I’ve made a new discovery about myself:

“When I’m in the throes of writing fiction, it’s hard to shift gears into writing blogs.”

It’s curious. Because my fiction often spawns ideas for my newsletters and vice versa. And I have ideas. But somehow, they are not translating well into the form of a newsletter.

At least not now.

The good news is that I’m writing the final chapters of Book 3 in the Ascending Ladders series: Embracing Trust. I’m deep in the dramas of Sheryl, Alisha, and a brand-new character Gemma. I can’t wait to share the story with you in early 2026.

So, instead of a blog today, I’m going to share a couple of pictures from trips I’ve taken in recent weeks.

This one on the right below is me at Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island, NJ. I had a great time biking (hence the outfit), walking on the beach, and bodysurfing. I haven’t done the latter in a very long time, but I guess it’s like riding a bike. It came right back. So fun!

The next trip was the exact opposite. We went to Dillon, Colorado. We went hiking and biking there, although I confess that I used an e-bike. As someone used to riding near sea level and on relatively flat terrain, it was necessary.

So, within a little over a week, I went from sea level to a hike that peaked at over 12,000 feet (picture on the left).

Quite a change! The fun part is that I greatly enjoyed both trips. It’s wonderful to be able to experience many of the fascinating terrains this planet has to offer. I’ll be honest. I prefer the mountains to the beach, but it’s fun to visit both!

Where have you been traveling this summer? And what’s your favorite place to visit? I’d love to know.