Last Monday I took Grandma E to the doctor and lunch. It was the first time I’ve taken a few hours off on a weekday this summer.
It was 95 that day. As I was driving home I realized that I hadn’t enjoyed much of this summer weather. I’d been cooped up in the Kor cave toiling away on promo work and writing work.
So I made an executive decision, I was going swimming that evening. Didn’t matter that I showered that morning. I couldn’t be bothered to try to coordinate that aspect of my schedule.
At 7 p.m., as I was heading over to my aunt’s pool, our power went out. I didn’t care. I was going. When I arrived, their power was out too. So Grandma H joined me in the pool. My aunt and uncle came up too. There wasn’t much else to do but hang out.
I swam 40 laps. My aunt joked that she was watching the Summer Olympics. My uncle called around to find out what was going on with the power outage.
Grandma H cheered me on. She’d ask, “What lap are you on now?” and then say, “Good, keep going.”
When I told her I was almost done, she said, “Why not do a few more?”
She was loving her pool time. My goal was to swim to my age. But I pushed onward to 40.
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TGWIG’s Release is Almost Here
It’s less than a week until the book officially releases. The ebook comes out July 31 and the paperback is August 1. I can’t believe it’s really here.
I’ve been finishing up the posts for the blog tour. Working on school visit workshops. And finishing up the ending of TGWIG’s sequel. Still have a few more days on that and then a round of revisions in August before the first draft feels complete.
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Preorders and Free Bookplates
If you preorder the paperback from Amazon and you can’t get to one of my signings, I will mail you a free bookplate. Just email me a screenshot of your preorder (kourtney(dot)heintz(at) yahoo(dot)com) with your mailing address and I’ll send it out to you!
I can also autograph your Kindle or ebook copy. Just pop over to Authorgraph and request an autograph.
TGWIG Giveaways
With the release date looming, there are a few book giveaways going on this week to celebrate TGWIG’s arrival!
What I’m Reading Now
After Readercon, I’ve been sneaking in 30 minutes of reading before bed. So far I’ve finished Paige Shelton’s awesome Bushel Full of Murders, and moved on to Gretchen Archer’s tantalizing Double Mint.
I think that power outage was Divine Timing Lol.. Good that you had some quality time out with family Kourtney.. and I am impressed with your laps.. I can barely do 4 without stopping.. :-).. The pool looks good.. Keep enjoying those time out moments.. they do you good 🙂 and refresh the Spirit! <3 Hugs Sue
It was funny how I put aside time and then the universe decided everyone else would too! I work out an hour everyday. Been doing that for 2 years now, so my body is in pretty good shape. I do 6 and break for a minute or two. After 25 it’s easy to just keep going. The pool was so clear. Gorgeous. I definitely need them. Went again on Friday and planning to go this week too. 🙂 Hugs, K
Good for you. Enjoy! xxx
Thanks! 🙂
You were definitely tuned into the universe on Saturday! Why else would you suddenly decide to go swimming right when the electricity went out? I envy your perfect timing. And best of luck with the book launch. It all sounds exciting.
It was neat. Like the universe agreed that this was the right time to walk away from the laptop. 🙂 Thanks. It’s an exciting and hectic week here. 😉
Glad you took time out for a summer swim. I, too, feel like I’m missing out on much of the summer weather. I think I’ll take a day off and head to an amusement park with the kids. Sometimes you just gotta leave the work behind. 🙂
Oh, and I’m thrilled to see a small appearance by Grandma H!
We had to curtail our Wednesday outings when I started teaching. I do get to see her for family stuff though. Just hung out with her at a graduation party on Saturday where she announced, “I want cake. I’m not leaving until I get cake.”
I don’t blame her. Smart lady. 😉
It was pretty hilarious. Especially since my uncle was planning to leave but that announcement stopped him cold. 🙂
Me too. I squeezed in another one on Friday and did 45 laps. I’m aiming for 50 on Thursday. 🙂 I think that’s a splendid idea. You have to fit in a little you time whenever and wherever you can. 🙂 I could work 20 hours a day and still not get it all done.
“I could work 20 hours a day and still not get it all done.”—I hear you on that one!
It’s crazy how much there is to do. 🙂
That’s great that you were able to do that! The pool looks pretty distracting though – I think I’d be tempted to go there all the time and forget about the writing. 🙂
I’m kinda weird with oceans and pools. I can’t just hang out. I have to be actively doing something like swimming laps or walking the beach. I can’t lay around without getting fidgety. 😉
The swim sounds like a great workout, Kourtney. It’s winter here, but I’m sure I’ll be finding the closest pool come summertime 😀
Awesome workout. Slept so soundly that night too. Ah yeah that equator season change. Only in an in indoor heated pool now, right?
Glad you managed to have some time out in the pool though it strikes me you didn’t do much relaxing in it 🙂 Looking forward to the book dropping into my reader this week!
LOL. Getting in physical activity relaxes me. 🙂 I do a lot of sitting each day. I actually get tense just hanging out by a pool. I need something to do. 😉 Aw thank you! I can’t believe it’s really here!
If I had to swim my age in laps you’d find me at the bottom of the pool! But it sounds delightful, and what a great swim coach you have. Enjoy the summer, as I remember it, your winters are tough.
Yeah, that goal was way easier in my teens. I’m shooting for 50 laps this week. And sixty by the end of the summer. LOL. She really is hysterical watching me and encouraging me. Yes, the winters were very rough here. I definitely should schedule more outdoor time while I can!
It’s been ages since I’ve experienced a power outage. Now that I’m thinking of it, haven’t had one since moving to the UK. Now that I’ve written this, it’ll happen. Probably should get the candles and flashlights prepared.
Congrats on the upcoming release!
We get them pretty often out in the country. At least a few a year. Storms or cars hitting poles. When I was in the city it was a rare event. 🙂 Yes, best to get that stuff out. 😉
Thanks!
That sounds like an awesome way to spend any evening, but especially one without power. In some ways, don’t you wish we had more power-less evenings? So long as we’re not freezing or sweltering too much, of course. While I do love writing and have been known to take a notebook with me to a beach or park, I do come to appreciate those times when I’m forced to set down my pen or tablet and enjoy what’s around me. We’re pushed so hard every day to fulfill so many goals – work, hobby, life – that we often forget to go for that refreshing swim. I love my tech but I also think it’s disconnected us in many ways from the visceral world. Good to hear you took some time out to enjoy it! 🙂
Oh, and about this? “My goal was to swim to my age. But I pushed onward to 40.” Enjoy that while it lasts, too, young lady. 😉
It was a fun hour. 🙂 Luckily by the time I was done, the power was back on. I do, just not right now. 😉 There is a neverending to do list going on and I need my wifi and my laptop going for the next month at least. I try to fit in a work out everyday. Grabbing a sliver of family time is good. Aging is weird. Some days I don’t mind and others I freak out about another white hair in my eyebrows. But it won’t stop time from marching on. Luckily, I can hide behind my keyboard. 😉
Swimming is a perfect break – sort of other worldy experience without gravity and being totally dunked into another world/time/place. Also the prefect exercise. (and the pool and company seem so lovely there)
Finding time for yourself is important and will refresh whether diving into book or pool.
Good plan
I’ve been trying to read more and swim more. Two very important exercises. I need that quiet time. I didn’t get my work out today and I feel it. 🙁
Sounds like a nice evening at the pool with family. So glad you took a break, even though you worked hard on those laps. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to reading the book (entered the giveaway).
Thanks. It was. Felt like summer for a moment. It didn’t feel like work. I swim at a leisurely pace. An hour to do 40 laps. Thanks. Best of luck. 🙂
I’m not big on pools and beaches because, like you, I tend to get antsy just “lying about.” So I’d be doing those laps, too. 😉
So excited for the big release days and being part of your blog tour next week!
I sit still for hours on end every day. I’m always looking for ways to add activity to my day. 🙂 Maybe someday we’ll meet up and swim some laps. 🙂 I can’t believe it’s coming up so fast. Been running around getting out flyer for events in town. So many things to get done this week. And then the blog tour goes into overdrive. Thank you so much for having me! 🙂
I miss having a pool at home. I love swimming as exercise. It’s so good for you. While I’m close to a beach, I’m not big on swimming in ocean water — too cold! But I love walking along the beach, and that’s great exercise too, especially when the sand is dry and you’re barefoot!
I had an indoor pool at my first apartment in NYC. It was awesome swimming laps at night. My San Diego apartment had a heated pool. Good times. Now I borrow my aunt’s. LOL. Great exercise. Hoped to swim this week, but got a killer sore throat. Pushing through for promo stuff but curtailing the exercise. Love the ocean. Here in the Long Island Sound the water is warmer. Come south and swim here. 🙂
Okay, you’re on! 🙂
LOL. Anytime. I’ll meet you down at the shore. My favorite town is Old Saybrook. 😉
Summer is the best time to do new things or to do old things in new, (perhaps rad )ways!…
I love this post… Good luck with your writing and best wishes to you, as ever! Aquileana 😀
LOL. It is. I managed to get in another swim this weekend. Only 30 laps. I was getting over a virus and not up to normal strength yet. 🙂 Thanks so much for all your kind wishes.