Chapter 81.2: Return of the Prodigal Blogger

I have returned. I'm not sure how frequently I'll be able to blog here (or at the Elephant's Bookshelf, for that matter), but I do want to try to get back to writing at least one post per week.

Even today, I'm slipping a quick five minutes in to write here. Most of November's writing time was taken by National Novel Writing Month, which ended up as a productive failure for me. As you can see from the little do-dad to the right, I didn't quite reach 16,000 words. I've added a little since December started, but mostly what I've done with the new novel is organize it better and think about where the story goes from where it is now.

One other reason I haven't blogged lately is because I don't have much that I want to tell the world at large. My brain has been more on things closer to home. While this isn't a wildly traversed plot of cyberspace, I do average 1,500-2,000 hits a month, so I don't need to share everything with everyone. And the things I might share, no one else really wants to hear.

I just dodged a call from a chimney sweep offer ... what else is new?

The Christmas shopping is essentially done, there's still work to do around the house before the big day arrives, and I'm completely swamped at work. I'm sure I'm not alone in those types of situations.

So I say, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. You'll see me dropping off bloggy presents from time to time before the new year begins, but until then, be well!

Who says costumes are just for Halloween?

Upcoming Costume Holidays and Events in 2007:

Mardi Gras: February 20th
MardiGrasCostumes.com carries costumes, masks, beads, party supplies to make your Mardi Gras party or parade the best ever!

Purim: Sundown on March 4th
Purim is a Jewish holiday often celebrated by masquerading in costumes and masks. Costume are also needed for plays that re-enact scenes from The Book of Esther and The Story of Purim.
AnniesCostumes.com carries costumes featuring characters from Purim as well as many other masquerade styles. Many Purim costume parties often have a masquerade theme - use your imagination!

St. Patrick's Day: March 17th
Yes, this is a costume holiday for Leprechauns, Irish Maidens, Irish Dancers & more. Plus hats, beads and party supplies. Show your Irish pride!
AnniesCostumes.com carries Irish costumes, hats and party supplies to make your St. Patty's Day Party great.

April Fool's Day: April 1st
This is also a holiday for costumes: jesters & clowns, of course! Or dress up as whatever it is that you are a fool for! Love women, dress as one! Love food, how about a hamburger costume or a Hershey's Kiss? Dog lover? You get it! Plus, we also have gags and tricks for that perfect April fools prank. Or check out the great selection of magic at my brother's magic website: Wizard's Apprentice Magic Shop.

Easter Sunday: April 8th
EasterBunnyCostumes.com carries over 30 different Easter Bunny mascot costumes, bunny costumes for kids and babies, sexy bunny costumes for ladies and biblical costumes for children and adults.

It's Renaissance Fair Season!
Check out Renaissance fairs and festivals coming to a city near you!
AnniesCostumes.com has all of the garb you need to attend your festival dressed as the lord or the lady you are!

Chapter 53.5: A Child's Christmas As a Cat

With all the travel we'll have over the next couple of days, we decided to celebrate Christmas at home this morning. Though the cat usually wakes us up early, he seems to have started to understand Saturday means the humans stay in bed. So he wasn't as concerned as he often is, making sure that I get to my train on time. But he did seem curious about the presents under the tree -- some of which were for him.

I got out of bed around 9 or so and fed him and started some coffee, but his petulant mewing told me he wanted more. So I started to toss mice around. He loves this. It's his time to run and pounce and play. I enjoy it too -- as long as he's not gnawing on my heels. Seeing him zip from room to room, bounce the mice around like a basketball or swat at them like soccer balls makes me long for coaching sports.

Though he's a housecat, Riley loves the great outdoors -- the backyard is as far as we let him roam, and always on a leash. But during the winter (even as mild as this one has begun), he doesn't have the same number of visual stimuli as the spring or summer. Fewer birds, the squirrels are preoccupied, and the grass isn't as tasty as new spring shoots. Once the wife was up and I'd scrambled the eggs, it was time to open the presents -- including those for the cat. I got him a DVD of Swan Lake -- rather swans on a pond. There's birdsong and trilling insects in the background. It will entertain him while my wife works or if we're out for a couple hours -- as will the new mice we gave him and the stuffed cat that mews like it needs to be fed.

So Merry Cat Christmas, Riley. I hope you enjoyed it. Now if you could only learn how to clean your box by yourself.