tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post3306198071549220644..comments2024-03-29T09:47:11.620-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: How's Your Summer Going?Jungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-32625504446761988422016-08-15T22:17:46.245-04:002016-08-15T22:17:46.245-04:00Wow! Everyone's been traveling so much. I...Wow! Everyone's been traveling so much. I've been doing a lot of great reading, especially this month, as I read Rhy's Crowned and Dangerous and just last night finished Susan's The Queen's Accomplice (out Oct. 4th). Those two books were so amazing! Then there's reading for the upcoming Bouchercon, trying to get some new-to-me authors in. My husband and I did go to visit our son and his girlfriend in June, and I took my daughter and my granddaughters on a trip to my hometown. The little one, Isabella, who turns seven in 12 days, told me today that she really liked walking around the town and seeing places where I grew up. That meant so much to me. She is such a sweetheart. With the Bouchercon trip in September, another trip to my hometown, and a possible anniversary trip, this fall will be my traveling time. And, when I think back on last year at this time, I was in much the position that Ann is. With a complete gutting of the main bathroom in March of 2015 (preceded by painting in living room and little library room), there was painting, new floors, and light installation going on up until November. So, I'm actually glad to have had a pretty tame summer this year.<br /><br />Julia, I know you must be so proud of your son. I wish him well in his continued career in the Navy. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-74409195035817502482016-08-15T14:57:43.281-04:002016-08-15T14:57:43.281-04:00I want a gap year, too! With someone else to pay f...I want a gap year, too! With someone else to pay for it!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11476789813352573412016-08-15T14:46:07.670-04:002016-08-15T14:46:07.670-04:00After what I just paid for her haircut and highlig...After what I just paid for her haircut and highlighting - that IS her gap year! In fact, I think deserve a gap year, too!Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-34712016585781034152016-08-15T14:34:35.213-04:002016-08-15T14:34:35.213-04:00Yeah, I wanna do a gap year,too. :-) Yeah, I wanna do a gap year,too. :-) Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33080639504454207602016-08-15T14:00:47.746-04:002016-08-15T14:00:47.746-04:00Mary, I think we may have the same kids, except ri...Mary, I think we may have the same kids, except right now they're all Youngest. She's going to be starting a new high school, and is all sorts of jittery about it, AND she's taking drivers ed. Tomorrow is her first day behind the wheel. If anyone lives in southern Maine, you have been warned.<br /><br />Oh, and she also once asked me about a gap year traveling in Europe. I told her if I had the money to travel the continent for a year I'd do it myself. Get a job, kid!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13471206838493234862016-08-15T13:56:19.950-04:002016-08-15T13:56:19.950-04:00Joan, right now he's on hold at Great Lakes wa...Joan, right now he's on hold at Great Lakes waiting for his A School to start. He'll also do C School (apparently the Navy doesn't have B School...) at Great Lakes. His rating is Interior Communications Electrician (Advanced Training) which is different from what he originally signed for, but just like everyone else in the military, you go where you're needed.<br /><br />Karen, we LOVED Lake Forest. Since it looks like the Boy (maybe I should start calling him the Sailor?) will be at Great Lakes for another twelve months or so, we're already planning a return trip.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-606584607983216502016-08-15T11:30:56.366-04:002016-08-15T11:30:56.366-04:00I am so jealous of anyone READING this summer. Alt...I am so jealous of anyone READING this summer. Although I have gotten back to it a bit after I finished the ms, but I would just like a day or two before the end of the summer when I didn't have to do anything but read. And it would be cool enough to sit outside, or just maybe lie in the hammock!<br /><br />I'm so excited about my upcoming trip to Kansas City. It will be Wren's first flight, and Kayti's first flight when she was just two months older was to see the same friend, but then it was Seattle. I love when life makes such lovely loops. <br /><br />Three weeks after that, it's Bouchercon, and a couple of weeks after that, I'm speaking at a S-in-C workshop in the Bay Area, then hoping to make a trip to England in late October/early November, then it will be holidays and February book tour. So I really haven't minded this quiet summer at all.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50508195208380118152016-08-15T11:26:52.568-04:002016-08-15T11:26:52.568-04:00Spoke with my youngest daughter yesterday. She sa...Spoke with my youngest daughter yesterday. She said, "I'm 37 weeks!" I asked, "How many weeks are full term?" (I only know from months.) "40." Huh!? She's due Labor Day weekend, so how could that be three weeks?<br /><br />Lots of family and fun this summer -- but not enough chill time (I know I can't complain about Cape Cod weather, but we don't have AC). Lucky to have access to my neighbor's pool and a twice weekly water aerobics class. <br /><br />Big birthdays this summer -- my husband and I are both turning 70 & my mother will be 91 on Wednesday. <br /><br />Still breathing. Lucky enough.<br /><br /><br />Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11034487953281775562016-08-15T11:05:41.768-04:002016-08-15T11:05:41.768-04:00I feel like I've barely blinked and summer is ...I feel like I've barely blinked and summer is nearly gone! I've been chained to my computer this summer--not writing, unfortunately--inundated with work (a good thing) and barely time to plan a graduation party for my youngest nephew, take care of doctor's and dentist's appointments--all the basic stuff. Thank heavens for the cats (unlike teenage boys, they hang around and keep me company) and the hummingbirds that entertained me and the cats! Did have a lovely free evening Saturday, in which I read The Light of the World by Elizabeth Alexander. There are some other REALLY EXCELLENT books that I would like to read--just waiting..... and waiting..... ;-) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-8640962397067063042016-08-15T10:38:32.748-04:002016-08-15T10:38:32.748-04:00Julia, congrats to your son!
I feel like I've...Julia, congrats to your son!<br /><br />I feel like I've been careening from thing to thing. But when I look back, I really haven't done anything. I got the kids through another (and possibly their last) summer swim season. The boys have gone a lot of places, but I haven't. Well, I went on my much-anticipated retreat with my Sisters in Crime chapter last weekend (a bit hot and the basement was apparently unusable because of mold/mildew, but it didn't really bother me - no health issues affected by no A/C and I'm used to living without it in my house).<br /><br />The biggest thing I've done is drag The Boy kicking and screaming (well, not actually, but still) toward his first year of high school and assure The Girl that she will get into a good college and not graduate with a boatload of debt (unless she chooses to go to an outrageously expensive undergrad school). Oh, she announced that she wants to do a "gap year" in Europe with a friend. I said awesome, how are you going to pay for it because I can't afford to send to you to Europe for a year and I'm pretty sure your college fund can't be used for that purpose.<br /><br />Oh, and The Girl turned 16 so there was the whole "getting the learner's permit" thing and now there's the "learning to drive" thing. But fortunately The Hubby has taken that responsibility, so it's off my shoulders.<br /><br />Still, looking forward to the cooler temps and pretty colors of fall.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-5017689866770622082016-08-15T10:28:47.877-04:002016-08-15T10:28:47.877-04:00Every year we get at least one hummingbird or Sphi...Every year we get at least one hummingbird or Sphinx moth, Hank. They look so much alike I put them both in the same category, unless Steve is here to identify it. They like the same flowers hummingbirds do, any with tubular shapes, and they are also good pollinators, so we are always happy to get one visiting.<br /><br />So many activities! Julia, you must be enormously proud of all your children, and now with a Navy son! And isn't Lake Forest a magical place? I was there about 16 years ago, when my middle daughter was looking at colleges. Couldn't talk her into going there, though.Karen in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002794561817071780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-34261014692568632822016-08-15T10:10:37.259-04:002016-08-15T10:10:37.259-04:00Oh, I saw a hummingbird moth too Hank. Last year i...Oh, I saw a hummingbird moth too Hank. Last year it was hanging out at one of the butterfly bushes I have planted. Never saw one before and haven't seen it since. It was a jolly looking thing!Kaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07758348842858993203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9182999621957566362016-08-15T09:56:42.013-04:002016-08-15T09:56:42.013-04:00Oh my, Ann - that is a noble cause. I hope to neve...Oh my, Ann - that is a noble cause. I hope to never have to do another renovation. The one we did 25 years ago nearly did me in.<br /><br />I'm back from Oregon and Washington and in withdrawal from GREEN and MOUNTAINS.<br /><br />Happy to look at my calendar and see no more travel until into the fall. Settling in now to write.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-90359462847552600832016-08-15T08:51:26.871-04:002016-08-15T08:51:26.871-04:00My big summer adventure has involved the gutting o...My big summer adventure has involved the gutting of the kitchen to the studs and rafters, plus plumbing the powder room and then painting the dining room. That began three months ago, and we are on the downhill slope. The only fly in the ointment was the failure to order the cabinet that goes over the fridge. So that delayed things three weeks. Then when it did arrive, Fed Ex managed to back over it. Another three week delay. However my wonderful contractor neighbor kept me with a sink, range top, microwave and fridge working for all but a couple of days. Today he will hang a Braque repro, "Three Blue Plums", over the sink, in the space between the top of the window and the ceiling. This art work find tumbled down from our attic, and it is perfect in theme, colors, and style for our kitchen. <br /><br />The big trip of the summer is next weekend when we drive to NH for the wedding of dear friends. Julie promises me our adored cuccina will still be here when I return.<br /><br />This week, in between seeing to a stress fracture on my foot and dealing with a wee bit of dental surgery, I have a photo shoot for a commercial for a local bank.<br /><br />What a whirlwind life, no?Ann in Rochesternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16617893884220725512016-08-15T08:06:04.630-04:002016-08-15T08:06:04.630-04:00Karen, you had me at clean the garage. Congratulat...Karen, you had me at clean the garage. Congratulations! I have looked at our basement, then, turned off the light. Wonder if could get somone to just take it all away? And yes, take some days off! (see you soon!)<br /><br />These Reds summers are sounding so sweet and peaceful!<br /><br />And I saw a hummingbird moth--which was astonishing. Have you ever seen one of those? YIKES!Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-15214837267408352402016-08-15T07:05:06.323-04:002016-08-15T07:05:06.323-04:00Karen, wow, you do need some downtime!
We could a...Karen, wow, you do need some downtime!<br /><br />We could all take a lesson from Joan...<br /><br />Kait, yes, 2/3 through is fantastic! I'd kill for 2/3 through...<br /><br />Edith, glad you got a nice week of doing nothing...On Rhys's recommendation, I've gotten into Kate Morton and really enjoyed THE LAKE HOUSE and THE SECRET KEEPER.Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67848355472534687512016-08-15T06:52:10.365-04:002016-08-15T06:52:10.365-04:00What full summers! Although I wish Julia had menti...What full summers! Although I wish Julia had mentioned WRITING in her list of activities (we're in serious Clare/Russ withdrawal here, Julia). Me, I've been working all summer. But that includes a few mornings with pen and paper at the beach and two writing retreats with author pals (one more next week!) in lovely settings. But I've also made time to pick blueberries, enjoy G&Ts on the deck with a book, and soak up all the fabulous summer produce. Last week in Maine with my sons, sister, and Hugh was a complete break and also perfect. I read nearly a book a day, too. Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9245170010728157022016-08-15T04:13:07.650-04:002016-08-15T04:13:07.650-04:00I am a slug! We stayed home this summer. Not a los...I am a slug! We stayed home this summer. Not a loss though, I've almost finished Death Dive. Two-thirds through is almost finished, right? <br /><br />Been hanging out in Barnes & Noble in Fort Myers. Last trip through I snagged Julia's Through the Evil Days. Looking forward to a cool read, and this summer has been so hot that I'm looking at the cover for relief!Kaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07758348842858993203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-25509656089423568862016-08-15T01:45:18.166-04:002016-08-15T01:45:18.166-04:00Julia, congratulations to your son on his graduati...Julia, congratulations to your son on his graduation from basic training. What comes next for him?<br /><br />It’s so exciting to hear about writing, finished books, and book tour plans. And while the Jungle Red ladies have been busy traveling, we’ve stayed home [although we are planning a short trip to Norfolk to see our youngest daughter and her family before school starts for the kids]. Family things have filled most of our summer, and that’s definitely been a good way to spend these days . . . . <br />Joan Emersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06810313925049108163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-32994552009658895782016-08-15T01:43:15.025-04:002016-08-15T01:43:15.025-04:00So busy. Cleaned the garage (big job), shaped up t...So busy. Cleaned the garage (big job), shaped up the garden, watched my daughter get her Master's at Columbia, spent a three weeks in Europe, picked many quarts of wild blackberries, wrote half of a book and a quarter of another, and hosted a cookout for two dozen friends and family. Next: a week in California for visiting and a family wedding, then a two-week road trip with Bouchercon in the middle. <br /><br />I think I need some serious downtime!Karen in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002794561817071780noreply@blogger.com