Like that? It’s that time again. My last multi-city, multi-day road trip was taken on an Amtrack train from Harrisburg to Newark to Providence and back again. This next little jaunt will take me from Harrisburg to Norfolk, VA back up to DC and back home to Harrisburg on a little Hold Steady excursion. So at the end of [...]

I'm at the beach - my first vacation in about two years - and it's raining. I'm not complaining. We had an unexpected great day at the beach. According to forecasts, we weren't even supposed to SEE the sun today. So, when I awoke at 9:30 (yay for sleeping in on vacation) and the sun was bursting through my ocean-view sliding glass doors, I was thrilled. I threw on my new swimsuit, grabbed my new sunglasses and beach bag and plopped down in my beach chair. About an hour ago, we realized it was going to rain. The blue skies and sunshine had submitted to the looming storm clouds. But it's already been a productive vacation. So far I finished my book, read Women's Health, had a Coors Light and Combos for breakfast, played catch in the water with my mom and her beau - AND we just saw a neighboring fisherman pull in an 8-ft Sand Tiger Shark. (He also put him back, as is the law.) Plus, I have tons of work to do, so a little time when I can't be sunbathing isn't the worst thing in the world. While it would have been ideal to come down here without any looming deadlines, that's just not the way the way the ball bounces. I'm here all week, however, and my work should be done by tomorrow. That leaves a list of things to do that are not related to deadlines, including:

• sunbathing (I use an SPF, don't worry)
• daily 3-mile walks from here to Indian River Inlet and back
• shopping
• eating
• catching up with old friends
• reading (a Lauren Weisberger, a Jodi Piccoult and several magazines)
• napping

I aim to return to Harrisburg next weekend a refreshed, well-read person. Oh and tan. I also hope to be tan.