Where have I been? Where did the time go?
When time is limited, I struggle with priorities. With an old injury in my arms, I even have to prioritize use of my hands. Writing, revising, blogging, cooking, driving for errands, ironing, cleaning, folding clothes fresh from the dryer . . . all use my hands/arms, as does almost everything except reading and watching TV. So I pace myself: iron two shirts, sit and read for 15 minutes, work on a manuscript for half-an-hour, meditate, clean the bathroom, take a break for tea . . . I can get a lot done in small doses this way.
I've been working on revising my octopus story, the one I tried in verse. I've rewritten it in prose. My hospice story has been revised once again and received helpful feedback from my ICL instructor. With a bit more polishing, it will be ready for a publisher. My third picture book manuscript for the course will be a reworking of a story that won 3rd place in the Charlotte Writer's Club Children's Story Contest two years ago. Thank you to Jane Yolen for the suggestion on how to turn it into a picture book.

I began a new critique group for writers for younger children in my area, south of Charlotte. We've met once so far and the experience was very promising! The group will go on, despite the next bit of news.

Two weeks ago, my husband and I decided to move to Florida to be neighbors to his parents. We have put our house on the market already. The folks have had many serious health issues in the last year. It is easier for us to move than them, so we are off on a new adventure (preceeded by sorting, cleaning out, preparing the house for potential buyers, packing, and looking for a new home). We want to be near, to spend the next years with them, to help when and however we can. They are very dear to us.

Know anyone who wants to move to the Carolinas, be near Charlotte, buy a lovely, renovated ranch home? Check out the link in the title of this blog.

So, it's been a busy time. Blogging got put on a back burner. I'll keep it at a simmer now. Don't want the soup to go cold!