I am scandalously behind on blog posts,largely because it has been an interesting and engaging summer so far, with plenty more interest to come. Here's what's been keeping me busy:

In early May I went to Inkshed, which was wonderful. Just a few pictures:

The view out of the meeting room window.







Inkshedders pontificating over beer. (One of the best parts of Inkshed - the hallway conversations.)







Russ in mid-sentence.







The conference was perfect, to my mind. It was smaller than usual, which meant that I had lots of different conversations with the same people - 3 or 4 over the course of the weekend - and it felt like I really got to catch up with old friends and also start to make new ones. And the best part was dinner on Keswick Ridge on Saturday night. (No pictures, alas.) The Hunts' hospitality just seems to expand as necessary, whether it's to accommodate a single guest or to host a wedding reception, and this time was no exception. Anne (and her granddaughter) made baked salmon (for 20,mind you), new potatoes with lime mayonnaise, and two salads, and it was all delicious. (No surprises there; I've yet to eat a meal at the Hunts' that wasn't delicious.)

On Sunday, I caught a very early flight out of Fredericton. I was met at the Detroit airport by Louise, driving my fully pre-packed car. From there, we motored off to Gettysburg for five days. Louise did research in the archives, at the battlefield, and at various places in town, while I spent my days at the cabin we rented. (Unfortunately, my battery died after I got these two shots.)











The cabin was just across the road from a state park. I'd brought my kayak and my bicycle, but didn't use much of either, as it rained two out of the three days we were at the cabin. Instead, I caught up on my sleep, got lots of knitting done, and enjoyed the peace and quiet. (I did ride my bike one day, and I hiked a bunch the first day, so I wasn't a total spud, but still. I was surprised at how little steam I had.)

We spent Friday night in Gettysburg, which was also fun in a different way. We drove around the battlefield at dusk, and Louise, who had gone on the battlefield tour and who had spent three days researching stories from the battle, told me what she knew about it all.

The battlefield itself is beautiful. It was kind of eerie and sad and serene all at the same time. It formed a stark contrast with the town, which was tacky in this really late-19th century way - lots of emphasis on the supernatural, for one thing. There were lots of stores selling Civil War relics and replicas and such, which I found very peculiar. (I just completely fail to get the sense in which any war is "cool." I can't imagine wanting a bullet, say.) My favorite absurdity was Pickett's Restaurant ("Is that where you get your Gettysburger?" Emil asked). To think all those men fought and died to find their efforts immortalized in an overpriced, not-very-good restaurant . . . There is just something wrong with that picture, and I can't quite articulate it.

Nonetheless, it was a very pleasant trip.

Then came a home-based interlude when we celebrated the boys' birthdays and then Father's Day. Emil's been working on the pond:







It's now got plants and fish in it, and it is a very hypnotic vista indeed. (Pond pix tomorrow.)







That's Emil watching the goldfish swim around.

For the past few days I've been camping with Emma and Dave up at Straits State Park in St. Ignace. Here's the view out my tent:







And here was the view from the fire pit:







This meant, of course, that at night, when we sat by the fire, we could see the lights on the bridge twinkling (and hear the traffic noise, alas. But worth it for the view.) Thursday night was clear and the moon was full; we watched it rise, big and orange, on the left side of the lake, and track across the Straits, moonlight glimmering on the water and casting light almost bright enough to read by . . . (I managed to show Emma that really, her flashlight was optional. I don't know if she believed me but she had the good grace to humor me, at least.)

It was a good trip, and one I never expected to take; Emma has never liked camping, as far as I can tell, but this trip was her idea. I was totally thrilled at the prospect of camping; I absolutely love it, but won't go alone. I would really love it if Emma and Dave decided it was fun; I had glimmers of camping with grandchildren this weekend that positively set me humming. (Not that I'm in a hurry for grandchildren. But they sure are starting to sound like fun. Perhaps it's because grandchildren are beginning to break out among our circle . . . ) But whatever. It was an awfully fine weekend.

There are more pix at my flickr site (click on one of those pix above to get there).

And, finally, Emil and I had another Pet Store Mishap tonight . . . went for a fish and came home with a guinea pig. (Pix tomorrow.) His name is Pavel (after Pavel Datsyuk, of course).

More soon, I hope.