When I set out to learn about my mother's bridge club, the Jewish octogenarians behind the matching outfits and accessories, I never expected to fall in love with them. This is the story of the ladies, their game, their gen, and the ragged path that led me back to my mother.Going on vacation for two weeks. You can probably guess I’m not terribly good at vacations. Going on vacation, when you’re a workaholic, is like sending an innocent person to prison. The goal is to look at my phone twice a day. Sleep eight hours, or six. Stay off Ambien, and trust me it hasn’t been pretty. And to read FOR PLEASURE. I really hope I can hack it. I’ll miss you guys.
Do you do vacation?
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Betsy Lerner 
Can’t not write everyday.
I can do a weekend vacation, but anything longer better be a writing retreat somewhere pretty.
Just got back from spectacular scenery that had me shedding tears for what once was and seeing family we’ve been away from for way too long. Raced through a book I never would have read. It was great.
Did not write one word.
Now back to same old routine (I’m here aren’t I) and loving it.
Like they say, it’s great to get away but there’s nothing like the comfort of your own toilet seat.
All of my (pre-pandemic) vacations involved visiting the grands and doing the kinds of things they liked. I can’t recall the last legit me-time vacation I’ve had.
“Do you do vacation?”
Such a sense of humor you have, Betsy. Vacation? Do I look French? I may look French. Not knowing, can’t say.
It is hard for me to vacate. I am incapable of “reading for pleasure.” I am incapable of not writing. If I not write, then I do blue. Blue is a nice color, and even a useful mood — but truth is, I cannot not write. My mind and spirit suffer if I not write.
I took a week off last December. Christmas week. There was nowhere to go. Pandemic stalked the land, as did political chicanery.
I have to read. I have to write. Even if I “do vacation,” I read and write.
There. That’s settled.
I would love to get out of town to someplace that is not like where I am now. I miss the mountains and forests and wide open skies.
I also miss having home internet. My home internet failed eight days ago. It will be restored when it will be restored. No one knows when that will be. Meanwhile, I park my ass in the library with my laptop and carry on as best I can from there — from here — it is where I am now. I am always here, wherever it is I am. Here now is Chicago Public Library Edgewater Branch. I am grateful for it, and for many other things.
Have a good vacation.
How did I miss this??? I’m in Camp Tetman. I will write. I will read whatever it is I’m reading – but I don’t do what you do, so most times it’s for pleasure – although my writer’s brain will often start nitpicking.
DAMMIT. The comment was meant in general – not to you specifically Tetman – although I WAS going to come back to you and say you made me laugh at your, “Such a sense of humor you have, Betsy. Vacation? Do I look French? I may look French. . .”
Oh HELL yes.
Your two weeks ended five days ago. It’s Monday. So?
Must be having good times!