Well, although the weather isn’t really cooperating today (making it a great writing day!), I can hardly believe that I have only ten days left at my beach. I’ve enjoyed some great rest, relaxation, hikes, berry picking and quality time with my kids/parents and extended family. It is good to see some other projects making progress while I am here, as well.
Soul Restoration Ministries
I enjoyed time with the ARMS team (Abuse Recovery Ministry Services) as we talked about the upcoming ministry changes /growth. I also met with Soul Restoration Ministries in Vancouver. It was wonderful to tour the Soul Restoration House (Gorgeous! Separate blog post to follow) and hear more about how the ministry came to be.
Hubby Bill and middle son Nick came to visit for 5 days and in that time period, I managed to attend my 30th-year high school reunion with hubby (whose presence greatly helped). Wow! I’m so glad that I attended. Unlike at our ten year (last one I attended), people really moved out of their cliques and friendship groups to get to know other people. It was rewarding and fun.
We also got to meet up with Emily and Keith (our daughter and her cousin) who are currently hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. We drove about 5 hours to meet them at a campground near Mt Bachelor. Amazing views and beauty there. Sure brought to heart how much I miss the Pacific NW!
Northwest Blackberries
Yesterday we took Bill and Nick to the airport and had an hour or so at daughter Megan’s house. They have an amazing patch of blackberries and we had 20 more minutes so I grabbed two buckets and we had a contest to see who could get the most. The kids won, of course. Came back to the beach with plenty for eating and also to make a gluten-free cobbler for tonight! Yum! (In Illinois we pay about $5 for 15 of them and they don’t taste as good as the fresh NW grown ones). Here they are considered a “weed” and quite noxious as they spread all over the place and take over yards and gardens. But on empty lots or along the roadways, it is berry paradise.
Being Productive at the Beach
This morning I’m writing a blog post and updated a proposal and 3 sample chapters for a new agent requesting to view my book. I’m also reviewing a potential client’s online presence. I hope to get to write more on the new book soon as well but that may not be today. After all, family and beach time is a requirement each day here!
