7/10… on our way out of West Virginia and into New York district (Union City, NJ, to be exact) to see Dan and Emille. He’s our older son who has become my editor and LLC partner. And let’s not forget, he’s in charge of my website and book promotions (perfect for his background degree and training in business and marketing). That’s quite a job and he works hard at it while maintaining a full time job in NYC. Whenever needed, his brother Mark is willing to help out and with his computer science background, they make a good team. Seems to me that something special should come of all our combined talents. Right?

7/9… trying to take pictures of Dan’s cool Alexa Silven cutout prop is harder than he makes it look! (Silven is the main character in my mystery- thriller trilogy about the fashion designer being blackmailed into moonlighting as an assassin. Her sharp-shooting skills in qualifying rounds for the Olympics brought this misery to her doorstep. That, and the stormy past she was desperate to keep “under wraps.”) Anyway, I can’t seem to keep my fingers out of the picture as I hold it out in front of me and snap pictures of Alexa in front of many of the places described in the novels. This cool prop is traveling all over the country. It’s really coming alive for me! Great work, Dan!!!

7/6, 7/7, and 7/8… these three days are filled with realtors and contractors advising us on which repairs are necessary in order to make the cabin sale-worthy. So far, we’ve been pleasantly surprised. After watching those “Love it or Leave it!” type shows, I was sort of concerned that once we started getting into repairs, we’d find other, more expensive repairs hiding behind walls, under the ceiling tiles, etc. Thank God! (I really do mean that!) that many repairs are apparently negligible.   Every day, people float down the Shenandoah in tubes, kayaks, canoes, etc. Makes me wish I was doing the same rather than interviewing realtors or contractors in this hot cabin that’s missing central AC… oh well!

7/3… didn’t leave until 11 AM and arrived in Richmond, VA around 10:30 PM. That’s some hard driving, which we hope not to do again. It’s exhausting, but hopefully we’ll get this house on the market this time!

7/5… reminiscing about the Orlando massacre and the impact this tragedy has had on Orlando. Many men can be seen walking around Orlando and suburbs in something that looks like capes, apparently in an attempt to show they are not defeated. The Florida Mall Macy’s has rainbow banners hanging around the store and signs that state their support and sympathy for the LGBT community. News coverage indicated that over $1,000,000 has been donated by the Orlando community to the families of those who were killed in the massacre.

7/4… The 4th was spent at the cabin and we could see 9 different fireworks displays across the top of the mountains on the other side of the Shenandoah River. That was unique, but they were so far away that they made a smaller impact than the ones back home. In Orlando area, you can go to fireworks at Cranes’ Roost in Altamonte Springs the night of July 3 and it’s really spectacular. Problem is, about 1500 other people agree with you. Then, July 4, there’s a great display around Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. This year, Orlando will be out in force, to show unity after the recent Orlando massacre.

7/2 … getting ready to go back to West Virginia… again, to prepare the cabin for sale. The main difference this time is that we actually have realtors and contractors lined up so we can choose who’s best for us and get this show on the road.  Speaking of which, it’s about 900 miles to the cabin – what a ride!

Actually wondering why no one will comment on my books that they’ve just read… I know; I’m impatient!

7/1… today is our anniversary. Wish I could say we did something unusual and fun. Problem is that we got derailed by people who thought their plans were more important. Unfortunately, it required our assistance. So many opportunities to forgive, right? Will have to choose another day to celebrate – this one’s shot.

6/28… today was the final class with writer/instructor Peter Telep. How incredible that he co-wrote some books with Tom Clancy. His personal writing and publishing experiences were valuable lessons and encouraging since I’m basically an unknown writer.  But I can’t give up because plots and themes continue running through my mind. And I can’t ignore them! Nor do I want to. The joy and challenge of writing are hard to explain but without this craft, I feel like a fish out of water. I love to write and hope that soon, people will love to read what I write.