Mid July and it seems the hurrier I go, the behinder I get.

Trying to squeeze two weeks of R&R into a busy newspaper's publishing schedule without missing a beat or dropping a note may seem like "Mission Impossible" to many. But to a seasoned professional, it is one of those things that simply must be done.

Add, too, the sibling pressure of a full-blown family reunion scheduled around the back-to-back festivities of my oldest nephew's wedding June 26 and my daughter Kristina's 20th birthday June 27. Simmer with some Tex-Mex spices and nine days of 100-plus degree heat mixed with humidity levels of nearly 60 percent in Dallas due to the thunderstorms kicked up by Hurricane Alex and you can tell we had one heck of a great time!

How is your summer going?

I guess that if these things called vacations don't kill us, they eventually do make us stronger and smarter.

By the time you read this, the Writers Forum summertime pot luck—set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 14—should be about two weeks away. With any luck and a bit of foresight, you have managed to mark this date on an easy-to-find calendar and set aside some time to join socially with us for a couple of hours.

We are gathering this year at the Gazebo in Anderson River Park. From Redding, via Interstate 5, take Exit 670 for Riverside Ave. Turn left at Riverside, turn right at North Street, then turn left at Stingy Lane. Another left at Rupert Road and you are almost there.

The gazebo is just off of Rupert Road after you make the right-hand curve at the river's edge. Take the very next partial right paved road and the gazebo will be off to your left as you come down a slight hill into a parking lot.

I'll try to have signs up about 10 a.m. to help guide the way in.

Bring your own meat to grill on the barbecue, any adult beverages should you desire them, a side dish, salad or dessert and serving tool with which to share your dish with others. Writers Forum will provide the paper goods (plates, cups, napkins, plastic forks, knives and spoons).

I promise no long-winded speeches.

The park is a great place to relax, throw a Frisbee or ball around, relax, eat, relax, swim at your own risk (the water is cold) and relax.

Bring the entire family. We have the gazebo area rented for the entire day, although the Writers Forum luncheon officially ends at 2 p.m. so spread out a blanket, lawn chairs or Twister game and then plan to do some serious relaxing.

There will be plenty of time in September to work ourselves into a frenzy with speakers, workshops, bylaw revisions, Authors Fair and all the rest of the planned activities.