Beetle

Mainly sunny, mild, temps 23

Lee Ann was, as you might remember, going to post about a very important Memorial Day event for her - the re-dedicating of their local library into a 'memorial' library - to commemorate the war dead, including her son Thomas, who died in Iraq.

the re-dedication was this weekend...and, she'd still going to write something soon, but it seems the weekend was sort of overwhelming with family and unexpected events (her too! - sound familiar?) that she hasn't been able to put pen to paper and give it the time and thought it deserves.

So I told her not to worry and to just send it when she's ready.

My day was beautifully quiet, except for the regular Monday avalanche of emails - even more as we head into the launch of Bury Your DEad and try to coordinate tour schedules. And we're booking into next year as well. Events always sound like a good idea when they're 12 months away.,..and then as they get closer I scratch my head and try to think why I ever thought that was a good idea. So, am trying to be more respectful of my writing schedule and not encroach too much into next winter and early spring.

However, it looks as though I have managed to book an event in Pittsburgh next April. Will keep you posted.

Writing/editing going well. More of a re-write than an edit, as I adjust scenes, and characters...and even names. My first drafts and final drafts are often unrecognizable as the same book.

Exciting news...as some of you know, I've been thinking of getting a new car. We sold both of ours in the winter, with the thought of simplifying. going, perhaps, with only one. N ow that seems not very workable. Being in the middle of the country, with touring, I can't just take our one car and leave Michael and Trudy marooned. Well, I could, but I probably couldn't come back.

but we hate the thought of two cars. Until we realized if we got one with low gas consumption and used it everyday it would make more environmental sense. At first I was thinking of a Smart Car...I just adore the design. But the more we thought about it the more restrictive it seemed. Wouldn't want to drive it in winter. Or on our highways.

But our friend and neighbor, Walter, has had a series of new beetle convertibles and swears by them. Indeed, my very first car was a VW Rabbit convertible. I adored it.

so, we got to thinking about that...and then I saw a powder blue one...VW beetle convertible. 2006. The only year they made powder blue, apparently. and we wanted a used one...for the country roads, seemed to make more sense.

We've looked and looked. Walter's looked for us. I've made phone calls, followed them up...but nothing.

Until today. Walter called to say the local VW dealership in Sherbrooke as one! So I called, made an appointment, and Michael, Walter and I will pop over at 7 tonight for a test drive! Yippeee...

Can't remember when I've been more excited about a car...except, perhaps, that very first one, thirty years ago. Wow.

I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.

Hope you're enjoying the long memorial day weekend. we've been so moved by the coverage, by the interviews. On all the wars and all the lost.