On Summer Weather I Can Actually Enjoy for a Change

I almost don't dare speak of it "out loud", even online, because I don't want to jinx anything. But it's been unseasonably cool out here these days. Typically, we'd be frying to death out here, especially considering how awful the climate's gotten over the past few years. That's certainly what's been happening to my friends in Southern Cal and upstate, as well as up in Washington and Oregon -- long-lasting heat waves and ridiculous temperatures well above 100 degrees. 

To be honest, I'm shocked that we're not getting the same, but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth, either. I'm sorry for everyone else, but I'm exceedingly grateful not to be dealing with the same. We've been happily making the most of fantastic weather that's been pretty much perfect -- cool and even cloudy for the most part. It even rained a couple of times, which is always welcome this time of year. I'm not interested in a repeat of last year's god-awful wildfire situation.

We've still been enjoying all of our wonderful al fresco meals just about every night, as well. However, we've also (somehow) developed a new interest in playing old-school games at the table for a little while after we've finished eating. So far, we've mostly been playing Uno, but we've been having so much fun, we want to learn more games soon. Interestingly, that's just hilarious to me, as I've always thought card games, board games, and that sort of thing sounded like the lamest thing to want to do with your time. You'd think by now I'd have internalized "don't knock it 'til you try it" a little better. 

........

The old writer's life isn't going too badly, either, especially considering it's summer. The fact that I've gotten a repieve for now as far as all the oppressive heat goes means I'm feeling more creative than usual. I keep getting email from NaNoWriMo about July's Camp NaNo event -- the very one I decided not to do. Part of me wishes I'd scared up a small project to work on when I'm not busy with all my other stuff, but I probably needed that I like need a hole in my head. I was worried it would get hot and I'd wind up feeling overwhelmed.

Instead, I've been posting more on Medium. I've been lucky enough to collect the maximum amount with three of the four bonus payments that have gone out already this spring and summer. I know I will probably qualify for the max with fourth and final one, too, but I know it can't hurt to make damn sure. Vocal has introduced a series of summer fiction writing contests, as well. I missed the deadline on one of them, but there are others that will be live for quite some time, yet. I might enter a couple of them as an alternative to Camp NaNo.

Beyond that, I've been keeping up with business as usual -- taking care of my clients. I'm still blogging for the handful of regulars I still have, as well as doing more critic work, which I love. I haven't had as much time as I like to pick up one-off assignments just for fun or to fill in a bit, but that's OK. I can't do everything all the time.