 Just sitting by the river was when I was inspired to write on the Verde River. She's now headed to the National Book Festival in D.C. next month to represent Arizona. But first, early voting is underway in advance of the state's July 30th primary, and in some races, the winner of this month's contest will win the seat, either because there's no opponent from the other party, or the party registration in a district is so heavily tilted to one side or the other that the other side has virtually no chance to win.