Bonne Fête Nationale (Happy Bastille Day). My cousin’s son, who was in a bad bicycle accident several days ago, is showing signs of recovery from a serious head injury and lung infection. We’re grateful for his steady, yet slow, recovery. A few other folk I know have family or friends suffering from various ailments, illnesses, and accidents—including us! After sequestering and foregoing in 2020, this year seems like a write-off. Or maybe we should just view it as a recovery. Globally, the heat waves and forest fires are not only wreaking havoc on the planet, but affecting tens of thousands of lives, to say nothing of the violence breaking out in many countries. The headlines are depressing, and it’s making me want to close in for a while. Even at work, colleagues are struggling with team issues and personal struggles brought about by working from home for so long and the prospect of having to return to the office in the fall, at least part of the week.

On a brighter note, I had a nice bike ride this evening and stopped by my little lake to call Mamacita for a long chat. She shared my memoir with one of the residents, who “enjoyed it, thoroughly.” Speaking of, average daily sales are around a half dozen just on Amazon, which is pretty fantastic for an indie book. I’ve seen my royalties double in the past few months. Let’s hope the new book brings in some cash (publish date: soon; just waiting on a few marketing objectives to fall into place first). Life is good; I wish it could be good for everyone.