Personal Projects

By Eilene Lyon

I recently read a quote: “If you want something done, ask a busy person.”

I’m that busy person! All it takes is a proclivity for saying “Yes” or raising your hand. Does something have to give? Probably. I’ll admit that my book-in-progress is going slow.

What’s taking up so much time, you ask? In January 2025, I volunteered to be the Treasurer for Women Writing the West, the writer’s group I joined back in 2021 (and which I credit for getting my books published).

In addition to being on the board, I also did a Zoom presentation for their annual conference last October. I’m going to be working on a grant application next month. In December, I took over the WWW Blog. And next Wednesday evening, I’ll be doing another Zoom presentation: “What Lies Beneath Colorado: Researching and Writing a Nonfiction Book in 13 Months.”

In this presentation, I’ll be discussing my research and writing process, and will introduce some of the interesting women I wrote about. You can learn more at the blog, and since this is a free presentation, you can register for it here.

What else? Running a semi-monthly critique group. Organizing the bird club spring bird count. Field trips for the Native Plant Society. Writing my own two blogs. Genealogy presentations. Bird banding. Family. Friends. Dogs. Gardening.

But it’s not all work, work, work. I have planned a couple vacations. Next month, Maui with a girlfriend. In September, biking the G.A.P. and C & O Canal paths from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. with The Putterer. This is one of those trips I’ve wanted to do for years. So much history back east! (You know me and history.) There will be camping trips, too.

I think that about sums up my busy life. (Please don’t ask me to do something, I’d probably say “Yes”!)

Feature image: Ka’anapali Beach Resort, Maui.