so here's a detailed rundown of our...vacation. I'm still getting used to that word. we've never actually gone anywhere 'just because' in our entire marriage. it's always been for some occasion or to visit someone or to have a meeting. but we camped near Saugatuck for two nights last week and it was WONDERFUL.

we camped at Ely Lake Campground, which is a county park located on some very sandy seasonal roads. at times, it felt like we were driving on snow. there were (quite stinky) pit toilets and a hand pump for water and some rambunctious raccoons who actually OPENED our cooler on the second night, which we had stupidly left out. but it was pretty and quiet and really cheap--only $10 a night. we had a whole camping loop to ourselves...

Well, another issue of catapult is online, this one focusing on various issues and images related to summer--vacationing, outdoor activities, body image, the beach and so on.

The next issue of catapult is called "Getting Even" (7/27), which will be the last one before our August publishing break. "Getting Even" will focus on revenge and forgiveness. Here are some questions I sent out to our writer's e-mail list:

• Who in your life models forgiveness to you? Who models an inability to forgive?


• What makes revenge intuitive and satisfying? What makes it unsatisfying?


• When have you experience forgiveness in a memorable way, either as an individual or as part of a community?


• What aspects of our culture and systems encourage vengeance over forgiveness?


• South Africa has provided a model for communal reconciliation. What are your thoughts on this model? What other models have you observed, whether on micro or macro scales?


• When has it been difficult for you to forgive? When has it been difficult to be forgiven?


• Do revenge fantasies serve any kind of redemptive purpose?

If you might be interested in submitting something, send me an e-mail: kirstinvgr [at] cultureisnotoptional [dot] com. Please feel free to consider all kinds of formats--articles, interviews, 'conversations', annotated bibliographies, reviews, artwork, poetry, etc. And let me know if you want some feedback on an idea. The deadline for this issue is Friday, July 20.

If you would like to join the writer's e-mail list to get regular updates on publishing dates, deadlines and topics, you can do so here. Don't worry--it's easy to unsubscribe if the list isn't what you thought it would be.

I wasn't planning to make an elaborate lunch today for myself, Rob and our friend Emily, but the fresh produce in our refrigerator was inspiring. Here's the menu:

• Hard-boiled eggs from Heritage Acres in Carson City, Michigan
• Mom's blueberry coffee cake made with fresh blueberries from the farmer's market
• Spiced apples with currants and toasted walnuts, sweetened with maple syrup
• Pomegranate green iced sun tea with lime

It was a delightful summer meal, eaten outside to enjoy today's cooler weather. Hearing the neighbor kids singing as they played over the fence was a perfect dessert.