I have been remiss in blogging, I'll admit.  But you might forgive me if I confess that I was unwilling to replace the blog I posted after my beloved Kathi Goldmark died.  Not that it was a masterpice, but it was my memorial.  And I suspect that moving on, sending it into the archive, was truly burying her.  But Kathi herself would have reminded me that I cannot mount a Perpetual Kathi Elegy.  So, forgive me, Kathi--but we roll along.

I am on my way around America this summer.  I have Cinderella and Chayo in our Escape hybrid, and we're making the rounds.  We left Illinois and went to Iowa City to visit with lecture agent Trinity Ray and his fam.  Then we rolled through Nebraska like mechanical bison.  Listening to Tim Curry read JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH.  We washed up here in Colorado, like we always do, at Tony and Pam's Bella Luna spread with donkeys and dogs and barn cats and chickens and the big red bull.  Tomorrow, we head up to Aspen to begin the work.

I'll be getting the Aspen Writers award with Edwidge Danticat. Are you serious? A party with writer friends I'll be so happy to see. Then begins the long week of workshops--excellent writers for me to work with.  And after that, a literary think-tank.  Big doings in the Rockies.

Then, on to San Diego for their final One Book celebrations.  And take Chayo to Disneyland.  Then on to Oregon.  Fishtrap!  And back to Denver so we can fly to Dallas.  Etc.  Blah blah.  You know how this goes.op of

(If you want to catch up with me at any of these stops, I've put information and links in the slider at the top of this page and in the events listings. My workshops are full, but the readings are all open to the public.)

It has been strange to be caught in a kind of amber.    I have been feeling a strange delight-deficit.  Which is odd for a guy like me, who fuels himself with delight.  But being on the road has brought back some joy.  Roadside attractions: check.  Sod-buster museums: check.  Werid restaurants: check.  Tim Curry: oh, check.

And a small pause while we enjoy the ranching life has been great.

I will poat a road-story for you soon, because the ranch ladies are calling me to supper.

XXX, L