R & R

We took a few days off, to enjoy Jim's Dad's 93rd birthday, to go to the beach, to be a family. Sarah was so good the whole time, she was good with James, fun to be with, she reminded me of everything that was best about 15. I didn't realize how much I miss the beach until we were there. Jim had booked a place right on the water, and it was so nice to get up in the morning and look out and see the sea. I swam so much I had to get a haircut when I got home because my hair was so damaged from sun, salt and chlorine.

Now I'm back, going through days of e-mail, catching up on sign deliveries, reviewing the endless requirements for direct mail, writing thank you notes, and asking people to vote for me. Bob Inzer told me last week that the most intense portion of this event is just beginning, and I believe him. People I don't know are calling up asking for signs. Volunteers are calling. It's remarkable, and I am continually surprised. Today there was an article in the paper about the Attorney General, asking him about donations he'd received from a couple of private citizens from out of state, he said he didn't know them and didn't have a clue why they'd contributed. Almost all of my contributions have come from people I know, but a few have come from friends of friends. But the signs are going out broadly, and I'm very happy about that.

Friends are asking why I talked about my volunteer work before my legal work in the paper last week. I didn't. The reporter put it down that way. We've been told to muster next week for a group interview with the Tallahassee Democrat Editorial board. They aren't even saying that they'll endorse. Sunday's editorial says that they won't endorse where they're "damning with faint praise." Historically, they endorse several candidates, we'll see what happens.