A matter of readjustments...

Still settling in. Woke at five this morning, but decided to pull a pillow over my head and stay in bed. After all the dizzying wake up calls when the boys were visiting, I need to realign my habits and try to get my energy back.

Went downstairs a little before seven and went to work on the short story I’d abandoned when I left for Casper. With all the crazy bad luck I had driving through Wyoming, I never got around to any reading or writing, so I’m going to have a nice full week trying to catch up.

Learned my neighbor Robin will be leaving for California soon. Seems like a whole different neighborhood than it was even a year ago. A real metamorphosis.

Heavy rains fell this afternoon. Man, did we need them. Despite all the attention it’s been getting, the lawn is taking on that nice fried patina of late summer, so maybe this will help. Hope so. The crabgrass and I have a appointment to see who’s boss, but it can wait until the current monsoons pass.

Looking forward to a quiet night.

Friday night and ready for anything...

Getting back to where I want to be. Easy day. Didn’t push anything. Got up, spent some time reacquainting myself with the keyboard, then headed out to the gym to put in the workout I’ve been missing for a month.

Skies here bluer than they were in Wyoming, and much welcomed. Been trying to enjoy the summer, but the smoke haze has killed almost all the fun of late.

Started Denis Johnson’s Dead Already this afternoon when we got back from Whole Foods. Man, the guy can write.

Talked to my sis, briefly. Sounds like she and H are in a good place, and eager to move forward with the Heart Mountain material. Will see them on their return trip to New Mexico.

Tomorrow, more work on the latest story and whatever else I can manage. I’ve said it before, but good to be back in Colorado. Come Monday, I figure to be like my old self again—whoever that is.

Meantime, chill.

Move over, I'm back...

Back at last.

Wyoming is a different place for me anymore. I still know it, still remember it, but haven’t felt it for a long time now. Lots of ups and downs this time around. Lots of small disappointments. Glad to be home in Colorado, though I expect it will take a few days to put everything in perspective. Who knows? Maybe something good will come out of this summer. Too early to say.

Kicking it tonight. Was a long drive back from Alcova. Feeling a strange kind of tired I haven’t felt in a long, long time.

Ramblings...

Moya and Haley arrived later than expected last night. Sat up and talked with them until after eleven, then went to bed. Had a host of strange dreams.

Up early, but the guests didn’t pull out of town until one, so didn’t manage much in either the way of work or packing for my own trip. Will have to jump on things tomorrow.

Not really ready for Wyoming, as I think I’ve mentioned before, but won’t have another window for a while so will have to make the most it. Figure to be gone till next Friday, at least.

Did manage a quick look at a short piece I’ve been laboring over for a while, and was pretty happy with the look of it. Be nice to have a project waiting for me when I return. Meanwhile, maybe I’ll scribble a few things on a pad while I’m up in the Bighorns.

Weather was nice today, though hot again. Less smoke than in days prior. It’s supposed to be a hot week all through the west, but there’s rain here tonight so who knows.

Missing my boys, and my old life, both, at the moment. A time of contradictions, for sure.

Not worrying about dinner tonight. Just gonna pop a bottle of wine and break a baguette and relax in front of the tube. Or, better yet, sit out on the front porch swing and watch the rain fall.

Saturday, 4:45 pm...

Easing my way back into things.

Worked around the house today, then put in a long afternoon at the keyboard. Weather’s been wet and drizzly since I woke up, and doesn’t look to change course this evening.

Sis Moya and her kid, Haley, are driving up from Albuquerque to spend the night. Will leave tomorrow on their way to Laramie. I’ll follow after them on Monday.

For now, just trying to get my sea-legs back after the long go with the boys.

Got a lot on my mind—most of it to do with things here—and feeling a little less than enthusiastic about leaving town, though I won’t get another opportunity if I don’t do it now. We’ll see how everything pans out.

Kitcat trying to ditch his thyroid meds. Wish he hadn’t decided to go and get all stubborn this week, but maybe I can straighten him out before I go.

Quiet around here. Hardly know what to do with myself.

Back to quiet again...

Up early to Denver with Caitlin and the boys. Sad to see them go. Had a great time while they were here.

Talked to my buddy S on the way home. Nice to catch up, see what’s happening on the other side of country.

Worked around the yard when I got home, catching up on mowing, trimming, and trying to bring the fountain back to life. Successful on most counts, but behind in others. Too tired to worry about the losses and setbacks.

Moya and Haley stopping by for an overnight tomorrow. Been a long time since we’ve seen one another. Looking forward to catching up.

"Aftermath” was published in the Saturday Evening Post today. Nice to see it in print. Can’t wait to get back to work on some of my other pieces.

Gonna be a quiet night.

Quick note to catch up...

Quick entry tonight.

Just off a Zoom meeting with Jack and his chess coach. Interesting time. Still burning the candle at both ends, but come tomorrow night, that will be the end of the festivities for a while.

Took Matt fishing this morning. He caught a nice bluegill out at Quail Lake was beside himself. For four years old, he’s a patient soul and a good angler. Wish we’d have more time together.

Learned this morning the Saturday Evening Post as accepted a new story of mine, “Aftermath.” Signed the contract a little while ago, and am looking forward to seeing it online. Got a ton of press the last time they picked up one of my stories, and I hope I enjoy the same kind of success this time around.

Bone tired. The past two and half weeks are quickly catching up with me. Have an excursion up to the North Pole set up for tomorrow, and a farewell dinner with the whole crew. Been an amazing time all around.

Need a vacation from my vacation.

A day of rest...

Big thunderstorm last night. Lots of lightning, lots of rain.

Up early thinking to outflank the boys, but you can’t outflank youth. They were there to greet us at the coffee pot.

Had a good part of the day off from sitting while the parents took them up to Denver to visit friends. Well, not off, exactly, but alone. Decided to clean the house while we had the chance, and finish up the grocery shopping for dinner.

G’s new SyFy series SurrealEstate debuts tonight. Gonna catch it on an hour delay owing the boys’ bedtime. Hope it turns out to be a big success.

Not sure what tomorrow’s gonna bring, but maybe we’ll get another hour or two of personal time and I can take a peek at one of my old stories. Had time to make a couple of submissions today, but not much more. Getting eager to get back to work.

Don’t expect the kids back until after seven, so will take the time to sit on the front porch and relax.

Don't call it a respite...

Living in a whole other world the past ten days. Boys have settled in pretty comfortably, and taken over the house like it’s their own. Had a nice fishing trip with them up on the South Platte despite the rain and smoke from the California/Oregon fires. Spent the night in nice site at the foot of the dam. Didn’t get in as much fishing as we would have liked owing to the weather, but had some great guy time together.

Spent today at the zoo, and tomorrow’s a big question mark all the way around. Drew’s flying in tonight, so they may take a family trip to Denver to catch up with friends. Leave S and me here to re-gather our wits. The cats, too. They’ve been patient, but the noise and rowdiness aren’t really their thing.

It was good to get away from the keyboard for a few days, but I’m eager to get back to work now. I’m falling behind on revisions, submissions, and the finishing up of the novel. Also wondering about the Wyoming trip ahead, which at the moment I’m too tired to even think about.

Haven’t been this tired in a long long time. Maybe ever. Good thing I'd been working out before the company rolled in. Might try and sneak off to the gym tomorrow morning so as not to step on anyone’s toes and let the boys re-acquaint themselves with their day. I’ll regret it, of course, if they stick around all day, but I think it’s a chance I’m willing to take. A return to normalcy!

In a nutshell...

Long hot day.

Took the boys for a wagon ride up and down Wood Ave to the park where we used to go when they still rode in strollers. Had a nice hour or so goofing off on the equipment, then took a long walk home along the river.

Skies have been an ugly tint of brown all day because of the fires in California and Oregon. Hope they don’t stay that way for very long or it’s going to make for an ugly summer.

Cast some plaster of Paris bugs this afternoon, and left them to dry on the patio. Saving the painting for another afternoon.

Played a game of chess with Jack after lunch. He’s quite impressive for a seven-year-old. I’m told his instructor says he’s almost ready for some real competition. I don’t doubt it. He has amazing concentration, and is already quite the strategist.

Taking them camping tomorrow up at Eleven Mile. Should be a blast. Look forward to getting up in the mountains. Tonight, getting a break while they enjoy a sleep over at K’s.

...Saturday evening, 5:16

Tired. Been running hard the past two days. Took the boys fishing early yesterday. Started in Green Mountain Falls, then ended up back at Quail Lake for most of the afternoon.

Gotta say for a four and seven year old, the little guys are amazingly patient. They aren’t particularly good fishermen yet, but they’ve got the concept in hand, and once they have more luck we’ll be fine.

Woke up at five this morning, and was back at it drawing, reading, and playing in the park. They helped with the repairs on the grill, and took a side trip to Ace with me to have the propane bottles refilled. When we got home we made some Attic armor and weaponry out of cardboard, then put up the tent in the back yard.

They’re at the age when war is god, but I did manage to get Jack aside for the reading of some classic Grimm stuff in between battles.

Have swim reservations at the Y tomorrow. Should help burn off some of that excess energy. Meantime, we’ll keep on keeping on.

...Thursday, 5:42 pm

Dinner at K’s last night. Up a little after five this morning. Kids keeping us busy. Lots of little outings, the last of which a trip to Walmart to pick up more fishing gear for tomorrow’s trek up to Green Mountain Falls.

Haven’t done much reading or writing lately, but that’s okay. Nice to get outdoors.

Walking down to the park this evening to have a food truck dinner.

Hot day. Supposed to be the same tomorrow.

All’s right with the world.

Looking forward to a quiet evening.

And so it begins...

Behind in my posts.

Boys arrived on Sunday and been busy ever since. Small obvious observation: five and seven year olds are an endless well of energy. Up before six, full throttle. Wore them out yesterday with a full day of fishing, but they were back at it early today.

Getting a few hours off this morning—I think. S and K volunteered to take them to the movies for a 9:00 show. If I can wheedle an hour and a half of good writing time while they’re gone, I’ll be amazed.

Missing my time away from the keyboard, but enjoying the company.

Weather’s been cooperating, too, so that’s nice. Got a little sprinkling of rain yesterday afternoon while we were down at Quail Lake, but nothing that lasted.

Bowing out now, to try and get in some revision time.

Tonight's the night...

Boys come tomorrow. 10:30 flight. Driving up to DIA to pick them up, kick off the three-week adventure in front of us.

Got in some editing this morning. Nothing serious, but progress nonetheless. Also started collecting photos of my grandfather’s belongings, memorabilia, etc., in the hope of putting together an exhibit for one of Casper’s museums or galleries. We’ll see how it goes. Would like to start a couple of conversations this summer and see if I can find any takers. The Nicolaysen seems like a good starting point, so I’ll probably contact them first. Sure hope I can get them to bite.

Cut the grass this afternoon, finished up with the shopping, and turned in a late evening performance at the gym. Gonna be interesting to see what comes now.

Thunder rolling in as I write. Hope we get more rain before the next heat wave.

...it's Friday again.

Feels as if I spent the day wandering in a fog. Maybe I did.

Got up an hour later than usual, and spent the morning working on submissions. Put in an hour and a half at the gym, then came home and worked out some kinks around the house.

Made a trip out to Walmart in Security to pick up some air mattresses. Sun finally came out. Still a bit muggy from all the rain, but no complaints.

Tired. As in really tired. No excuse for it, but it’s the real deal and I can’t seem to shake it. Wish I could get this neck thing figured out. Maybe if I wasn’t so sore, I’d have a sunnier outlook on things. Probably not, but it’s nice to think so.

Well, that’s about it.

We’ll see what comes from here.

Finished for a while...

Long day putting finishing touches on the new project. Was up and at it at 6:30, thought I’d be finished by 1:00, but didn’t close the file until 4:30. On the upside, I still managed to get my haircut.

Big rain came around 4:00. Haven’t seen the grass look this good since I first laid it down. Not sure how long it’ll last, but determined to enjoy it while it does.

Not from the Belmont Review late this afternoon. They’re doubling the $ for “Devotion.” Pretty cool. Haven’t had too many firsts in the writing world for a while, but that’s sure as hell one of them.

Two more days before the boys come. Lots to do in the meantime.

Missed getting over to the gym today, so i’m going to hit it early tomorrow before my luck runs south.

Of Mice and men...

Tired, man.

Up at the crack of down and down to the cottage to work. Made good headway with the S project, but was sidetracked on a number of occasions and eventually lost all my steam.

Did a little more cleanup around the house, then headed out to the gym for a mid-day workout.

FaceTimed with Jack when I got home.

Not much more to the day except to say a baby mouse ran into the cottage, panicked and needed to be extracted. Caught him with the pond net and released him into the alley. Hope his people find him, or vice versa.

Haven’t done any fiction writing for two days, and am enjoying the break. Sort of.

All manner of things...

Another busy day.

Up early, off to Kairos to spend time with my buddy, G. Had a nice visit. Real nice. After, came home, had a cup of coffee on the front porch, then went to work on the symphony gig.

Stopped by the gym for a quick workout a little after one o’clock.

Later, drove over to the UPS store to send off some packages. Picked up the long table, too, for the patio.

Wish I felt like I were getting more accomplished, but it is what it is, I guess.

Have some kind of blue-black cloud hanging over my head, but can’t quite figure why.

Need to call the doc tomorrow and see about this neck thing.

Wanderings...

Day got away from me again.

Started pretty strong, putting the last of the revisions in place on my newest story, “Sister Moon,” which I dropped in the mail to Harper’s a little later in the day.

Punched away at the symphony website after that. Made some decent progress. Hit the gym a little after one, then drove the truck down to the carwash to have it tidied up.

Doesn’t sound like much of a day, but it took the wind out of me all the same.

Neck is tightening up something fierce. Range of motion has atrophied to about half. Gotta make an appointment tomorrow to see the doc, try and talk her into prescribing PT.

Meanwhile, house is one step closer to being perfect for Caitlin and the boys.

Early morning coffee with G. tomorrow. Won’t be long now before his show debuts.

The lost weekend...

Another day of cleaning and purging.

Up later than usual this morning—cat snuggling on arm prevented any escape—but still managed a bit of writing and editing before taking up work on the fountain and grill.

Scrubbed down the entire unit, burners and all, and got everything back in working order between rain showers.

Spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the guest bedroom and sorting through old files. Happened on handful of letters from my grandfather to my mother written in the early 60s. Some great stuff. Some sad stuff. Stories he lived or picked up in cow camps and cattle outfits.

Have a lot more errands to run this week, so will need to stay sharp. Guest arrive Sunday, and there’s still plenty to do. Tonight, just going to look for a comfortable chair to get lost in.