Celebration

It’s that time again. The old year is retiring, and the new is itching for promotion. Since we don’t know what 2012 has planned, the final days of the one we do are a good time for contemplation. 

I could argue the half-full or half-empty thing, but I spend most mornings in high rant over some news item or other. This seems like a good time just to celebrate. After all, haven’t we survived whatever was slung in our direction? 

The year has been good creatively. I finished A Killing Season, saw it draped with a cover I liked, and I am working on the ninth in the series. We won’t discuss the newest because books in the birth process are tender things. With luck, it will get its moment of celebration next year. Doing blogs here has been a treat. A few of my efforts weren’t bad, and the rest haven’t embarrassed me too much in retrospect. For the latter, I thank the kindness of LadyKillers and those who read us. 

In March, I went to Left Coast Crime in Santa Fe, a place I last visited over fifty years ago and even stayed at the same hotel. Despite the altitude and being less limber than I was at twelve, I saw places I had long wanted to visit and revisited others. In several sessions, I learned more about the craft I love, met some writers I had never read, and enjoyed mingling with the Canadians. Despite my decades of living in the US, the accent did briefly come back. But the highpoint was having breakfast with many of the LadyKillers! Good company is always something to celebrate. 

June was the Historical Novel Society Conference in San Diego. The panel subjects were varied and intriguing. Thanks to my co-sleuth, Brother Thomas, I was on one that dealt with gay characters, but the panel on Jewish Historical Fiction was my favorite, although my credit card might not be so happy about the exercise it got. I also did my first and only stint at moderating the group discussing how to keep a series fresh. We all survived my effort, and I learned much from the panel. 

Now we are into our usual season of cool temperatures and Pacific storms. The cats are grateful the roof doesn’t leak and that they have a bed cave to hide in when the wind is high. Yes, there is lots of joy to savor from the comfort of friendship to soothing chocolate on a cold night. Celebration of the happy times is good for the spirit, even if it only happens at the end of the year. 

A happy 2012 to you all!

Comments

[Camille Minichino]

Delightful review, Priscilla. The Santa Fe LadyKillers breakfast was a highlight for me, too, and not just because of the great French toast!

Thanks for the reminder to celebrate the "survivals"; my own "high rants" tend to go on too long!

[Priscilla]

One of the (many, if you like cats) advantages of having a Siamese (or part thereof) is that she can outrant me. One full-blown yeowl and suddenly politics gets put in perspective, usually in relation to the empty chow bowl...

[Susan C Shea]

Priscilla, No glass half empty for you - I enjoyed your description of some of the happy outcomes of 2011 in your life. May 2012 be even brighter!

[Priscilla]

Thank you, Susan. My very best wishes to all the LadyKillers for a healthy and prosperous (in so many ways!) 2012. I have enjoyed being part of this group and look forward to more getting together and reading all your blogs.