Last Post for 2016

In spite of the last couple of months, my 2016 was pretty good. Most of the good stuff pertains to things I can't talk about. (yeah. yeah. i know.) Cold Iron was reviewed on NPR's site-much to my shock and surprise. Blackthorne's big rewrite went extremely well, and I'm proud of it--or will be after one more pass. (Yes. I'm exacting with my work. It's important.) Other bits are boring health-related things.I've fewer migraines than I was having. I bought a bicycle. (I really, really needed one.) And now I've added daily 5 mile rides to the weekly Hakkoryu (martial arts) training. I've made a lot of headway, considering how out of shape I was. I can now get up from the floor without touching it with my hands for example, and sitting in seiza and/or Lotus position is comfortable. I couldn't do any of these things at the start of 2016. So, progress was made. I'm thankful for that. I also rewrote one short story and completed another. Both were rejected by the magazines at which they were submitted, but the second story is off on submission again. This is a good thing. It's been a while since I've done that. I'd given up on short stories. Hell, the second rejection was what my bestie, Melissa, used to refer to as an A++ rejection. (Personalized and from the top editor.) I'm trying again with short stories because a new friend I met at Worldcon recommended that I do so. She was terribly encouraging exactly when I needed it. I'm working on a new project that I'm excited about. Dane, my husband, is doing well, and we still make one another laugh. So...yes. All in all it was a good year--the election, the loss of a friend, and the celeb deaths asside.

So, happiest of New Years to you, dear reader. My hope is that 2017 isn't as vile as I fear it'll be politically and financially. Ultimately, I hope that each of you has a prosperous, healthful, joyous year, filled with laughter and love. May we all have the courage and persistence to do the right thing when it's most needed.