I’ve been on an island off the coast of Maine for the past week (for the wedding of my beautiful niece above), blissfully unaware that I could get online at the house we’ve rented. My ten year old grandson got everybody connected yesterday so here I am again, logging into Facebook, checking emails, blogging et al. And I’m afraid turning into the Marketing Whore once again – (FYI: If you live in Los Angeles please come to the Santa Monica Library for my workshop next Wednesday, 8/21/13 at 3:00.)

We’ve been blessed with two family trips this summer – Islesboro island and last month, Alaska. Both places pristine and under-populated, and (until yesterday) off the grid. I’m eager to get back to teaching and my new writing project, but I realize how important it is to have island time, to step out of your own life and get lost in scenery and silence.