The Marshmallow Ranch Gazette (Patreon)

Howdy, patrons!

We're in the dog days of summer here at the Jackalope Serial Company, which means that it should all hot and sticky -- but it's not! The temperatures here are actually pretty nice, and the nights are just chilly enough for snuggling with a loved one or keeping that blanket on the bed. As a critter who doesn't do well in heat, I can't complain.

I'm coming off a "staycation" last week from the day job; I had hoped to use the time catching up on a whole lot of different projects, but that didn't work out as well as I wanted it to. Family obligations cropped up again, and to be honest more often than not my mental capacities were exhausted by the time they were dealt with. I'm still moving through them, but it's a bit like walking through molasses; progress is slow even though it takes a whole lot of effort. 

Now that I'm back at work, there are a few things making it hard to jump back into the swing of things. We recently got a surprise new CEO, so several things were thrown up in the air; it looks like we'll continue on with business as usual until the end of the year, but after that we'll be making changes. Business as usual means that I'll be going on my second-ever work trip at the end of the month -- this time to Belgium for two weeks and Dallas, TX for one!

I'll be heading to Belgium to learn the new 'flagship' product of our company in order to help better Support it, and presumably cross-train our European colleagues on the product I support on my day job. In Dallas, that training will continue and I'll have the opportunity to work with the team there in real time -- which I've never done! In between, chances are pretty good I'll be meeting a few people and doing a few tourist's things. To be honest, I'm quite excited for the opportunity!

Getting ready to be away from home for three weeks is kind of like another part-time job. I'll need to make sure my finances are squared away, my family can withstand my absence for the better part of a month, and that a number of things can carry on in my absence. I'm also working to get better organized so I can keep doing a number of the things I need to while I'm away -- meditating, reading, writing, that sort of business.

So, I'm afraid that I won't have much ready here at the Patreon this month; sorry about that. I will keep working on the next serial as much as possible so that it's ready to go in September, or October at the latest. There are a few other stories that I'll be taking a crack at as well, and I'd really like to get re-acquainted with reading, so there are a few goals I have to hit. In the meantime, I'll be sure to keep you buckaroos updated with my progress so you know what's what. 

That's all from me for now -- see you folks later!