Hot Air Balloon

On our second day in Cappadocia we got up at 5:00 am to watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon. This had to be one of the most wonderful experiences of the trip. From our vantage point we could see not only the unusual rock formations of the area, but dozens of other balloons floating serenely over the landscape. On landing we celebrated our adventure with a glass of champagne. What a way to start the day!

Cappadocia

At the end of the sailing trip, we pulled into Gocek for the night and departed the next morning for Kayseri in a region of central Turkey called Cappadocia. To get there we first had to fly back to Istanbul as it seems to be the only hub in Turkey! From Kayseri we took a bus to Urgup where we saw the first of the unusual rock formations of the area. For centuries people have lived in these caves, but they are now gradually being moved out. In the ancient Persian language, Cappadocia meant "land of beautiful horses," and in Roman times, brood mares from Cappadocia were highly prized.

Beauty Surrounded Us

Wherever we looked there were beautiful sights . . . and fresh bread!

The Market at Fethiye

The Tuesday market at Fethiye was a real happening. They sold just about everything there including spices, dried fruit, candy, honey, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, in addition to crafts, souvenirs, fly swatters, clothing, you name it. It was one place where you could find equal numbers of tourists and local shoppers.

At the market my new best friend Ahmed sold me a leather belt for Bruce after asking several random men to try it on for size. Quite hilarious!

Look Ma, No Hands!

Some days were like this -- sunny, blue sky, no wind -- so it was easy to let "Otto" our trusty auto helm do the steering. Other days were not so easy. Our first sail, in fact, a 42 mile leg, was a challenge for us. The trip was almost entirely downwind, the most difficult point of sail, with both wind and waves building as the day went on. We had to heave to twice to shorten sail and were very glad when we slipped through the rocky entrance into a beautiful, protected anchorage at Yedi Adalar. We slept well that night!

Caunos

On the way to the Lycian tombs we took some time to enjoy the beauty of the rocky shoreline. We also visited the ruins of Caunos, including an astonishingly well-preserved mosaic floor. Stopped in the small town of Dalyan for a little shopping and the best fried calimari EVER for lunch.

Lycian Tombs

We stayed in Ekincik another day so that we could see the awesome Lycian tombs of the area. Ancient Lycia was a federation of 19 independent cities located between modern day Fethiye and Antalya. Intended as houses for the dead most have carved doors, beam ends, pitched roofs and prominent lintels. They date from the 4th century BCE.

Finiculi Finicula!

At many places we stopped for the night, the bathrooms/shower possibilities were a serious climb up a rocky hill. Once you got there, however, you found clean and well-kept facilities complete with motion-sensor paper towels. At Ekincik the restaurant itself required a longer climb up a hill, so we lazy old folks opted for the finicula. Now THAT was a trip! The restaurant (My Marina) would have been worth the climb without the finicula, but we were happy to ride.

Bozuk Buku

This jewel of a mooring spot was one of the most interesting of the trip. On approach, it is virtually impossible to see the entrance. Rather, as you draw nearer and nearer to the rocky shore, you wonder if your navigator has miscalculated! But no, finally you see the narrow entrance and are able to slip between two rocky promontories and in you go. The passage soon opens into a large and deep natural harbor which must have served many early civilizations very well. You could have an entire navy in there! A fortress at the top guards both the Mediterranean and the protected harbor.

Turkish Food

Oh my, we ate very well indeed. The food in the Mediterranean was . . . very Mediterranean. Lots of fresh veggies and fruit. The tomatoes and cucumbers were outstanding at least in part because they use no preservatives or chemicals in their cultivation. Figs were also plentiful and delicious. The seafood was fantastic -- sea bass, sea bream, calimare, octopus. Of course, the stews and kebabs were also flavorful. The evening meal always began with "mezes" or appetizers, which could have served as the entire meal, but of course did not. The most popular mezes were tzakiki, eggplant dishes, beans, olives, and hummus, accompanied by freshly baked scrumptious bread. The Turkish wine, both reds and whites, were also much to our liking. Actually, because the food was so healthful, I gained only a couple of pounds. (Of course, I was working my tail off sailing the boat!)

Turkish Women

It was interesting to observe the various dress styles of Turkish women. They ranged from full-cover burqas (rare) to traditional country dress to stylish city wear consisting of bloomers and swirling tops to full length coats to simple scarves wrapped loosely around the head. Of course, many Turkish women wear no head covering at all. The photo depicts a woman in Sogutkoy driving her cattle to a grazing pasture. Note the dog whose job is clearly to bark the cattle down the road every morning!

A Secular Muslim Country

Thanks to the vision of Mustafa Kemal, known as Ataturk (father of the Turks), Turkey's recent history has been that of a modern, secular state. Ataturk admired European lifestyles and culture and he worked to implement many changes including adopting the Latin alphabet and a new Turkish language. In 1928 a secular state underwritten by a civil constitution was recognized. It will be interesting to follow developments in Turkey as they navigate the swirling currents of competing interests. Turkey is a Muslim country, but the percentage of people who actively practice by going to prayers five times a day ranges from 5 to 15%, according to some of our guides. Nonetheless there seems to be a mosque every few blocks and certainly in every small town. The call to prayer can be heard five times a day.

Life on Board

For those of you who are not sailors, it probably seems weird to think that six people could live together for two weeks within 43 feet of boat. And indeed, it does present its challenges! Of course, in the evenings, we all rushed to shore to enjoy the offerings of the land, but the rest of the time, we were sleeping, eating, sailing, navigating, and doing laundry aboard Treasure. Suffice it to say, we knew one another very well by the end of the trip. The end of a sailing trip is always sad, but tempered by the thought of certain luxuries that have been missing for awhile, like a long shower in an enclosure larger than 2 x 4 feet. You're ready for it to end when: (1) you can't stand the smell of the head for one more day -- even though it's been dumped countless times, and (2) you can't stand to dive one more time into the reefer (that's the refrigerator for you landlubbers)in search of a lost piece of cheese!

Knidos

The ruins of Knidos greeted us on Day 3 of our trip. Located on the Datca Peninsula, south of Bodrum, Knidos was a Greek city of about 50,000 dating from about 360 BCE. It was the site of a famous shrine of Aphrodite, a copy of which can be seen today in the Vatican. The original has never been found. Nonetheless, the ruins of a theatre, agora, houses and a round temple are still visible today. It was awesome to pull into the harbor and discover the amphitheater just across the way!

Swimming in the Mediterranean

Swimming in the Med is wonderful. The water in summer is refreshingly cool, but not frigid. Of course, if you've grown up on Lake Erie, or any of the other great lakes, you have a different concept of "frigid."

It's also very salty so it takes very little effort to keep afloat. In places you can snorkel and find colorful small fish. The color of the water is a deep turquoise and totally clear. When you drop an anchor, for example, you can watch it descend 30 feet or so to the bottom. If you like to swim like I do, it's heavenly.

Walking the Plank

Now for the bad news. The very worst thing about sailing in the Mediterranean is the fact that boats there anchor stern into the dock. This is great, you might say, and indeed it does save a lot of space at the dock. You can get twice the number of boats in this way and it's not that difficult to do. (At least our skipper made it look easy). First, you back slowly to the dock. Then you either drop an anchor OR pick up a mooring line to attach to the bow. Two stern lines and you're in business. Except that the boat is on average 3 feet from the dock. Now it's time to fold out the plank which consists, depending on the conditions, either of a precarious looking metal ladder that bounces around between your boat and the floating dock, OR a wooden plank which also bounces around between your boat and the floating dock. If you want to eat, or shop, or use the bathroom facilities on shore, there is no option but to cross the plank. The trick, I learned, is to not hesitate. Look forward, and go!

I didn't like this very much, but I did get used to it!

Our First Sail

After our time in Istanbul we flew to Bodrum, a town on the southwest corner of Turkey near where the Aegean and Mediterranean meet. From there we went by bus to the sailing base at Turgutreis, did some provisioning, and loaded our gear onto our boat, a 43 foot Beneteau sloop named Treasure. The next day, Sunday, September 2, we sailed the 37 miles to Yedi Adalar, or Seven Islands, at the eastern end of a strait called the Gokova Korfezi. And what a trip it was! It started out calmly, but the winds and the sea built so that in the end we had put two reefs in the main and also reduced the genoa. By the time we anchored (with a line to shore) it was 7:00 pm and another adventure awaited us. The restaurant, named Denis, could only be reached by trekking in the dark up a hill, down a hill, across a swinging bridge, etc. As if we needed another adventure! It was worth it, though. Dinner of sea bass was excellent.

Istanbul, Part 2

Unfortunately, I had only one full day in Istanbul. Not nearly enough time to appreciate the sites. We had a day-long tour that included the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Haghia Sophia, all of which were fascinating to see, but I wish I'd had time to visit the Grand Bazaar, Dolmabahce Palace and taken a boat trip on the Bosphorus. More than that, I wish I'd had time to simply sit in a cafe and watch the passing parade of people.

Istanbul

Well, I've done it: gone to Turkey, sailed in the Aegean and Mediterranean for two weeks, visited Istanbul and the Cappadocia region of central Turkey, and arrived home safely! No problems except for a cyst behind my knee that burst when I was too enthusiastic about getting to a winch. Still have some pain and swelling, but relieved to know it was "only" that and not a blood clot! Turkey was fabulous. Situated partly in Asia and partly in Europe, it truly has been the crossroad of civilizations for centuries. Besides all of this, the people are helpful, the food is both healthful and delicious, and the wine is outstanding. My seat mate on the flight over was a Turkish-American man named Ziggy who decided that he would be my guide. He shepherded me through the visa purchase, the baggage retrieval, and then made sure I found the right bus to take me into the city. On the bus another Turkish man explained some of the sights as we were driving in, then called my hotel to obtain directions from Taksim Square. When we got off the bus at the Square he then proceeded to walk me to my hotel, dragging my suitcase! What a wonderful opening to my visit.

The Cousins

August 25, 2012 Here we are with two of my Minneapolis cousins: Sarah (now living in Bozeman, Montana) with husband Gary, and Julie (now living in Portland, Oregon) with husband Jim. We're all dressed up about to attend the wedding of Chris's daughter Nicole.

Between Trips

August 25, 2012 Home from Canada/Minneapolis/Detroit for 10 days and about to fly to Turkey on Wednesday! I have to admit I'm a little apprehensive about this trip; in fact, I'm wondering if I'm in my right mind. We (about 50 members of our sailing club) will be chartering boats for two weeks and sailing out of Turgutreis, near Bodrum. I'm sure it will be great fun, but also challenging and somewhat grueling at least for a 71-year-old. So why am I doing this I have to ask myself. Son Mike reminds me that I asked myself the same question when I climbed Masada in Israel. Afterwards I was glad I had done it, but it was taking a risk in a way. If I had become dehydrated or had other physical problems, it would have impacted the trip not only for myself but for others. I sort of feel the same way about this trip. However, I'm going! And I'm even beginning to get excited about it!

8 states, 5 lakes and 1 province

Phew! We're headed home now after a three-week odyssey around the great lakes. What a fabulous trip! We have visited eight states and one province: Maryland (of course), Pennsylvania, New York, Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. We've seen all five of the great lakes, swum in one (Huron) and waded in another (Superior). The water is uncharacteristically warm this year due to the unusually warm weather we have all been experiencing. In contrast, I can remember wading in Lake Superior over 50 years ago when my feet turned numb almost immediately! I love the lakes. They are so majestic, so beautiful and so familiar. You don't think about it when you grow up, but the smell of the water, the cottonwood trees, the distinctive sand (different from the sand of Atlantic beaches, for example) all remind me of my days growing up on Lake Erie. When you swim even the taste of the water is familiar.

Fish 'n Chips

It looks as though we'll have to return to Canada next year. Despite careful research and assiduous sampling, I have yet to discover the perfect fish n' chips. Actually, that's not quite true. The best fish n' chips I ever had was at Swan's Brew Pub in Victoria, British Columbia about 20 years ago, and I've never forgotten it. The fish was tender, moist, and sweet; the crust was, well, crusty, and flavorful; the fries awesomely crisp. Ah yes, and the draft beer hoppy and cold, just the way I like it. Since then, I've tried, believe me. I've eaten fish n' chips all over Canada and sometimes even in the states. Mostly, the fish is too dry, the crust too soggy, and the fries just ordinary. The WORST I've ever had was in Southampton, Ontario, on the night before we left. Apparently, we should have headed to the Lord Elgin in the neighboring town of Port Elgin, but we knew they didn't serve beer and who wants fish n' chips with a diet Coke? So I tried, against my better judgment, the local fare and it was plain awful. The fish was dry as shoe leather, the crust like cardboard, and the sweet potato fries were burned. Should have ordered the chicken fricassee, I found out later. So, it's back to Canada next year, for my continuing research.

The General Hunter

Southampton, Ontario -- Erie Girl has a real Erie find today! Yesterday we visited the Bruce County Museum and saw a replica of the General Hunter, a British warship that was captured by the Americans during the War of 1812. After the war the ship was sold to John Dickson of PRESQUE ISLE and used to transport goods between Lakes Huron and Erie. On one of these trips southward in August of 1816, a huge gale caused the ship to founder and be abandoned. The crew took safely to small boats, but the ship itself got buried in the sandy beaches of Southampton where it remained for almost 200 years before being discovered. The discoverers were our friends the family McCallum. Apparently there is some lingering dispute among family members about just which of them, exactly, first recognized the parallel timbers sticking out of the sand behind their home to be something more than unusual driftwood. Indeed, they were part of the hull of the General Hunter. Archeologists then gathered to examine the find. They dug out most of the sand, took measurements and photographs. They also collected paraphernalia such as cannon balls, uniform buttons and the like, which are now on display at the museum. Finally, they covered it all back up in order to preserve it. At the museum one can board the replica and hear a demonstration on the firing of cannons, complete with flashing lights and sound. The boat on the distant horizon is none other than the NIAGARA, which, of course, takes a direct hit! On another interesting note, the original flag flown by the General Hunter, which was taken in naval tradition as part of the “spoils of war,” has lived in Annapolis for 200 years, but is currently on loan to the museum here.

Marine Heritage Festival

This weekend Southampton is celebrating its 2nd annual Marine Heritage Festival featuring all kinds of activities including a cardboard boat judging contest. In fact, we just witnessed a cardboard sailboat being hauled down in the street in the back of a trailer. How many of them there will be, I don’t know, but we’ll soon find out when we walk down the street to Pioneer Park. In addition to the cardboard boat contest there will be a pancake breakfast, a barbecue, cannon demonstrations (hope they don’t hit the cottage), a fish fry, and a special exhibit at the museum. The museum exhibit will focus on the War of 1812 and will feature the General Hunter, a warship of the era that was recently discovered by our friends. It had been buried (and safely preserved) all these years in the beach behind their house. Perhaps we’ll partake of a few additional activities today such as a stop at the beer gardens also in Pioneer Park, or the vintage boat show at the Coliseum. But then, maybe not. Maybe that book I’m reading will take priority. Then, too, the beach is always calling . . .

Unwinding in Southampton

Being in Southampton brings me to a quieter state of mind. The reasons for this are many. First, it’s a small town, which means everything is easier. There is no traffic, or at least no traffic to speak of. Not like the Beltway around Washington, that’s for sure. And because there is no traffic, it’s easy to get around whether on foot, on bike, or in a car. It’s also on the water and not just on any old ocean, lake or river. It’s on Lake Huron. Since I was raised on another of the great lakes, Erie, it all seems totally familiar to me. The fog horn, the fresh water smell, the flat stones, the cottonwood trees rippling in the breeze, the sandy beach, the sunsets across the lake – all of this reminds me of home. Finally, being in Canada brings back so many happy memories of the time I spent here with John in the early years of our marriage. We lived in Peterborough for two years and in Toronto for ten before we moved back to the States and everything changed. Our children were born here. Our close friends from those early days still live here. It feels good to reconnect. And with the unwinding will come . . . who knows? I feel a need to simplify my life, to prioritize the many things I do and let some of them go. I’m going to try to just “be” for the two weeks we are here and let things settled out. Maybe a truth, or at least a pattern, will emerge.

Southampton, Ontario

It doesn’t take long for me to settle in when I get to Southampton. I’ve been coming here for 40 years, give or take a few. At last count we have visited or rented nine different cottages including this one with its magnificent view of the mouth of the Saugeen River as it flows into Lake Huron. I can remember visiting here when Mike was a baby nestled against me in the green corduroy baby carrier. I also remember hanging with our friends before children -- well before our children arrived anyway. Our friends were a few years ahead of us in this department. When we first started visiting Southampton we were living in Toronto – about a three-hour drive away. Our friends invited us to join them for a weekend, which we spent at the family cottage on Peel Street, just a few steps from the lake. Later our friends purchased their own cottage so our visits became more frequent. Still later that little cottage became a retirement home with the addition of an entire new wing on the back. Today their “cottage” retains its distinctive northern Ontario yellow brick façade, hanging flower pots., and well-tended gardens. Like many of the homes in the area, an oval sign near the front door designates the original owner of the home, his occupation, and the date. Theirs reads “Alphonse B. Klein, Judge, 1897.” Pride of heritage is alive and well in this small community of about 2,000 souls. When we first arrive, loaded with books, beach chairs, suitcases, tennis rackets and other paraphernalia we can’t do without, it takes us a day to unpack and unwind. Soon the familiar pattern emerges, however, and by day three we are totally geared down. A typical day brings an hour or so of morning tennis lessons and/or playing from the bench, an opportunity to play doubles with another three random people whose rackets are next to your own on the bleachers. A few errands, perhaps, and a bike ride to Port Elgin and back generally follow. Port Elgin, known as “Port,” is the nearest town located just a few kilometers south of “South.” The afternoon is spent swimming in the “refreshing” waters of the lake and reading at the beach. If it’s too cool or is raining, a side trip to the Bruce County Museum or the eternally fascinating Southampton Market provides a change of pace. Some evenings we may have friends in for dinner or be invited out. Other evenings we’ll walk or bike down the block to the lake for a closer look at the sunset, which can be spectacular. The huge maple leaf flag will be flying from its enormous pole at the foot of High Street. I’ll look out to the lighthouse on Chantry Island, now silhouetted against the spreading colors of the sunset, and feel totally at home.

Road Scholar Program with Addie Bruce and I spent a week with granddaughter Addie in Newport News, VA, at a program sponsored by Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel). It was fabulous. We all learned a lot about "Fins, Furs, Feathers" plus we had a lot of fun. the program was extremely well presented with many interactive activities for children and grandparents. In addition, we got to tour the Virginia Living Museum which is populated with animals who have been rescued and can no longer return to the wild. We also got to meet many animals up close and personal and even touch them -- a snake, an owl, a skunk, and many others. A couple of days we ventured out into the heat (118 degrees was the heat index) to gather fossils and examine a nearby marsh. On our return to Bethesda, Brian, Addie's Dad, drove down to spend an overnight with us and on Sunday we had to say our goodbyes. We are going to miss her!!

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Bruce met Brian halfway between our house and their house in Allentown, NJ to pick up Addie and bring her here. We went to the playground for awhile -- always a staple -- and then to Imagination Stage in Bethesda to see a performance of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." "Oh," said Addie, finally connecting the dots, "It's Narnia!" which she had seen about 3,000 times! Anyway, it was a terrific performance told in dance (in conjunction with Washington Ballet) and music. The puppetry was amazing, especially the way Mrs. Beaver moved, and of course, Aslan, the gigantic lion. We loved it.

Addie

Tomorrow we begin our private visit with Addie our 9-year-old granddaughter. We're going to participate in a grandparent/grandchild program in Newport News, VA, sponsored by Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel). Last year we took Brody, our eldest grandchild, and this year it's Addie's turn. Next year, or maybe the one following, we'll take Van, now 7 years old. It's a wonderful gift to be able to spend time with one grandchild sans parents and siblings. We'll be exploring the Chesapeake bay, mucking around in the mud, kayaking, and lots of other things. There will also be time to hang at the hotel pool and one free afternoon to do as we like. I'm going to lobby for the beach which might be a hard sell as Bruce doesn't care for sand. The old joke between us is that he likes the middle of the ocean whereas I prefer the edges! Addie is an amazing little girl. She is a real athlete and also composes music and plays the piano. She likes to play games on our I-Phones and to read. She is also an awesome writer and a math whiz. It's going to be so much fun to have this time with "just" her.

The News

Oh good grief, I'm getting tired of reading about troubles. Take this morning's Post for example: (Washington Mayor) Gray's victory called tainted, Saying arrivederci to retirement dreams, Dispute over parliament threatens Egypt's transition, N.Y. Fed was told of Libor issues as early as 2007, etc. I prefer to think back on yesterday's yoga class during which the teacher asked us to share a bit about ourselves and also to describe what kind of service we do. Every person had something to say about that and the answers were heartening. One young woman takes care of her father who has cancer, another is a stem cell researcher at NIH. Our lone male works in computers at NIH to dispense medical information to millions. A woman who was out of work for 8 months formed a support group for others in the same position. Two of us teach English to adult learners. Another is a psychiatrist, someone else a stay-at-home mom who volunteers for a non-profit. The positive energy in the class was so affirming. Maybe we all need to pay more attention to the things that ARE working in our lives and in the world.

When I was growing up in Erie, everyone I knew was a Republican.  Everyone but Cousin Marie, that is, who lived in New York.  She was my mother's cousin, the daughter of my grandmother's step-sister Jennie, the maven of our Swedish clan.  Marie was a tall, handsome woman who dressed always in conservative suits and sensible shoes.  She adored New York where she lived for many years in a tiny 3rd floor walkup at 156 W. 10th.  She had one close friend named Birdie who lived nearby I guess --I never met her or visited her apartment -- with several cats.  I would bet my last dollar that Cousin Marie and Birdie were lesbians, but in those days the closet was tightly locked.

When she wasn't working at her job as a secretary in a mid-town law office, Marie volunteered at a hospital in the Village, and spent a lot of her money on opera tickets.  She was also greatly amused whenever she visited Julius's, the gay bar across the street.  Something was always going on at Julius's which she would report with relish, like the man dressed in a pink tutu who had come flying through the place on roller skates one Halloween.

She didn't particularly like to travel, but occasionally in the summer she would hop on a plane and visit her Erie relatives.  She was eager to escape the heat of the city and drawn to the prospect of sinking her teeth into luscious ripe peaches hanging from the trees in our yard and playing countless games of bridge in the evening.

When things got dull -- trust me, not much was happening here -- she or my father would start in with the puns.  "That's a nice clock you have, John.  Let's FACE it."  And my father, straight-faced would respond.  "Good idea, but I don't really have the TIME."  This type of exchange could go on for hours, interspersed with the bidding and playing of hands.

One evening, after all the puns had run dry, Cousin Marie decided to try a different tack.  "I think Harry Truman was a great man," she opined.  I think my father half-lifted off his seat before the words came out of his mouth, the words he always used to describe Truman:  "That S.O.B.!"  I was never sure just why he thought so little of Truman, other than that he was a Democrat.  And that would be enough for him.

He would be unhappy to know that his daughter has gone to the other side.  It was W. who pushed me over the edge, but that's another story and another blog.

Our Tree

We were lucky.  During the storm our house sustained no damage and we never lost power.  However, three days later four giant limbs of an oak tree in front started to fall.  We ran out to the porch just in time to hear loud cracking sounds and watch helplessly as about a third of that tree plunged into the street.  Others who had heard the sounds stood sentinel at either end of our property to warn drivers and pedestrians of the coming danger.  Scary.

Good news.  By the next day Pepco and the county had removed the tree -- one branch had landed on wires but not disrupted electricity -- and cleared the street.

heat wave

Erie Girl is trying to stay cool in Bethesda in the 100+ degree heat of the past few days.  It's unbelievable as is the widespread damage caused by the "derecho" that swept through here a week ago last night.  Tree limbs 10" in diameter and more have been wrenched from tree trunks and thrown helter-skelter like match sticks.  Friends have had some of these sailing limbs land on their homes and even crash into their bedrooms.  Many are still without power.  Fortunately, no one I know has been injured, but some injuries and deaths have been reported in the paper.

I grew up in Erie where we had heat waves, maybe into the 90's, but nothing like this.  However, it was warm enough as no one had air conditioning in those times.  Except me, that is.  My parents finally took pity on me and installed a tiny window unit in my upstairs bedroom.  Between that and regular trips to the peninsula to swim in the cool waters of Lake Erie, I survived.

So, about the blog.  It's my latest attempt to get myself WRITING again.  I've taken yet another workshop at the Writer's Center in Bethesda, a fabulous place.  That helped.  What also helped was the group that emerged from the workshop.  We are seven women, of varying ages, from 40's to 70's, I would guess.  At 71, I'm probably the oldest.  Unfortunately, our youngest member, Sarah, whom we all thought was wonderful, has recently moved back to Wisconsin on her way to Beirut, but that's a whole other story.  Anyway, the group has been meeting every other week over the summer, even though that's a difficult time to write.  Some of our members have young children at home; others, like me, do a lot of traveling.  Nonetheless, we like the synergy of the group and are eager to keep it going.  In the fall, we'll be able to settle down to a more systematic schedule, at least I hope so.  At least I hope that I can.

My problem is that I don't really know what to write about.  I also don't know where to publish what I write.  The market is so scattered now, with on-line stuff in addition to hard copy publications.  It's hard to know where to start.  AND, it takes FOREVER to comb through all the possibilities.  So I guess I really have to ask myself why I want to write and for whom?  Maybe it's enough to write for me, for my family, and for my friends.