I’m taking a day off today from writing anything but fiction (minus this post).

I feel like I’m ready to come out of my funk – and there’s truly no other way to find out than to lock myself in my room.

I read a few short stories from Hemingway this weekend, which made me feel a lot better.

We all know how I feel about mentors – it’s a dangerous game – but I found comfort in some things he said, some worries he obviously had.

BUT, I’m not so far gone as to spend an 80-degree day inside, so I’m only going to work this morning.

Last night, we had another grill out and drank bottles of Red Stripe.

I first had it in Jamaica when I was 18, and I still remember the bar we were at and even the song that was playing on the stereo when I took my first sip (this version of Big Bamboo).

Sort of awesome, the things you can remember.

It’s a great warm-weather beer – it goes down like a summer and punches like a winter.

Have a few today – grab some rays, catch the fireworks.

Happy Fourth.