1. I am taking this week and next away from posting anything on my blog.
2. I’m reading Carla Simpson’s Deadly Obsession, a Victorian mystery with a surly Scots detective and an adventurous English lady who is anything but proper (she was raised by an eccentric aunt!). This time, the pair of detectives are investigating a serial killer.
3. My front yard was filled with black birds this morning–the annual migration. They are noisy things. When I see them, I am reminded of HItchcock’s film adaptation of Du Maurier’s “The Birds.” That movie scared the bejezus out of me!
4. Christmas Day is three days away.
5. Yesterday was the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and the longest night of the year. I am looking forward to the lengthening days and the coming of spring.

I signed up for Ali Edwards’ One Little Word class this year. I have not yet decided on a word, but two are resonating with me: imagine and manifest. I want to live with these words for a little bit before I begin. This year has been an interesting year. Our headmistress resigned in February, and the new headmaster was hired in May. I retired in June. Between July and the end of October, I wrote a full-length novel, and since then, I have started another.

I began my drawing practice again, though I haven’t touched my sketchpad this week. I haven’t added to my new book, either. I also resumed writing “morning pages” as recommended by Julia Cameron (The Way of the Artist, I think is the title). And I’m starting Laura Wagner’s 21-Days of Wild Writing course. I’m listening to Beth Kempton’s The Fearless Writer podcast as well.

This new season of life as a retiree is interesting.

I will be back in the new year!