Wow, I am soooo bad. It's been almost two months since I last posted. I've been busy, but not THAT busy. Mostly I've been focusing on the book. I thought about calling it "The Adventures of Dashboard Dog and Motorhome Mama" but my brother and my son both thought that was a little too silly for a fairly serious book. So, back to the drawing board. It is almost finished however; I've printed up the first 21 chapters and am proofing and editing. I still need to finish the final concluding chapter and talk about the affects -- positive and negative -- this year of travel and discovery has had on me.
And, true confession: I spend my time updating my Facebook page. Those little short snippets are so much easier and faster to do. Isn't that the story of all our lives, though: instant gratification?
This weekend I have spent time researching agents and revising my query letter. Today I sent out nine query letters by email and have two ready to go by snailmail. I will send them out Tuesday since Monday's a holiday.
I had my usual week in Cabo San Lucas and, because I missed my week last year due to the 14 inches of snow, I got a second week (for $100 I couldn't pass it up). My sister was with me the first week; I was alone the second week but that gave me time to work on the book. I also put in a little time with the sun, lying on my deck looking out at the Pacific Ocean while working on my laptop on the book. Nice. Sadly I have no place to go where I can show off my tan so it will probably just fade away.
The biggest news in my life is that I now have what will likely be a long-term roommate. My son moved in last Monday. Seems their marriage isn't working out so they will probably be filing for divorce this spring. He lost his job in December so has been looking for work and has found a position that will probably work out for the short-term. I am encouraging him to think about going back to school in the evenings. It's really the only way he will probably ever get onto a decent career track. While I ache for him that he has to go through these challenges, I am glad to be able to be here for him, to offer him love and support and a little bit of help. I know he will get his feet back under himself soon but for now I am enjoying his company.
Watching the devastation in Haiti and being reminded of the ongoing struggles the Hatian people have endured for generations is pulling at me. I have been looking for a focus for my time and energy, something to do that shares the graces I have received with others. I am currently doing a little work with Jesuit Refugee Services -- just finding relevant news articles for their on-line blog. But I want to do something more. Now that Karl will be here, this might give me the flexibility to go abroad for short times to do something more hands-on. JRS is active in Haiti, as are a number of other agencies. So, we shall see if that leads to any new projects. The poverty and despair in Haiti reminds me in a very graphic way of how blessed and fortunate I am, even when I get into little funks and feel sorry for myself. I have so much more than any of those people, and than many people here in the U.S. Certainly my traveling showed me that. Yes, I have a lot less than some people; but I have enough.
In the meantime, I continue to read and attend my parish liturgies, sing in the choir, serve on Pastoral Council, attend my Friday morning contemplative prayer, participate in other spirituality classes and groups. And I continue to work on my writing and hope that someday it will be of some interest and even help to someone.
Peace and all good to you and your loved ones in 2010
TravelinLady
