24 mile ride along the Mohawk fire road
One of many lakes on the Round Lake Loop
Sure-footed trek
Round Lake at Sunset
Sierra Buttes Resort in Sierra City, CA
I’ve been home for a week, but I’m still in vacation mode. I’m going about my business as if there is no rush. I’m eating as if I was hiking and biking all day, and I’m staying up late reading, then struggling to wake up early.
I’ve got to scoot to work right now since I’m making up for lost hours while out of town. For every vacation, there is an equal and opposite un-vacation. I’ll post more tonight.
***
O.K. I’m back. It’s 9:30 P.M.
As you can see, the vacation to Sierra City was delightful. We had great weather and enjoyed that marvelous combination of clear sunshine with brisk air. We stayed at a favorite spot, The Sierra Buttes Resort. That sounds hoity-toity, but it’s not. It’s actually great quality, unpretentious lodging at affordable rates. Google them. The collection of small knotty-pine cabins are clean, comfortable, and nicely appointed. Mike and Lindy, the owners couldn’t be nicer people. They genuinely care about their guests and make everybody feel welcomed almost like family. I gave Lindy a copy of Pearls My Mother Wore for their guest library. She was reading it and seemed to be enjoying the story very much when we checked out. It was funny when she reminded me that I had named Grayson’s employers Mike and Lindy. I gave them different last names, of course, but I had completely forgotten those characters when I gifted the book. How crazy is that to forget your own characters?
Just before leaving on vacation, I also gifted a copy of Pearls to a college professor I had while at Mills. She’s no longer there, but their alumnae services helped to point me in the right direction for finding her. Her classes where fantastic. She was able to bring some of the most impenetrable 19 century American literature to life. I remember her explaining that some writing was dense for a reason, so if we just stuck with it, it would be worth it. And she was right. Giving her a copy of Pearls My Mother Wore was a token of gratitude. I had to think she would appreciate hearing (18 years later) that she had made a lasting impression in this student’s life. Certainly, I hope she likes my novel, but that aside, I know she’s happy for me, and that feels great.
I can’t remember if back in March I mentioned that I had entered Pearls in “The 18th Annual Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Award.” I had to send a copy of the novel plus $125. They said that the winners would be announced in October. So, today was the last business day of October, and I haven’t heard anything. I’ve gone to their website and nothing is posted. I’m not feeling too lucky at this point. I would have thought the $125 would have at least bought me a “We’re sorry” letter. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.
Have a great week, and I’ll post again next Friday.
Comments can be posted any time. I love to hear from you.