Christmas Catch up

Well, it's been a while. I've been busy. I had a total knee replacement in November and I've been recuperating since then. It's going well. I'm off the walker and just using a cane.

It's been a very quiet Christmas since I've been in, not able to drive and ignoring the rest of the world. However, Mother Nature got my attention with the snow fall. We had 11 inches on my back deck two weeks ago and another 13 inches over Christmas weekend so far. It's Saturday night and it's still snowing. Three days straight. Oh well, it's beautiful, I don't have to be out in int and we need the moisture.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.

Nebraska Writer's Guild Conference

Well, I trudged to Kearney and back, braving Nebraska's fall snow storm to listen to very smart people tell me how terrible the book buying business is these days. I'm sure they're correct, my royalties show it, but I'm forever the optomist. I'm working on the new book, the sequal to No Place for a Lady. Perhaps the market will turn around by the time it's done.

Anyway I need something to do while I'm recupering from knee replacement surgery. Hmm. I hadn't shared that, have I? I'm finally sick of limping and hurting, so November 9, we're going to get a NEW KNEE!

They're so much better now I have two friends who've had them done in the last 4 months and theyre both doing well. I should too.

I'll keep you posted.

Writing Weekend!

I spent a wonderful weekend at a writer's retreat. The Nebraska Writer's Guild hosted "Write Across Nebraska" a new event. Those of us in the eastern region of the state met in the historically rich village of Brownville, NE. With a room overlooking the mighty Missouri eagles soaring overhead, we couln't help be be inspired. One could almost hear Mark Twain on the upper deck, describing his beloved river.
We stayed in the Floating hotel bed and breakfast, the River Inn. It's a darling place, a converted riverboat casino that's a great place for writers.
I completed 19 new pages on my current work in progress. Yay! The peanut brittle of my mind seems to be melding back together. I must tell you, anesthetic does terrible things to your mental processes. It takes much longer than one would ever imagine to get back to "normal".
I needed that time away from everything, but it's always good to come home.

Geneology Finds

As we get older, we seem to be more and more interested in family geneology and finding family we didn't know we had. My sister has turned into the family ancestry sleuth. She's found lots of intersted people, including a half-brother her hubby didn't know he had.

That's a real surprise, especially when you're both retirement age. We are finding my hubby's cousins that he's never met. We're swapping photos and family stories and finding that some of the family legends he learned as a child may not be true at all.

Be careful when you shake the geneology tree. You never know what may come down on your head.

Spring Update

Well, it's been a busy spring and I've been very ill. Chest pains and heart caths are no fun. But the good news is, I didn't have a heart attack and I'm now sleeping like a baby.

Makes it tough to work on the new book, but it is coming along. Yay! A trip to Tennessee provided lots of ideas and pictures of new family members (hubby's cousin) and old family members (my relatives) It was a good time, even though it was hard on me.

We'll travel more slowly next time. More walking, less riding, fewer problems afterward. Take care of yourselves. I was abruptly reminded that hearts can be damaged. Look after yours.

Hugs,Connie

Between The Holidays!

Hmmm. Well, Christmas has past and we're ambling toward New Year's Eve. I'm actually doing writerly things--like meeting with two very new "think they want to be "writers. Had a great conversation. Perhaps I can help them on their way to publication. Of course they're making all the mistakes every beginning writer makes. At least I can encourage them to NEVER GIVE UP! And to go shopping for their new "want-to-be-an-author's" THICK SKIN. Writing is and art. Publishing is a business. Never confuse the two. We'll see how it goes. I've agreed to meet with them again. Hmmm.

I'm starting over on the sequel to No Place for a Lady. It's amazing how much trouble an obscure volcano eruption can cause to a plot. At least to a tale set in 1816. Whew! It's a whole new book.

Stay tuned. The feathers are ruffled and flying in the nest.

Holiday Spirit

Hooray! I've found the Christmas tree. Now the nest is decorated for the holidays. One wouldn't think a bird could lose a tree, right? Well, think again. AFter seaching the attice a second time, the tree and its decorations magically appeared. Now we're all set for the presents and good times. I think all my family will get books for Christmas. Sounds like a plan!