Friday, August 08, 2008

Beachward Bound

by Lisa Curry

2008 has been quite a year so far. My husband lost his job, and I switched from part-time to full-time employment for the first time in 10 years, so we could keep health insurance. My husband found a new job, but my job remained full-time, because, alas, I haven’t figured out how to make that door swing in the opposite direction – at least not yet. I got to try single parenting for the first time for three weeks in June while my husband was in Germany for his new job. I can’t say I cared for it.

My sons’ regular baseball season began in late March and ended just in time for all-star baseball tournaments in July. Between the two of them, they played 25 baseball games from July 5 to July 24. On July 28, they started football. Football practice is five nights a week from 5:45 to 8 p.m. The coaches say a parent should be present, just in case. (Just in case some kid who outweighs my kid by 50 lbs. tackles him and snaps his little bones?) I don’t get home from work until 6 p.m., so my husband takes them to practice, and I go straight from work to meet them at the field. When we get home from practice, I make dinner, the boys shower, we eat, and we go to bed. I haven’t read a book in months.

If I sound like I’m complaining – and I’m sure I do – I have to admit that life is pretty darn good, if somewhat chaotic. First off, my husband and I have jobs. Good jobs that pay us more than enough to live on. And that’s nothing to take for granted, especially in this economy. Second, we have two happy, healthy, active kids who love sports. Nothing wrong with that, either. As a bonus, we’ve made lots of friends over the years among the parents of their teammates, so we actually enjoy those many hours spent at the baseball and football fields.

Still, I could really use a vacation. And lucky me, I’m getting one. Tomorrow I’ll be digging my toes into the sand of Dewey Beach, Delaware. I have one whole blissful week in which I won’t have to think about work or worry about rushing off to the kids’ practice. One whole blissful week to lie on the beach and relax, refresh, recharge.

And I know where I’m going as soon as we get there. There’s a little book shop just a couple of blocks from our beach rental. It’s called Books & Coffee, and I’m gonna get me some of both. Iced coffee for the beach, of course. Any recommendations for my beach read?

13 comments:

Annette said...

Hey, Lisa, have a great vacation!

I'm not into vampire books, but LA VIDA VAMPIRE by my friend Nancy Haddock is a hoot. Fun, light, perfect for the beach. Honestly.

Also, I'd recommend our own Kathryn Miller Haines' latest, THE WINTER OF HER DISCONTENT. Snappy, witty, and a really great opening line that takes you right into the flavor of the story.

And I'm heading for the beach later this month, too, so I'm taking notes as to everyone else's recommendations.

Anonymous said...

Lisa, I'm so jealous!

Now I'm full-time, I accumulate one vacation day a month, so by next summer I, too, shall be able to take a whole week off. I can't wait.

In the meantime, I used one of my two personal days to go to the Yough last Friday and will use another to go to a yoga retreat over Labor Day weekend. So, like you say, I shouldn't complain.

Reading? The book that's swept me off my feet this summer is non-fiction, called _Emotional Safety_ and integrates affect and bonding theories. But you may not need it, as your blogs sound like you have a lot of emotional safety in your marriage! :-)

Joyce Tremel said...

Lisa, have a great vacation. You deserve it!

Wilfred Bereswill said...

Hmmm, let's see. Beach reads... Subtle hint - look to your right.

If by chance you pass up that opportunity, I took "The Killing Floor" with me on vacation. Lee Child's first Jack Reacher novel.

Ramona said...

Lisa, I've been to Dewey lots of times. It's a great beach, very family oriented.

Recommended beach read: If you haven't read the Danny & Ceepak series by Chris Grabenstein, this is the time to start! Tilt A Whirl is the first. PERFECT beach read--it's even hot pink!

Annette said...

I second Ramona's recommendation of TILT A WHIRL.

I can't vouch (yet) for Will's book. I was supposed to receive one for being the first to answer a trivia question when he guest-blogged here, but haven't see it in my mailbox yet. Hint, hint.

Anonymous said...

Hey, thanks for the book recommendations, everyone! I have made a list and stuck it in my purse to take to Books & Coffee with me tomorrow in the hope that they will have at least one or two of them.

Joyce, I am also interested in that "Roman Noir" novel by the woman who guest-blogged with us recently, but I can't remember either her name or the title (something in Latin) and couldn't find her guest blog either. Can you help?

Annette said...

Lisa, I'm not Joyce, but the blog you're referring to, I believe, was on July 24 (Beverle Graves Myers) and it lists all her books.

Wilfred Bereswill said...

Haven't forgotten you Annette. I have a list of books to send out. BUT, I first need to take care of the review copies and several events I have lined up. After that, I'll restock and take care of the promised copies.

The perils of a small press are taking care of all the PR.

After I get permission from those that have sent me comments, I'll post what readers are saying on my website. So far, it's been very positive.

The best one I had was from an accquaintence of a friend that told me he read the last hundred pages in one sitting.

Annette said...

Okay, Will. I'll be patient.

Joyce Tremel said...

Lisa, The "Roman noir" author was Kelli Stanley. The title is "Nox Dormienda." Beverle writes Roman stuff too, but I don't think it's noir.

Annette said...

Oops. I stand corrected.

Anonymous said...

That's it! Thanks, Joyce. I thought it was Nox Something, but I kept thinking Nox Maiorum and then going, "No, can't be. That just doesn't make any sense." It's "Mos Maiorum" I was getting it confused with. Latin befuddles me. :-) But now I've added it to my list so I don't forget again.