The Lazy Days of Summer. . .

The Indras. . . rough and tumble, killer rock and roll, rockabilly, and R&B from the 1950s and early 1960s. From left to right: Paul, Kenny, Steve, and Stokes.

It's been kind of quiet here in Stollen Central lately without a great deal to report. Finally managed to get the painting/radio table cleared off and organized late last week, but have not yet managed to sit down and accomplish any painting since our return from Germany earlier this month. A few baby related things and some planning with the Grand Duchess -- including a bizarre prenatal/partner yoga session yesterday evening -- but not really anything that has sucked up huge blocks of time.

Nope, just taking things easy, walking in the evening with Sonja, chatting on the front porch, grilling occasionally, reading in the evenings, and , of course, trying to keep up with the mowing. We don't have a huge front and back yard, but they are big enough. And with all of the rain we've had this summer, the grass, flowers, and vegetable plants seem leap skyward as soon as we have the odd sunny, warm day or two.

School starts again in about four plus weeks, so it's unfortunately time to begin thinking about syllabi updates, a new course I'm teaching, and all of that administrative and logistic stuff once more. It always seems like you just start to relax -- really relax -- and then it's time to return to school. I suppose I shouldn't complain too loudly though. Not everyone is able to enjoy a month off, more or less, at Christmas and 2.5 months off in the late spring and most of the summer, so I really should stop moaning about this now I guess. Moving right along. . .

Issue #18 of Battlegames arrived in the mail this afternoon. A cursory look through it has me all excited to settle into bed late this evening and read from cover to cover. I also finished another article on painting white uniforms, which I'm going to try to submit to one of the "other" British wargaming periodicals on the market. Keep your figers crossed on that. In any case, I'll also use it for the book project that is starting to come together. I actually have quite a bit written when I look at everything, so it's simply a matter of filling in a few gaps, and then bugging the few publishers I have in mind with some query letters. More on all of that as things develop.

In the meantime, my amateur band -- The Indras -- has played out three times in as many weeks, which has been a lot of fun. This past Saturday night was our best engagement yet if I do say so myself. A local bar that was filled with young people in their 20s and 30s, who clearly dug our music based on the amount of dancing, cheering between songs, several requests, and general carrying on. A number of people even approached us as we packed up at the end of the night and mentioned that we put on a very hot show (expletives deleted). Who knew??!! Our schedule is a bit less hectic in August and September, but we've been asked to add another date to the latter based on our performance the other night.

Now, the Grand Duchess will be away visiting family in Wisconsin this weekend, so I plan to spend most of it here in Zum Stollenkeller painting. So, keep your eyes open for a painting update or two right here in the coming days.