A few months back I remember posting something about how much we read and how we were running out of books to fill our extra time.  That’s really not the case anymore.  Now are nights are filled with work- Queen Bee, the English Academy, and more Queen Bee.  I’m in love with it.  I’ve never been more passionate about my work at any time in my life and I work into the night because I want to.  I still read when I can.  I find a few hours every now and again to follow Hemingway around the mountains of Spain in wartime, but not like I used to.  I enjoyed that time that we had, 2-3 hours every night to rest, read, and reflect on the day.  I think it’s something we needed for the time it lasted.  That, however, is a season that passed.  Now it is time to move forward.  After Monte Cristo lost its funding in 2008, it has been struggling to stay alive.  It is donor-backed again, but it’s like a tree cut down to its roots, only just now leaving the soil a second time.  It’s a turning point for Monte Cristo, and it’s thrilling to be on the ride as we create a vision for the future of our center.  It’s more exciting to know that Queen Bee is a part of that future, and that Hilary and I can be behind the reigns, at least for a time.  Maybe the day will come again when I have 2-3 hours every night to read.  I expect that day is far away and will be well-deserved when it comes.  For now, I look forward to my days full of work and dream for Monte Cristo.