Reading
The Kennedy Chronicles. If you were a teen in the 80s/90s, you remember when MTV actually played MUSIC videos and VJs were iconic. Kennedy first appeared on the airwaves in 1992, my senior year of high school, back when we scheduled nightly activities around catching the MTV Top Ten Countdown and Alternative Nation, when the reluctant grunge Gods from Seattle ruled, and when music made a difference. I needed something light and funny that would send me on a toboggan run through memory lane. {I’ll probably review this for Bookshelf Bombshells. Keep your eyes peeled.}

I’m also scanning through Noah Lukman’s  How to Land (and Keep) a Literary Agent. Self-explanatory.

Next up: a dramatic shift to Meg Waite Clayton’s The Wednesday Daughters.

Listening to
Tons and tons of Dave Matthews Band. Wednesday night the hubby and I make our annual summer pilgrimage to the DMB concert. I think this will be my 16th show? But this year is different: we’re taking the kiddo. His first (and only other) concert experience was at the ripe old age of five, when we introduced him to Sir Paul McCartney. He fell asleep halfway through the amazing show, but we woke him up just in time for him to sing along to his favorite Beatles song, Hey Jude. Now, at nearly ten, I think he’ll be able to handle the late night and dancing debauchery much better. And maybe even remember some of it.

Thinking about
Finishing edits on my manuscript. All 90k+ words must be submitted for the final round of judging of the Novel Rocket Launch Pad contest by the end of the month, along with a book proposal. (Remember, I WON the general fiction category in June. Whoo-hoo!)  I’m sending chapters to my critique partner as fast as she can read them, and the feedback has been pretty positive. Thinking about where I should put my query letter up for critique.

Watching
Not much. Gator Boys reruns and  Of the Hook. If anyone ever told me I’d giggle watching a wild, bearded, sometimes Speedo-wearing wrestler filming his extreme fishing quests, I’d assume someone had whacked them upside the head with a spear gun. Somehow, the whole family enjoys this irreverent show. Maybe it’s the combo of animals, humor, and a tiny bit of learning? I cannot explain it.

Bummed out on
The Zimmerman trial debacle. Once again, an over-publicized trial hits too close to home. First Casey Anthony (and I can’t even go there), now this. Any of those jurors could literally be my neighbors ( I have noticed a few friends have dropped off the face of the earth these last few weeks). I didn’t watch any of the media frenzy or trial. Saturday night, while driving home from an impromptu day of fun, we passed by one of the local news stations as its news chopper took off. The hubby and I exchanged an “uh-oh” look. Sure enough, the verdict was in. I hate the polarization the media has fueled. I don’t think this trial could have had a satisfactory conclusion. Both parties made poor decisions. Unfortunately, one paid with his life. I don’t know what happened that night—none of us do—though most of people in this country see themselves as jurors. We’re not. Let it go. Rioting will not bring the boy back or change the verdict. If you want to vent your outrage, try changing Florida’s idiotic gun laws. Then move on.

As Forrest Gump said, “And that’s all I have to say about that.”

Loving
Spending time with my mom on her birthday. It’s been years since we actually enjoyed each other’s company on one of our special days. I spend so much time fulfilling obligations, it’s a joy to simply relax with a loved one, maybe savor a yummy Panera lunch, and share some stories. Love ya, Mom.



*This post is prompted by Mama Kat and So Sweet. Thanks for the idea, ladies! 
**AND I’m sharing over with Shell at Things I can’t Say–join the discussion.