Summer's begun

Summer has now officially started. It will be interesting to see if this one has the laid-back tone of prior summers, with publishing houses closing early on Fridays and publishers doing the Cape (or wherever else it is they go) in August. I’ve noticed over the last couple of years there’s been a bit less of that laid back attitude each year. Now that most houses have gone to e-readers and year-round telecommuting for their editors as well as videoconferencing for all kinds of meetings, it’s possible that those laid back days of summer are officially over.

One thing I’ve carried with me from childhood is a love of summer vacations. Having time to decompress, resting the weary brain cells, and getting back to the natural world are all things I find very renewing. Some people see each year’s end as a time of renewal. Not me, I see the summer as the time to rest and regroup and then you start over again with full force in the fall.

This past weekend was celebrated with a long hike along the C&O canal. Yes, we almost walked farther than poor Harry wanted to go until he found a stream for swimming and to cool off his weary paws. And, of course, there was the family picnic complete with my best baked beans and potato salad where we celebrated those who have served in the military.

I also celebrated by reading only two manuscripts and answering 25 or so queries this past weekend. In honor of the holiday I didn’t even turn on my computer on Monday. What a treat! Some days it feels good just to take a break – makes starting that short work week even easier.