For a day that started out badly . . .

Back in 2003 we bought a GOOD washing machine. We got a top of the line Maytag Neptune front-loader. Last week, for the second time in five years it has gone tits up. The rinse water does not drain away. I got the repair man and when he took it apart we saw that a circuit had burned out - see the streak of carbon on the board? And it will cost - swallow your coffee now - it will cost 469 dollars to repair it. Well fuck that for a bad idea! When I began pissing and moaning about how it's a Maytag for
God's sake, he just happened to mention that this partcular modle has had such a problem with this particular problem that there is a class action suit against the company. I have sent a letter of inquiry. I can buy a stripped down basic Kenmore for $319.99. In the meantime, I can drag all our dirty duds to the local laundromat and for four dollars get it all done in an hour.
But there are things going on that make me feel like a happy kitty. I met my copy editor at a charming little cafe and had an hour of unalloyed delight and a damn fine cup of tea. Pat Lichen, my copy editor, reads the book at least three times. Once just to see where the story goes. Once to catch spelling and punctuation. And the third time, she considers the continuity and the story arc. She is SO good! And she loves my work, so she stroked my ego while it rolled and purred shamelessly (thank you, for that image, Lucia)



Then DH came home, we loaded the car, and drove west through the lovely May afternoon. We are spending three days at a resort for free. We went to one of those time share presentations where they promise you a free trip if you sit and listen for 90 minutes. We're good at sitting and listening. And not buying. So now we collect on the prize. It's a mid-week getaway, and we happened to hit a rare sunny day. Here is the VanDuzer roadside rest stop. Right purty, ain't it?




But we are not staying there. We are staying at the Embarcadero in Newport Oregon. This is the view looking one way off our deck.
And this is the view looking the other way. There will be some picture-heavy posts for the next few days. I am so happy I can hardly stand it!!