children's Librarian who tells marvelous stories. It was actually pretty funny when asked if the library would accept a contribution of the book. A very quick and emphatic "NO." Very polite, but very definite. In our little group of 8 or so, three Publish America books, and a couple from BookSource. (Think I got that right). And the Librarian politely saying they could not be stocked in the library. Without saying the obvious.

Made for an interesting evening.

Life is good. Some days it's even better than others.

Send author a comment on this post

Into June

June 4 9am 61 degrees - cool rainy spell, now going into a stretch of super hot - 85+ days.

Monday night, stayed up way, way too late watching way, way too much hockey - but it really was a helluva game.

Yesterday a pretty decent day - no complaints. Last night, went to the gym and spent two hours on a hard bleacher seat watching the Honors Assembly - guess I should be happy that my son was included in some small way.

Then coming home to find that Obama is our party's nominee for President. Who can help not being hopeful when listening to him speak? In this time of instant communication, instant analysis and instant debunking, the pundits are at a loss when it comes to his soaring rhetoric. (I think this is mostly because they do not understand how crowds find hope in his words while pundits just talk to hear themselves and fill time on the cable networks - no hope, just talk)

Odd that people in communication are having such trouble with the distinction.

Lots on tap today - busy work, lots of sales to make, money to be made.

Life is good. Rolling towards tomorrow.

June 2 9am 64 degrees - going to be hot today - fitting, for the beginning of June.

Got much done yesterday - slowly we move forward. Actually have to do business work today.

Pat is in London for the Orange Prize finals. I am so jealous.

LitPark is back. We missed you so much, Susan.

Managed to finish the last book I received for Christmas. Loving Frank, by Nancy Horan. Not bad, not bad at all. Since I'm a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, I already knew how it ended, but was drawn along anyway.

88 days until last child moves to college.

June 1 8am 54 degrees- cloudy out there but they don't appear to be thick - should have sunshine today.

Finished the week on a high note - always nice. Pistons lost to the dreaded Boston Celtics - my wife is all bummed. Then, last night, the Red Wings pulled one off and will win the Stanley Cup at home next Monday.

Did a lot of work on the house Saturday - good thing our son's graduation open house is 7 weeks away. Gonna need every minute. Out to dinner last night - very decent prime rib, then to cards where I lost badly. Must more house work involved today - something about painting a ceiling and still more work on the never ending bathroom project.

Next weekend is Graduation, along with a couple open houses to attend, and I'm reading again at the Lapeer Celebrates Art festival on Saturday morning. Much stuff to do, much to plan for.

And just when, in all of this, do I get time to write?

May 30 8am 59 degrees - rainy this morning, though nothing heavy - maybe some sun and then thunderstorms - we could use some rain - pretty dry here.

It appears everyone has gone to LA for the BEA. Ah, maybe next year.

Yesterday my wife and I took part in our last Swing Out. Swing Out is a tradition in our small town for graduating seniors. The kids, in their caps and gowns, walk down Main Street holding on to a long rope. Parents, relatives, well wishers stand nearby and cheer them on, running out with flowers, balloons, and cameras. Our small town has three high schools and somewhere over 500 graduates so it turns into quite a party. A great tradition going back at least to the 1930's. A right of passage nearly as important as the graduation ceremony itself.

Picking out on these gangly teenagers the same hopeful faces we first knew as 7 year old Cub Scouts. Makes one feel old, yes, it does.

Managed to catch up with myself finally. Today will be lawns mowed at Mother's. A whole lot of placemats picked up and delivered. Long day ahead. Then, weekend?

May 28 9am 48 degrees - started out this morning at 30 - awful chilly for the end of May. Clear blue Michigan sky, warmth returning.

Out and about yesterday - not sure how much good I did, still, I put in a good day. A number of my usual clients are pulling back, watching their pennies, not advertising, worried about what might be coming. Hard for me to make a living.

Everything else going pretty good. Much to do, deadlines to make, all that good stuff.

To work, the devil at our heels.

May 27 9am 42 degrees -cloudy this morning, had a tiny thunderstorm roll through last night. High today of 55 - yesterday, we hit 82.

A long weekend. Worked outside for the most part, lawns mowed, trimmed up, water wheel up and operating, flowers planted, flower beds cleaned out,

Watched hockey - go Wings! - watched Pistons - saw our middle son ever so briefly - Eldest son went to Tiger's game Sunday.

Sunday night Euchre party - our friend, the cook, prepared pork loin, shishkabob (beef with mushrooms & shrimp with polish sausage) and other goodies - much fun, much good food, came in third.

Not sure my fingernails will ever be free of the dirt beneath them but it makes an old farmer feel great to have his hands in the soil.

Life is good. Busy week, trying to keep up with everything, but we'll get there.

May 22 9am 44 degrees - clouds trying to break up - rainy day yesterday - start of warming trend to take us into Memorial Day weekend which, strangely, is not the 30th.

Miss Snark made an appearance on Pat Wood's blog - what a surprise that was. Ah, she lurks - which puts to bed the rumors of her sneaking off to Capri with George Clooney.

Random Rants. Gas was $3.98 yesterday. And the oil barons sat in front of Congress and said, "Not us." Okay, then.

American Idol is over - I am not a watcher, can't understand why anyone would waste their time with overly scripted, supposedly spontaneous non-professional crap. Really, you could watch, as I did, Godzilla for the tenth time, interspersed with National Treasure for the twentieth time and Impact, for the eighth time (and that woman still can't act). Guess it just depends on how you want to waste your time.

The school bus just went by. Strange feeling not having a child in school - first time since 1975.

Busy day ahead. Much to do, much to accomplish.

Tomorrow will be a difficult day to sell. Most everyone will be chomping at the bit to get started on the long weekend.

Onward and Upward.

May 20 9am 51 degrees - clear blue Michigan sky - some nonsense about rain later, and a cold front, and cold tomorrow, but warming up for the weekend - yeah, right, I don't think summer is ever coming, this crap is so boring...

Miss Snark has been dark for a year today. I miss her, she was the first place I went in the morning. I found her early on and had a personal email address - alas, she doesn't rep my genre, I even took part in one of the crapometer - garnering two WTF's for my query - a record that still stands.

Unfortunately, I've veered into other things, like trying to keep a roof over my head and haven't gotten back into the mix with my latest wip. I really need to do that - the number of agents who are emulating Miss Snark is growing daily. Makes it hard to keep up - makes it hard to keep writing when there's so much stuff to read about writing and querying and submitting. Who has time to write?

Then, there is still that unfortunate problem of keeping the roof over my head.

Miss Snark, I miss you.

Send author a comment on this post

Back on Track
originally posted: May 17, 2008

May 17 9am 60 degrees - sunshine and breezy

Kind of a wash yesterday - nothing much happening.

Went to play last night - Jake's Women - by Neil Simon, though that was hard to tell. But, it was cheap and our friend, Melody, was in it. So, good times, getting to see old friends, and setting up a euchre party for next weekend. And drinks and snacks after at the deli across the street. I had one too many glasses of wine and that is causing some discomfort this morning.

Work on house today - loading up half a house full of furniture and delivering to middle son tomorrow. With cards tonight, of course.

May 16 9am 48 degrees partly cloudy - or partly sunny - depending on your bent.

Got out and about yesterday - first time I've felt halfway decent in a week - so now I'm a week behind and it's going to be hell catching up - ah, a challenge.

Chatting with a customer yesterday, and he asked about my kids - now, I'm always bragging on my kids - like most parents, I suppose - but after sharing a couple stories about my middle child at college, he gets a funny look on his face and says, "Damn, he must get laid a lot. Just doesn't seem fair."

You gotta love a line like that.

Off to the shower now, get this day rolling. My bank account says the government has sent me enough money to fill my car a couple times.

Play tonight - friend from euchre club - something different to do on a Friday. Youngest went to midnight show of Narnia sequel - says not bad.

Cold weekend coming up - be able to work inside - open house comes ever closer.

May 15 8am 39 degrees - nearly a frosty start this morning - very chilly for the middle of May - good thing I didn't turn the furnace off completely. Clear blue Michigan sky, should warm up nicely.

So far a lost week. Nothing accomplished, nothing started, nothing finished. Hope to gear up for a big finish. This whole sinus/toothache has wiped me out.

And so we go.

Price of gas here is $3.89. Our state legislature, which apparently has nothing else to do, is passing a smoking ban this week. As I deal with restaurants on a daily basis, this is topic #1. And, as a smoker, it makes it even more interesting. Yeah, yeah, I know it will pass and the hard put upon workers of Michigan are not going to take it well.

Enough rant.

Onward and Upward.

May 13 noon 63 degrees - sunny, blue skies, wonderful day

New keyboard - makes funny noises and does weird things - will take a while to get used to...

Dentist said have a tooth that needs to come out but neither of us were in the mood yesterday - so drugs to mess up my head and odd phantom pains to deal with until the drugs remove whatever it is that's causing the weird phantom pains.

Needless to say, I'm not in the mood for much of anything.

Oh, well.

May 12 8am 45 degrees - stretch of cool weather - about 20 degrees below where we should be. I have yet to mow the front yard - is getting really tall. Got a lot of rain yesterday and it is still sprinkling this morning. Went out in the cool before the rain yesterday to mow, but a cold east wind dissuaded me.

Very nice weekend. Got some work done on bathroom - slowly, slowly it comes together. Played golf with my eldest son in 70 degree sunshine, played cards as usual. Didn't do well.

Sinus/ toothache / I don't know what the hell it is but it is really screwing up my head / sleep / agony. Had some old pain pills here is the only thing keeping me going until the dentist opens this morning.

Had a fire going in the fireplace all day yesterday. My wife had a nice day. She laid down to take a nap about 1 and had to get up three times in the next half hour to take calls from children. You gotta love that.

Onward and Upward.

May 9 9am 48 degrees - clear blue Michigan skies, had a touch of frost this morning? - maybe.

Great day yesterday - love it when that happens. Much to do, restaurants getting ready for biggest day of the year - Mother's Day.

Have memorial service at 1 for a gentleman who worked with me briefly. Really nice guy, best salesman I ever met. Long battle with diabetes, long suffering wife, all the good drama.

Plus, trying to get way too much accomplished.

May 8 8am 43 degrees - cooler day today, clouds starting to break up, but not going to get above 55 or so - jacket weather

Didn't get much accomplished yesterday - no one was about - Gas prices jumped to $3.88 here. Makes you think twice about just driving around waiting for an idea of where to cold call.

Need to get moving this morning - starting to get behind.

Onward and Upward.

May 7 9am 67 degrees - broken clouds

Dandelions everywhere. I really dislike them. When I moved here, some 20 odd years ago, the former owner had a device to dig them up so they wouldn't grow back. I used it a lot and for the most part, I have large swaths of green grass. It makes the few who are growing more noticeable.

Bernita has an interesting discussion on what constitutes urban fantasy.

It appears going off to find a new keyboard is in the works this morning. I keep not getting characters when I type - push harder, fingers start hurting. Ak.

May 6 12:30am 56 degrees - dark

My youngest son is putting together a portfolio of various items for his senior English class. He needed something from me about his future. Here it is.

Last.

In a few weeks, our last child will graduate from high school and, soon after, leave for college and the next phase of his life.

This child, as with his siblings, has a unique personality. He has his own way of doing things; his own take on the world he is about to inherit.

Oddly, I have no qualms concerning his next step. While I worried and fussed over his sister and brothers, wondering if they were grounded enough, mature enough to handle what was coming; with this one, those doubts are eased. He has a gravity, a solidity that hadn't yet formed in them. He plans ahead, ruminates, researches, inherited from his mother, certainly not me. While he does not yet know how everything works, he is at least curious.

Perhaps it is my age, (I am old enough to be his grandfather), perhaps the simple wearing down of parental worry after three others, that creates this calmness, this feeling of no need to worry. But I think it is his own quiet passage to adulthood.

We share special bonds. A love for movies, and music, giving us time together. We share Boston Legal and the liberal bias therein that we discuss and argue.

He has his own prejudices - mostly girls driving with cellphones. But he understands that life cannot always be fair, or even good, and that seeing silver linings means you actually have to look up at the clouds. Those traits will equip him well for the future.

As his mother and I watch him take the walk across the stage, and pack him up for college, we look forward to this new phase in our lives, as excited as he is.

Last one, God Speed.

Send author a comment on this post

May Day +4
originally posted: May 5, 2008

May 5 11am 66 degrees - clear blue Michigan sky, lovely.

Overslept, late start, much to do.
Patry has yet another great post.

Bernita as well.

Month off to a great start - roll on.

May 4 8pm 61 degrees - a beautiful day, sunshine, family, little cool, but not bad.

Celebrated my oldest son's birthday today, with all of his brothers here and his Grandmother as well. My wife outdid herself with a glorious dinner with lots of leftovers for the boys (and Mom) to take away with them. Great food, good conversation, good times. And Grandma teamed up with the youngest in Euchre and kicked butt.

Life is good. Family becomes more important when you get older, I think. And I have a wonderful family.

Now, on to bigger and better things. Going to get awfully busy around here in the next few weeks. Life is like that.

Stopped in at a Book Release party last night - my neighbor, who just released his second novel - well, kinda, they are published by PublishAmerica and could have used a ton of editing. But, he gets out and hustles, and sold a few hundred of the first novel, so I won't fault what he's doing. Though he does think I should follow but I'm still holding the idea that people should pay me to publish my work. Preferably a lot, but at least something.

Quiet around here this time of night. Darkness is falling on a lovely day, and all is well with the world.

May 3 9am 61 degrees - cloudy, got the rain, finally, thunderstorms and all.

Today would have been my Dad's 85th birthday. Hard to believe he's been gone 9 years. Always remembered, but especially today. When I find myself doing something like he did, or repeating some saying I heard often when I was young, I think of him. And Mom can rarely go an entire conversation without mentioning how much she misses him.

Happy Birthday, Dad.

May 2 9am 57 degrees - cloudy, still predicting rain - haven't seen any yet - don't think we'll get much before this evening.

Washer guy came, fixed it, then fixed dryer too. Though expensive, I made him promise the set would last until I get the last one through college. Wife is now happily getting all the laundry done - the dryer is running much better and drying faster so the electric bill (which has been getting out of hand) should be helped.

8 pm show last night to see Ironman. So glad that Robert Downey, Jr. got a part to shoot him back into the limelight. He is too good an actor to lose. Movie is really good. Put it on your "must see" list. Downey's sarcastic eyebrows are used to great effect. And, while the story is predictable, and the special effects so-so, the humor is done without getting campy. What more can you ask?

Busy day today. Yesterday was a good one, this will be even better.

Wife - who is the sports fanatic hereabouts - in heaven today as the Detroit Tigers swept the Yankees for the first time in 40+ years, the Red Wings swept Colorado, and the Pistons advanced to the next round. Michigan Rules!

May 1 10am 50 degrees - cloudy out there, predicting rain but the radar shows zilch - have no idea.

Busy week/month coming - Middle child moving (again), which will get the second hand furniture in my living room moved out.
Birthday dinner - for my oldest son - on Sunday - Mother is coming. Youngest is going on field trip tomorrow to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

Tent is rented, waiting now for guy to come fix washing machine. Way too much to do. Ack!

Somewhere in here, I'm supposed to put together a non-fiction proposal gathering up my columns from the Flint Journal - if anyone is interested in a series of columns about growing up on the farm in the 60's - let me know. I wrote the column for ten years - lots of material. Would make a great "Daily Reader" book.

Life is good. Busier I get the more I get done.

April 30 8am 37 degrees - frosty morning again. Beautiful sunrise to end the month.

Gas prices have me hanging out at the house more - which means I can get some writing done. Sales coming in over the phone - always a good thing. Keyboard is going - not a good thing.

Coming into the end run for youngest child. He is counting the days til high school is over. I recall when I was his age, it was all about being rebellious and getting laid. Ah, to be young again...

Busy day today. Will be out and about. Need to go pay for the rental tent for son's open house in July. oh, yeah, and sell, too.

April 29 8am 31 degrees - frosty out there, furnace is running - though I did have a fire going last night.

Took yesterday off - Wife and I went to Troy to take daughter out to lunch for her birthday. She is buying a house and, in this market, understandably nervous. It is a really cool house.

Michael Cader takes on James Frey. I hope he doesn't find out, as I did, that Frey apologists are a feisty lot. It was my first comment over on LitPark. Artist as victim - always good for a few lines of press.

Mindy found a neat video to waste time watching.

I actually need to get some work done today. Life goes on - bills need to be paid.

Onward and Upward.

April 27 1pm 58 degrees - cooled down for the weekend, neighbor is out mowing lawn - too early.

Working on the house today - doing cleaning jobs in anticipation of open house in July - inside while it is still cool outside, though my flower beds need attention. Still have another month on those. Washing woodwork in bathroom - wife working on kitchen cupboards. Did the brass fireplace doors yesterday.

No cards this week. Wife worked day shift yesterday - was too tired to go out.

Typical weekend. Pretty quiet, trying to get things done.

Friday was a great work day. Made lots of money - gotta love days like that. And, I had lunch with Mother - always a nice thing.

April 24 9am 62 degrees - clear blue Michigan sky, wonderful stuff.

Karma can be a wonderful thing. My former printer, with whom I have a long history and to whom I still owe a large amount of money, is moving his business after 20 years. Yesterday, I drove by and he was painting his new storefront. I averted my eyes and drove on. After a couple blocks, I turned around, thinking this is stupid, we've been friends for years and why am I avoiding him? He seemed genuinely glad to see me, gave me a tour of the new building, and I gave him a token payment that I really can't afford.
He is a member of Rotary and they use my property to work on cleaning the river for canoes and kayaks. He asked if they could stop here again this year. Of course.
When I got home last night, the mail included a letter with my business name on it and a return address I did not recognize. Had no idea what it could be. Inside was a check for an account that I closed in 2005. Long ago written off as uncollectible, long forgotten.

Karma works.

Life is good - better if you smile through the pain, spread a little sunshine, and love the life you live.

Send author a comment on this post

Ric Marion is a writer, far from New York, in the rural thumb of Michigan. Done about everything, welfare caseworker, shop rat, trucking supervisor, editor, columnist, small business owner.
This writer is in search of agency representation.