If we were having coffee today, September 15th, I’d invite you to sit with me in the backyard. It’s a stunningly beautiful day — one that’s like a last stand against the chilly weather that is sure to follow. Have an espresso and a cookie while I tell you about an event that my husband and I participated in yesterday. It was the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – New London, CT. We were part of the Mystic Marriott Team. Like so many other people, we both have a very personal connection to this horrible disease. I lost my grandfather and Mark lost his aunt to Alzheimer’s, and we both lost a dear friend to it just a few years ago. We went to honor them. I was completely unprepared for the emotional impact the day held. The organizers had several different colored flower pinwheels on a table. The idea was that you took flowers to represent your connection; Blue for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, yellow for caregivers, orange for those who support a world without the disease, and purple for people who have lost someone to Alzheimer’s. As we took our purple flowers, I was overcome with tears and as I wrote my grandfather’s name on a petal, I struggled not to weep openly. I did cry as we planted our flowers on the beach, witnessing the rainbow of colors that spun in the sand. The opening ceremony got me again as people representing each color took the stage. We learned of their stories and cheered when a man of 60 was recognized. He was diagnosed three years ago and held his arms over his head as we applauded him. The last person recognized was a young girl, maybe seven or eight years old. She held a white flower to represent the cure. It was powerful. I’d tell you that the Walk accepts donations until December 31st and if you’re so inclined, you can donate here.

As we sipped our coffee, I’d tell you that I’m settling into my new job. I am recruiting people who are interested in becoming substitute teachers and paraprofessionals in our local schools. I spend much of my time interviewing candidates. It’s very different from being in the classroom, but I’m adjusting. The corporate world is very different from the academic one but there are some similarities. People are people. I’d ask about your career and how you find time to balance that with writing. If you are a full-time writer, I’d try not to let my jealousy show. 😉

I’d ask you what you’ve been reading lately. I just finished Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments. I listened to it on Audible and I have to say, I enjoyed it even more than The Handmaid’s Tale. I’m not sure what I’ll tackle next. My TBR pile is out of control. I think I might start The Woman Warrior which was recommended by a friend on Instagram.

I’ve been trying to work on a few novels I’ve written. One is complete, but I’m just not happy with it. It’s a romance novel I wrote as part of class several years ago. My sister and I even traveled to Cape Cod to do some onsite research. My instructor told me she thought it had a great chance of being published and I really should send it out, but I wrote it at a very different time in my life and find myself not liking the main characters at all. I suppose I put a bit of myself into the woman and her perspective on things now irritates me. I guess I should find another writer who might be willing to take a look at it and get an outside opinion. Part of the problem is that the computer I wrote it on crashed (before the days of the cloud), and I have to retype the whole manuscript. I am thankful I kept a hard copy. I’d ask you, my friend, about the writing difficulties you’ve encountered and what you’ve done to address them.

As we finished our visit, I’d tell you that my husband and I are going gallivanting today. We do this often on Sundays. We love to explore new areas and adventures. Today we are going to Stew Leonard’s. Here’s a description from their website:

“THE DISNEYLAND OF DAIRY STORES”

The New York Times called Stew Leonard’s “The Disneyland of Dairy Stores” because there’s fun and entertainment around every corner! Costumed characters wave hello, state-of-the-art animatronics entertain the kids while Mom and Dad shop, kids can even pet a lobster, and in Danbury, Norwalk and Yonkers they can visit Stew Leonard’s Little Farm!

It should be a fun time. I’ll tell you about it next time. Until then…