by Laura Crum
Lately I’ve been feeling a little burned out. Between finishing my twelfth mystery novel, keeping up with my son’s homeschooling, trying to get the spring garden in shape, doing the inevitable and necessary housework, and riding the horses at least a couple of times a week, oh, and did I mention I have a new puppy? Well, between all that I’ve gone into overwhelm. I don’t mean I’m having a nervous breakdown or anything, just that its been harder to feel very joyful. And this is too bad when you consider that I very much enjoy every single thing I’m doing. I just don’t enjoy them all at once, all the time.
I’m especially sad that I’m not enjoying the horses as much as I usually do. The new puppy’s demands for attention have really eaten into the little free time I had for messing with the horses. (Though the puppy herself is a delight--still, a lot of work, as all puppies are.) Not to mention the time I’ve spent pushing to finish the book. And paradoxically, once I get out of the groove of regular riding, I find it harder to enjoy the little bits of riding I’m able to do. I can’t explain it—I just notice its true.
So, I’ve decided I need a break. Time to shake things up a little. I’m mailing my completed manuscript to the editor today, and next week I’m departing on an open-ended camping trip, complete with dogs and family. Don’t know exactly where we’re going, except it will be south and east of here. Somewhere in the red rock desert. Don’t know exactly when we’ll be back, except it will be before Memorial weekend. I won’t be connecting to the internet, so no email or blogs. I hope to see some interesting things.
The only downer about this plan is that May is a lovely month here—my roses are looking wonderful, my horses are shedding out and looking pretty again as well. But I really do think I need a change of pace. My friend/boarder, Wally, is going to live here while we’re gone and take care of everything, which makes it possible for us to leave. So, anyway, I’ll post again when I get home, and I wish you all much fun with your horses in the meantime.
Cheers--Laura
