Bookstores, trip, country roads and fun: It has been a long time since we traveled-just the two of us. We use to be a threesome. Baby Girl, our miniature Dachshund decided to go on a long adventure without us. I know she is standing guard waiting for us to catch up. She was always on guard protecting us where she could keep us all to herself. This was our first solo trip in eleven years but, she was with us in spirit. We traveled the back roads to enjoy the countryside -just a touch of yesterday when people traveled slower and stopped at Mom and Pop cafes or an ice cream parlor. A time to gather ideas for stories and information for a future stop over, maybe at a B&B. I would like to call it "tripping" where we traveled light and quick. We packed a lot in it where we explored tiny specialty shops squeezed into small rooms in large old houses built in the 20s. Adventured through Barnes & Noble, and Anderson's independent bookshop and ate out often. I ordered from the children's menu when I could for the kid in me and at some places I enjoy the free toy. On the way home we did enjoy the Cracker Barrel and gift shop.

I checked the World War II books in the children and adult sections at both bookstores and it was sparse. It was interesting talking to the sales persons. I did purchase three books; Pearl Harbor by Stephen Krensky, published by Aladdin Paperbacks ready-to-Read, level 3, with lots of information in 42 pages with watercolor illustrations by Larry Day, Extraordinary Short Story Writing by Steven Otfinoski and published by Franklin Watts and Dachshunds for Dummies.(I love it.) The Dachsie book will be used to fact check Baby Girl's series providing insight into a 19 year-old Dachshund's life of happiness, injuries, recoveries and slowing down.

The most fun was being with family. It was a hot trip. It was spring green at Naperville and surrounding towns.

The remainder of this year will be packed with writing for children, adult and military magazines and working on future books. Writing and submitting press releases, creating curriculum for teaching creative writing for children and the newsletter editor for the Arkansas Submarine Veterans of World War II. Plus, we are expecting company we haven't seen for a few years, traveling, attending writers workshops and a week for my book release and signings.

Take a deep breath and enjoy the day.