Just a word before I go to bed . . .

Merry Christmas, my friends. Thank you for reading, commenting, inspiring and amusing. Couldn't love you guys more.

Christmas scents

So I've been reading Jennifer Donnelly's new book, REVOLUTION, and I'm admiring all the sensory details. Like, I can really smell and taste Paris as I read this novel. Feeling all inspired, I started a list of scents I associate with the holidays. Didn't get too far. Would HEART it very much if you added some of your own.

The flesh and rinds of clementines (Oooo! That could be a line in a poem!)
Cocoa flavored with peppermint
The sharp, peppery scent of air right before a snow storm
Fir and balsam, juniper berries and pine
Fat waxy candles
Wood and wood smoke

Go for it, guys!

A poinsettia shout out

Because someone has to do it.

Kids, if you live in Salt Lake Valley, you should buy your poinsettias at Quality Plants greenhouse on 33rd south and (around) 10th east. The greenhouse is on the south side of the road--set back a little but you'll see it if you're looking for it.

And you should be looking for it because the people (as Lisa B says) there are deals there to be had. I bought a large GORGEOUS healthy deeply colored and all around sexy plant for like $5.00. Yes. I know. Another Christmas Miracle!

The Morning (or Two) After

Okay. So I felt a euphoric rush after finishing a draft of a new book on Monday. Wow! What a feeling! And all that jazz! Only here's the part the comes after--you don't know what to do with yourself. You feel at loose ends. You have a hard time focusing. You feel bleh.

I guess I could dive IMMEDIATELY into re-writing, only I've learned from experience that it's good for me to put a project aside for a little while. I come back to it with fresh eyes that way, which helps me in the revision process. But I do feel this hole in my writing soul for a bit.

I've beeen trying to decide what to do until January, when I'll start re-writing. Fortunately the holidays provide a pleasant distraction. Bring on the lights! The music! The cheeseballs and bacon-wrapped scallops! I guess I could start another novel--I have a few ideas in mind--but for me it's hard to commit to a second novel while I'm still involved with the first. I'm kind of monogamous that way. Maybe I should focus on generating a few magainze articles. I just sold one to THE WRITER. Maybe I ought to go there . . .

Anyway. There you have it. The ups and downs of it all.