It’s Saturday, but only about 2 AM. Had a long talk with Sasha White tonight. We talked about things we want to do and see on our vacation/retreat, and after I hung up I started doing the worry thing—you know, what do I wear? what should I pack? Sheesh, I have to make a list (whenever I get restless or worried, I HAVE to have a list).

So here I am. One thing I was worried about was whether I’d really find time to write (that is one of our goals for the trip after all). I have to worry about that because I have so many balls that I’m juggling in the air right now that I don’t have a lot of slack time. The trip will be part vacation and I will be visiting Canada for the first time, but I justified it to myself as a writer’s retreat. Seems Sasha has some big goals too, so we’ll be guilting each other into getting something accomplished.

Can’t wait. I fly to Edmonton, Alberta on Thursday. My flight’s at a god-awful hour—6:42 AM. And since it’s an international flight, I think I have to be there two hours ahead of time. I may not go to bed the night before. The last trip I took with Sasha, that cruise to the Caribbean last winter, I left at about 1:00 AM, stopped at the Waffle House on the way for a very leisurely breakfast and arrrived at the airport well ahead of schedule. I’d rather be very, very early than rushing to the gate. I can always sleep on the plane.

So, today (after I get a few hours of sleep), I’ll be making my lists (packing list, things to get done before I go). My lists are always horribly ambitious. I just have to remember the priorities. Have to get my hair done Tuesday, nails on Wednesday. And lord, someone remind me to pack my passport. Forgetting it would really blow.

Anyway, I fly to Edmonton, spend a couple of days with her at her place, then we’re going on a road trip to Seattle for our writers’ retreat. We’ll be there five days, then drive back to Edmonton following a different route so we see some different scenery. We plan to see Banf, Jasper, Vancouver. We may even go see our friend Vivi Anna in Calgary!

Okay, so I’m finally yawning. I think I’ll try to go to sleep again. Later!