I finished the 50 Women manuscript and emailed it to my editor on Wednesday. And yes, I counted twice – this time there are indeed 50 women. After nine months, 106,345 words, 231 pages and 575 end notes that baby is done. There will still be edits, of course. But for now, it’s off my plate. I almost don’t know what to do with myself. I have that restless, agitated, “I just finished a big project but I can’t relax” feeling.
Immediately after hitting “send,” I slid my feet into flip flops and stepped out the back door to the garden, where I knelt in the dirt and weeded the lettuce, radish and tomato boxes. I find weeding meditative. With the sun warm on my back and dirt under my fingernails, I go zen in 30 seconds flat. Nebraska has morphed into Costa Rica this spring, with daily thunderstorms and torrential rains, so there were enough weeds out there to keep me in the zen zone for a good hour or so.
What I’m Reading:
After nine months of Christian biographies, I’m ready for some lighter fare. I’m loading up my Kindle with The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Messy Spiritualityand Carry On, Warrior. I’ve got Bread and Wine on hold at the library and I am next in line, which makes me very happy.
What I’m Listening To:
I’d like to tell you what I’m listening to these days, but I never, ever listen to music. I’m not a music person. I pronounced Adele “A-Deal” for like two years before Brad finally corrected me. I listen to NPR. Or the birds.
Where I’m Going:
We hit the road tomorrow for our annual summer road trip. Last year we visited the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone … and it snowed. This year we are heading somewhere that won’t require mittens and hats. Any guesses? Hint: we’re doing the national park thing again.
In light of that, I won’t be around here for a week or so. I used to write posts in advance or schedule guest posts to fill the space when I was away, but I don’t do that anymore. Now I just simply vacate. Emily Wierenga and I talked about this a bit at the Jumping Tandem Retreat. Her theory is that a blogging break not only gives the writer a true break, it gives other bloggers permission, in a way, to take a break themselves. I’m learning that it’s okay to take a hiatus. The blog will be here when I get back. And I trust that you will be, too.
So … I’ll see you on June 10 for the next #HearItUseIt link-up. In the meantime, have a delicious week, friends.
Tell me about your summer plans — are you hitting the road or relaxing at home?
Linking up for the first time with Hopeful Leigh’s What I’m Into community: