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If you were here and we were having a coke at Denny’s right now (it’s FAR too late for coffee!) at 10:54 p.m. I’d tell you it’s been one heck of a long day! I would extol the foresight of hotels to serve buffet breakfasts at no charge as it got us out of the hotel early and on the cheap!

If we were having a coke at Denny’s I’d tell you we spent the day exploring Baltimore’s inner harbor where we climbed all over the U.S.S. Constellation. It’s one of only two remaining Civil War sloop-of-war/corvette ships. (And you thought a corvette was only a car!) It was launched in 1864. I would also tell you I found out today its sister ship, the U.S.S. Constitution, that’s usually at the Maritime Museum in Boston Harbor, has now been dry-docked for three years for repairs. The Constellation is a beauty.

If we were having a coke at Denny’s now I’d tell you that we walked 6.6 miles today (14,741 steps). You’d be able to see that my face AND head got a lovely sunburn! And I’d for sure tell you my back was NOT happy with that abuse!

If we were having a coke at Denny’s I’d tell you that by the time we got back to my daughter’s and sent the “boys” (including 6-year-old Ethan and 4-year-old Liam) off on the metro to a Washington Nationals’ game, I could barely keep my eyes open. I’d tell you that I stayed at the house and watched 4-year-old Caleb while Stef and baby Lydia ran to the store, and I nearly fell asleep a dozen times reading to Caleb. And he’s SO smart he KNOWS if you miss a word!

If we were having a coke at Denny’s I’d tell you I was SO bloomin’ relieved to see Stef pull in the drive that I nearly fell asleep on the spot! Indeed, I was SO tired I had to forego my trip to the park with her and the kiddos and lie down for a nap — two hours. That’s the second day in a row I’ve felt like I’d been run over by a Mac truck! I’d tell you I was disappointed because I’d been looking forward to spending that time with my daughter.

If we were having a coke at Denny’s I’d tell you that I was VERY surprised when we got in the car tonight and pulled away from the house to go back to the hotel because our daughter — who doesn’t have a sentimental bone in her body — stood at the front door and waved as we honked pulled away…an old family tradition. I’d tell you it made me all teary because it means she’s realizing (I think) that she’s no longer invincible, and that makes me a little sad. (See Goodbye Ritual.)

If we were having a coke at Denny’s right now I’d tell you it’s WAY past my bedtime (11:28 — I type slowly on this!) and I’m half dead so I’m going to bed! I’d also tell you that I’m very thankful this trip has been stress-free so far (except for my occasional lapses in consciousness), and I’m sad we only have three more days with our grandkiddos. They change so fast between the times we get to see them.

So goodnight! See you around tomorrow, God willing!

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Writing 101 Day 10

Update your readers over a cup of coffee

No matter what type of blog you have, it’s sometimes necessary to post updates: from project news to personal messages about what’s going on in your life. One creative approach to an update post is a “virtual coffee date,” as seen on Kate Goes Global, which is like catching up with an old friend over a cup of coffee.

In her post, Kate begins each paragraph with If we were having coffee right now… and then adds a detail. You can share any details you’d like and include as many as you want, as long as you begin each with If we were having coffee right now… (or a variation of this phrase, as seen on Girl with the Red Hair).

It’s a simple idea, but offers a bit more structure to your post — and is a lot more fun. So today, write an update post in the form of a virtual coffee date.

If this post isn’t fitting for your blog, or just not your style, here’s your alternative: use a coffee shop as your inspiration.

  • Set your poem or short story in a cafe.
  • Go to your neighborhood spot with your laptop or notebook and free-write for 20 minutes, prompted by what you observe.
  • Love or hate coffee? Tell us why.