Today, perhaps the best weather here, ever. Sunny and temperatures in the high 70s. It was the sort of day in which one might sleep the afternoon away in a hammock. I am going to confer with Pete and see if we can get Lounge Town II going. Lounge Town 1 is over at our veterinarian Zach Kaiser’s place. We do have a rope hammock in the black hole.

We first did agility with Tyra, who the past few weeks just has not been into it. We went from the first to second highest level, making things seem easier for her. She actually seemed relieved. And she did just fine. Pete then posted the videos. Each and every month, I wonder if we will get this task done, and somehow, we do.

Alys editing

I had set aside the entire day to work on my bicycling essay, entitled “The Things This Bicyclist Carried.” It centers around my 2021 Fairbanks to Valdez bicycle tour. I had passed my original copy on to Frank Soos, my former teacher and former mentor. He said that it was his favorite essay in the proposed anthology, and then he asked me to cut it down by 2,000 words. Gulp. I said I’d give it a try. I did not say that we have a great deal going on here, which meant that it would take some time before I got to it. No, I did not say this because I always honor deadlines. This was why, a few days ago, when Frank, in an email said that the University of Nebraska Press had asked the editors (Frank and Jerry) to pare down the essays, I agreed to do so.

I knew that I would not be able to cut my 7,193 word essay 2,000 words, to 5,193 words. I figured at best, that I’d be able to cut it down 1,000 words. And so, I did this before sending the essay via email back to him late this afternoon. I heard from him a short while ago – he said that the essay, in its edited state, was just fine.

Phew, I thought. The trick to getting this done was based on experience. I knew I could edit it down in a day; I just needed to put off working on the Bright Lights Book Project and going for lengthy horseback rides. And this is what I did.

I was, because of the good weather, initially restless. Then in the afternoon, I felt drowsy and therefor had to splash water on my face.

I found myself wishing that I again had the time to write each day, for of course, an appreciative audience.

The best I can do right now is to continue to work on the Bright Lights Project book, mainly in my head.

I did manage to get Tinni and Raudi out for a ride. Tinni seemed off, maybe because of the heat. Raudi and I cruised along at a fast clip.

A different, but really good day.

Next: 181. 7/1/21: A New Month