Time Off
I know leisure is possible throughout the year, but is there really a better season than summer to pursue whatever it is we decide makes life rich and enjoyable? For some, that may be cooking, others a chess game. For me, it involves a beach and a French novel.
Some of my friends are surprised to learn that in my off time, I love to read. I can’t blame them. After all, my job is saturated in words — one would think that it would be enough to send me straight to an art canvas or the golf range. Trust me, we’re all better off that I don’t paint. And though I do hit a fairly straight shot, it flies only about a hundred yards.
But why the surprise? Many of us enjoy what we do for work. Given all the opportunities in the world, there are those of us who would still fill time off with pursuits that others might think of as professions. This issue offers three stories about just that — and each unique.
I must start with Gene Wilder. I absolutely fell in love with this man when I saw him on screen in Willy Wonka and Young Frankenstein. And though my admiration has endured the years, after reading writer Bill Slocum’s profile of who Wilder is now, it has been fanned higher. I didn’t know that this genius comedy actor and director had become a talented painter and writer. His first novel, My French Whore, has just been released and, I’m happy to say, is at the top of my beach bag. There is so much to learn about this creative man.
Writer Sherri Daley also pulled together a fun story on some Wilton brothers who are known as the Racing Rileys — professional race car drivers. Having children (even if they are out of their teen years) who live and breathe speed could be emotionally exhausting for their parents. But in this family, it’s a charge — Dad races, too. Mom mostly covers her eyes and tries to let the boys be boys.
Finally, our cover story. We knew that our community is filled with hard-working, enterprising businesspeople. What we discovered, though, is a whole network of women who help one another reach their professional goals as entrepreneurs, in all different fields. We’ve all heard that when you work for yourself, your leisure is your work, but we were pleased to find that these women wouldn’t change a thing. For each one, running her own business is a dream.
We all enjoy a little R&R. It just so happens that one person’s fishing trip is another person’s bonsai shaping. Enjoy!
