Catch a wave and you’re sittin on top of the world...

I just checked weather.com.  It’s already 75° F and it’s only seven in the morning.  The heat came on strong last Monday and doesn’t show signs of letting up anytime soon.  Any other week I would have lazed about, showing the boys how to wrap wet hand towels around a row of ice cubes to create little neck-cooling tubes you can wear around the house, but I have had my own wave of activity here--house guests, my first writing group meeting and a new community project.

The writing group is key--four other writers and I meet regularly to critique each other’s work.  It’s an impressive set and I feel honored and slightly suspect that they asked me to join them.  These women--published authors, literary agent, composer/musician--are bursting with creativity and talent and aren’t afraid to work.  We have lofty goals and the inspiration is contagious.

I also joined the board of the Ithaca Motion Picture Project—more dynamic professionals, launching a new museum by preserving and renovating a historic building here in Ithaca that will serve as a center devoted to multimedia education, exhibition and film development and production.  Volunteering to do something for our community is important to me, plus I can say things like "Sorry, I have a board meeting that night."

Our houseguests—the Professor’s buddy and his two GIRLS—arrived Tuesday.  Before they could even unpack, I took the little ladies to the spa for manicures and pedicures.  Finally, cohorts who understand the importance of debating Team Jacob vs. Team Edward.  We were then forced to get out and explore the cooler parts of Ithaca—I think our favorite was Treman State Park with a shady hike that led to a swimming hole by a waterfall, staffed with two young lifeguards.

It's a good thing I wasn’t able to sit in front of the 15,000 BTU air-conditioning unit the Professor dashed out, purchased, and installed all by himself in a fit of wild-eyed fear.  No, the week was full and I am ready to paddle out again.