Homing--back to the nest

Bill's caption for this photo (a wren's nest on top of his oxygen/acetylene welding tanks): "Cleaning Up After Former Tenants." There was a wooden top over the tanks that effectively sheltered the brood from the weather--a great place to raise a family.

The dogs and I got home from New Mexico late Tuesday night and I spent yesterday cleaning up email (not done yet) and mail (haven't started on that). Apologies for not blogging while I was gone. I had camera/computer problems, yes--but the main reason was my selfish, single-minded focus on the other writing and related reading. Blogging is sometimes a distraction, especially when I'm working out narrative or stylistic issues on another piece of writing. In this case, I was finishing Wormwood and cleaning up the memoir, now titled Landscapes of the Heart: A Memoir of Marriage and Place. I still have some notes/sources to check out for Landscapes and another pass to make through Wormwood (I'll do that in late February), but both projects are essentially finished. And I've started another, a journal book called An Extraordinary Year of Ordinary Days. (More, much more about that later.)

I went to NM in early December. Bill had been there since just after Thanksgiving, and came back to Texas the day after Christmas--so I had nearly three weeks to myself. There was a lot of snow and a few car problems (you don't want to know), so I was housebound--no hardship--for a couple of weeks. I celebrated a birthday (my 68th), stenciled a border in the kitchen (will post a pic next time), knitted some mitts (good for cold hands in my writing loft), and spent time with the dogs. No TV, so it was a wonderful time for reading/writing/thinking.  Lovely, lovely.

Back at work, with some upcoming things to tell you about. I'm doing a workshop on personal mapping for the Story Circle conference Feb. 1-3, plus a panel on blogging and a workshop called "Here Be Dragons." If any of these interest you, you can register here for all or part of the conference. Nancy Slonim Aronie is the keynote speaker--should be very good. The title of her talk: "We Are All Alchemists."

Paula and Linda and I have also been working hard on the Story Circle Book Review site. I did some reading/reviewing during my holiday break, and we've updated the site with new reviews and a new author interview feature. The first: my interview with Roberta Isleib. Our team of reviewers continues to grow, with some new, strong reviewers joining us. If you'd like to contribute a review, go here for the low-down. I've been researching/requesting upcoming titles from major publishers; we will have a very strong list of review offerings this spring. Now's the time to get involved!

In March, I'm doing Mentor Monday (March 3) for the Sisters in Crime discussion list and looking forward to that. If you're a SinC member and not on the discussion list, go join.  Also, I'm working on the April Texas Nightshade tour now, and will soon have details--a blog tour for China Bayles, too. So watch here for news about that.

Reading note: Not knowing when the dawn will come I open every door.--Emily Dickinson

Comments

[Jinni Turkelson]

I can't thnk of a different way to say what evryone else has, so I'll just repeat it. Happy Birthday and a big welcome back!! Funny how we get used to having you blog and what a big hole is left when you don't. I'm so glad you had all that tme to yourself because it sounds as if you'll be pretty busy from now on.Can't wait for the new China book.

[Carolyn]

Whew! I check your blog almost daily and I was afraid you'd met with some kind of accident. So glad you are back!
I re-read Dead Mans Bones the other night and decided to make the Chicken Curry recipe found in back of the book. It was fantastic--my three little boys cleaned their plates! Thank you for that.
I have a question, I apologize if it's been answered elsewhere on your blog; where do you get your knowledge of legal procedure? Were you or your husband an attorney or detective in a former life?

[Pam]

Welcome back Susan! And Happy Birthday! It's so nice to have you back blogging again so we can read about all of the wonderful things you've been up to.

[Ann Bevak]

What a relief to check Lifescapes, as did Linda, and find a posting!
You've been missed. I'm sure my FeedBlitz connection will get to me sooner or later. We've trekked from Michigan to Florida, where the weather for the time being is poopy (is that allowable?) but squeezing in some tennis (and reading when we can't be outdoors). Whatever, it's better than up north. Roberta Isleib lives in a town near one of my brothers, so her Conn. references are fun.
Many happy returns.
Ann

[Betty in Springfield, MA]

So very nice to see you are o.k. I think we all knew you were away but must admit it seems like forever since you've blogged...Happy Birthday and welcome back! Betty in Springfield, MA

[Linda Mandeville]

Hi Susan,
So excited to check Landscapes and see a new post from you! (Much more fun to check than to be notified when you post!) Sounds like you had a wonderful time in NM--and got so much accomplished. Welcome back, and Happy Birthday!!