Summer Break

Novel Draft #4, Travel, and a Library Quest!

Want to know how I know that it’s summer break? I never know what day of the week it is! (I love that feeling.)

New York teachers finish their school year after everyone else in the country— by several weeks, in some cases— so I know for many of you, summer break is old news. But for me it’s just starting. And I’m excited for it.

Here’s what I’m up to this summer:

1. Writing. I’m going to finish Draft 4 of my novel JO & MARY by August 22. I have extra incentive to do this, because I’ve promised it to an editor by that date! I’m already 12,000 words in and it’s flying by. (It definitely helps to have drafts 1-3 under my belt.)

2. Travel. We’re going on an Alaska Disney Cruise with my in-laws in the last third of July. We’ve been planning it for well over a year, and I can’t believe it’s finally here. Highlights I’m excited for are the wilderness sightseeing adventure we’re taking in Skagway; seeing glaciers from the ship, a sky tram, and a seaplane; showing my kids what a real mountain looks like; and all the surprises that await us on the ship. (It’s Disney, so I’m assuming delight will be around every corner.) In August, we’re taking our usual week in the Adirondacks and a trip to Maine for the last week of summer with my folks. We can’t do much traveling during the school year, so summer is our big chance, and I am so happy to have amazing trips planned!

3. Reading. I’m helping my son with a reading challenge and reading as much as I can on my own. I have a long list, a new Kindle, and a bunch of library holds. I’ll share my favorites at the end of the summer.

4. A library quest. Our library system released a challenge to visit all of their 66 libraries. They’re all within day-trip driving distance although they’re spread over 5 counties. The biggest prize at the end of the challenge is a limited-edition library card. I mean… why WOULDN’T I try it? Supporting the library system is one of my core beliefs; I love a road trip; and I’d value that new library card. We’ll make some of the trips a family affair, and some I’ll accomplish on my own. But I’m excited to see where the library hunt takes me— literally.

5. Swimming. We have access to a pool through our HOA, a lakefront through our parks membership, and some family pools as well. We also have season passes to Splashdown in Fishkill, NY. I’ve been in my bathing suit every day so far this summer, thanks to some great weather (finally), so it’s a good thing I love my new bathing suit wardrobe.

There are other things, too, of course— family grief, anger over Trump’s bill, and the usual trials that life hands us. But I’m going to try my best to stay focused on the good and be emotionally present for it all. This is the season to reap the rewards of a year’s hard work and gear up for the next.

What are you up to this summer?

Photo by Jed Villejo on Unsplash

With all that, I’m going to be taking a break from Good Character until around the end of August. I’ll be away without my laptop for some of July, and focused on the novel draft for the rest. I might pop in for a post or two, but we’re going to keep it casual.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer, and I’m excited for a new year of Good Character in the fall!

Stuff You Might Like To Know

In a Flash published Issue #6 (LIGHT) on July 1, and we’re really proud of it! We’re also open for the theme of HOPE until 7/15. Submit your true stories, under 500 words, according to the Submission Guidelines. We can’t wait to read your work!

Elsewhere on Substack, I was righteously enraged by this expose on AI in The Honest Broker, and felt peace and perspective reading this “Prayer for Independence Day” by Beth Silvers.

I’m watching AND JUST LIKE THAT on HBO Max. I wasn’t a fan when it first came out, but it’s growing on me. I’m keeping up with THE GILDED AGE. My son and I are also watching old SIMPSONS episodes each night and that’s been delightful.

I’m reading so many things, but two recent favorites are GIRL ON GIRL: HOW POP CULTURE TURNED A GENERATION OF WOMEN AGAINST THEMSELVES by Sophie Gilbert, and WHAT KIND OF PARADISE by Janelle Brown.

Thanks, everyone. Keep hoping. Keep caring. Keep trying. And have the best summer available to you!