In the US, this is Memorial Day Weekend. For those of us who are freelancers and still hold to the Old Ways of keeping track of days by mail delivery, this is the first Sunday (no mail day) of the week, the second being tomorrow, aka Memorial Day (celebrated).
It has been a week of Parts, some of which I am not yet at liberty to share.
I can, however, talk about yesterday, which was a perfect Maine edge-of-summer day, when I went to Snow Pond Arts Center in Sidney to the Art/Makers Fair. By myself. It was a nice show, with a good cross-section of Maine artists — stained glass, handmade jewelry, pottery, photographs, art prints, designer clothes, cat toys (yes, I bought toys for the cats; that’s in the contract), tie-dye, live music . . . spread across three or four lodges on really beautiful camp grounds.
As I was walking from one lodge to another, having recently departed a conversation with a silversmith, it came to me, as a bolt from the blue (or indeed, as something Steve might suggest), that the silversmith might be able to resize Steve’s wedding ring, so that I could wear it.
Now, I have to pause here and explain that my relationship with Steve is rooted in magic; our first letters to each other talk about how Instant Recognition such as we experienced never happens; that as grown-ups we knew this, and so it was with eyes open that we were going forward — trusting magic.
So, I turned around and went back to the silversmith and asked her if she could resize a ring for me. She allowed as how she could, so I went home, got the ring and went back. The silversmith thinks she’ll have it ready for me next week.
I had a few errands to dispatch, afterward, in Augusta. I thought I might actually eat out, but courage failed, so I came home and made myself a hot tuna and cheese sandwich in celebration (no really; hot tuna and cheese is a treat), noodled around the house some, putting things away and talking with the coon cats, and went to bed early, worn out by all the excitement.
Speaking of excitement — see what I did there?
Yes, excitement.
On June 1 — that’s Saturday! — Double Vision drops. It is an ebook-only edition, for Reasons. On June 1, it will be available from All of the Usual Suspects (including Baen). If you’re so minded, you may right now preorder from Most of the Usual Suspects (not including Baen).
As if that wasn’t enough excitement — The Uncle is, even as I type, shipping signed copies of Ribbon Dance to those who ordered. If you want a signed copy, there are still some left, and you can order from the Uncle here.
The Official Release Day for Ribbon Dance is Tuesday, June 4, when hardcover and ebook will be available from All of the Usual Suspects. You may preorder now from Most of Them.
A word regarding the Ribbon Dance audiobook. Audible has chosen not to acquire the audio rights (no, I don’t know why; I expect because previous books haven’t made them enough money; that’s usually the reason for these things). Baen is trying to place it with another audiobook publisher, but as of Right Now, there is NO Ribbon Dance audiobook on your horizon. I know some people will be disappointed by this. Trust me, I join you in your disappointment with a nice side helping of terror.
. . . and I think that catches us all up on the Important Things in Life.
Oh, no, I’m wrong. Have a picture of Trooper, who has helping me write.