Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning, Calliope.

CALLIOPE: Good morning, Joe. How are we this morning?

JOE: I can't speak for you, but I'm doing pretty well.

CALLIOPE: What news?

JOE: In this morning's paper, the column above mine was a rant about the war and its cost financially and in human life. Right under it was mine about finding ways to get along with people.

CALLIOPE: Did you think they fit together?

JOE: To some extent. They are opposite sides of the same coin. The problem is that getting more angry does not usually incline us to find ways to get along.

CALLIOPE: Agreed. So where does that leave you?

JOE: With parallel approaches. But I guess that's okay. I will keep doing what I am doing.

CALLIOPE: And how about the book?

JOE: I'm making some progress. I started the next chapter but found I needed to do some research.

CALLIOPE: Such as?

JOE: Such as where my wife's shop is located in Edgartown. I was in one just like the one I use in the novel. I also had to scout out a restaurant for my wife and her sister to lunch at before going out to Chappaquiddick for the afternoon.

CALLIOPE: So you did get some writing done?

JOE: Yes, but not as much as I would have liked. It seems things such as arrangements for my writers group keep cropping up.

CALLIOPE: That's life unless you want to be a hermit. At least you are moving in the right direction and got something done.

JOE: I plan to do some writing today and feel in the mood to at least finish this chapter and then think over the weekend about where to head next.

CALLIOPE: Be patient with yourself. It doesn't all have to be written at once.

JOE: That's sometimes hard to remember. I guess I need to learn how to slow down and enjoy the process more. There is really no rush.

CALLIOPE: Agreed. Besides you don't want to tax your muse too much.

(Lighthouse- Nantucket)