Author: J. Thorp

Summer Vacation, Day 67: Into the Wild

/ J. Thorp / 2 Comments

Got up super-early (like, 4 a.m.) to travel with my brother-in-law to his patch of hunting ground near the Ohio border. 60 acres, mostly woods, with a little stream – kind of a wild drainage ditch – hills, a bit of corn. They’re building a small house out there – cabinish, but more than that. Deer, rabbits, raccoons, turkeys. Lovely.

I want a place to hunt, to shoot, to camp, to write. To escape. We’re years away from that – but we had a place in the Upper Peninsula when I was a kid, and friends, I hope to again!

Summer Vacation, Day 66: Good For Nothin’

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Today, friends, was a good-for-nothin’ day. In fact, it was great for nothing. Soaked the sun and visited with family. Almost nothing else. So nice!

I may even write a little tonight. It’s hard – I have “free time,” didn’t have to write at all today … but you know? I have almost no desire to write. First day off from speechwriting, and you want me to write other stuff?

And East of Eden is calling me, too – what to do; what to to? I can tell you this: until I decide, I’m doing nothing!

Summer Vacation, Day 63: The Illusion of Time Off

/ J. Thorp / 3 Comments

We leave for Michigan early Friday morning. I worked later on both Monday and Tuesday, trying to get everything squared away before we leave for a week and a half. Even so, I brought work home tonight. Tomorrow is a day-long retreat, so no time to work then. Packing is not done – tomorrow night most likely. Up late, up early, drive all day to my sister’s place.

Too tired Saturday morning, but the kids will rise early to play with their cousins. We should be rested by mid-week, except that somewhere in there we drive to my folks’ house. Or rather, their campsite on a lake – that should be fun. And active. Then drive to Grand Rapids to see friends – we invariably eat too much and never sleep.

Up late, up early, drive all day home. Sleep at the office.