Had an amazing time camping!  Edited 2 1/2 books of the four that I printed off.  I also hiked 31miles: 14.2 on the North Country Trail,  3 1/2 on the Sleeping Bear dunes with all three of my kids (a hike that feels like 20miles - but I still love that hike), an 8 mile hike and a few smaller hikes.  We were able to eat Smores every night... YUM!!!   Slept in the tent under the stars, and I think this was the first trip in a long time that a storm did not whip through in the middle of the night. The inspiration was definitely all around me. 

I missed my computer for writing, since my handwriting isn't fast enough to keep up with my mind. On the bright side though, I did get a lot of editing done.  Yes my computer is still in the shop and I'm going to give Dell a call (Grr...).   Not happy to be home, but excited with all the new ideas that are swimming in my head! 

Books worked on during vacation(I use that term work loosely because I don't find writing to be "work") :
            Solace: Lost (Book 2):  Very close to done and soon will be handing it off to my "editors"
            My newest story "9" (Untitled):  about half way done with the story.
            And in the middle of story "8" (Untitled):  this one is quite close to being done also
            I had a ton of ideas for story "4" (Untitled):  I need my computer for that one  :( 

Ha ha!  "Untitled."   Ask anyone one who knows me, and they'll tell you how much I hate titles.  I think it's the most stressful part about writing.  I usually have everything ready to go to the Copyright Office and I'm still staring at my book, trying to decide on it's title.  I do put a lot of thought into the titles though, and I keep hoping that it will get easier to title each book. 

I did so well keeping up on my blog in July and I was hoping to keep it going, but my computer didn't agree.  <sigh>  It is once again in the shop.  I thought they replaced everything last time, but I guess not.  However, I am not going to let it get me down.  I printed off 4 of the stories I've been working on.  I've almost finished editing Solace: Lost.  The book that my youngest son has been quite adamant that I finish so he can read it.  I didn't realize just how much Solace needed a book two until my son finished it and has bugged me everyday since. 

I am  leaving to go camping this weekend and will not be posting for the next week either, which is why I made this trip to the library.  I will be spending my time eating Smores, hanging out with the kids, hiking, and immersing myself into Nature.  Of course, I will be writing since my kids won't want to hang with me the whole time (ha ha).  Actually we always have a great time, I have some great kids.  I do get a fair amount of writing done when we go.  I wrote most of The Shadow Dragon series on our camp outs.  Something about the fresh air, no stress, the forest, the unlimitless supply of laughter, imagination, and the love of being in the woods!

So when I return The Shadow Dragon: Aleksertac will be even closer to its release (which means the cover should be done soon) and I will be back to keeping up on my blog (hopefully, my computer will be waiting for me when I get back). 

Olympics (Micheal Phelps)

Just a quick note about the Olympics. 

Talk about It all started with a dream!  I have really been enjoying the Olympics so far.   Okay, this is going to be about Micheal Phelps (which is ironic because I am the farthest thing from a swimmer that one can get).  Don't get me wrong though I've loved watching the men's archery, and I am loving the USA Woman's soccer team, and I've caught a little of the sand volleyball, some water polo, skull, gymnastics and a few others.  However my favorite to watch has been Micheal Phelps, (I haven't seen his races LIVE since I apparently lack the right channels, but I've watched them at night).  Micheal Phelps is an athlete that found his dream and pushes through to the finish.  I was so bummed last night that he didn't get the gold for the 200 butterfly (I watched the replays again and again, and I think it was a technical issue.  He so deserved the gold.)  I was so amazed with his gusto in Beijing, he knew what his dream was and made it happen.  This year WOW!  The most decorated Olympian EVER! 15 of his 19 medals are gold!  And he still has three more races!  The medley last night was amazing to watch! The whole team swam perfectly!  I enjoyed watching the camaraderie between the four of them afterwards.  And I loved the humility that Phelps displayed!  I always tell my kids that the sign of a great athlete is one that does not say, me me me... but rather talks about the team and those that were a part of the success(coaches, family, friends, whoever).  And that was Phelps last night!  He didn't cry foul (like I did) when he watched the replay of his Butterfly and he sure didn't let it hurt his anchor placement in the medley.  I love what he's accomplished so much more because he had been getting a lot of nay-sayers reporting about him, and he's showing them all that they have judged him (I thing they are all jealous) and they now get to eat their words and tell the world about the most decorated Olympic Athlete!  Congratulations, Micheal Phelps!!

I love watching people's dreams take flight!