A tropical storm blew in from the south with 40 knots of wind and lots of rain. I joined Dave aboard the Richard & Arnold for a trip to Menemsha, Martha's Vineyard and safe haven. I didn't sleep much because of all the noise, but Saturday was sunny and we spent the day visiting friends around the harbor, ate at the Galley, terrific on the back deck and then an early night. Went fishing on Sunday and Monday but the numbers of fluke are down and it looks like the storm scattered the fish. Instead of burning fuel Dave tied up the boat in Woods Hole and we came home for a few extra days of R&R.

Dave went back fishing and my days have been filled with friends from afar, grandchildren and summer gardening. Lots of fresh beans, basil, zucchini and fresh flowers for the table. I have had little time for writing but it is always on my mind. I sent my manuscript out for a professional edit and it came back needing lots of work, changes to parts of the story and changes in punctuation. Aaaahhh well, if it's worth doing - it's worth doing right. Looks like I'll be spending the next few weeks / months at the computer instead of the garden and beach. I'd like to get it done so I can move on to another story, the one about the the Arethusa.

The book I am working on is a mystery set in Provincetown in 1938. I've had to do a great deal of research, but it's been a learning experience as well as fun.  Sometimes I listen to music by Glenn Miller or Tommy Dorsey just to get me in the mood. Pre WWII was a time of growth, fishing was good and the town prospered. There were 27 fish trucking businesses in town. Fish was cheap but plentiful and the fishermen's association held a dance to celebrate and give thanks. There is something about that era that draws me to it, the freedom, the community spirit and a sense of hope.  The Fishermen's Ball is my choice of title but others have been suggested, I'll have to think on it as I go along.