Disappointing news

This week began with sad news. My elementary/language arts tutor was forced to leave me. I almost allowed panic to set in as I remembered that the last search for an elementary tutor took almost two months. But this time I was determined to act swifter and more aggressively.

First, I asked my middle/high school math tutor how she felt about helping upper elementary kids with math. She agreed to take our two older elementary students, but that leaves two lower elementary students who still needed a tutor.

Then I went to each of the tutor web sites on which I’m signed up and searched for elementary tutors in the area. I sent each one an invitation to call me—about eight, I think.

Last, I called a young woman who happened into my office last week with an offer to tutor high school science and math. I thought it was unlikely she would be interested in working with lower elementary students, but worth a chance. Was I ever glad to hear that she is not only interested, but eager. Turns out, she once considered getting certified to teach elementary school. So she starts next Monday, and all of my younger students are covered.

I also received some disappointing running news. My good friend Beth, who recently moved to Colorado, can’t do the Estes Park, CO marathon in June. I’d rather wait and do it with her, so I decided to go in search of another one in late May or early June. I’m leaning toward Casper Wyoming on June 4. It looks like a mostly flat course for a mountainous state, and the route appears to be very scenic, much of it running along the Platte River.

As for The Daydream¹, I’m thinking about tabling it for now, with the expectation of doing a total rewrite later. (Every time I read GOOD writing, such as Connie May Fowler’s The Problem with Murmur Lee, I think I’m wasting my time thinking I’m a writer, or at least I need to improve the quality of my writing.) I want to continue working on The View from the Back² for now, since the marketing for it will be much easier, both in terms of selling the manuscript and marketing the book.

¹The Daydream is the story of my premature marriage, my descent into despair, and my rocky path up and out of that miserable life.

²The View from the Back chronicles the lessons and experiences of this “mature,” slow runner, from my first run through my most recent marathon.

That’s all for this week.

For my tutoring service, visit http://WiseOwlTutoring.net.

For more information about my writing and editing, visit http://BettieWailes.com.