I’m calling it this although many others, in other parts of the country, would laugh if we told them the temperature today was in the high 70s low 80s. Yes, a bit warm, the sort of weather that makes you want to curl up with a book or take a nap. Me, I found myself wishing that I lived near a lake – even a small one like the one we lived next to in South Carolina would suffice.

When I went out to tend to the horses at 9:00 a.m. this morning, it was a little chilly. By the time I finished, 45 minutes later, the temperature had risen and it was pretty warm out. Fortunately, the horses’ enclosure is partially surrounded by trees so they would not swelter.

The heat of the sun, at least in the morning, was energizing. For a while, at least, I was good for getting things done. I began my workday by going over to Fireside Books and telling Ruth, a local who works there, that I liked the cover she came up with for this year’s state fair program.

The cover features horses in differing disciplines, doing different things. I told Ruth that this will draw attention to the more horsey aspects of the fair. I did not say that the Bright Lights Book Project will be situated in the equestrian area because I had no idea what her response to this might be. After talking with Ruth, I went back to the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel and grabbed a book, The Rose Horse, and gave it to Ruth.

I also didn’t say how lucky she is, to have a paying job that centers around selling books, and that it is one that gives her time to paint.

My time is coming.

I spent the afternoon boxing up books that are going to the Kenai this weekend. All total, I have now boxed up 50 boxes of books. Pete will be heading in that direction on Saturday – my goal was to box up 100 boxes of books, but I doubt I’ll get there. I’d have just two days to do this. I won’t have the time.

Leslie, the new BLBP hire, came in today in order to get a feel for what we are doing and what she’s going to be doing. As she and Pete talked, I realized that I did not make a mistake. Leslie was the best choice.

It was tough because the other two candidates were equally qualified. Maybe in the future I won’t have to make these kinds of decisions.

I get this sense that I am packing as much as I can into this life. We, none of us, get very much time. Just enough time to look around and maybe make one substantial contribution. I see this in writer’s works all the time. They pick a genre and go for it. It would take time they don’t have, learning this way is sadly, not for me.

Next: 214. 8/11/26: Deadlines