Life Creates a Hiatus

Well, it's been a while and all I can say is 'Sorry about that!'  Don't know why but the title 'Death Takes a Holiday' springs to mind, though no one has died, at least not in the sense of my long break.  It is more rather a sense of 'Life creates a hiatus'.  This seems much more fitting, though I haven't even had any sort of vacatin, yet ... except it would seem from my blog.  My schedule just grew to be a little bit hectic.  So the question is where have I been and what have I been up to?  Yes, I know that is two questions and not one.  Remember I can get a little wordy and if it seemed appropriate here, I would insert a winking emoticon.  The answer to the first question is quite simple:  I've been right here.  Ok, so if I'm honest I have been within a 50 mile radius of my computer.  The answer to the second is more exciting depending upon your point of view and your thoughts concerning Church and State.  The first portion of the summer was spent preparing for and instructing sessions of old-fashioned Vacation Bible School at each of the parishes we serve.  The totality of June through August ... except for the part about VBS ... was spent in meetings, arranging and running around to set up the celebration of our town's Quasquicentennial - a big fancy word meaning 125 years.  I was priveleged to work on the planning committe with a great group of people and honored to serve as the chair.  Was it a wonderful celebration?  Yes!  Am I glad it is over?  Yes!  Since the celebration the end of August, there has been some paperwork to complete and acknowledgments to get out as the committe gradualy winds down and recovers.  Through it all, I don't want you to think I have been totally slacking off with my book.  I have completed an edit, numbered the chapters, pared my synopsis, written a back cover blurb and worked on my query letter.  Nevertheless, I have not forgotten about you and have even spared my blog a moment or two of guilt from time to time as various topics flooded my mind like waves washing the shore only to recede leaving pebbles and bits and pieces of who knows what in their wake.  Now it is time to get back on track, sift through the pebbles and put pen to paper ... or fingers to keyboard ... once more.  Or, in other words, as Samwise Gamgee would say "Well, I'm back."