Freezing My Humps Off

Hello again. 

It's still winter here in Grimesville. This is a view of my deck. No, I didn't go outside to take the picture. It's 5 freakin' degrees F out there! I'm thinking I won't be venturing out until, oh, say, April. 

TG is outside trying to convince the snow blower that the layer of white powder hasn't frozen solid overnight. He's made of hardier stuff than I am.

Apparently, these camels are, too:

By MJCdetroit (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com.

Me? I plan to settle in with another cup of tea and Book 4. I much prefer to do this "winter" thing vicariously, so...

It's cold in Ciel-land right now. Maybe I'll bury her in a snow drift and see how she handles it. Or perhaps I'll let her go sledding off an unexpected cliff. Or ice skating...without skates. Skiing? Snowboarding? 

Hmm. Where can she get into the most trouble? *thinks cruel authorly thoughts*

Question for the day: How do you feel about winter weather? 

A. LOVE IT! I'd live in an igloo if I could.

B. I'll venture out into it for the sports, but give me a nice hot tub afterward.

C. Eh. Maybe a quick walk, if I have the incentive of hot cocoa waiting at the end of it.

D. I'm willing to look out the window at the gently falling snow as long as there's a fire in the fireplace beside me.

E. Pardon me while I hibernate until the spring thaw.

Happy Hump Day! Stay warm. :)

Wednesday? Whoa...how'd that happen?

So, have you missed me? 

No, wait. Scratch that. Sounds too needy. 

Actually, I've missed you. Yes, you. You know who you are. No, don't look over your shoulder--I mean you. And, if I might I be so bold as to say it, you're looking particularly snazzy today. Is that a new outfit? And have you done something new to your hair? Love it! 

(Okay, relax. I can't really see you through your webcam. But, if one is to believe reports, the NSA can, so you might want to nix those naked web-surfing plans...)

Me? Oh, I've been keeping myself busy with this and that. 

You know, taking care of business. Spending time with family and friends (both real and imaginary). Pulling people's heads out of camels' mouths (er, so to speak), etc. Becoming appalled at how rapidly time is whizzing by while I try to keep up with it. I mean, come on. 2014? Seriously? How the hell did that happen?

(Oh, before I forget, that first picture up there is from: http://www.idreammortgage.com/2013/07/17/welcome-to-get-over-the-hump/  Not that I'm advertising for them. I've never even heard of them. I just liked the picture.)

Anyway, in between playing nurse for various family members and waiting for my editorial letter on The Big Fix, I've been working on other writing projects. Book 4, of course, tentatively titled Fixer Upper, is my priority. Contracts are highly motivating. 

Here's a teensy-tiny bit from it: 

"Weightlessness, I decided, was way overrated. My stomach concurred." ~ Ciel Halligan, Fixer Upper 

Oh, dear. What has Ciel gotten herself into this time? 

I've also been toying with a high-stakes thriller and revamping an old paranormal suspense. Gotta keep some extra irons in that fire!

morguefile.com

So, what have you been up to lately? Has 2014 (!!!) been treating you well so far? 

Humpy New Year!

Wishing you all the very best in 2014!