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A hectic June crashed through the books. I guess I will include May 30, too, for this month’s journey. My summer break began May 29, after graduation. Thirty six precious high school students, I didn’t know all, because once they pass junior high and sophomore year, the need to see the nurse decreases. I’m still fairly new at the high school, so I got acclimated this year.

May thirtieth, I visited the Pitt Lit Festival at the Carnegie Library in nearby Pittsburgh. Except for parking and nearly having a heart attack climbing the parking garage stairs, I had an enriching time. Maybe next year, I’ll try the lawn with my books to sell. The weather was perfect this year.

First week of June, I took a road trip to Portsmouth, Ohio. It seemed like a great idea when I made the reservations for a motel. I did realize it was four and a half hours to this part of southern Ohio. In March, I really wanted to be retired and go when I wanted to go. I had absolutely fabulous weather. I avoided traffic. I made it in time to check in and get to the Writers on the Ohio group at the library. They are the most welcoming group yet of writers I have encountered. Mary McDonald leads it. I heard her in Wheeling last September and follow her on Facebook.

She told me when she came to speak at the North Appalachian Writers Association, she actually was having a minor heart attack. She pushed through. My eyes widened as she told me. I wasn’t close to the speaker, but as a nurse, should I have noticed? Again, strong women of our region!

The next day, I truly enjoyed a drive along Ohio route 7 bordering the Ohio River or as I have called it for years, the River. When I did home health, I only went as far as Wellsville, Ohio. My daughter lives in the Wheeling, WV, area. After her work, I took her out for dinner at Later Gator. A unique experience, every time, that I recommend if you visit that port.

Driving like that, I find relaxing. I love seeing new places and revisiting old. That was always my favorite part of home health, even in the snow. I remember my dad saying, especially on an early October day, “I could just get in the car and drive forever.” The joke when he had his thirteen week vacation was if a bridge had been built to Guam, my brother’s billet, we would have driven there. I think I got the driving gene from my dad.

I filled the role of nurse at my church’s day camp, the next week. A hot week, yet it remained quiet. A little poison ivy at the archery spot. I still was wiped when I got home in the evening.

A week at home to edit City, a Gables and Gingerbread Story sequel to Country. I finished up the last two revisions by Sunday morning. It was Father’s Day. I took my husband, the other daughter and son-in-law to local theater in downtown Youngstown, Ohio, for The Shark Is Broken. Excellent three man play written by Robert Shaw’s son, Ian. The next day, I headed for Ocean Grove, NJ. Even though Jaws was filmed on Martha’s Vineyard, the actual great white attack was on the Jersey Shore in 1916. If you have the chance, read Close to Shore by Michael Capuzzo. I’m not sure I’ll use that in Shore, a Gables and Gingerbread Story, or not.

I had a peaceful, restful time at a quiet B and B, Ocean Park Inn. I enjoyed a walking tour of women in Ocean Grove and looking through the displays at the historical society. On an evening walk, I heard the choir practicing in the Grand Tabernacle. And of course, the ocean and beach time. A goal for next year, is getting up from a beach chair in the sand. It was not my graceful moments as I tried to figure it out.

I had two divine interventions, too. Women just stopped to pray with me. For about ten years that had seemed to cease in my life. As one of them said, “I step firm within the Master’s feet, I tread lightly elsewhere.” Our society’s outbursts have intensified to violence sometimes. We all pray for discernment.

Well, today, I finalized all the details for getting City published. This morning around nine. Now, I’m wondering where I want to launch it locally. It is about Sharon, Pennsylvania. Most of my audience is from church. Lawrence Hall? I’m praying.