So, it was a busy week here in Central Maine.
On Monday, I went to my first ever book club meeting. There are three of us, and all — including the leader — book club virgins. We’re reading Comfort is an Old Barn a collection of columns by local reporter/columnist Amy Calder. I worked with Amy many years ago now at the Morning Sentinel. Steve and I went to her book talk at the Waterville Library back in December, and bought her book, but I hadn’t yet dipped into it, so this was a good opportunity. Our group of three is relaxed enough to agree that we’ll make it up as we go along, and our next meeting is set for Monday after next.
Also on Monday, I opened up Steve’s file for Double Vision, which he had been reformatting for ebook publication just before he died. It was very close to complete, so I finished up the little bit that remained, compiled the file and downloaded it to my tablet for a quality check.
Tuesday morning was a session with the grief counselor, which more or less puts a period to Tuesdays. I spent the day getting Steve’s papers into traveling boxes, and getting Double Vision uploaded to various distributors. It is now available for pre-order from the vendor of your choice. It will be available for immediate download on June 1 from those vendors, and also from the Baen site.
Wednesday, I filled some more boxes with Steve’s papers, running out of papers at the same time I ran out of boxes. I love it when a plan comes together.
On Wednesday, it was Revealed that I need a new roof, which was . . . not particularly pleasant news.
Wednesday also saw the Grand Arrival of 200 copies of Ribbon Dance, to be signed and sent on to Uncle Hugo’s SF Bookstore in Minneapolis. If you would like a signed copy, you may reserve one here.
I finished signing the books and resealing the boxes Thursday night, and UPS will be picking them up on Monday.
As an aside — signing those books obviously wasn’t the hardest thing I’d ever had to do, but it was . . . not easy. The arrival of books to sign used to be reason for a party for Steve and me. This time — not so much. No promises one way or another, but this may be the last time I do this. Not only because of the heartbreak angle, but — tossing around 30 pound boxes of books isn’t getting any easier. I’m 71, after all, and getting old sucks.
Where was I? Ah –Thursday. Thursday, I called the insurance company in re the necessity of replacing the roof. An adjuster will be with me on Monday. In the meantime, I have an estimate for replacement, which is — yeah. It’s a big roof.
On Friday, I affixed labels to boxes of books and also to boxes containing Steve’s papers, then I spent the rest of the day with the WIPnovel, on which I am behind because — well. Oh, and the curtain rod across the window in Steve’s hallway finally failed, dumping the curtains onto the floor, but doing no more serious damage. I have a tension rod on order, which is supposed to arrive tomorrow, and I hope to get the window decently covered then.
Friday night, I posted Ryk Spoor’s Guest Column on the Liaden Universe and Ribbon Dance here.
Today, I have a couple things to do, including updating this blog, but I intend to spend most of the day with the WIP — and tomorrow, too. I am also waiting for FedEx Ground to stop by and take on Steve’s papers, the first part of their journey to the Cushing Memorial Library, in Texas.
And that catches us all the way up.
Below we see the Crack Box Inspection Team of Trooper and Firefly, inspecting boxes.
?? thanks for the update. Hang in there
Appreciate reading these updates, Sharon, and always love seeing kitty pictures. Thanks for posting them!
Thank you for the weekly update. As one who is on Uncle’s list for a signed book- Thank you for signing so many books for us.
I enjoyed reading Ryk Spoor’s take on the Liaden Universe. He put wonderful words to my thoughts and feelings. I am anticipating reading the latest addition and then I will start over at the beginning. Such a treat to revisit, knowing that there will be no disappointments in my 4th reread of the Liaden catalogue.
Cooper and Firefly may be wishing they’d had a chance to qualify inspect the boxes before they were fillled.
You are accomplishg quite a lot. I feel proud of you even though I have nothing whatsoever to do with your daily life. You do, however, inspire others.
You have been very busy, physically, emotionally and mentally. We understand if schedules must slip. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, it is our honor and privilege to listen. I hope the book club brings new friends and acquaintances and that the roof replacement is relatively cheap. I look forward to ribbon dance when it lands.
Thank you for posting Ryk Spoor’s beautiful tribute. I agree wholeheartedly with his assessment of your magnificent ability to create worlds and characters that feel profoundly real and true.
My heart aches for the grief you are carrying with both grace and stoicism. Wishing you well.