I am about to say something I have never said before. It’s really not like me, here goes: I miss June! I typically spend every summer just waiting and waiting for the fall season to return. I like fall. That time of year is nice. It means that eventually cooler weather will return. Lots of stores sell Halloween decorations (Oh, by the way there is a rumor on Facebook that Joann’s has started putting out some already! )
Last month, for the entire month of June, I was involved in a writing intensive. I met daily with writers from all across the country. Max Regan led the month-long event. I wrote two short stories and started reviewing many of my past tales. I may try to put together a collection of stories. When I started collecting them, I had many more than I thought. I now have a notebook full of ghost stories, grim reapers, essays and many haunted holiday tales.
There is something so inspirational about meeting with other writers around the country. Even though we all write in different genres and styles, it is still such a rich experience. It’s always helpful to know that someone else knows what it’s like to get lost in an idea and sit at a computer or with a notebook for hours getting everything down. And of course, these friends can also relate to the empty feeling of looking at either a piece of paper or a blank computer screen with nothing going through my head. Hot weather did not bother me, because I did not go outside that much. That’s pretty much the way I handle summers these days. I entertain myself indoors and try not to go outside until September or October.
As soon as the calendar flips to July, there is another “friend” to worry about. Hurricane Beryl. This is a big storm that does not appear to play well with others. He also does not stick with his own rules. He all but promised that he would not enter Texas. Now, hurricane warnings are popping up all along the Gulf Coast. I suppose Beryl is proud of himself, because he is breaking all kinds of records like earliest major storm in the Gulf, the biggest storm ever (or so it seems, Category 5 is big). This morning I learned that it is now headed for South Texas and Houston is included in the cone of uncertainty. Egad!
Did I mention that this is projected to be a busy hurricane season? I think I will crawl back into my study with my books, notebooks and laptop. Ghosts and scary monsters will fill my thoughts to keep me distracted from the weather. I won’t talk to anyone but other writers or those few who understand what writers are like. Yes, that is something akin to an ostrich sticking it’s head in the ground, but it sounds like a logical plan to me for the rest of this summer. That is, until the hurricanes show up at my door.
Until next time.……