I know I have neglected this space quite a bit in the past couple of weeks but I hope you have understood - it's hard to update a blog when jumping from one family activity to another (not to mention the zoo, the beach, barbecues, and boating!). I did want to pop in though so I could report that:

1. I am still alive!!

2. I will be back to regular posting starting next Monday!

3. Also next Monday (May 2nd) the Guys Lit Wire Book Fair will launch with a wish list for a desperately needy and deserving school in Washington DC. (Watch the GLW site for info starting on Monday morning; I will also link from here.)

4. I am not reading much at all other than magazines. I have no attention span whatsoever!

5. I am going through my great grandmother's photo albums (3 of them) with my mother, removing the pictures (before the paper destroys them) and getting them in order so I can start scanning when I get home and sending them to my family. Expect many gorgeous black and white photos to be appearing here in the future. (We just received these albums upon the death of my Great Aunt Marion - we have not seen the photos in decades.)

6. Heaven help me - the Summer Blog Blast Tour is scheduled for early June. No idea how I will get my act together for that, but do plan to contribute at least an interview or two!

7. And MAP OF MY DEAD PILOTS. So much to report there - I've seen the final cover and it's amazing! I also have the massive amount of editorial notes for the manuscript and they are beyond daunting. Deadline is May 25th. I shall get it all done. I promise. For sure.

8. Expect to read many angst-ridden posts about editing in the coming weeks.

9. Florida has been fabulous. But you already figured that out, didn't you?

10. This book fair is probably the most important thing I have done in a long long time. It will be life changing for these kids and I really hope that all of you will be along for the ride. Don't let me down on this one, guys. We are going to change their world.