Me in the pilot’s cabin of a steamboat called the Ticonderoga parked in a field outside Burlington, Vermont, as one of the exhibits of the local Shelburne Museum. Shelburne, Vermont. July 26, 2024.

I postmortem each month shortly after it ends. Previously, I used these posts to hold myself accountable on progress toward my annual goals. Starting in January 2023, I broadened these posts to address more generally my observations and experiences for the month. (To read previous months’ reviews, click here.)

Another month of movement and adventure!

I started the month with the second half of the yoga retreat in Greece that I mentioned last month. A week after I returned to home base, Arnaud and I headed to Thune, Switzerland, for his latest Ironman competition, where he excelled as always and where I stand in awe and anew affirmed in my choice to never undertake such an endeavor.

We then had a few days of trying to frantically get as much work done as we could—as well as final travel preparations made and wrapped—because we headed in the second half of the month to the United States to see family. Our first stop, which closed out July, involved adventures with my mother and her husband in and around Burlington, Vermont.

I had never before visited Vermont though, since childhood, I have for unknown-origin reasons idealized the state as the best possible place in all the country. To be honest, even when I lived on the east coast for a while and traveled through New England, I had somewhat avoided Vermont because I feared the reality could never measure up to the mental image.

Yet I figured it was high time to brave the attempt.

And did it measure up?

Indeed, it did! I loved Burlington and the entire region. The state is green and lush and gorgeous and the people are laid back and friendly. The region has a relaxed and joyous pace, too. Vermont is far from my home base these days, but I will go back if ever I get the chance. By golly, it does indeed rank as my favorite state in the United States even now that I’ve visited it. (Sorry to all the other places in my home country that I know and love; Vermont was truly special.)

Before we left, I did manage to get as much work done and goal progress made as I could. I got ahead ahead on the efforts for this blog as best I could so that it didn’t go dormant, I finally finished out the tax work in two countries, and I covered as much as I could as far ahead as I could on all professional efforts—though I at least have the luxury of being able to work in the downtime of travel and in designated working moments when all my travel companions know I need to keep the business ball rolling. (Side note: I’m amazed at how productive I can be when everyone decides to take a nap.)

I also managed to start the revision work on Get Your Needs Met before we left, though most of the effort will need to wait for the focus time I’ll have after we return to Switzerland. In addition, I made a few minor additional adjustments to the plan I have for my next novel. I sent the planning documents to a writer friend for a look-see with plans to reconnect and get her thoughts in late August.

And last but not least, I closed out my goals around doctors’ appointments and checkups for the year before we left town. As mentioned in a previous month, what no one else would put on their annual goals list—doctors’ appointments—I must write down or I will find ways to “forget” them. I can’t be the only one who hates going to the doctor, no matter what’s going on and even if that something is nothing, right?

Month-in-Review Highlights: July 2024