A lot of hustle and a little hassle

This week had all the makings of a relaxing time for the retired old editor on a jaunt to the nation’s capital and quiet visits with his old friends at the Freedom Forum.

So off to the Chips Quinn Scholars staff quarters to soak up the organized and orderly way of life. It had the makings of an easy-going visit. Except for a couple of matters:

* Except for Karen Catone racing up and down the hall talking to anyone and everyone about everything for the CQS Summer orientation, asking questions, checking lists and hassling John Quinn to write his first blog;

* Kate Kennedy keeping her newsroom cool, almost, as she lined up details for celebrating the 1,000-plus CQS alums and hassling JCQ to write his first blog;

* Michelle Hedenskoog pumping out volumes of copies of lists and pictures and beeps through her busy computer and hassling JCQ to write his blog;

* Kristen Smith struggling through her idea to assemble big binders of leave-behinds for all 51 Scholars and hassling JCQ to write his blog;

* Mary Kay Blake presiding with her usual cool, but passing out to-do lists of everything from name tags to the balloon brigade and hassling JCQ to write his blog.

So much for relaxing with old friends. This joint is jumping and everyone is focused on making everything and everybody work well, including getting JCQ to write his first -- and, hopefully, his last -- blog. Amen.

(Typed by hand on the 1935 Underwood No. 5)