This is rare but I am on vacation for the third time in five weeks - just the way things worked out this year.
This time, we are at the beach in the Outer Banks, where I used to go when I was in college at Duke, with my entire family -- wife, daughters, son-in-law and the newly designated fiancee-in-law if there is such a designation. We figured that as the girls get older and have their careers and family responsibilities, we wanted to set aside at least one week a year for everyone get together for a vacation.
So far all I've done is play guitar, play games, listen to music, lie on the beach, boogie board, and body surf, and tomorrow play some golf. The weather has been absolutely perfect.
Oh, and I've been reading quite a bit. I just finished "The Shack," which is a pretty amazing story, and now I'm reading Vladimir Nabokov's short stories. I've still got a stack of books to dig into if I have time.
This is definitely a great time to recharge my batteries.
I only wish my dog were here with us. I miss my buddy!
Meanwhile... my story on the woman who channels Padre Pio has been pushed back to July 12. You won't want to miss that one, I promise!
* * *
Nags Head, N.C.
July 1, 2008