Two days ago Cleveland had its first big, glorious snowfall.  Today the temperature was in the high 40’s, and when I went for my after-writing-walk, all the snowmen had shrunken heads, and the branches of the trees were once more bare,  the little nests lodged there like secret thoughts revealed.  Today when I went for my walk I was looking up, and around, for what felt like the first time in many, many months, because today I finished what–I hope–is a good draft of my new novel.  Larry Walnut and Fern Fife, old Jack Tinkiss and Minerva the two-legged-wonder-dog, were along for the walk, as usual, but today they didn’t bedevil me.  Today they were quite satisfied, even jaunty.  It was a wonderful walk!

For the next ten days or so, my family will be here and this computer–and my characters–will get a nice long winter’s nap.  Tidings of comfort and joy!