I’m back!

I feel like a phoenix – rising from the burnt remains around me. I survived the panic of submitting – there is that “one more time” review of your work before you submit.

I’m glad I did.

I cut two pages of dead weight. Now, to be fair it is also because I was fresh from The Writers Institute in Madison and energized, emboldened and ready for the writing challenges ahead – the editing process on the manuscript I have in draft mode.

If I may seem distant, do not fear, I have fallen into revision mode – a dark and dreary place – a lonely world that a writer will find him or herself in. It’s just not a good time to get the flu. I may crawl out of it…who knows when.

What’s up with my calendar?

Today Facebook reminded me of Kyle and Grace’s birthdays. What would I do without you, Facebook? I’ll send them wishes.

But a reminder flashed across my laptop screen just a minute ago to let me know tomorrow is Thomas Jefferson’s birthday.

Why? He’s not a close friend of mine.

His is not a national holiday. We aren’t scattering colorful eggs on the ground in “difficult” places for small children to discover the wonders of this intelligent man, one of the founders of our country. And maybe there should be. Maybe John Adams, too.

The Fourth of July lost the focus of these men somewhere along the years. Maybe there is a greater emphasis on them on the East coast, but here in the Midwest, we tend to zero in on the brats and burgers, beer and backyard fireworks.

Should we start a Founders’ Day Movement? Hamilton on Parade, anyone?