Never Let Them Think You Don't

I'm thrilled to share the news that my short-short Never Let Them Think You Don't is live at Prime Number Magazine. I'm honored to be included among such talented folks.

Record snowfall

It's been crazy around here... the epic storm that's been trudging its way across the country dumped 24 inches of snow here. HERE, where the average annual snowfall is a measly 50 inches. And, during the process, we set 2 records: the 24 hour snowfall (24 inches) and the 48 hour snowfall (26 inches). I don't think I've ever seen that much snow fall at one time. It's really pretty amazing to see. Not so amazing to have to shovel, and now, of course, I'm sore in places I didn't know existed.

Here's the view from inside our garage:



Outside one of the bedrooms, the snow nearly reaches the eaves:

Great read:

I've just finished Aryn Kyle's collection Boys and Girls Like You and Me and, wow, it was fantastic.... and sublime and wondrous. I loved it. I took my time, savoring each story, delighting in how each made me feel: inspired, alive, connected to something larger than myself. I thoroughly enjoyed each one and the collection as a whole. My favorites: Economics, Take Care, Allegiance, Boys and Girls Like You and Me.

If you haven't read this yet, do. Rent, borrow or buy it: you'll love it.

(Chap)Book Heaven

I received a fantastic collection of (chap)books in yesterday's mail. Many thanks to Ethel Rohan. She hosted a giveaway over at her blog, and I won! I'm super excited to read these:

Ethel Rohan, Cut Through the Bone
William Walsh, Pathologies
Claudia Smith, Put Your Head In My Lap
Matthew Salesses, Our Island of Epidemics
Sean Lovelace, How Some People Like Their Eggs
Rusty Barnes, Breaking it Down
xTx, He Is Talking to the Fat Lady
Molly Gaudry, We Take Me Apart
Peter Schwartz, Old Men, Girls, and Monsters
Issue 2 of Sententia

I don't expect I'll get much writing done in the next little while as I'll have my nose buried in these books. But that's okay. Curling up with a great read (or 10!) is a soul-satisfying way to wile away the snowy days.

Ethel: thank you, thank you.

Star Trails

Here's my 1st attempt at star trails. I realize some folks look at these with a yawn, but I'm simply fascinated with the idea of capturing stars (and the movement of them!) with a camera. There is so much to learn and the conditions have to be just right... I tried on 3 different nights during a recent trip to Florida. I thought: Florida? Warm! Not so. The 1st night it was 32 degrees... my ankle-length pants and sweatshirt weren't nearly warm enough. By the 3rd night of staying up late (airplane traffic dies down considerably after 11 p.m.), I was practicing sleeping while standing up. I know there are lots of things to be improved for my next try, but I'm pleased nonetheless.

Another Acceptance

Received an acceptance yesterday (Christmas Day!) for a short-short from editor Clifford Garstang of Prime Number Magazine. First off: two acceptances in the same month is a first for me. It's a little sad when put like that, but, really, the important part is that it's very, very exciting. Secondly: the email was sent on Christmas Day. What an awesome Christmas present!! And what a hard working editor Clifford must be to be working on Christmas Day. I'm thrilled and very honored.

An Acceptance

Received an acceptance letter today for a short story of mine from Editor-in-Chief Kasey Bunner of The Evansville Review. I'm thrilled!!! I have to say that when I opened the envelope, I was expecting a rejection. So when I caught "pleasure" and "welcome" I did a double take. I started over from the beginning, reading slowly and then I read it out loud to my husband. The grin on my face lasted well over an hour. Did I mention how thrilled I am??