Readers are receiving two posts today, this update, and this week’s comics instalment.

I’ve had a busy week; the Bayfield Historical Society asked me to speak about “I Had a Swell Time,” and CBC Radio reached out for an interview for Afternoon Drive London. All very welcome invitations. I was thrilled.

The bulk of my summer has been spent face to face with my laptop doing homework for the fiction writing course I’m taking. Everyday, no matter what I’m doing, my mind is thrumming with the refrain, “I have homework, homework, homework.” 

The course is set up for students to submit specific writing exercises and if you pass, you move up to the next level. If your work needs revision, you re-submit. Of course, upon entering the program I assumed I would sail through the lower levels, and …no, not so. I am stuck in the purgatory of the early-stage lessons. I submit my work, it comes back, “needs revision,” (with feedback) and I re-submit, lather, and repeat. 

To be honest, I am learning a lot… but the “needs revision” refrain is frustrating.

But then, guess what? The course instructor reached out to ask if I’d like to be part of a select group of students to work with them on my own book. I did not hesitate, “Yes, yes I would.” 

I have no details yet on how this will work, we’re talking next week. I’m assuming, (never assume), that even though I am frustrated and feel “stuck,” they are seeing something else. They are my mentors–and mentors are supposed to challenge you. I keep thinking of Danny in The Karate Kid, the whole “wax on, wax off” lesson.

I’ll be back with another update next month. If you’ll excuse me, I have homework to do.

In the meantime, the comics will continue… Can I say? The readers who have reached out to say how much they are enjoying them are the readers who read them the first time around. That’s a recommendation for first time readers… If you are behind and would like to catch up, it’s all on the web site, Contentment is for Cows, …click here.

Keep your joy.

Posted every Sunday, unless it’s a holiday or summertime.

Contentment is for Cows: Short and sweet reflections on life’s complications.