Pushin on...

Dropped a couple of stitches here, didn’t I.

Time to get myself back together.

Off to see the boys tomorrow. Excited. Excited to get going on some new projects when I get back, too.

Didn’t sleep last night. Hoping for better tonight.

Still need to get in a quiet day of fishing.

Be still my beating heart...

Nothing more fun that getting up in the dark to drive to the hospital. Especially after a half-assed night’s sleep. On the positive side, the tests went well and I made it home in time to get some writing in. Also got in an early afternoon walk, and a late afternoon nap.

Close, now, to getting two new stories out the door. Gonna shoot to do it before we head out to Silver Spring to see the boys. Like to get another gander at the long piece, too, and maybe even draft a new short.

Gotta hit the ground running tomorrow. Wanna get in some work at the keyboard before driving off to Denver, and that means an early go at running the stairs in the park. Busy week so far, but that’s okay. Things should thin out as the week goes on.

Saturday, 6:22 pm...

Woke up later than usual. Not too late, but not too early either.

Tuck was in a fever to get me downstairs. Why? I can only guess. Sometimes I think he remembers the days he’d charge down with Kit, looking for breakfast. Only, he doesn’t fancy breakfast the way Kit did, so maybe he’s just looking for company.

Anyway, had coffee then went off to write for a while.

Later, settled in with popcorn and watched The Fellowship of the Ring.

Quiet day all around, and that made it a good day all around. No plans for tomorrow, but hope it goes as well as today.

Ahhhh. Friday...

Easy one.

Easy as in, nobody messed with nobody.

Up later than usual, but got in some decent writing time just the same. Three new shorts in the eleventh hour of labor, and none of them wants to help with the final push. I know if I can get one out the door the others will follow. But for now, it’s grind away and hope for the best.

Had an easy workout at the gym today, and made up for it later at the massage therapist’s. Haven’t seen B. since June and, man, did I feel it. Hoping to sleep well tonight.

On the road again...

Figured to squeeze a little more out of the day, but I guess I figured wrong.

Up early to Denver, home around 11:00, then off to the gym with brief detours to Starbuck’s and the grocery store. The life of Riley, right?

Read an old Richard Ford story this afternoon, “Calling.” Brilliant bit of work. Gotta get back to one of my own joints tomorrow or I may start losing my mojo again.

Got some tough news today about my Cousin, J.J. Can’t say anymore at the moment, except this hasn’t been my favorite week and it’s only Tuesday.

Gonna look for an early turn-in tonight. Do a little reading and see if I can’t get back at it tomorrow.

A brief history of the day...

Good day all around.

Made the most of the morning’s writing, then ran off for nice quiet workout at the gym.

Meeting up with some old writer friends online tonight.

Meanwhile, pounding away at various projects hoping the autumn weather lasts a while longer.

Been feeling like things are thawing. Hope so.

Easing back in...

Been absent a while. No reason other than out-and-out laziness.

Working hard on a number of stories. Put together a reader’s draft of the newest today. I’m calling it “Third Blood.” A story about identity.

Still haven’t caught up on the other chores I’ve laid out for myself, but in this instance, not for lack of trying. Have had lots of interruptions these past two months—medical, in particular—and with the trip to Silver Spring ahead, things don’t look to change soon.

Beautiful fall day today. One of many in a row. Been running the stairs down in the park almost every morning, and have now reached a point where I’m going to miss them when the snowy weather moves in. But like the man said, Nothing Gold Can Stay.

Took a walk downtown today and had a latte at Stir. A nice easy afternoon. Got flu shots this morning, but haven’t felt any side effects. Happy about that, too.

Tuesday, September 17...

Overcast day.

Up early, but forewent a walk in favor of a little more writing time. Made some good headway with a new short, “Third Blood.” Been punching away and the midsection and think I finally got it right. Another pass-through or two and I ought to have a reader draft.

Hit the gym around noon and got in a good solid workout. Been trying to work my way back after the long summer break with the boys.

Wrote a little more when I got home, then took care of a few housekeeping items. Need to start making notes on the collection pieces, get everything ready for the road trip.

Steve Flanigan’s service tonight. Gonna be a sad goodbye.

Labor Day...

Last of the holiday weekend.

Wrote early on a couple of shorts, hit the gym for a nice workout, then came home and mowed the lawn(s). It’s been hot of late, but the breeze has autumn in it and the temps should drop in another week or so. Hoping to get some fly fishing in this week. We’ll see. Have a lot of chores to attend, in and out of the house.

Gotta start collecting the goods for the State Historical Society. Much to do before handing things off. All in all I’ll be happy if we can make the exchange by the last week of September. Fingers crossed.

No nap today, so I’m flagging a little. Figured on cooking a nice supper, but postponing it until tomorrow. Kind of a pre-birthday birthday dinner.

Looking forward to getting an early bedtime tonight. Need to wake early and get some work done before I go off to coffee with my bud, Sol.

Missing my dudes. All of em.

As good as it gets...

Easy day. Didn’t do much of anything but write. Worked on the long piece early, went off to the gym just before noon, then came home and ran a few errands.

The temps have dropped into the eighties, but the lawn looks like shit and is ready to be put to rest for another year. Gotta give the plug-puller man a call. Clean up as best I can and look at reseeding with something new. Last year’s stuff wasn’t worth a damn.

Still getting back in the groove after the boy’s departure. Missing them, but eager to get on to a new project or two.

No big plans for tonight. Porch chops in plum sauce. Wine. An early night to bed.

Good day for a haircut...

Working on the long piece all week. It’s in better shape than I remembered. Need to finish the pass-through and get back to a couple of the short work.

Missing the boys. Trying to get back on track with work, appointments, etc. but their leaving always makes for a big hole.

Tuck’s panels look good. The medicine is working.

Still trying to get back up to speed at the gym.

A POST-OP WORLD...

Boys were here a month, and now it’s over. Back to business. Saw time in Denver, Cheyenne, Casper, the Bighorns…. The list goes on.

Good to be back at the keyboard.

The op’s behind behind me, and the future’s ahead. Lots to accomplish. First and foremost, I’d like to get back to the gym. Also like to get the Tuck situation squared away. Gotta remind myself, one day at a time.

Feel like I’m waking up from a long dark sleep. Like tomorrow starts tomorrow.

Thursday...

Spent the day packing for the Bighorns.

Most of the day, anyway.

Had an early coffee with my buddy, George, before he heads off to Ottawa. Made a few side trips to the hardware store, picking up gear, afterward.

Laying back to night. Heading to Casper tomorrow. After that, radio silence for a few days.

Something to cheer about...

Another good one.

Revisions went slower than hoped, but got a note mid-morning from the Apalachee Review letting me know they’ve accepted my story, “You Say Sa-lee-da, I say Sa-lye-da” after a year under consideration. Long wait, but worth it.

Saturday, July 6th...

Good day.

Up early, a few flashes at the keyboard while revising one of my new shorts, then off to the theater to beat the heat. Saw Inside Out Two. A hoot. Came home, took a short nap, then cut my lawns and spread some Miracle Grow.

Also did some touch up work on an old picture frame.

Looking ahead to a quiet evening.