I set myself up in a corner on the tenth deck at the end of the smaller swimming pool.  My two posters advertising that I would sketch a left profile on anyone who would give me "interesting conversation" in exchange were on the table in front of me plus a finished sketch used to demonstrate my skills and mastery of this arcane art.  My sketchbook was at the ready and my pencils and eraser were displayed along with my battery operated sharpener.  So, I felt pretty good about myself.  All in all, through the five days I spent sitting like a spider in a web waiting for my bait to bring in subjects, I scored ten times.  Then, my back went out and I went on a borrowed heating pad.

 But my point is that it is not easy loafing around all day.  I saw all too many cases of people lazing around on beach chairs or wallowing around in the Jacuzzis and, generally, walking from one eating station to another.  Carol spent her time wisely and actively by going to arts and crafts sessions, playing bridge and even inveigled me into two trivia meetings.  I found that, although I sketched ten portraits (left side view only) most of my time was spent in waiting.  But, ever the activist, I read three books and began the revision of my novel, Nebuchadnezzar's Pillar.  That last was really an accomplishment for drawing inspiration mainly out of thin air is a pretty hard job, let me tell you.  After this THINKING ALLOWED I will try to put those notes I made into some coherent order and joyfully send the completed (but incomplete) story to my mentor (my former student, Dr. Rose Mary Sheldon, Chair of the History Department of VMI) who will forward it to her contacts in the writing biz.

It wasn't easy but it was energizing to find that I wrote swiftly and filled pages with, I think, what were necessary additions and changes in the few pages that I resurrected from hiding places I created years ago.  One problem is that I kept returning to the books I wanted to finish and one must look at the local passing parade from time to time.  Another problem was that I could not find an ink pen to write with and I think a lot of my scribbling in pencil will be blurred and hard to decipher.

Anyhow, I am back and after only three hours with a nice young man in the Philippians who helped me resurrect my computer from incapacity to operate my Outlook Express or the Internet , I am back at my keyboard which I like much better than using that antiquated instrument, pen and paper.  It is good to make contact with you once again.  I missed you.