Well, another month has simply flown by. If you’re anything like me, you’re feeling behind on about 3 fronts right now. Let me tell you what I’m telling myself: relax. If it doesn’t get done, it’ll just have to wait. It can wait. It will wait. Take care of yourself and don’t forget to breathe, and simply be. (Yes, I know–easier said than done.)
And what’s got me all wrapped up and running? Pretty much all of life. 🙂
Dasher the bionic dog’s latest leg surgery went well, but he started to not use the leg post-recovery, so he needed physical therapy to teach him to use the leg and put on muscle that he’d lost. Then he had a few seizures (relating to his inoculation; I expected it, but still they eat time and cause stress/worry). We boarded Dash for a Thanksgiving road trip, had a great time there, then had a L-O-N-G and painful trip home due to ridiculous traffic. Two days after we dragged ourselves into our home, guests arrived. We had a good time with them, showing them the central FL sights over 10 days. The retaining wall in our back yard was finally finished, and now merely requires about 3 yards of good soil to be delivered and filled into the new flower beds–and the weather is perfect for this! But now my husband has had knee surgery and is in recovery, hobbling around on crutches and trying to keep his knee elevated. I’m getting to play nurse. And chauffeur. And gopher. And…
And let’s just not mention all the stuff going on in the news, which as you are well aware is sure to cause heartburn and stress and mental angst. Ho-ho-ho and a bottle of rum, indeed!
All this “activity” has meant my writing time has taken a hit, and my productivity has nose-dived. I’m still hitting the computer, but my poor, beleaguered brain isn’t working as fast with all the stresses being thrown at it (thank you very much, auto-immune diseases, for tanking my brain whenever I get stressed!). And yet, here I am, still plugging away, still in love with the characters of my novel, still looking longingly at short fiction’s “instant gratification” and wondering if I can sneak in time for writing one…
In January, the annual Codex flash fiction writing contest begins, and I’ve raised my hand as one wishing to participate at least once during the 5-week event. After the crazies of this last month, I feel I deserve a small break. So YAY flash fiction! And YAY new year!
Tomorrow, though, is the winter solstice. The longest night, and shortest day. A good time for reflection on the past, contemplation of the future, and planning. For coming to peace with yourself, your situation, and the world, such as it is. Which is what I’ll be doing.
As the days slowly lengthen and more sunlight returns, I hope to be settling into a new rhythm, adjusting to the season and hitting my writing stride once again.
Peace to all in the new year.
Everyday Magic | M. E. Garber 