Day 1862: Goal Oriented

My husband says I'm obsessed, but I think a better phrase to describe me is goal-oriented.  My two summer goals have kept me from doing lots of my regular summer activities.  I've barely touched the camera and my new lenses.  We've not been into Buffalo or gone out to see a movie.  I haven't shopped, which is no big loss.  And I've let my political action lapse.  Just another month of intensity and life should return to a normal pace.

In swimming, if I want to hit 100 miles this summer, I had to reach 50 miles by the end of July.  Today, I met the goal.  50.2 miles and I have one more day to spare.
Thats not bad considering I didn't swim four days last week due to the reunion and my fall injuries.
The big question is whether my elbow will hold out from the strain.

And the book.  Tonight I sent off edits on the seventh mock up.  Just three pages this time and all of them were very tiny items.  I think there will be two more line by line close readings after this.  So, maybe two to three weeks more on editing.

Justin worked a bit on the cover image and submitted four possibilities today.  However, I don't like any of them.

My next task is to write the blurb for the back cover and the Amazon entry.

The monstrosity that is our president committed a few more atrocities this week.  He declared in a tweet that transgender people can no longer serve in any capacity in any branch of the military. Estimates range from 2000 to 15,000 members of the military, both active and reserve, who are transgender.  Their lives, careers and families were thrown into chaos with his irresponsible tweet.

Plus, he spoke to the Boy Scouts of America at their Jamboree and said many highly politicized and inappropriate things.  The BSA had to apologize for his comments.  Then he spoke to a police department and encouraged them to harm those arrested.  Police agencies all over the country decried his remarks.  Then today, he went after China because they have solved the North Korea problem.

Fortunately, thanks to Senators Collins, Murkowski and McCain, the health care repeal was stopped.
For now.

Friends for more than fifty years, reunited once more.  

Day 1861: 50 Years of Memories

The Class of '67 members at our Friday evening picnic

The best reunion committee ever!

Wonderful, hardworking, dedicated people.

Love them all!

A celebratory cake, baked by our dear friend and classmate George!

Day 1860: The Class of '67 Reunion Madness

Tomorrow the reunion events begin!  We're celebrating fifty years since graduation from high school. Or perhaps we're celebrating surviving the last fifty years.  It's a bittersweet occasion because thirty three of our classmates have already passed away.  But this weekend we'll focus on the living and enjoy each moment we have together.

Thursday morning, we're meeting to pick up tables, chairs and coolers from several of our houses to deliver to the location where our picnic will take place.
Friday morning, we'll spend a couple hours decorating.  And I need to make a pasta salad for the vegetarians.
Friday evening, friends from around the country will be gathering.  For some, this is the first reunion they've ever attended.  Our caterer is serving pulled pork sliders, coleslaw, watermelon, beans, green salad and cookies.  There will be a dance contest, a photo booth and lots of fun!
Saturday at 1:00, Darrin will give us a guided tour of the school.
Saturday at 2:00, we have lined up the village trolley for a tour.
Then the evening festivities will be at the Clarion.  Dinner, dancing and music by the Wretched Group.
Sunday at 11:00 am, coffee and donuts at the lighthouse on the lake.
Monday, pick up the tables and chairs and return them to our homes.

Our committee has been absolutely the best.  Each person has been so generous with their time, talents, property, and expertise.  I am in awe.  I hear about other classes where the reunions are planned by two or three people, or they have to cancel because no one responds.  Anger, resentment, hurt feelings abound.  But, we have worked hard to make this reunion as accessible and welcoming as possible.

On the other hand, I know I'll be celebrating when it's over.  I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and catching up, but it's been very time consuming.  It's not just the meetings, phone calls and planning, but also the time I spend making mental lists of details left to address while swimming or lying in bed at night.  My brain has other summer priorities.  Like editing my book.

I got the seventh mock up today.  That means another line by line review.  Justin is working on the cover art using my photos.  I must write the dedication and a summary for the back of the book and for Amazon.  It's so close to completion!  Target date: Sept. 1!

Swimming update:  42.4 miles!  I am sunburned and sore.

Gardens: Spectacular blossoms this year.  The gardens have never looked better.  I've nearly finished labeling all the plants, but I've fallen down on photos.

Very tired.  More next week when the reunion is over.

Man on a Mission

One of our favorite locations on Quest!

Day 1859: A bounty of beauty

Hotlanta

Ruffled Truffle

Sweet Paddy

The lilies have never been more bountiful or the gardens more beautiful.

The book has progressed to mock up number five.

All the photos have been placed along with the captions. 

I did the first line by line edit and typed pages of items to correct.  

Not all were my errors.  Many had to do with spacing, titles, text boxes and 

photo credits.  I spent about twenty hours last week after the kids left on Wednesday night.  

  At Penelope this week, Carolyn asked for my timeline.

Hmmm....I'm shooting for August 1 to have all the editing done.

 I've asked my artist son for help, but of course, he's just so busy.  

I may have to hire a professional cover designer instead.

Although I have a concept in mind, I do not have the skills to produce a captivating cover.

So, would the end of September or the beginning of October be a reasonable date for release? 

We'll see.

On our last day together, we went to Burnham's Hollow for a picnic

and cooked hotdogs and beans over a small campfire.  It's our long time tradition and the place holds 

a special place in our family history.  Colin and April stand here in the exact spot where they were

married almost nine years ago.  It's always hard to say goodbye, but we were grateful for the time we had together.