How did that happen? But it did. I counted the days and summer break was halfway over as of yesterday. (Remember, teachers report back a week early).

Wow! So what have I been writing? I’m a happy contributor to our local library’s Pulp arts and community blog. Our library is amazing. I mean, you can check out lawn games and artwork from our library. COME ON PEOPLE! That is AWESOME! Every time I meet someone who works at the library, I am completely impressed with how genuine and competent and cool he or she is.Mittenbrew

I also write for Concentrate/Second Wave Media. To my chagrin, my editor is leaving to move across the country. I am very sad about this, as he is honestly one of the best editors I have ever worked with. Hopefully, I can continue my association with them, because I absolutely love my twice-a-month history article that I write!

I am also a contributor at Mittenbrew, which has just grown in leaps and bounds since I joined a couple of years ago. It is really a thrill to write about the beer scene in Michigan. I have found it difficult to get my foot in the door in beer writing. I don’t know if this is because of limited opportunities, or gender issues (I did have one blatant issue of sexism crop up years ago), or what all. So I love them forever for giving me a chance to do this.

I’m also trying to concentrate on public speaking and storytelling. I have a long ways to go in both areas, so I am always watching speakers and tellers to pick up on ways to improve. I’ll be presenting a short talk at our library on Thursday, all about my co-op history book that I wrote. I always get nervous about these things–will anyone show up? will I just lose it right in the middle and start vomiting profusely? will I just stand there with my mouth open, breathing? I figure though that the day I stop getting nervous is the day I should stop doing it!

What have you been up to?