MATTHEW KEITH

It's been a crazy couple of months around the Matthew Keith homestead.

I've talked about my kids and their involvement in college and high school band, so it should be no surprise when I say that my excuse for slacking so badly on this blog is a result of marching season being in full-swing.

One more competition. Just one more and then it's over. The Big One. Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis. It's a strange feeling every year. As a parent who donates a lot of time to helping build props and getting the band safely to the shows and on the fields, I'm always anxious to have the season done. It gobbles up all of my spare time and then some. I lose sleep. My sore back gets... sorer? Is that a word? Is that a thing? I'm using it, I don't care.

But now at the end of the season, knowing we're just a few days away from it being over, I get a little sad. I like the guys I work with at the school, we've forged some good friendships. I like the kids in the band. There are over 200 of them, but I feel like I can confidently say almost all of them are good eggs.

Man, I must be getting old if I feel that way about band. Hah!

The good news is I'll be able to get back to writing at my regular pace again. I'm a little over half-way through my newest book, but it has stalled the past two months because I've been so exhausted. Not only has marching band been kicking my ass, but we're going through our busy season at work too. For me, my life has been non-stop go-go-go for about three months. I'm overdue and ready to take a breath and I can think of no better way than sitting down at the keyboard and writing.