I periodically
take breaks from writing to concentrate on other things in life — job, spouse,
children, the usual stuff. Ideas are constantly coming and going like cars on
the autobahn, but something prevents me from turning them into something that’s
at least somewhat entertaining.
Recently, when I’ve had the time to work on a blog
entry or something for work, my brain/fingers don’t cooperate. When the brain
is working – shower, in the car -- the time is never right. And then everything
else gets in the way.
I realized earlier this week that I had not filed a
blog entry since early July. Wondering why, I decided to check my version of a
diary — status updates on Facebook. (Remember, all status updates start with
your name. I try to finish the phrase by starting with a verb, but that’s not
always successful.)
See if you notice a trend...
End of June:
• I've spent the days of
summer (3 thus far) in a darkened auditorium taking pictures of my girls (and
anyone else I could shoot) doing 5 hour rehearsals of "Grease"
(w/dance recital material thrown in for good measure). It is almost July, and I
still look like someone who has not had sun since 1998.
July:
• It's been a good day ... on many
levels. Wish Jill was here to celebrate the many things we all have to be
thankful for. (To my editor friends, sorry for ending that last sentence in a
preposition, but it's late.)
• Has had a wonderful day with Emma.
Toured the Harry Potter Exhibition at Discovery Times Square (her version of
nerdvana), ate treats at the Cake Boss cafe (see 13th b'day pics if you want to
know why that's important), and had a good time with Ben, Neil and Ginno during
the dinner break. It's been a lot of fun.
• Made the pilgrimage to the Lincoln
Memorial with the kids tonight, something we do every time Nicholas is in town.
I'm truly amazed by how much they have grown up over the past year.
• Congratulates Ben on his one-year
anniversary in Billy Elliot! He has performed in 416 consecutive shows without
missing a beat — a remarkable feat for anyone, let alone a 13-year-old who also
went to school full-time. We are very proud of you, son!!!
• Has another one of those weekends lined
up. Jill is in Boone today and tomorrow moving her dad. Kate is at a camp. Emma
is meeting me in NY tonight and we'll get Ben. Nick is in North Carolina and
going out of town. Yes, it is summer...
• Survived the midnight premiere of the
last "Harry Potter" and is at work while the kids sleep in...
• Has taken Ben and Neil McCaffrey (happy 13th
birthday, Neil!) to the train station, is schlepping Kate to camp, and has seen
Jill off to her meeting in Georgia. And it's not even 9 a.m...
• Took Katharine to a two-week wilderness
camp today, a 520 mile roundtrip that featured three vicious storms, a 12-mile
stretch of interstate that took an hour and a half to slog through, a few
photos of rural Virginia, and a very happy 14-year-old. So I guess it was worth
it...
August:
• Is getting ready to leave NY with Ben,
who after 451 straight performances in Billy Elliot is doing something he's
never done in his professional life — taking a vacation.
• Had a great time with Jill and the
kids. Of course, we had dinner and a show. Ben sang, Emma danced, Kate laughed
(at herself, not her siblings), and Nick created food art in the middle of his
plate. A typical family evening!
• Has put Ben on a NY bound train.
Nicholas is heading back to NC with the McFarlands this afternoon, while Jill
and the girls are returning from Wintergreen. As for me, I'm going home to take
a nap, and it not even 7:30 yet...
• Had an amazing evening at Steve Earle's
show (thanks again, Jill and kids), which reminded me of the power of music and
how it can rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. As part of it, saw/heard a new
favorite band called The Mastersons. Check them out on FB; some of the best new
music I've heard in some time.
Last Week:
• Blew two tires just before 1 p.m. and
thought that would be my news of the day. Just before 2, at a gas station next
to a very pregnant woman, the earthquake hit. 45 seconds later, we stood there
wondering what happened. She said, "I thought my water just broke." I
told her, "I'm sure a lot of people felt the same."
• Presents the week in headlines: Ben as
Michael; 4 tires and an earthquake; Kate in field hockey scrimmages; Nicholas
off to college; finding a way home to VA in a hurricane watch with Emma. Next
week's prediction: Frogs falling from the sky.
• Amid unprecedented plans to shut down
NYC, Emma is on a roll. We're scheduled to be on — literally — the last train
out of the city, and she wants to stop at American Eagle one last time. My
response: I've been shopping with you more this summer than at any time in your
life, so why now? Fluttering her eyes (I swear), she said: You've raised my
expectations.
• Is back in Virginia with Emma,
exhausted and thankful that the train ride was smooth. Full, but smooth...
Given our lives for the past two years, it
was an unusual summer. Nothing earth shattering, just a lot of back and forth,
and — fortunately — some quality time spent with all of the kids. I guess you
could say there hasn’t been much to blog at home about, but that’s not
necessarily a bad thing.
But now that it’s September, and things
are picking up steam, I’m sure I’ll be back in this space soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment