We're gearing up for a backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon.

Serious backpackers (meaning my husband, not me!) know that backpacking is all about packing light. There'll be a weigh station at the top of the trail and we'll weigh our packs before setting out. (I know how this works because we've hiked in the Grand Canyon twice before.)

I also know that my husband will say, "Mo, your pack is too heavy! What have you got in there?"

Then, I'll have to unpack the whole danged thing.

Then, he'll find my books (I need at least two) and my journal (and two ballpoint pens).

He'll say, "There'll be no time for reading. And no time for writing in your journal either! We're going to be hiking all day long. At night, you'll be too konked out to read or write!"

And I'll say: "If you want me to stay married to you, and if you want me to keep going on these crazy hikes, DON'T MESS WITH MY BOOKS AND MY JOURNAL. THEY'RE COMING ON THIS TRIP TOO AND THAT'S THAT!!"

The moral of this story is: writers don't go anywhere without something to read and something to write in (and two ballpoint pens, in case one runs out of ink).