Month-in-Review Highlights: May 2026

A view over the Atlantic Ocean from the waterfront promenade in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, The Canary Islands, Spain. May 25, 2026.

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.)

The slow ramp-up to summer travels continued in the second half of May with a trip to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands for Arnaud’s 2026 triathlon.

Getting there and getting back, especially with all his triathlon gear, was no small feat. The journey involved almost every type of engine-fueled transport possible: buses and trains and multiple flights and taxis. We slowly but surely got there, though. Even better: Despite my serious concern that critical equipment would get lost or damaged in transit, everything arrived intact. He had a great race, too. (You can read his write-up of it on his blog.)

I was determined when we left for Lanzarote that I would keep up the pace on the revision of one of the two novels I have in progress, and I miraculously did. That boosts my confidence in my ability to keep that work moving forward once the travel season really gets underway.

Of course, I didn’t purely work on my writing and support my spouse’s triathlon while in the Canary Islands. I basked in the sun as well. Arnaud had found a wonderful hotel and decided we’d spend a couple of days there after the triathlon relaxing and recovering. After weeks of cold and rain in Lausanne, I needed the warmth!

Other than the trip, May saw the continuation of my efforts to cover as many of the life-maintenance tasks as I could before the summer travel season. (Taxes! Medical check-ups! Home maintenance!) I also worked to get as far ahead as possible on the blog work and to keep the fiction moving apace. All efforts will continue in June. (Summer in Europe means July and August.)

On the writing front, most my May work involved addressing the incredibly helpful notes I got from the tiny handful of people who read my novel-in-draft. (Can I just say how utterly thankful I am that people agreed to read my work in draft mode and give me notes? What a massive gift of time and attention.)

The days have officially gotten much longer here in Lausanne, and the warmer weather is (finally) here to stay until the autumn. Hibernation season is officially over. Long days and outdoor play? Yes, please!